Their close and intimate affection was a standing puzzle to hard
and dull and superficial natures; but a poet could interpret it.

"We trifled, toiled, and feasted, far apart
From churls, who, wondered what our friendship meant;
And in that coy retirement heart to heart
Drew closer, and our natures were content."[*]

[Footnote *: William Cory.]

Vaughan and Grey left Harrow, as they had entered it, on the same
day, and in the following October both went up to Christ Church.
Neither contemplated a long stay at Oxford, for each had his career
cut out. Grey was to join the Guards at the earliest opportunity,
and Vaughan was destined for Parliament. Bilton was a borough which
the "Schedule A" of 1832 had spared. It numbered some 900 voters;
and, even as the electors of Liskeard "were commonly of the same
opinion as Mr. Eliot," so the electors of Bilton were commonly
of the same opinion as Lord Liscombe.

The eighth Lord Liscombe was the last male member of his family.
The peerage must die with him; but his property, including the
"Borough influence," was at his own disposal. His only sister had
married a Mr. Vaughan, and Lord Liscombe, having carefully watched
the character and career of his nephew Philip Vaughan, determined
to make him his heir. This was all very well; no one had a word
to say against it, for no more obvious heir could be suggested.
But when it became known that Lord Liscombe meant to bring Philip
Vaughan into Parliament for Bilton there was great dissatisfaction.
"What a shame," people said, "to disturb old Mr. Cobley, who has