Ormersfield was surprised into an emphatic interjection, and inquiry
whether they were all gone mad.

'Not that I am aware of,' said Louis. 'Perhaps you have not heard
that Mr. Lester is going to retire, and Jem has the school?'

'Then, it must be Calcott and the trustees who are out of their
senses.'

'Do you not consider it an excellent appointment?'

'It might be so some years hence,' said the Earl. 'I am afraid it
will tie him down to a aecond-rate affair, when he might be doing
better; and the choice is the last thing I should have expected from
Calcott.'

'He opposed it. He wanted to bring in a very ordinary style of
person, from -- School, but Jem's superiority and the general esteem
for my aunt carried the day.'

'What did Ramsbotham and his set do?'

'They were better than could have been hoped; they gave us their
votes when they found their man could not get in.'

'Ha? As long as that fellow is against Calcott, he cares little whom
he supports. I am sorry that Calcott should be defeated, even for
James's sake. How did Richardson vote?'

'He was doubtful at first, but I brought him over.'