call first at my house, Eaton Square, No. --- I should not have presumed
to call if it had not been on business,--public business, I may say--
NATIONAL business!"

Harley bowed again. A faint smile flitted for a moment to his lip, but,
vanishing, gave way to a mournful, absent expression of countenance, as
he scanned the handsome features before him, and, perhaps, masculine and
bold though they were, still discovered something of a family likeness to
one whose beauty had once been his ideal of female loveliness; for
suddenly he stretched forth his hand, and said, with more than his usual
cordial sweetness, "Business or not business, let us speak to each other
as friends,--for the sake of a name that takes me back to Lansmere, to my
youth. I listen to you with interest."

Richard Avenel, much surprised by this unexpected kindliness, and
touched, he knew not why, by the soft and melancholy tone of Harley's
voice, warmly pressed the hand held out to him; and seized with a rare
fit of shyness, coloured and coughed and hemmed and looked first down,
then aside, before he could find the words which were generally ready
enough at his command.

"You are very good, Lord L'Estrange; nothing can be handsomer. I feel it
here, my Lord," striking his buff waistcoat,--"I do, 'pon my honour. But
not to waste your time (time's money), I come to the point. It is about
the borough of Lansmere. Your family interest is very strong in that
borough; but excuse me if I say that I don't think you are aware that I
too have cooked up a pretty considerable interest on the other side. No
offence,--opinions are free. And the popular tide runs strong with us--
I mean with me--at the impending crisis,--that is, at the next election.
Now, I have a great respect for the earl your father, and so have those