“Papa is wonderfully well; his trip has agreed with him à merveille. He will be able to encounter the late hours of the coming session without flinching.”
“They shau’n’t catch me sitting up, except at the club. You know what brought me over?”
“Oh! dear, yes.”
“I saw the De Ruthven lot, and, as I could have been elected without leaving London, I’m doosid sorry I came away, except,” he added, “for the pleasure of seeing you.”
“Are you quite sure of being returned?” she asked.
“Rather,” with a quiet, self-satisfied smile.
Miss Hawthorne glanced at me.
“You are to be opposed,” I said.
“Haw! haw!” he laughed. “That for opposition,” flinging away his cigar-butt.
“But I tell you it will be a fierce fight, Mr. Melton,” exclaimed Mabel. “You’ve got a foeman worthy of your steel.”