Harley nodded.

"And the Lansmere interest need not be beaten, if you'll put up another
man instead of this red-tapist. (Beg pardon.) You see I only want to get
in one man, you want to get in another. Why not? Now, there 's a smart
youth,--connection of Mr. Egerton's,--Randal Leslie. I have no objection
to him, though he is of your colours. Withdraw Mr. Egerton, and I 'll
withdraw my second man before it comes to the poll; and so we shall halve
the borough slick between us. That's the way to do business,--eh, my
Lord?"

"Randal Leslie! Oh, you wish to bring in Mr. Leslie? But he stands with
Egerton, not against him."

"Ah," said Dick, smiling as if to himself, "so I hear; and we could bring
him in over Egerton without saying a word to you. But all our family
respect yours, and so I have wished to do the thing handsome and open.
Let the earl and your party be content with young Leslie."

"Young Leslie has spoken to you?"

"Not as to my coming here. Oh, no, that's a secret,--private and
confidential, my Lord. And now, to make matters still more smooth, I
propose that my man shall be one to your Lordship's own heart. I find
you have been very kind to my nephew; does you credit, my Lord,--a
wonderful young man, though I say it. I never guessed there was so much
in him. Yet all the time he was in my house, he had in his desk the very
sketch of an invention that is now saving me from ruin,--from positive
ruin,--Baron Levy, the King's Bench, and almighty smash! Now, such a
young man ought to be in parliament. I like to bring forward a