Amid all this ferment the Premier walked by, half hidden by Alicia Derosne's horse.
"What is the excitement?" she exclaimed.
"My last shot," he answered, smiling. "Good-bye. Go and hear me abused."
Lady Eynesford would have been none the happier for knowing that Alicia thought, and Medland found, a smile answer enough.
CHAPTER XVI.
A LEAKY VESSEL.
It was the afternoon of the next day—the Friday—and Kirton was in some stir of bustle and excitement. Groups of working-men gathered and discussed the coming meeting; carts had already passed by on their way to the Park carrying materials for platforms, and had been cheered by some of the more eager spirits. The tradesmen were divided in feeling, some foreseeing a brisk demand for things to eat and drink in the next few days, the more timid not denying this but doubting whether payment might not be dispensed with, and nervously enlarging on the cost of plate glass. Organisers ran busily to and fro, displaying already, some of them, rosettes of office, and all of them as much hurry as though the great event were fixed for a short hour ahead. Norburn was about the streets, looking more cheerful than he had done for a long while—the scent of battle was in his nostrils—and enjoying the luxury of prevailing on his friends not to hiss Mr. Puttock when
that worthy stepped across from his warehouse to the Club about five o'clock.