astes prevail and new habits are formed, and the structure of
his business will not allow him to adapt himself to them in a minute.
The secure and comfortable have to pay in occasional panics for the
serenity they enjoy. Mr. Seymour Austin candidly avowed to Colonel
Halkett, on his arrival at Mount Laurels, that he was advised to take up
his quarters in the neighbourhood of Bevisham by a recent report of
his committee, describing the young Radical's canvass as redoubtable.
Cougham he did not fear: he could make a sort of calculation of the
votes for the Liberal thumping on the old drum of Reform; but the number
for him who appealed to feelings and quickened the romantic sentiments
of the common people now huddled within our electoral penfold, was
not calculable. Tory and Radical have an eye for one another, which
overlooks the Liberal at all times except when he is, as they imagine,
playing the game of either of them.

'Now we shall see the passions worked,' Mr. Austin said, deploring the
extension of the franchise.

He asked whether Beauchamp spoke well.

Cecilia left it to her father to reply; but the colonel appealed to her,
saying, 'Inclined to dragoon one, isn't he?'

She did not think that. 'He speaks... he speaks well in conversation.
I fancy he would be liked by the poor. I should doubt his being a good
public speaker. He certainly has command of his temper: that is one
thing. I cannot say whether it favours oratory. He is indefatigable. One
may be sure he will not faint by the way. He quite believes in himself.
But, Mr. Austin, do you really regard him as a serious rival?'

Mr. Austin could not tell. No one could tell the effect of an extended
franchise. The untried venture of it depressed him. 'Men have come
suddenly on a borough before now and carried it,' he said.

'Not a borough like Bevisham?'

He shook his head. 'A fluid borough, I'm afraid.'

Colonel Halkettt interposed: 'But Ferbrass is quite sure of his
district.'

Cecilia wished to know who the man was, of the mediaevally sounding
name.

'Ferbrass is an old lawyer, my dear. He comes of five generations of
lawyers, and he 's as old in the county as Grancey Lespel. Hitherto he
has always been to be counted on for marching his district to the
poll like a regiment. That's our strength--the professions, especially
lawyers.'

'Are not a great many lawyers Liberals, papa?'

'A great many barristers are, my dear.'

Thereat the colonel and Mr.