<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Middleton, by Anthony Eliot</title> </head> <body> <h1>MIDDLETON</h1> <h2>by Anthony Eliot</h2> <h2>TABLE OF CONTENTS</h2> <p> I. The Roots of the Enmity<br> II. An Unhappy Meeting<br> III. Middleton's Resolve<br> IV. The Election</p> <h2>CHAPTER III</h2> <h2>MIDDLETON'S RESOLVE</h2> <p>"I shall go down to Wokingham", said Middleton, "a few days before the election, and the Major will stay here. I understand that there will be no other candidate, and _I_ shall take the seat.</p> <p>"The Major is a . . . _flaneur_. He has no interest beyond his own advancement. I can buy him for a hundred pounds. _Here_ is his answer."</p> <p>Wallace wondered at the _hubris_ of his friend, and examined the note Middleton thrust upon him.</p> <p>"Sir,<br> No consideration would induce me to change my resolve in this matter, but I am willing to engage your services as my agent for a fee of 100 pounds.<br> H. Middleton"</p> <h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> <h2>THE ELECTION</h2> <p> Now hatred is by far the longest pleasure;<br> Men love in haste, but they detest at leisure.<br> ---- BYRON</p> <p>On hearing of Middleton's visit, Mr. Wentworth began his preparations. Meeting with Thomas Lake and Riley at the back of the tap-room of The Bull & Gate--where the landlord saw to it that they remained undisturbed--he laid out their plan of campaign.</p> <p>"That d---l Middleton shall not have the seat," he raved, "not for Lord H------; no, nor for a hundred Lords! We shall see to it that every man's hand is turned against him when he arrives."</p> <p>Lake unfolded a paper from his vest-pocket and smoothed it on the table. "Here are the expenses we should undertake."<br> Doran L13 10s.<br> Titwell L 8 7s. 6d.<br> St. Charles L25</p> </body> </html>