"Yes; I have now decided on the plan of contest. You must fight two and
two,--you and Egerton against me and (if I can get him to stand, as I
hope) my nephew, Leonard."

"What!" said Randal, alarmed; "then, after all, I can hope for no support
from you?"

"I don't say that; but I have reason to think Lord L'Estrange will bestir
himself actively in favour of Egerton. If so, it will be a very sharp
contest; and I must manage the whole election on our side, and unite all
our shaky votes, which I can best do by standing myself in the first
instance, reserving it to after consideration whether I shall throw up at
the last; for I don't particularly want to come in, as I did a little
time ago, before I had found out my nephew. Wonderful young man! with
such a head,--will do me credit in the rotten old House; and I think I
had best leave London, go to Screwstown, and look to my business. No, if
Leonard stand, I roust first see to get him in; and next, to keep Egerton
out. It will probably, therefore, end in the return of one and one or
either side, as we thought of before,--Leonard on our side; and Egerton
sha'n't be the man on the other. You understand?"

"I do, my dear Avenel. Of course, as I before said, I can't dictate to
your party whom they should prefer,--Egerton or myself. And it will be
obvious to the public that your party would rather defeat so eminent an
adversary as Mr. Egerton than a tyro in politics like me. Of course I
cannot scheme for such a result; it would be misconstrued, and damage my
character. But I rely equally on your friendly promise."

"Promise! No, I don't promise. I must first see how the cat jumps; and
I don't know yet how our friends may like you, nor how they can be