It was then noon, and he had to determine what he should do next.  He was half inclined to go round to all the booths and make speeches.  His success at Covent Garden had been very pleasant to him.  But he feared that he might not be so successful elsewhere.  He had shown that he was not afraid of the electors.  Then an idea struck him that he would go boldly into the City,—­to his own offices in Abchurch Lane.  He had determined to be absent on this day, and would not be expected.  But his appearance there could not on that account be taken amiss.  Whatever enmities there might be, or whatever perils, he would face them.  He got a cab therefore and had himself driven to Abchurch Lane.

The clerks were hanging about doing...