“Dead!”
“Dead, sir. And Mr. Wynwood Melton is to have a walk-over.”
“Is he?” asked Father Dowd with a quiet smile. “Who says so?”
“Well, I suppose so. He is young, clever, rich, and, better than all, the nominee of the Carlton Club, which means, of course, the De Ruthven interest.”
The priest gave a short laugh.
“Mr. Wynwood Melton will not have a walk-over; I promise you that. Neither will he win the election; I promise you that, too.”
“Is there another candidate in the field?”
“There will be, please God.”
“Are you at liberty to name him?”
“I shall name him now, as I mean to carry the county for him; and,” taking me by the shoulder, “a very good figure he will cut in St. Stephen’s.”