in his
way,--friendly too. Mrs. A. finds him useful; brings some of your young
highflyers to her soirees. To be sure, they don't dance,--stand all in
a row at the door, like mutes at a funeral. Not but what they have been
uncommon civil to me lately, Spendquick particularly. By-the-by, I dine
with him to-morrow. The aristocracy are behindhand,--not smart, sir, not
up to the march; but when a man knows how to take 'em, they beat the New
Yorkers in good manners. I'll say that for them. I have no prejudice."

"I never saw a man with less; no prejudice even against Levy."

"No, not a bit of it! Every one says he's a Jew; he says he's not. I
don't care a button what he is. His money is English,--that's enough for
any man of a liberal turn of mind. His charges, too, are moderate. To be
sure, he knows I shall pay them; only what I don't like in him is a sort
of way he has of mon-cher-ing and my-good-fellow-ing one, to do things
quite out of the natural way of that sort of business. He knows I have
got parliamentary influence. I could return a couple of members for
Screwstown, and one, or perhaps two, for Lansmere, where I have of late
been cooking up an interest; and he dictates to--no, not dictates--but
tries to humbug me into putting in his own men. However, in one respect,
we are likely to agree. He says you want to come into parliament. You
seem a smart young fellow; but you must throw over that stiff red-tapist
of yours, and go with Public Opinion, and--Myself."

"You are very kind, Avenel; perhaps when we come to compare opinions we
may find that we agree entirely. Still, in Egerton's present position,
delicacy to him--However, we'll not discuss that now. But you really
think I might come in for Lansmere,--against the L'Estrange interest,
too, which must be strong there?"

"It was very strong, but I've smashed it, I calculate."

"Would a contest there cost very much?"

"Well, I guess you must come down with the ready. But, as you say,
time enough to discuss that when you have squared your account with
'delicacy;' come to me then, and we'll go into it."

Randal, having now squeezed his orange dry, had no desire to waste his
time in brushing up the rind with his coat-sleeve, so he unhooked his
arm from Avenel's, and, looking at his watch, discovered he should be
just in time for an appointment of the most urgent business,--hailed a
cab, and drove off.

Dick looked hipped and disconsolate at being left alone; he yaw