'Lord Althorp was the only man who could keep them together,' said Lord
Fitz-Booby.

'On the contrary,' said Tadpole. 'If I be right in my man, and I have no
doubt of it, you will have a radical programme, and they will be stronger
than ever.'

'Do you think they can get the steam up again?' said Taper, musingly.

'They will bid high,' replied Tadpole. 'Nothing could be more unfortunate
than this death. Things were going on so well and so quietly! The
Wesleyans almost with us!'

'And Shabbyton too!' mournfully exclaimed Taper. 'Another registration and
quiet times, and I could have reduced the constituency to two hundred and
fifty.'

'If Lord Spencer had died on the 10th,' said Rigby, 'it must have been
known to Henry Rivers. And I have a letter from Henry Rivers by this post.
Now, Althorp is in Northamptonshire, mark that, and Northampton is a
county--'

'My dear Rigby,' said the Duke, 'pardon me for interrupting you.
Unhappily, there is no doubt Lord Spencer is dead, for I am one of his
executors.'

This announcement silenced even Mr. Rigby, and the conversation now
entirely merged in speculations on what would occur. Numerous were the
conjectures hazarded, but the prevailing impression was, that this