ounded on the too well-known
character of the Earl of Luxmore.

They ceased talking; the sheriff rose, and briefly stated that Richard
Brithwood, Esquire, of the Mythe, would nominate a candidate.

The candidate was Gerard Vermilye, Esquire; at the mention of whose
name one Norton Bury man broke into a horse-laugh, which was quenched
by his immediate ejection from the meeting.

Then, Mr. Thomas Brown, steward of the Earl of Luxmore, seconded the
nomination.

After a few words between the sheriff, his son, and Lord Luxmore, the
result of which seemed rather unsatisfactory than otherwise, Sir Ralph
Oldtower again rose.

"Gentlemen and electors, there being no other candidate proposed,
nothing is left me but to declare Gerard Vermilye, Esquire--"

John Halifax made his way to the table. "Sir Ralph, pardon my
interruption, but may I speak a few words?"

Mr. Brithwood started up with an angry oath.

"My good sir," said the baronet, with a look of reprehension which
proved him of the minority who thought swearing ungentlemanly.

"By ----, Sir Ralph, you shall not hear that low fellow!"

"Excuse me, I must, if he has a right to be heard. Mr. Halifax, you
are a freeman of Kingswell?"

"I am."

This fact surprised none more than myself.

Brithwood furiously exclaimed that it was a falsehood. "The fellow
does not belong to this neighbourhood at all. He was picked up in
Norton Bury streets--a beggar, a thief, for all I know."

"You do know very well, Mr. Brithwood. Sir Ralph, I was never either a
beggar or a thief. I began life as a working lad--a
farm-labourer--until Mr. Fletcher, the tanner, took me into his employ."

"So I have always understood," said Sir Ralph, courteously. "And next
to the man who is fortunate enough to boast a noble origin, I respect
the man who is not ashamed of an ignoble one."

"That is not exactly my position either," said John, with a half smile.
"But we are passing from the question in hand, which is simply my claim
to be a freeman of this borough."

"On what grounds?"

"You will find in the charter a clause, seldom put in force, that the
daughter of a freeman can confer the freedom on her husband. My wife's
late father, Mr. Henry March, was a burgess of Kingswell. I claimed my
rights, and registered, this year. Ask your clerk, Sir Ralph, if I
have not spoken correctly."

The old white-headed clerk allowed the fact.

Lord Luxmore looked considerably surprised, and p