des desirs accomplis_.

At least just then I cared nothing whether I won or lost, only I reflected that in the latter event it would be sad to have told so many falsehoods to no good purpose.
"How does it stand ?" asked the head Conservative agent of the officer.
The clerk took the last numbers from the counters and added up the figures.
"Colford, 4303; Therne, 4291, and two more bundles to count." Another packet was counted out.
"How does it stand ?" asked the agent.
"Colford, 4349; Therne, 4327, and one more bundle of fifty to count," answered the clerk.
The agent gave a sigh of relief and smiled; I saw him press Sir Thomas's hand in congratulations, for now he was sure that victory was theirs.
"The game is up," I whispered to Strong, who, as my principal supporter, had been admitted with me to the hall.
He ground his teeth and I noticed in the gaslight that his face was ghastly pale and his lips were blue.
"You had better go out," I said, "you are overtaxing that dilated heart of yours.

Go home and take a sleeping draught." "Damn you, no," he answered fiercely in my ear, "those papers come from the Little Martha ward, where I thought there wasn't a wrong 'un in the crowd.

If they've sold me, I'll be even with them, as sure as my name is Strong." "Come," I said with a laugh, "a good Radical shouldn't talk like that." For me the bitterness was over, and, knowing the worst, I could afford to laugh.
The official opened the last packet and began to count aloud.
The first vote was for "Therne," but bad, for the elector had written his name upon the paper.

Then in succession came nine for "Colford." Now all interest in the result had died away, and a hum of talk arose from those present in the room, a whispered murmur of congratulations and condolences.