deserves what I mean to do for him. Steady, good-natured, frank, and
will get on--yes, yes, I see it all. Meanwhile I did well to prevent
his standing for C------; might pick up gossip about Mrs. T., and other
things that might be unpleasant. Ah, I'm a shrewd fellow!"



CHAPTER III.

"/Lauzun./--There, Marquis, there, I've done it.
/Montespan./--Done it! yes! Nice doings!"
/The Duchess de la Valliere/.

LUMLEY hastened to strike while the iron was hot. The next morning he
went straight to the Treasury--saw the managing secretary, a clever,
sharp man, who, like Ferrers, carried off intrigue and manoeuvre by a
blunt, careless, bluff manner.

Ferrers announced that he was to stand for the free, respectable, open
city of C------, with an electoral population of 2,500. A very showy
place it was for a member in the old ante-reform times, and was
considered a thoroughly independent borough. The secretary
congratulated and complimented him.

"We have had losses lately in /our/ elections among the larger
constituencies," said Lumley.

"We have indeed--three towns lost in the last six months. Members do
die so very unseasonably."