in the elections by the wiles of the other party. Two noble gentlemen, who had a weakness for strong drink, had been made drunk by the partisans of Snetkov, and a third had been relieved of his uniform.

On learning this, the new party had made haste, during the dispute about Fliorov, to send some of their men in a cab to clothe the stripped gentleman, and to bring along one of the intoxicated to the meeting.

`I've brought one after bringing him to by throwing water - over him,' said the landowner who had gone on this errand, to Sviiazhsky. `Never mind - he'll do.'

`Not too drunk - he won't fall down?' said Sviiazhsky, shaking his head.

`No, he's first-rate. If only they don't give him any more here.... I've told the barman not to give him anything, on any account.'