olitely incredulous
still. His son-in-law broke out into loud abuse of this "knavery."

"I will pass over this ugly word, Mr. Brithwood, merely stating that--"

"We are quite satisfied," interrupted Lord Luxmore, blandly. "My dear
sir, may I request so useful a vote and so powerful an interest as
yours, for our friend, Mr. Vermilye?"

"My lord, I should be very sorry for you to misapprehend me for a
moment. It is not my intention, except at the last extremity, to vote
at all. If I do, it will certainly not be for Mr. Brithwood's nominee.
Sir Ralph, I doubt if, under some circumstances, which by your
permission I am about to state, Mr. Gerard Vermilye can keep his seat,
even if elected."

A murmur arose from the crowd of mechanics and labourers, who, awed by
such propinquity to gentry and even nobility, had hitherto hung
sheepishly back; but now, like all English crowds, were quite ready to
"follow the leader," especially one they knew.

"Hear him! hear the master!" was distinguishable on all sides. Mr.
Brithwood looked too enraged for words; but Lord Luxmore, taking snuff
with a sarcastic smile, said:

"Honores mutant mores!--I thought, Mr. Halifax, you eschewed politics?"

"Mere politics I do, but not honesty, justice, morality; and a few
facts have reached my knowledge, though possibly not Lord Luxmore's,
which make me feel that Mr. Vermilye's election would be an insult to
all three; therefore, I oppose it."

A louder murmur rose.

"Silence, you scoundrels!" shouted Mr. Brithwood; adding his usual
formula of speech, which a second time extorted the old baronet's grave
rebuke.

"It seems, Sir Ralph, that democracy is rife in your neighbourhood.
True, my acquaintance has not lain much among the commonalty, but still
I was not aware that the people choose the Member of Parliament."

"They do not, Lord Luxmore," returned the sheriff, somewhat haughtily.
"But we always hear the people. Mr. Halifax, be brief. What have you
to allege against Mr. Brithwood's nominee?"

"First, his qualification. He has not three hundred, nor one hundred
a-year. He is deeply in debt, at Norton Bury and elsewhere. Warrants
are out against him; and only as an M.P. can he be safe from outlawry.
Add to this, an offence common as daylight, yet which the law dare not
wink at when made patent--that he has bribed, with great or small sums,
every one of the fifteen electors of Kingswell; and I think I have said
enough to convinc