CHAPTER XIV
Tallente had the surprise of his life when he was shown into Dartrey's little dining room. A late breakfast was still upon the table and Nora was seated behind the coffee pot. She took prompt pity upon his embarrassment.
"You've surprised our secret," she exclaimed, "but anyhow, Stephen was going to tell you to-day. We were married the day before yesterday."
"That is why I played truant," Dartrey put in, "although we only went as far as Tunbridge Wells."
Tallente held out a hand to each. For a moment the tragedy in his own life was forgotten.
"I can't wish you happiness, because you have found it," he said. "Wise and wonderful people! Let me see if your coffee is what I should expect, Nora," he went on. "To tell you the truth, I have had rather a disturbed breakfast."
"So have we," Dartrey observed. "You mean the Leeds figures, of course?"
Tallente shook his head.
"I haven't even opened a newspaper."
"Horlock went down himself yesterday to speak for his candidate. Our man is in by five thousand, seven hundred votes."