ntense, overwhelming astonishment struck all present. Such a right
had been so long unclaimed, that everybody had forgotten it was a right
at all. Sir Ralph and his clerk laid their venerable heads together
for some minutes, before they could come to any conclusion on the
subject. At last the sheriff rose.

"I am bound to say, that, though very uncommon, this proceeding is not
illegal."

"Not illegal?" almost screamed Richard Brithwood.

"Not illegal. I therefore wait to hear Mr. Halifax's nomination. Sir,
your candidate is, I hope, no democrat?"

"His political opinions differ from mine, but he is the only gentleman
whom I in this emergency can name; and is one whom myself, and I
believe all my neighbours, will be heartily glad to see once more in
Parliament. I beg to nominate Mr. Herbert Oldtower."

A decided sensation at the upper half of the room. At the lower half
an unanimous, involuntary cheer; for among our county families there
were few so warmly respected as the Oldtowers.

Sir Ralph rose, much perplexed. "I trust that no one present will
suppose I was aware of Mr. Halifax's intention. Nor, I understand, was
Mr. Oldtower. My son must speak for himself."

Mr. Oldtower, with his accustomed gravity, accompanied by a not
unbecoming modesty, said, that in this conjuncture, and being
personally unacquainted with both Mr. Brithwood and the Earl of
Luxmore, he felt no hesitation in accepting the honour offered to him.

"That being the case," said his father, though evidently annoyed, "I
have only to fulfil my duty as public officer to the Crown."

Amidst some confusion, a show of hands was called for; and then a cry
rose of "Go to the poll!"

"Go to the poll!" shouted Mr. Brithwood. "This is a family borough.
There has not been a poll here these fifty years. Sir Ralph, your
son's mad."

"Sir, insanity is not in the family of the Oldtowers. My position here
is simply as sheriff of the county. If a poll be called for--"

"Excuse me, Sir Ralph, it would be hardly worth while. May I offer
you--"

It was--only his snuff-box. But the Earl's polite and meaning smile
filled up the remainder of the sentence.

Sir Ralph Oldtower drew himself up haughtily, and the fire of youth
flashed indignantly from his grand old eyes.

"Lord Luxmore seems not to understand the duties and principles of us
country gentlemen," he said coldly, and turned away, addressing the
general meeting. "Gentlemen, the pol