, some tinker or tailor, or
candlestick-maker, with his long purse, preaching reform and practising
corruption: exactly as the liberals did under Walpole: bribery was
unknown in the time of the Stuarts; but we have a capital registration,
Mr Tadpole tells me. And a young candidate with the old name will tell,"
said Lady Marney, with a smile: "and I shall go down and canvass, and we
must do what we can."

"I have great faith in your canvassing," said Egremont; "but still, at
the same time, the powder and shot--"

"Are essential," said Lady Marney, "I know it, in these corrupt days:
but Marney will of course supply those. It is the least he can do:
regaining the family influence, and letting us hold up our heads again.
I shall write to him the moment I am justified," said Lady Marney,
"perhaps you will do so yourself, Charles."

"Why, considering I have not seen my brother for two years, and we did
not part on the best possible terms--"

"But that is all forgotten."

"By your good offices, dear mother, who are always doing good: and yet,"
continued Egremont, after a moment's pause, "I am not disposed to write
to Marney, especially to ask a favour."

"Well, I will write," said Lady Marney; "though I cannot admit it is
any favour. Perhaps it would be better that you should see him first. I
cannot understand why he keeps so at the Abbey. I am sure I found it
a melancholy place enough in my time. I wish you had gone down there,
Charles, if it had been only for a few days."

"Well I did not, my dear mother, and I cannot go now. I shall trust to
you. But are you quite sure that the king is going to die?"

"I repeat to you, it is certain," replied Lady Marney, in a lowered
voice, but a decided tone; "certain, certain, certain. My authority
cannot be mistaken: but no consideration in the world must throw you off
your guard at this moment; breathe not the shadow of what you know."

At this moment a servant entered and delivered a note to Lady Marney,
who read it with an ironical smile. It was from Lady St Julians, and ran
thus:--

"Most confidential.
"My dearest Lady Marney,

"It is a false report: he is ill, but not dangerously; the
hay fever; he always has it; nothing more: I will tell my
authority when we meet; I dare not write it. It will
satisfy you. I am going on with my quadrille.

"Most affectionately yours,
"A. St J."

"Poor woman! she is always wrong," said Lady Ma