get the seat. He declares that Mr. Browborough is almost
disposed not to fight the battle, though a man more
disposed to fight never bribed an elector. But Barrington
seems to think that you managed as well as you did by
getting outside the traces, as he calls it. We certainly
did not think that you would come out strong against the
Church. Don't suppose that I complain. For myself I hate
to think of the coming severance; but if it must come, why
not by your hands as well as by any other? It is hardly
possible that you in your heart should love a Protestant
ascendant Church. But, as Barrington says, a horse won't
get oats unless he works steady between the traces.

As to myself, what am I to say to you? I and my father
live here a sad, sombre, solitary life, together. We have
a large furnished house outside the town, with a pleasant
view and a pretty garden. He does--nothing. He reads the
English papers, and talks of English parties, is driven
out, and eats his dinner, and sleeps. At home, as you
know, not only did he take an active part in politics, but
he was active also in the management of his own property.
Now it seems to him to be almost too great a trouble to
write a letter to his steward; and all this has come upon
him because of me. He is here because he cannot bear that
I should live alone. I have offered to return with him to
Saulsby, thinking that Mr. Kennedy would trouble me no
further,--or to remain here by myself; but he will consent
to neither. In truth the burden of idleness has now fallen
upon him so heavily that he cannot shake it off. He dreads
that he may be called upon to do anything.