relation,--that is, when he does one credit; 't is human nature and
sacred ties--one's own flesh and blood; and besides, one hand rubs the
other, and one leg helps on the other, and relations get on best in the
world when they pull together; that is, supposing that they are the
proper sort of relations, and pull one on, not down. I had once thought
of standing for Lansmere myself,--thought of it very lately. The country
wants men like me, I know that; but I have an idea that I had better see
to my own business. The country may, or may not, do without me, stupid
old thing that she is! But my mill and my new engines--there is no doubt
that they cannot do without me. In short, as we are quite alone, and, as
I said before, there 's no kind of necessity for that sort of humbug
which exists when other people are present, provide elsewhere for Mr.
Egerton, whom I hate like poison,--I have a right to do that, I suppose,
without offence to your Lordship,--and the two younkers, Leonard
Fairfield and Randal Leslie, shall be members for the free and
independent borough of Lansmere!"

"But does Leonard wish to come into parliament?"

"No, he says not; but that's nonsense. If your Lordship will just
signify your wish that he should not lose this noble opportunity to raise
himself in life, and get something handsome out of the nation, I'm sure
he owes you too much to hesitate,--'specially when 't is to his own
advantage. And besides, one of us Avenels ought to be in parliament; and
if I have not the time and learning, and so forth, and he has, why, it
stands to reason that he should be the man. And if he can do something
for me one day--not that I want anything--but still a baronetcy or so
would be a compliment to British Industry, and be appreciated as such by
myself and the public at large,--I say, if he could do something of that
sort, it would keep up the whole family; and if he can't, why, I'll