ad been more liberal in his expenditure in the towns, would
not carry it against a mere club man, and they had no better man to
spare. Mr. Hogarth, at least, was sure to ask nothing of the
Government. His support, when they got it, would cost nothing; his
adverse vote would be only on outside questions, as a rule. It would
look very well for the county election, which was to be a very tough
affair between a younger son of the duke and a younger brother of the
earl, that Mr. Hogarth, of Cross Hall, should have the earl's cordial
support in the burghs. His vote was secure for the Honourable James,
and all those he could influence, he hoped. Francis said he could
answer for his own, but his tenants must please themselves.

"Oh, yes, certainly; but tenants generally find it for their advantage
to vote with their landlord," said the agent.

"I will give my tenants distinctly to understand that they must vote
from conviction, and that that will please me. That is my view of being
a Liberal," said Francis.

"And if all the other county proprietors had the same view the
Honourable James would walk the course; but we must oppose all the
stratagems of war of an enemy who takes every advantage, and strains to
the utmost the influence of property and patronage."

"I want to go in with perfectly clean hands," said Francis.

"Bless you, so does everybody," said the parliamentary agent; "but
somehow there is a lot of queer work must be done to get fairly seated
on the benches."

"I not only wish it, but I mean to do it," said Mr. Hogarth.

"Well, well--I hope you will be able to manage it. I must introduce you
to the earl. I think he will say, as I say, that he will give you
cordial support; so that the sooner you get your address out the
better--as soon in the field as possible, and don't fall asleep over
it. The other party are like weasels--they are not to be caught
napping; and will undermine what you fancy secure ground, if you only
give them a chance."

The result of Francis' interview with the earl was as satisfactory as
that with the agent. Party for once was inclined to waive its high
prerogative, and to allow a person to slip into Parliament without any
pledge as to future action. His manner prepossessed the earl; he
received an invitation to dinner to meet a few political friends, and
to talk over the canvass for the county, which was one on which all
their strength was to be expended. Harriett Phillips was all the