is to lose the borough, why should not I have it as well
as another?

I can fancy, my dear father, all that you will say as to
my imprudence, and I quite confess that I have not a word
to answer. I have told myself more than once, since last
night, that I shall probably ruin myself. ("I wonder
whether he has ever told himself that he will probably
ruin me also," said the doctor.) But I am prepared to ruin
myself in such a cause. I have no one dependent on me;
and, as long as I do nothing to disgrace my name, I may
dispose of myself as I please. If you decide on stopping
my allowance, I shall have no feeling of anger against
you. ("How very considerate!" said the doctor.) And in
that case I shall endeavour to support myself by my pen.
I have already done a little for the magazines.

Give my best love to my mother and sisters. If you will
receive me during the time of the election, I shall see
them soon. Perhaps it will be best for me to say that I
have positively decided on making the attempt; that is to
say, if the Club Committee is as good as its promise. I
have weighed the matter all round, and I regard the prize
as being so great, that I am prepared to run any risk to
obtain it. Indeed, to me, with my views about politics,
the running of such a risk is no more than a duty. I
cannot keep my hand from the work now that the work has
come in the way of my hand. I shall be most anxious to get
a line from you in answer to this.