The news of his return spread like wildfire through all that part of the country.

Bonfires were made, and the bells set a-ringing in several towns and steeples; and next morning above seven hundred people were assembled at the gate, with music, flags, and streamers, to welcome their young squire, and accompany him to the borough of Ashenton.

He set out on foot with his retinue, and entered one end of the town just as Mr.Darnel's mob had come in at the other.

Both arrived about the same time at the market-place; but Mr.
Darnel, mounting first into the balcony of the town-house, made a long speech to the people in favour of his own pretensions, not without some invidious reflections glanced at Sir Everhard, his competitor.
"We did not much mind the acclamations of his party, which we knew had been hired for the purpose; but we were in some pain for Mr.Greaves, who had not been used to speak in public.

He took his turn, however, in the balcony, and, uncovering his head, bowed all round with the most engaging courtesy.