第7章

Therewere，sosaidtheCourcyiteswhenawayfromCourcy，excellentshopsintheplace；buttheywerenotthelessaccustomed，whenathomeamongthemselves，tocomplaintoeachotherofthevileextortionwithwhichtheyweretreatedbytheirneighbours。Theironmonger，therefore，thoughheloudlyassertedthathecouldbeatBristolinthequalityofhiswaresinonedirection，andundersellGloucesterinanother，boughthisteaandsugarontheslyinoneofthoselargertowns；andthegrocer，ontheotherhandequallydistrustedthepotsandpansofhomeproduction。Trade，therefore，atCourcy，hadnotthrivensincetherailwayopened：and，indeed，hadanypatientinquirerstoodatthecrossthroughoneentireday，countingcustomerswhoenteredtheneighbouringshops，hemightwellhavewonderedthatanyshopsinCourcycouldbekeptopen。

Andhowchangedhasbeenthebustleofthatoncenoisyinntothepresentdeath-likesilenceofitsgreencourtyard！There，alameostlercrawlsaboutwiththehandsthrustintothecapaciouspocketsofhisjacket，feedingonmemory。Thatwearypairofomnibusjades，andthreesorrypostersareallthatnowgracethosestableswherehorsesusedtobestalledinclosecontiguitybythedozen；wheretwentygrainsapiece，abstractedfromeveryfeedofoatsconsumedduringtheday，wouldhaveaffordedadailyquarttotheluckypilferer。

Come，myfriend，anddiscoursewithme。Letusknowwhatarethyideasoftheinestimablebenefitswhichsciencehasconferredonusinthese，ourlatterdays。Howdostthou，amongothers，appreciaterailwaysandthepowerofsteam，telegraphs，telegrams，andournewexpresses？Butindifferently，yousay。\'TimewasI\'vezeedvifteenpairo\'\'ossesgooutofthis\'ereyardinvour-and-twentyhour；andnowtherebe\'antvifteen，no，notten，invour-and-twentydays！Therewastheduik-notthis\'un；hebe\'antnogude；butthis\'un\'svather-why，whenhe\'dcomedowntheroad，thecattledidbea-going，vourdaysaneend。Here\'dbethetooterandtheyounggen\'lmen，andthegovernessandtheyoungleddies，andthentheservants-they\'dbeal\'aysthegrandestfolkofall——andthentheduikanddoochess——Lordlove\'ee，zur；themoneydidflyinthemdays！Butnow——\'andthefeelingofscornandcontemptwhichthelameostlerwasenabledbyhisnativetalenttothrowintotheword\'now\'，wasquiteaseloquentagainstthepowerofsteamasanythingthathasbeenspokenatdinners，orwritteninpamphletsbythekeenestadmirersoflatter-daylights。

\'Why，lukeatthis\'eretown，\'continuedheofthesieve，\'thegrassbea-growingintheverystreets；——thatcan\'tbenogude。Why，luke\'eehere，zur；Idobea-standingatthis\'eregateway，justthisway，hourarterhour，andmyheyesishopenmostly；——Izeeswho\'sa-comingandwho\'sa-going。Nobody\'sa-comingandnobody\'sa-going；thatcan\'tbenogude。Lukeatthattherehomnibus；why，darnme——\'andnow，inhiseloquenceatthispeculiarpoint，myfriendbecamemoreloudandpowerfulthanever——\'why，darnme，ifmaisterharnsenoughwiththattherebustoputhirononthemosses\'feet，I\'ll-be-blowed！\'Andasheutteredthishypotheticaldenunciationonhimselfhespokeveryslowly，bringingouteverywordasitwereseparately，andloweringhimselfathiskneesateverysound，movingatthesametimehisrighthandupanddown。Whenhehadfinished，hefixedhiseyesupontheground，pointingdownwards，asiftherewastobethesiteofhisdoomifthecursethathehadcalleddownuponhimselfshouldevercometopass；

andthen，waitingnofurtherconverse，hehobbledaway，melancholy，tohisdesertedstables。

Oh，myfriend！mypoorlamefriend！itwillavailnothingtotelltheeofLiverpoolandManchester；ofthegloriesofGlasgow，withherflourishingbanks；ofLondon，withitsthirdmillionsofinhabitants；

ofthegreatthingswhichcommerceisdoingforthisnationofthine！

Whatiscommercetothee，unlessitbecommerceinpostingonthatworn-out，allbutuselessgreatwesternturnpike-road？Thereisnothingleftfortheebuttobecartedawayasrubbish——fortheeandformanyofusinthesenowprosperousdays；oh，mymelancholy，care-riddenfriend！

CourcyCastlewascertainlyadullplacetolookat，andFrank，inhisformervisits，hadfoundthattheappearancedidnotbeliethereality。HehadbeenbutlittletherewhentheearlhadbeenatCourcy；andashehadalwaysfeltfromhischildhoodapeculiartastetothegovernanceofhisauntthecountess，thisperhapsmayhaveaddedtohisfeelingofdislike。Now，however，thecastlewastobefullerthanhehadeverbeforeknownit；theearlwastobeathome；therewassometalkoftheDukeofOmniumcomingforadayortwo，thoughthatseemeddoubtful；therewassomefaintdoubtofLordPorlock；MrMoffat，intentonthecomingelection——andalso，letushope，onhiscomingbliss——wastobeoneoftheguests；andtherewasalsotobethegreatMissDunstable。

Frank，however，foundthatthosegrandeeswerenotexpectedquiteimmediately。\'ImightgobacktoGreshamsburyforthreeorfourdaysassheisnottobehere，\'hesaidnaivelytohisaunt，expressing，withtolerableperspicuity，hisfeeling，thatheregardedhisvisittoCourcyCastlequiteasamatterofbusiness。Butthecountesswouldhearofnosucharrangement。Nowthatshehadgothim，shewasnotgoingtolethimfallbackintotheperilsofMissThorne\'sintrigues，orevenofMissThorne\'spropriety。\'Itisquiteessential，\'shesaid，\'thatyoushouldbehereafewdaysbeforeher，sothatshemayseethatyouareathome。\'Frankdidnotunderstandthereasoning；buthefelthimselfunabletorebel，andhetherefore，remainedthere，comfortinghimself，asbesthemight，withtheeloquenceoftheHonourableGeorge，andthesportinghumoursoftheHonourableJohn。

MrMoffatwastheearliestarrivalofanyimportance。Frankhadnothithertomadetheacquaintanceofhisfuturebrother-in-law，andtherewas，therefore，somelittleinterestinthefirstinterview。MrMoffatwasshownintothedrawing-roombeforetheladieshadgoneuptodress，anditsohappenedthatFrankwastherealso。Asnooneelsewasintheroombuthissisterandtwoofhiscousins，hehadexpectedtoseetheloversrushintoeachother\'sarms。ButMrMoffatrestrainedhisardour，andMissGreshamseemedcontentedthatheshoulddoso。

Hewasanice，dapperman，ratherabovethemiddleheight，andgood-lookingenoughhadhehadalittlemoreexpressioninhisface。Hehaddarkhair，verynicelybrushed，smallblackwhiskers，andasmallblackmoustache。Hisbootswereexcellentlywellmade，andhishandswereverywhite。HesimperedgentlyashetookholdofAugusta\'sfingers，andexpressedahopethatshehadbeenquitewillsincelasthehadthepleasureofseeingher。ThenhetouchedthehandsoftheLadyRosinaandtheLadyMargaretta。

\'MrMoffat，allowmetointroduceyoutomybrother？\'

\'Mosthappy，I\'msure，\'saidMrMoffat，againputtingouthishand，andallowingittoslipthroughFrank\'sgrasp，ashespokeinapretty，mincingvoice：\'LadyArabellaquitewell？——andyourfather，andsisters？Verywarmisn\'tit？——quitehotintown，Idoassureyou。\'

\'IhopeAugustalikeshim，\'saidFranktohimself，arguingonthesubjectexactlyashisfatherhaddone；\'butforanengagedloverheseemstometohaveaveryqueerwaywithhim。\'Frank，poorfellow！whowasofacoarsermould，would，undersuchcircumstances，havebeenallforkissing——sometimes，indeed，evenunderothercircumstances。

MrMoffatdidnotdomuchtowardsimprovingtheconvivialityofthecastle。Hewas，ofcourse，agooddealintentuponhiscomingelection，andspentmuchofhistimewithMrNearthewinde，thecelebratedparliamentaryagent。ItbehovedhimtobeagooddealatBarchester，canvassingtheelectorsandundermining，byMrNearthewinde\'said，theminesforblowinghimoutofhisseat，whichweredailybeingcontrivedbyMrCloserstil，onbehalfofSirRoger。

Thebattlewastobefoughtontheinternecineprinciple，noquarterbeinggivenortakenoneitherside；andofcoursethisgaveMrMoffatasmuchasheknewhowtodo。

MrCloserstilwaswellknowntobethesharpestmanathisbusinessinallEngland，unlessthepalmshouldbegiventohisgreatrivalMrNearthewinde；andinthisinstancehewastobeassistedinthebattlebyaverycleveryoungbarrister，MrRomer，whowasanadmirerofSirRoger\'scareerinlife。SomepeopleinBarchester，whentheysawSirRoger，CloserstilandMrRomersaunterdowntheHighStreet，arminarm，declaredthatitwasallupwithpoorMoffat；butothers，inwhoseheadthebumpofvenerationwasstronglypronounced，whisperedtoeachotherthatgreatshibboleth——thenameoftheDukeofOmnium——andmildlyassertedittobeimpossiblethattheduke\'snomineeshouldbethrownout。

Ourpoorfriendthesquiredidnottakemuchinterestinthematterexceptinsofarthathelikedhisson-in-lawtobeinParliament。Boththecandidateswereinhiseyeequallywrongintheiropinions。Hehadlongsincerecantedthoseerrorsofhisearlyyouth，whichhadcosthimhisseatforthecounty，andhadabjuredtheDeCourcypolitics。HewasstaunchenoughasaTorynowthathisbeingsowouldnolongerbeoftheslightestusetohim；buttheDukeofOmnium，andLorddeCourcy，andMrMoffatwereallWhigs；Whigs，however，differingaltogetherinpoliticsfromSirRoger，whobelongedtotheManchesterschool，andwhosepretensions，throughsomeofthoseinscrutabletwistsinmodernpoliticswhicharequiteunintelligibletothemindsofordinarymenoutsidethecircle，wereonthisoccasionsecretlyfavouredbythehighConservativeparty。

HowMrMoffat，whohadbeenbroughtintothepoliticalworldbyLorddeCourcy，obtainedtheweightoftheduke\'sinterestInevercouldexactlylearn。Forthedukeandtheearldidnotgenerallyactastwin-brothersonsuchoccasions。

ThereisagreatdifferenceinWhigs。LorddeCourcywasaCourtWhig，followingthefortunes，andenjoying，whenhecouldgetit，thesunshineofthethrone。HewasasojourneratWindsor，andavisitoratBalmoral。Hedelightedingoldsticks，andwasneversohappyaswhenholdingsomecapofmaintenanceorspurofprecedencewithduedignityandacknowledgedgraceinthepresenceofalltheCourt。Hismeanshadbeensomewhatembarrassedbyearlyextravagance；and，therefore，asitwastohistastetoshine，itsuitedhimtoshineatthecostoftheCourtratherthanathisown。

TheDukeofOmniumwasaWhigofaverydifferentcalibre。Herarelywentnearthepresenceofmajesty，andwhenhedidso，hediditmerelyasadisagreeabledutyincidenttohisposition。HewasverywillingthattheQueenshouldbequeensolongashewasallowedtobeDukeofOmnium。NorhadhebegrudgedPrinceAlbertanyofhishonourstillhewascalledPrinceConsort。Then，indeed，hehad，tohisownintimatefriends，madesomeremarkinthreewordsnotflatteringtothediscretionofthePrimeMinister。TheQueenmightbequeensolongashewasDukeofOmnium。Theirrevenueswereaboutthesame，withtheexception，thattheduke\'swerehisown，andhecoulddowhathelikedwiththem。Thisremembrancedidnotunfrequentlypresentitselftotheduke\'smind。Inperson，hewasaplain，thinman，tall，butundistinguishedinappearance，exceptthattherewasagleamofprideinhiseyewhichseemedeverymomenttobesaying，\'IamtheDukeofOmnium\'。Hewasunmarried，and，ifreportsaidtrue，agreatdebauchee；butifsohehadalwayskepthisdebaucheriesdecentlyawayfromtheeyesoftheworld，andwasnot，therefore，opentothatloudcondemnationwhichshouldfalllikeahailstormroundtheearsofsomemoreopensinners。

Whythesetwomightynoblesputtheirheadstogetherinorderthatthetailor\'ssonshouldrepresentBarchesterinParliament，Icannotexplain。MrMoffat，was，ashasbeensaid，LorddeCourcy\'sfriend；

anditmaybethatLorddeCourcywasabletorepaythedukeforhiskindness，astouchingBarchester，withsomelittleassistanceinthecountyrepresentation。

ThenextarrivalwasthatoftheBishopofBarchester。Ameek，good，worthyman，muchattachedtohiswife，andsomewhataddictedtohisease。She，apparently，wasmadeinadifferentmould，andbyherenergyanddiligenceatonedforanywantofthosequalitieswhichmightbeobservedinthebishophimself。Whenaskedhisopinion，hislordshipwouldgenerallyreplybysaying——\'MrsProudieandIthinksoandso。\'

Butbeforethatopinionwasgiven，MrsProudiewouldtakeupthetale，andshe，inhermoreconcisemanner，wasnotwonttoquotethebishopashavingatallassistedintheconsiderationofthesubject。ItwaswellknowninBarsetshirethatnomarriedpairconsortedmorecloselyormoretenderlytogether；andtheexampleofsuchconjugalaffectionamongpersonsintheupperclassesisworthmentioning，asitisbelievedbythosebelowthem，andtoooftenwithtruth，thatthesweetblissofconnubialreciprocityisnotsocommonasitshouldbeamongthemagnatesoftheearth。

ButthearrivalevenofthebishopandhiswifedidnotmaketheplacecheerfultoFrankGresham，andhebegantolongforMissDunstable，inorderthathemighthavesomethingtodo。HecouldnotgetonatallwithMrMoffat。HehadexpectedthatthemanwouldatoncehavecalledhimFrank，andthathewouldhavecalledthemanGustavus；buttheydidnotevengetbeyondMrMoffatandMrGresham。\'VeryhotinBarchester，today，very，\'wasthenearestapproachtoconversationwhichFrankcouldattainwithhim；andasfarashe，Frank，couldsee，Augustanevergotmuchbeyondit。Theremightbetete-a-tetemeetingsbetweenthem，but，ifso，Frankcouldnotdetectwhentheytookplace；andso，openinghisheartatlasttotheHonourableGeorge，forthewantofabetterconfidant，heexpressedhisopinionthathisfuturebrother-in-lawwasamuff。

\'Amuff——Ibelieveyoutoo。Whatdoyouthinknow？IhavebeenwithhimandNearthewindeinBarchesterthesethreedayspast，lookinguptheelectors\'wivesanddaughters，andthatkindofthing。\'

\'Isay，ifthereisanyfuninityoumightaswelltakemewithyou。\'

\'Oh，thereisnotmuchfun；theyaremostlysoslobberedanddirty。A

sharpfellowinNearthewinde，andknowswhatheisaboutwell。\'

\'Doeshelookupthewivesanddaughterstoo？\'

\'Oh，hegoesoneverytackjustasit\'swanted。ButtherewasMoffat，yesterday，inaroombehindthemilliner\'sshopnearCuthbert\'sGate；I

waswithhim。Thewoman\'shusbandisoneofthechoristersandanelector，youknow，andMoffatwenttolookforhisvote。Now，therewasnoonetherewhenwegottherebutthethreeyoungwomen，thewife，thatis，andhertwogirls——veryprettywomentheyaretoo。\'

\'Isay，George，I\'llgoandgetthechorister\'svoteforMoffat；I

oughttodoitashe\'stobemybrother-in-law。\'

\'ButwhatdoyouthinkMoffatsaidtothewomen？\'

\'Can\'tguess——hedidn\'tkissthem，didhe？\'

\'Kissanyofthem？No；buthebeggedtogivethemhispositiveassuranceasagentlemanthatifhewasreturnedtoParliamenthewouldvoteforanextensionofthefranchise，andtheadmissionoftheJewsintotheParliament。\'

\'Well，heisamuff，\'saidFrank。

CHAPTERXVI

MISSDUNSTABLE

AtlastthegreatMissDunstablecame。Frank，whenheheardthattheheiresshadarrived，feltsomeslightpalpitationathisheart。Hehadnottheremotestideaintheworldofmarryingher；indeed，duringthelastweekpast，absencehadsoheightenedhisloveforMaryThornethathewasmorethaneverresolvedthathewouldnevermarryanyonebuther。Heknewthathehadmadeheraformalofferforherhand，andthatitbehovedhimtokeeptoit，letthecharmsofMissDunstablebewhattheymight；but，nevertheless，hewaspreparedtogothroughacertainamountofcourtship，inobediencetohisaunt\'sbehests，andhefeltalittlenervousatbeingbroughtupinthatway，facetoface，todobattlewithtwohundredthousandpounds。

\'MissDunstablehasarrived，\'saidhisaunttohim，withgreatcomplacency，onhisreturnfromanelectioneeringvisittothebeautiesofBarchesterwhichhemadewithhiscousinGeorgeonthedayaftertheconversationwhichwasrepeatedattheendofthelastchapter。\'Shehasarrived，andislookingremarkablywell；shehasquiteadistingueair，andwillgraceanycircletowhichshemaybeintroduced。Iwillintroduceyoubeforedinner，andyoucantakeherout。\'

\'Icouldn\'tproposetohertonight，Isuppose？\'saidFrank，maliciously。

\'Don\'ttalknonsense，Frank，\'saidthecountessangrily。\'IamdoingwhatIcanforyou，andtakingonaninfinityoftroubletoendeavourtoplaceyouinanindependentposition；andnowyoutalknonsensetome。\'

Frankmutteredsomesortofapology，andthenwenttopreparehimselffortheencounter。

MissDunstable，thoughshehadcomebytrain，hadbroughtwithherherowncarriage，herownhorses，herowncoachmanandfootman，andherownmaid，ofcourse。Shehadalsobroughtwithherhalfascoreoftrunks，fullofwearingapparel；someofthemnearlyasrichasthatwonderfulboxwhichwasstolenashorttimesincefromthetopofacab。Butshebroughtthesethings，notintheleastbecauseshewantedthemherself，butbecauseshehadbeeninstructedtodoso。

Frankwasalittlemorethanordinarilycarefulindressing。Hespoiltacoupleofwhitenecktiesbeforehewassatisfied，andwasratherfastidiousasthesetofhishair。Therewasnotmuchofthedandyabouthimintheordinarymeaningoftheword。Buthefeltthatitwasincumbentonhimtolookhisbest，seeingwhatitwasexpectedheshouldnowdo。HecertainlydidnotmeantomarryMissDunstable；butashewastohaveaflirtationwithher，itwaswellthatheshoulddosounderthebestpossibleauspices。

Whenheenteredthedrawing-roomheperceivedatoncethattheladywasthere。ShewasseatedbetweenthecountessandMrsProudie；andmammon，inherperson，wasreceivingworshipfromthetemporalitiesandspiritualitiesoftheland。Hetriedtolookunconcerned，andremainedinthefartherpartoftheroom，talkingwithsomeofhiscousins；buthecouldnotkeephiseyeoffthefuturepossibleMrsFrankGresham；

anditseemedasthoughshewasasmuchconstrainedtoscrutinizehimashefelttoscrutinizeher。

LadydeCourcyhaddeclaredthatshewaslookingextremelywell，andhadparticularlyalludedtoherdistingueappearance。Frankatoncefeltthathecouldnotaltogethergoalongwithhisauntinthisopinion。MissDunstablemightbeverywell；butherstyleofbeautywasonewhichdidnotquitemeetwithhiswarmestadmiration。

Inageshewasaboutthirty；butFrank，whowasnogreatjudgeinthesematters，andwhowasaccustomedtohaveveryyounggirlsroundhim，atonceputherdownasbeingtenyearsolder。Shehadaveryhighcolour，veryredcheeks，alargemouth，bigwhiteteeth，abroadnose，andbright，small，blackeyes。Herhairalsowasblackandbright，butverycrisp，andstrong，andwascombedcloseroundherfaceinsmallcrispblackringlets。Sinceshehadbeenbroughtoutintothefashionableworldsomeofherinstructorsinfashionhadgivenhertounderstandthatcurlswerenotthething。\'They\'llalwayspassmuster，\'MissDunstablehadreplied，\'whentheyaredoneupwithbank-notes。\'ItmaythereforebepresumedthatMissDunstablehadawillofherown。

\'Frank，\'saidthecountess，inthemostnaturalandunpremeditatedway，assoonasshecaughthernephew\'seye，\'comehere。IwanttointroduceyoutoMissDunstable。\'Theintroductionwasthenmade。\'MrsProudie，wouldyouexcuseme？ImustpositivelygoandsayafewwordstoMrsBarlow，orthepoorwomanwillfeelherselfhuffed\'；andsosaying，shemovedoff，leavingthecoastclearforMasterFrank。

Heofcourseslippedintohisaunt\'splace，andexpressedahopethatMissDunstablewasnotfatiguedbyherjourney。

\'Fatigued！\'saidshe，inavoiceratherloud，butverygood-humoured，andnotaltogetherunpleasing；\'Iamnottobefatiguedbysuchathingasthat。Why，inMaywecamethroughallthewayfromRometoPariswithoutsleeping——thatis，withoutsleepinginabed——andwewereupsetthreetimesoutofthesledgescomingovertheSimpton。Itwassuchfun！Why，Iwasn\'ttosaytiredeventhen。\'

\'AllthewayfromRometoParis！\'saidMrsProudie——inatoneofastonishment，meanttoflattertheheiress——\'andwhatmadeyouinsuchahurry？\'

\'Somethingaboutmoneymatters，\'saidMissDunstable，speakingratherlouderthanusual。\'Somethingtodowiththeointment。Iwassellingthebusinessjustthen。\'

MrsProudiebowed，andimmediatelychangedtheconversation。\'Idolatryis，Ibelieve，morerampantthaneverinRome，\'saidshe；\'andIfearthereisnosuchthingatallasSabbathobservance。\'

\'Oh，notintheleast，\'saidMissDunstable，withratherajoyousair；

\'Sundaysandweek-daysareallthesamethere。\'

\'Howveryfrightful！\'saidMrsProudie。

\'Butit\'sadeliciousplace。IdolikeRome，Imustsay。AndasforthePope，ifhewasn\'tquitesofathewouldbethenicestoldfellowintheworld。HaveyoubeeninRome，MrsProudie？\'

MrsProudiesighedassherepliedinthenegative，anddeclaredherbeliefthatdangerwasapprehendedfromsuchvisits。

\'Oh！——ah！——themalaria——ofcourse——yes；ifyougoatthewrongtime；butnobodyissuchafoolasthatnow。\'

\'Iwasthinkingofthesoul，MissDunstable，\'saidthelady-bishop，inherpeculiargravetone。\'AplacewheretherearenoSabbathobservances——\'

\'AndhaveyoubeenatRome，MrGresham？\'saidtheyounglady，turningalmostabruptlyroundtoFrank，andgivingasomewhatuncivillycoldshouldertoMrsProudie\'sexhortation。She，poorlady，wasforcedtofinishherspeechtotheHonourableGeorge，whowasstandingneartoher。Hehavinganideathatbishopsandalltheirbelongings，likeotherthingsappertainingtoreligion，should，ifpossible，beavoided；

butifthatwerenotpossible，shouldbetreatedwithmuchassumedgravity，immediatelyputonalongface，andremarkedthat——\'itwasadeucedshame：forhisparthealwayslikedtoseepeoplegoquietonSundays。Theparsonshadonlyonedayoutofseven，andhethoughttheywerefullyentitledtothat。\'Satisfiedwithwhich，ornotsatisfied，MrsProudiehadtoremainsilenttilldinner-time。

\'No，\'saidFrank；\'IneverwasinRome。IwasinParisonce，that\'sall。\'Andthen，feelingnotunnaturalanxietyastothepresentstateofMissDunstable\'sworldlyconcerns，hetookanopportunityoffallingbackonthatpartofherconversationwhichMrsProudiehadexercisedsomuchtactinavoiding。

\'Andwasitsold？\'saidhe。

\'Sold！whatsold？\'

\'Youweresayingaboutthebusiness——thatyoucamebackwithoutgoingtobedbecauseofsellingthebusiness。\'

\'Oh！——theointment。No；itwasnotsold。Afterall，theaffairdidnotcomeoff，andImighthaveremainedandhadanotherrollinthesnow。

Wasn\'titapity？\'

\'So，\'saidFranktohimself，\'ifIshoulddoit，IshouldbeowneroftheointmentofLebanon：howodd！\'Andthenhegaveherhisarmandhandedherdowntodinner。

HecertainlyfoundthathisdinnerwaslessdullthananyotherhehadsatdowntoatCourcyCastle。HedidnotfancythatheshouldeverfallinlovewithMissDunstable；butshecertainlywasanagreeablecompanion。Shetoldhimofhertour，andthefunshehadinherjourneys；howshetookaphysicianwithherforthebenefitofherhealth，whomshegenerallywasforcedtonurse；ofthetroubleitwastohertolookafterandwaituponhernumerousservants；ofthetrickssheplayedtobamboozlepeoplewhocametostareather；and，lastly，shetoldhimofaloverwhofollowedherfromcountrytocountry，andwasnowinhotpursuitofher，havingarrivedinLondontheeveningbeforesheleft。

\'Alover？\'saidFrank，somewhatstartledbythesuddennessoftheconfidence。

\'Alover——yes——MrGresham；whyshouldInothavealover？\'

\'Oh！——no——ofcoursenot。Idaresayyouhavehadagoodmany。\'

\'Onlythreeorfour，uponmyword；thatis，onlythreeorfourthatI

favour。Oneisnotboundtoreckontheothers，youknow。\'

\'No，they\'dbetoonumerous。Andsoyouhavethreewhomyoufavour，MissDunstable；\'andFranksighed，asthoughheintendedtosaythatthenumberwastoomanyforhispeaceofmind。

\'Isnotthatquiteenough？ButofcourseIchangethemsometimes；\'andshesmiledonhimverygood-naturedly。\'ItwouldbeverydullifI

werealwaystokeepthesame。\'

\'Verydullindeed，\'saidFrank，whodidnotquiteknowwhattosay。

\'DoyouthinkthecountesswouldmindmyhavingortwoofthemhereifIweretoaskher？\'

\'Iamquitesureshewould，\'saidFrank，verybriskly。\'Shewouldnotapproveofit；norshouldI。\'

\'You——why，whathaveyoutodowithit？\'

\'Agreatdeal——somuchsothatIpositivelyforbidit；but，MissDunstable——\'

\'Well，MrGresham？\'

\'Wewillcontrivetomakeupforthedeficiencyaswellaspossible，ifyouwillpermitustodoso。Nowformyself——\'

\'Well，foryourself？\'

Atthismomentthecountessgleamedheraccomplishedeyeroundthetable，andMissDunstablerosefromherchairasFrankwaspreparinghisattack，andaccompaniedtheotherladiesintothedrawing-room。

Hisaunt，asshepassedhim，touchedhisarmlightlywithherfan，solightlythattheactionwasperceivedbynooneelse。ButFrankwellunderstoodthemeaningofthetouch，andappreciatedtheapprobationwhichitconveyed。Hemerelyblushedhoweverathisowndissimulation；

forhefeltmorecertainthateverthathewouldnevermarryMissDunstable，andhefeltnearlyequallysurethatMissDunstablewouldnevermarryhim。

LorddeCourcywasnowathome；buthispresencedidnotaddmuchhilaritytotheclaret-cup。Theyoungmen，however，wereverykeenabouttheelection，andMrNearthewinde，whowasoneoftheparty，wasfullofthemostsanguinehopes。

\'Ihavedoneagoodoneatanyrate，\'saidFrank；\'Ihavesecuredthechorister\'svote。\'

\'What！Bagley？\'saidNeathewinde。\'Thefellowkeptoutofmyway，andIcouldn\'tseehim。\'

\'Ihaven\'texactlyseenhim，\'saidFrank；\'butI\'vegothisvoteallthesame。\'

\'What！byaletter？\'saidMrMoffat。

\'No，notbyletter，\'saidFrank，speakingratherlowashelookedatthebishopandtheearl；\'Igotapromisefromhiswife：Ithinkhe\'salittleinthehenpeckedline。\'

\'Ha——ha——ha！\'laughedthegoodbishop，who，inspiteofFrank\'smodulationofvoice，hadoverheardwhathadpassed。\'Isthatthewayyoumanageelectioneeringmattersinourcathedralcity？\'Theideaofoneofhischoristersbeinginthehenpeckedlinewasveryamusingtothebishop。

\'Oh，Igotadistinctpromise，\'saidFrank，inhispride；andthenaddedincautiously，\'butIhadtoorderbonnetsforthewholefamily。\'

\'Hush-h-h-h！\'saidMrNearthewinde，absolutelyflabbergastedbysuchimprudenceonthepartofoneofhisclient\'sfriends。\'Iamquitesurethatyouorderhadnoeffect，andwasintendedtohavenoeffectonMrBagley\'svote。\'

\'Isthatwrong？\'saidFrank；\'uponmywordIthoughtitwasquitelegitimate。\'

\'Oneshouldneveradmitanythinginelectioneeringmatters，shouldone？\'saidGeorge，turningtoMrNearthewinde。

\'Verylittle，MrdeCourcy；verylittleindeed——thelessthebetter。

It\'shardtosayinthesedayswhatiswrongandwhatisnot。Now，there\'sReddypalm，thepublican，themanwhohastheBrownBear。Well，Iwasthere，ofcourse：he\'savoter，andifanymaninBarchesteroughttofeelhimselfboundtovoteforafriendoftheduke\'sheought。Now，IwassothirstywhenIwasinthatman\'shouse，thatI

wasdyingforaglassofbeer；butforthelifeofmeIdidn\'tdareorderone。\'

\'Whynot？\'saidFrank，whosemindwasonlyjustbeginningtobeenlightenedbythegreatdoctrineofpurityofelectionaspractisedinEnglishprovincialtowns。

\'Oh，Closerstilhadsomefellowlookingatme；why，Ican\'twalkdownthattownwithouthavingmyverystepscounted。Ilikesharpfightingmyself，butInevergososharpasthat。\'

\'NeverthelessIgotBagley\'svote，\'saidFrank，persistinginpraiseofhisownelectioneeringprowess；\'andyoumaybesureofthis，MrNearthewinde，noneofCloserstil\'smenwerelookingatmewhenIgotit。\'

\'Who\'llpayforthebonnets，Frank？\'saidGeorge。

\'Oh，I\'llpayforthemifMoffatwon\'t。IthinkIshallkeepanaccountthere；theyseemtohavegoodglovesandthosesortofthings。\'

\'Verygood，Ihavenodoubt，\'saidGeorge。

\'IsupposeyourlordshipwillbeintownsoonafterthemeetingofParliament？\'saidthebishop，questioningtheearl。

\'Oh！yes；IsupposeImustbethere。Iamneverallowedtoremainverylonginthequiet。Itisagreatnuisance；butitistoolatetothinkofthatnow。\'

\'Meninhighplaces，mylord，neverwere，andneverwillbe，allowedtoconsiderthemselves。Theyburntheirtorchesnotintheirownbehalf，\'

saidthebishop，thinking，perhaps，asmuchofhimselfashedidofhisnoblefriend。\'Restandquietarethecomfortsofthosewhohavebeencontenttoremaininobscurity。\'

\'Perhapsso，\'saidtheearl，finishinghisglassofclaretwithanairofvirtuousresignation。\'Perhapsso。\'Hisownmartyrdom，however，hadnotbeensevere，fortherestandquietofhomehadneverbeenpeculiarlysatisfactorytohistastes。Soonafterthistheywenttotheladies。

ItwassomelittletimebeforeFrankcouldfindanopportunityofrecommencinghisallottedtaskwithMissDunstable。Shegotintoconversationwiththebishopandwithsomeotherpeople，and，exceptthathetookherteacupandnearlymanagedtosqueezeoneofherfingersasshedidso，hemadeverylittlefurtherprogresstilltowardsthecloseoftheevening。

Atlasthefoundhersonearlyaloneastoadmitofhisspeakingtoherinalowconfidentialvoice。

\'Haveyoumanagedthatmatterwithmyaunt？\'

\'Whatmatter？\'saidMissDunstable；andhervoicewasnotlow，norparticularlyconfidential。

\'Aboutthosethreeorfourgentlemenwhomyouwishtoinvitehere？\'

\'Oh！myattendantknights！no，indeed；yougavemesuchveryslighthopeofsuccess；besides，yousaidsomethingaboutmynotwantingthem。\'

\'YesIdid；Ireallythinkthey\'dbequiteunnecessary。Ifyoushouldwantanyonetodefendyou——\'

\'Atthesecomingelections，forinstance。\'

\'Then，oratanyothertime，thereareplentyherewhowillbereadytostandupforyou。\'

\'Plenty！Idon\'twantplenty：onegoodlanceintheoldendayswasalwaysworthmorethanascoreofordinarymen-at-arms。\'

\'Butyoutalkedaboutthreeorfour。\'

\'Yes；butthenyousee，MrGresham，Ihaveneveryetfoundtheonegoodlance——atleast，notgoodenoughtosuitmyideasoftrueprowess。\'

WhatcouldFrankdobutdeclarethathewasreadytolayhisowninrest，nowandalwaysinherbehalf？

Hisaunthadbeenquiteangrywithhim，andhadthoughtthatheturnedherintoridicule，whenhespokeofmakinganoffertoherguestthatveryevening；andyetherehewassoplacedthathehadhardlyanalternative。Lethisinwardresolutiontoabjuretheheiressbeeversostrong，hewasnowinapositionwhichallowedhimnochoiceinthematter。EvenMaryThornecouldhardlyhaveblamedhimforsaying，thatsofarashisownprowesswent，itwasquiteatMissDunstable\'sservice。HadMarybeenlookingon，sheperhaps，mighthavethoughtthathecouldhavedonesowithlessofthatlookofdevotionwhichhethrewintohiseyes。

\'Well，MrGresham，that\'sverycivil——verycivilindeed，\'saidMissDunstable。\'Uponmyword，ifaladywantedatrueknightshemightdoworsethantrusttoyou。OnlyIfearthatyourcourageisofsoexaltedanaturethatyouwouldbeeverreadytodobattleforanybeautythatmightbeindistress——or，indeed，whomightnot。Youcouldneverconfineyourvalourtotheprotectionofonemaiden。\'

\'Oh，yes！butIwouldthoughifIlikedher，\'saidFrank。\'Thereisn\'tamoreconstantfellowintheworldthanIaminthatway——youtryme，MissDunstable。\'

\'Whenyoungladiesmakesuchtrialsasthat，theysometimesfindittoolatetogobackifthetrialdoesn\'tsucceed，MrGresham。\'

\'Oh，ofcourse，there\'salwayssomerisk。It\'slikehunting；therewouldbenofuniftherewasnodanger。\'

\'Butifyougetatumbleonedayyoucanretrieveyourhonourthenext；

butapoorgirlifsheoncetrustsamanwhosaysthathelovesher，hasnosuchchance。Formyself，IwouldneverlistentoamanunlessI\'dknownhimforsevenyearsatleast。\'

\'Sevenyears！\'saidFrank，whocouldnothelpthinkingthatinsevenyears\'timeMissDunstablewouldbealmostanoldwoman。\'Sevendaysisenoughtoknowanyperson。\'

\'Orperhapssevenhours；eh，MrGresham？\'

\'Sevenhours——well，perhapssevenhours，iftheyhappentobeagooddealtogetherduringthattime。\'

\'There\'snothingafteralllikeloveatfirstsight，isthere，MrGresham？\'

Frankknewwellenoughthatshewasquizzinghim，andcouldnotresistthetemptationhefelttoberevengedonher。\'Iamsureit\'sverypleasant，\'saidhe；\'butasformyself，Ihaveneverexperiencedit。\'

\'Ha，ha，ha！\'laughedMissDunstable。\'Uponmyword，MrGresham，I

likeyouamazingly。Ididn\'texpecttomeetanybodydownherethatI

couldlikehalfsomuch。YoumustcomeandseemeinLondon，andI\'llintroduceyoutomythreeknights，\'andsosaying，shemovedawayandfellintoconversationwithsomeofthehigherpowers。

Frankfelthimselftoberathersnubbed，inspiteofthestrongexpressionwhichMissDunstablehadmadeinhisfavour。Itwasnotquitecleartohimthatshedidnottakehimforaboy。Hewas，tobesure，avengedonherforthatbytakingherforamiddle-agedwoman；

but，nevertheless，hewashardlysatisfiedwithhimself；\'andshemightfindafterwardsthatshewasleftinthelurchwithallhermoney。\'Andsoheretired，solitary，intoafarpartoftheroom，andbegantothinkofMaryThorne。Ashedidso，andashiseyesfelluponMissDunstable\'sstiffcurls，healmostshuddered。

Andthentheladiesretired。Hisaunt，withagood-naturedsmileonherface，cometohimasshewasleavingtheroom，thelastofthebevy，andputtingherhandonhisarm，ledhimoutintoasmallunoccupiedchamberwhichopenedfromthegrandsaloon。

\'Uponmyword，MasterFrank，\'saidshe，\'youseemtobelosingnotimewiththeheiress。Youhavequitemadeanimpressionalready。\'

\'Idon\'tknowmuchaboutthat，aunt，\'saidhe，lookingrathersheepish。

\'Oh，Ideclareyouhave；but，Frank，mydearboy，youshouldnotprecipitatethesesortofthingstoomuch。Itiswelltotakealittlemoretime：itismorevalued；andperhaps，youknow，onthewhole——\'

PerhapsFrankmightknow；butitwasclearthatLadydeCourcydidnot：

atanyrate，shedidnotknowhowtoexpressherself。Hadshesaidouthermindplainly，shewouldprobablyhavespokenthus：\'IwantyoutomakelovetoMissDunstable，certainly；oratanyratetomakeanoffertoher；butyouneednotmakeashowofyourselfandofher，bydoingitsoopenlyasallthat。\'Thecountess，however，didnotwanttoreprimandherobedientnephew，andthereforedidnotspeakoutherthoughts。

\'Well？\'saidFrank，lookingupintoherface。

\'Takealeetlemoretime——thatisall，mydearboy；slowandsure，youknow，\'sothecountessagainpattedhisarmandwentawaytobed。

\'Oldfool！\'mutteredFranktohimself，ashereturnedtotheroomwherethemenwerestillstanding。Hewasrightinthis：shewasanoldfool，orshewouldhaveseenthattherewasnochancewhateverthathernephewandMissDunstableshouldbecomemanandwife。

\'WellFrank，\'saidtheHonourableJohn；\'soyou\'reaftertheheiressalready。\'

\'Hewon\'tgiveanyofusachance，\'saidtheHonourableGeorge。\'Ifhegoesoninthatwayshe\'llbeMrsGreshambeforeamonthisover。But，Frank，whatwillshesayofyourmanneroflookingforBarchestervotes？\'

\'MrGreshamiscertainlyanexcellenthandatcanvassing，\'saidMrNearthewinde；\'onlyalittletooopeninhismannerofproceeding。\'

\'Igotthatchoristerforyouatanyrate，\'saidFrank。\'Andyouwouldneverhavehadhimwithoutme。\'

\'Idon\'tthinkhalfsomuchofthechorister\'svoteasthatofMissDunstable，\'saidtheHonourableGeorge：\'that\'stheinterestthatisreallyworthlookingafter。\'

\'But，surely，\'saidMrMoffat，\'MissDunstablehasnotpropertyinBarchester？\'Poorman！hisheartwassointentonhiselectionthathehadnoamomenttodevotetotheclaimsoflove。

CHAPTERXVII

THEELECTION

Andnowtheimportantdayoftheelectionhadarrived，andsomemen\'sheartsbeatquicklyenough。TobeornottoamemberoftheBritishParliamentisaquestionofveryconsiderablemomentinaman\'smind。

Muchisoftensaidofthegreatpenaltieswhichtheambitiouspayforenjoyingthishonour；ofthetremendousexpensesofelection；ofthelong，tedioushoursofunpaidlabour：ofthewearydayspassedintheHouse；but，nevertheless，theprizeisoneverywellworththepricepaidforit——wellworthanypricethatcanbepaidforitshortofwadingthroughdirtanddishonour。

NoothergreatEuropeannationhasanythinglikeittooffertotheambitionofitscitizens；forinnoothergreatcountryofEurope，noteveninthosewhicharefree，hasthepopularconstitutionobtained，aswithus，truesovereigntyandpowerofrule。Hereitisso；andwhenamanlayshimselfouttobeamemberofParliament，heplaysthehighestgameandforthehigheststakeswhichthecountryaffords。

Tosomemen，bornsilver-spooned，aseatinParliamentcomesasamatterofcourse。Fromthetimeoftheirearlymanhoodtheyhardlyknowwhatitisnottositthere；andthehonourishardlyappreciated，beingtoomuchamatterofcourse。Asarule，theyneverknowhowgreatathingitistobeinParliament；though，whenreversecomes，asreversesoccasionallywillcome，theyfullyfeelhowdreadfulitistobeleftout。

Buttomenaspiringtobemembers，ortothosewhohavingbeenoncefortunatehaveagaintofightthebattlewithoutassuranceofsuccess，thecomingelectionmustbematterofdreadconcern。Of，howdelightfultohearthatthelong-talkedofrivalhasdeclinedthecontest，andthatthecourseisclear！ortofindbyashortcanvassthatone\'smajorityissafe，andthepleasuresofcrowingoveranunlucky，friendlessfoequitesecured！

NosuchgratificationasthisfilledthebosomofMrMoffatonthemorningoftheBarchesterelection。Tohimhadbeenbroughtnopositiveassuranceofsuccessbyhisindefatigableagent，MrNearthewinde。Itwasadmittedonallsidesthatthecontestwouldbeaverycloseone；andMrNearthewindewouldnotdomorethanassertthattheyoughttowinunlessthingswentwrongwiththem。

MrNearthewindehadotherelectionstoattendto，andhadnotbeenremainingatCourcyCastleeversincethecomingofMissDunstable：buthehadbeenthere，andatBarchester，asoftenaspossible，andMrMoffatwasmadegreatlyuneasybyreflectinghowveryhighthebillwouldbe。

Thetwopartieshadoutdoneeachotherintheloudnessoftheirassertions，thateachwouldonhissideconducttheelectioninstrictconformitytolaw。Therewastobenobribery。Bribery！whoindeedinthesedayswoulddaretobribe；togiveabsolutemoneyforanabsolutevote，andpayforsuchanarticleindownrightpalpablesovereigns？

No。Puritywasmuchtoorampantforthat，andthemeansofdetectiontoowellunderstood。Butpuritywastobecarriedmuchfurtherthanthis。Thereshouldbenotreating；nohiringoftwohundredvotestoactasmessengersattwentyshillingsadayinlookingupsomefourhundredothervoters；nobandsweretobepaidfor；nocarriagesfurnished；noribbonssupplied。Britishvotersweretovote，ifvotetheywould，fortheloveandrespecttheyboretotheirchosencandidate。Ifsoactuated，theywouldnotvote，theymightstayaway；

nootherinducementwouldbeoffered。

Somuchwassaidloudly——veryloudly——byeachparty；but，nevertheless，MrMoffat，earlyintheseelectiondays，begantohavesomemisgivingsaboutthebill。Theproclaimedarrangementhadbeenoneexactlysuitabletohistaste；forMrMoffatlovedhismoney。Hewasamaninwhosebreasttheambitionofbeinggreatintheworld，andofjoininghimselftoaristocraticpeoplewascontinuallyatwarwiththegreatcostwhichsuchtastesoccasioned。Hislastelectionhadnotbeenacheaptriumph。Inonewayoranothermoneyhadbeendraggedfromhimforpurposeswhichhadbeentohismindunintelligible；andwhen，aboutthemiddleofhisfirstsession，hehad，withmuchgrumbling，settledalldemands，hehadquestionedwithhimselfwhetherhiswhistlewasworthitscost。

Hewasthereforeagreatsticklerforpurityofelection；although，hadheconsideredthematter，heshouldhaveknownthatwithhimmoneywashisonlypassportintothatElysiuminwhichhehadnowlivedfortwoyears。Heprobablydidnotconsiderit；forwhen，inthosecanvassingdaysimmediatelyprecedingtheelection，hehadseenthatallthebeer-houseswereopen，andhalfthepopulationwasdrunk，hehadaskedMrNearthewindewhetherthisviolationofthetreatywastakingplaceonlyonthepartoftheopponent，andwhether，insuchcase，itwouldnotbydulynoticedwithaviewtoapossiblepetition。

MrNearthewindeassuredhimtriumphantlythathalfatleastofthewallowingswinewerehisownespecialfriends；andthatsomewhatmorethanhalfofthepublicansofthetownwereeagerlyengagedinfightinghis，MrMoffat\'sbattle。MrMoffatgroaned，andwouldhaveexpostulatedhadMrNearthewindebeenwillingtohearhim。Butthatgentleman\'sserviceshadbeenputintorequisitionbyLordDeCourcyratherthanbythecandidate。Forthecandidatehecaredbutlittle。

Topaythebillwouldbeenoughforhim。He，MrNearthewinde，wasdoinghisbusinessashewellknewhowtodoit；anditwasnotlikelythatheshouldsubmittobelecturedbysuchasMrMoffatonatrumperyscoreofexpense。

Itcertainlydidappearonthemorningoftheelectionasthoughsomegreatchangehadbeenmadeinthatresolutionofthecandidatestobeverypure。Fromandearlyhourroughbandsofmusicweretobeheardineverypartoftheusuallyquiettown；cartsandgigs，omnibusesandflys，alltheoldcarriagesfromalltheinn-yards，andeveryvehicleofanydescriptionwhichcouldbepressedintotheservicewereinmotion；ifthehorsesandpost-boyswerenottobepaidforbythecandidates，thevotersthemselveswerecertainlyveryliberalintheirmodeofbringingthemselvestothepoll。TheelectiondistrictofthecityofBarchesterextendedforsomemilesoneachsideofthecity，sothattheomnibusesandflyshadenoughtodo。Beerwastobehadatthepublic-houses，almostwithoutquestion，byallwhochosetoaskforit；andrumandbrandyweredispensedtoselectcircleswithinthebarswithequalprofusion。Asforribbons，themercers\'shopsmusthavebeenemptiedofthatarticle，asfarasscarletandyellowwereconcerned。ScarletwasSirRoger\'scolour，whilethefriendsofMrMoffatweredeckedwithyellow。Seeingwhathedidsee，MrMoffatmightwellaskwhethertherehadnotbeenaviolationofthetreatyofpurity！

AtthetimeofthiselectiontherewassomequestionwhetherEnglandshouldgotowarwithallherenergy；orwhetheritwouldnotbebetterforhertosaveherbreathtocoolherporridge，andnotmeddlemorethancouldbehelpedwithforeignquarrels。ThelastviewofthematterwasadvocatedbySirRoger，andhismottoofcourseproclaimedthemeritsofdomesticpeaceandquiet。\'Peaceabroadandabigloafathome\'，wasconsequentlydisplayedonfourorfivehugescarletbanners，andcarriedwavingovertheheadsofthepeople。ButMrMoffatwasastaunchsupporteroftheGovernment，whowerealreadyinclinedtobebelligerent，and\'England\'shonour\'wasthereforethelegendunderwhichheselectedtodobattle。Itmay，however，bedoubtedwhethertherewasinallBarchesteroneinhabitant——letaloneoneelector——sofatuoustosupposethatEngland\'shonourwasinanyspecialmannerdeartoMrMoffat；orthathewouldbewhitmoresureofabigloafthanhewasnow，shouldSirRogerhappilybecomeamemberofthelegislature。

Andthenthefineartswereresortedto，seeingthatlanguagefellshortintellingallthatwasfoundnecessarytobetold。PoorSirRoger\'sfailingasregardsthebottleweretoowellknown；anditwasalsoknownthat，inacquiringthistitle，hehadnotquitelaidasidetheroughmodeofspeechwhichhehadusedinhisearlyyears。Therewas，consequently，agreatdaubpainteduponsundrywalls，onwhichanavvy，withapimply，bloatedface，wastobeseenstandingonarailwaybank，leaningonaspadeholdingabottleinonehand，whileheinvitedacomradetodrink。\'Come，Jack，shallushaveadropofsome\'atshort？\'werethewordscomingoutofthenavvy\'smouth；andunderthiswaspaintedinhugeletters，THELASTNEWBARONET

ButMrMoffathardlyescapedoneasierterms。Thetradebywhichhisfatherhadmadehismoneywasaswellknownasthatoftherailwaycontractor；andeverypossiblesymboloftailordomwasdisplayedingraphicportraitureonthewallsandhoardingsofthecity。Hewasdrawnwithhisgoose，hisscissors，withhisneedle，withhistapes；hemightbeseenmeasuring，cutting，pressing，carryinghomehisbundleandpresentinghislittlebill；andundereachoftheserepresentationswasrepeatedhisownmotto：\'England\'shonour\'。

SuchwerethepleasantlittleamenitieswithwhichthepeopleofBarchestergreetedthetwocandidateswhoweredesirousofthehonourofservingtheminParliament。

Thepollingwentbrisklyandmerrily。Thereweresomewhataboveninehundredregisteredvoters，ofwhomthegreaterportionrecordedtheirvotesearlyintheday。Attwoo\'clock，accordingtoSirRoger\'scommittee，thenumberswereasfollows：——

Scatcherd275

Moffat268

Whereas，bythelightaffordedbyMrMoffat\'speople，theystoodinaslightlydifferentratiotoeachother，beingwrittenthus：——

Moffat277

Scatcherd269

Thisnaturallyheightenedtheexcitement，andgaveadditionaldelighttotheproceedings。Athalf-pasttwoitwasagreedbybothsidesthatMrMoffatwasahead；theMoffatitesclaimingamajorityoftwelve，andtheScatcherditesallowingamajorityofone。Butbythreeo\'clocksundrygoodmenandtrue，belongingtotherailwayinterest，hadmadetheirwaytotheboothinspiteoftheeffortsofabandofroughsfromCourcy，andSirRogerwasagainleading，bytenoradozen，accordingtohisownshowing。

Onelittletransactionwhichtookplaceintheearlierpartofthedaydeservestoberecorded。TherewasinBarchesteranhonestpublican——honestastheworldofpublicansgoes——whonotonlywaspossessedofavote，butpossessedofasonwhowasavoter。HewasoneReddypalminearlierdays，beforehehadlearnedtoappreciatethefullvalueofanEnglishman\'sfranchise，hehadbeenadeclaredLiberalandafriendofRogerScatcherd\'s。Inlatterdayshehadgovernedhispoliticalfeelingswithmoredecorum，andhadnotallowedhimselftobecarriedawaybysuchfoolishfervourashehadevincedinhisyouth。Onthisspecialoccasion，however，hislineofconductwassomysteriousasforawhiletobaffleeventhosewhoknewhimbest。

HishousewasapparentlyopeninSirRoger\'sinterest。Beer，atanyrate，wasflowingthereaselsewhere；andscarletribbonsgoingin——notperhaps，inastateofperfectsteadiness——cameoutmoreunsteadythanbefore。StillhadMrReddypalmbeendeaftothevoiceofthatcharmer，Closerstil，thoughhehadcharmedwithallhiswisdom。MrReddypalmhadstated，firsthisunwillingnesstovoteatall：——hehad，hesaid，givenoverpolitics，andwasnotinclinedtotroublehismindagainwiththesubject；thenhehadspokenofhisgreatdevotiontotheDukeofOmnium，underwhosegrandfathershisgrandfatherhadbeenbred：MrNearthewindehad，ashesaid，beenwithhim，andprovedtohimbeyondashadowofadoubtthatitwouldshowthedeepestingratitudeonhisparttovoteagainsttheduke\'scandidate。

MrCloserstilthoughtheunderstoodallthis，andsentmore，andstillmorementodrinkbeer。Heevencaused——takinginfinitetroubletosecuresecrecyinthematter——threegallonsofBritishbrandytobeorderedandpaidforasthebestFrench。But，nevertheless，MrReddypalmmadenosigntoshowthatheconsideredthattherightthinghadbeendone。Ontheeveningbeforetheelection，hetoldoneofMrCloserstil\'sconfidentialmen，thathehadthoughtagooddealaboutit，andthathebelievedheshouldbeconstrainedbyhisconsciencetovoteforMrMoffat。

WehavesaidthatMrCloserstilwasaccompaniedbyalearnedfriendofhis，oneMrRomer，abarrister，whowasgreatlyinterestedinSirRoger，andwho，beingastrongLiberal，wasassistinginthecanvasswithmuchenergy。He，hearinghowmatterswerelikelytogowiththisconscientiouspublican，andfeelinghimselfpeculiarlycapableofdealingwithsuchdelicatescruples，undertooktolookintothecaseinhand。Early，therefore，onthemorningoftheelection，hesauntereddownthecrossstreetinwhichhungoutthesignoftheBrownBear，and，asheexpected，foundMrReddypalmnearhisowndoor。

Nowitwasquiteanunderstoodthingthattherewastobenobribery。

ThiswasunderstoodbynoonebetterthanMrRomer，whohad，intruth，drawnupmanyofthepublishedassurancestothateffect。And，togivehimhisdue，hewasfullymindedtoactinaccordancewiththeseassurances。Theobjectofallthepartieswastomakeitworththevoters\'whiletogivetheirvotes；buttodosowithoutbribery。MrRomerhadrepeatedlydeclaredthathewouldhavenothingtodowithanyillegalpractising；buthehadalsodeclaredthat，aslongasallwasdoneaccordingtolaw，hewasreadytolendhisbesteffortstoassistSirRoger。HowheassistedSirRoger，andadheredtothelaw，willnowbeseen。

Oh，MrRomer！MrRomer！isitnotthecasewiththeethatthou\'wouldstnotplayfalse，andyetwouldstwronglywin？\'Notinelectioneering，MrRomer，anymorethaninanyotherpursuits，canamantouchpitchandnotbedefiled；asthou，innocentasthouart，wiltsoonlearntothyterriblecost。

\'Well，Reddypalm，\'saidMrRomer，shakinghandswithhim。MrRomerhadnotbeenequallycautiousasNeatherwinde，andhadalreadydrunksundryglassesofaleattheBrownBear，inthehopeofsofteningthesternBear-warden。\'Howisitto-day？Whichistobetheman？\'

\'Ifanyoneknowsthat，MrRomer，youmustbetheman。Apoornumbskulllikemeknowsnothingofthemmatters。HowshouldI？AllI

looksto，MrRomer，issellingatrifleofdrinknowandthen——sellingit，andgettingpaidforit，youknow，MrRomer。\'

\'Yes，that\'simportant，nodoubt。Butcome，Reddypalm，suchanoldfriendasSirRogerasyouare，amanhespeaksofasoneofhisintimatefriends，Iwonderhowyoucanhesitateaboutit？Nowwithanotherman，Ishouldthinkthathewantedtobepaidforvoting——\'

\'Oh，MrRomer！fie——fie——fie！\'

\'Iknowit\'snotthecasewithyou。Itwouldbeaninsulttoofferyoumoney，evenifmoneyweregoing。Ishouldnotmentionthis，onlyasmoneyisnotgoing，neither，onoursidenorontheother，noharmcanbedone。\'

\'MrRomer，ifyouspeakofsuchathing，you\'llhurtme。IknowthevalueofanEnglishman\'sfranchisetoowelltowishtosellit。I

wouldnotdemeanmyselfsolow；no，notthoughfive-and-twentypoundavotewasgoing，astherewasinthegoodoldtimes——andthat\'snotsolongeither。\'

\'Iamsureyouwouldn\'t，Reddypalm；I\'msureyouwouldn\'t。Butanhonestmanlikeyoushouldsticktooldfriends。Now，tellme，\'andputtinghisarmthroughReddypalm\'s，hewalkedwithhimintothepassageofhisownhouse；\'Now，tellme——isthereanythingwrong？It\'sbetweenfriends，youknow。Isthereanythingwrong？\'

\'Iwouldn\'tsellmyvoteforuntoldgold，\'saidReddypalm，whowasperhapsawarethatuntoldgoldwouldhardlybeofferedtohimforit。

\'Iamsureyouwouldnot，\'saidMrRomer。

\'But，\'saidReddypalm，\'amanlikestobepaidhislittlebill。\'

\'Surely，surely，\'saidthebarrister。

\'AndIdidsaytwoyearssince，whenyourfriendMrCloserstilbroughtafriendofhisdowntostandhere——itwasn\'tSirRogerthen——butwhenhebroughtafriendofhisdown，andwhenIdrewtwoorthreehogsheadsofaleontheirside，andwhenmybillwasquestioned，andonlyhalf-settled，IdidsaythatIwouldn\'tinterferewithnoelectionnomore。AndnomoreIwill，MrRomer——unlessitbetogiveaquietvoteforthenoblemanunderwhomIandminealwayslivedrespectable。\'

\'Oh！\'saidMrRomer。

\'Amandoliketohavehisbillpaid，youknow，MrRomer。\'

MrRomercouldnotbutacknowledgethatthiswasanaturalfeelingonthepartofanordinarymortalpublican。

\'Itgoesaginthegrainwithamannottohavehislittlebillpaid，andspeciallyatelectiontime，\'againurgedMrReddypalm。

MrRomerhadnotmuchtimetothinkaboutit；butheknewwellthatmattersweresonearlybalanced，thatthevotesofMrReddypalmandhissonwereofinestimablevalue。

\'Ifit\'sonlyaboutyourbill，\'saidMrRomer，\'I\'llseetohaveitsettled。I\'llspeaktoCloserstilaboutthat。\'

\'Allright！\'saidReddypalm，seizingtheyoungbarrister\'shand，andshakingitwarmly；\'allright！\'Andlateintheafternoonwhenavoteortwobecamematterofintenseinterest，MrReddypalmandhissoncameuptothehustingsandboldlytenderedtheirsfortheiroldfriendSirRoger。

TherewasagreatdealofeloquenceheardinBarchesteronthatday。

SirRogerhadbythistimesofarrecoveredastobeabletogothroughthedreadfullyhardworkofcanvassingandaddressingtheelectorsfromeightinthemorningtillnearsunset。Averyperfectrecovery，mostmenwillsay。Yes；aperfectrecoveryasregardedthetemporaryuseofhisfaculties，bothphysicalandmental；thoughitmaybedoubtedwhethertherecanbeanypermanentrecoveryfromsuchadiseaseashis。Whatamountofbrandyheconsumedtoenablehimtoperformthiselectionwork，andwhatlurkingevileffecttheexcitementhaveonhim——ofthesemattersnorecordwaskeptinthehistoryofthoseproceedings。

SirRoger\'seloquencewasofaroughkind；butnotperhapsthelessoperativeonthoseforwhomitwasintended。ThearistocracyofBarchesterconsistedchieflyofclericaldignitaries，bishops，deans，prebendaries，andsuchlike：onthemandtheirsitwasnotprobablethatanythingsaidbySirRogerwouldhavemucheffect。Thosemenwouldeitherabstainfromvoting，orvotefortherailwayhero，withtheviewofkeepingouttheDeCourcycandidate。Thencametheshopkeepers，whomightalsoberegardedasastiff-neckedgeneration，impervioustoelectioneeringeloquence。Theywould，generally，supportMrMoffat。Buttherewasaninferiorclassofvoters，ten-poundfreeholders，andsuchlike，who，atthisperiod，weresomewhatgiventohaveanopinionoftheirown，andoverthemitwassupposedthatSirRogerdidobtainsomepowerbyhisgiftoftalking。

\'Now，gentlemen，willyoutellmethis，\'saidhe，bawlingatthetopofhisvoicefromtheporticowhichgracedthedooroftheDragonofWantley，atwhichcelebratedinnSirRoger\'scommitteesat：——\'WhoisMrMoffat，andwhathashedoneforus？Therehavebeensomepicture-makersaboutthetownthisweekpast。TheLordknowswhotheyare；Idon\'t。ThesecleverfellowsdotellyouwhoIam，andwhatI\'vedone。Iain\'tveryproudofthewaythey\'vepaintedme，thoughthere\'ssomethingaboutitIain\'tashamedofeither。Seehere，\'andheheldupononesideofhimoneofthegreatdaubsohhimself——\'justholdittheretillIcanexplainit，\'and，hehandedthepapertooneofhisfriends。\'That\'sme，\'saidSirRoger，puttinguphisstick，andpointingtothepimply-nosedrepresentationofhimself。

\'Hurrah！Hur-r-rah！morepowertoyou——weallknowwhoyouare，Roger。You\'retheboy！Whendidyougetdrunklast？\'Such-likegreetings，togetherwithadeadcatwhichwasflungathimfromthecrowd，andwhichhedexterouslyparriedwithhisstick，weretheanswerswhichhereceivedtothisexordium。

\'Yes，\'saidhe，quiteundismayedbythislittlemissilewhichhadsonearlyreachedhim：\'that\'sme。Andlookhere；thisbrown，dirty-lookingbroadstreakhereisintendedforarailway；andthatthinginmyhand——nottherighthand；I\'llcometothatpresently——\'

\'Howaboutthebrandy，Roger？\'

\'I\'llcometothatpresently。I\'lltellyouaboutthebrandyingoodtime。Butthatthinginmylefthandisaspade。Now，Ineverhandledaspade，andnevercould；but，boys，Ihandledachiselandmallet；andmanyahundredblockofstonehascomeoutsmoothfromunderthathand；\'andSirRogerlifteduphisgreatbroadpalmwideopen。

\'Soyoudid，Roger，andwellwemindsit。\'

\'Themeaning，however，ofthatspadeistoshowthatImadetherailway。NowI\'mverymuchobligedtothosegentlemenoverattheWhiteHorseforputtingupthispictureofme。It\'satruepicture，andittellsyouwhoIam。Ididmakethatrailway。Ihavemadethousandsofmilesofrailway；Iammakingthousandsofmilesrailways——someinEurope，someinAsia，someinAmerica。It\'satruepicture，\'andhepokedhisstickrightthroughitandheldituptothecrowd。\'Atruepicture：butforthatspadeandthatrailway，I

shouldn\'tbenowhereaskingyourvotes；and，whennextFebruarycomes，Ishouldn\'tbesittinginWestminstertorepresentyou，asbyGod\'sgrace，Icertainlywilldo。ThattellsyouwhoIam。Butnow，willyoutellmewhoMrMoffatis？\'

\'Howaboutthebrandy，Roger？\'

\'Oh，yes，thebrandy！Iwasforgettingthatandthelittlespeechthatiscomingoutofmymouth——adealshorterspeech，andabetteronethanwhatIammakingnow。Here，intherighthandyouseeabrandybottle。

Well，boys，Iamnotashamedofthat；aslongasamandoeshiswork——andthespadeshowsthat——it\'sonlyfairheshouldhavesomethingtocomforthim。I\'malwaysabletowork，andfewmenworkmuchharder。

I\'malwaysabletowork，andnomanhasarighttoexpectmoreofme。I

neverexpectmorethanthatfromthosewhowordwithme。\'

\'Nomoreyoudon\'t，Roger：alittledrop\'sverygood，ain\'tit，Roger？

Keepsthecoldfromthestomach，eh，Roger？\'

\'Thenastothisspeech，“Come，Jack，let\'shaveadropofsome\'atshort“。Why，that\'sagoodspeechtoo。WhenIdodrinkIliketosharewithafriend；andIdon\'tcarehowhumblethatfriendis。\'

\'Hurrah！morepower。That\'struetoo，Roger；mayyouneverbewithoutadroptowetyourwhistle。\'

\'TheysayI\'mthelastnewbaronet。Well，Iain\'tashamedofthat；notabit。WhenwillMrMoffatgethimselfmadeabaronet？NomancantrulysayI\'mtooproudofit。Ihaveneverstuckmyselfup；no，norstuckmywifeupeither：butIdon\'tseemuchtobeashamedofbecausethebigwigschosetomakeabaronetofme。\'

\'Nor，nomoretheeh\'ant，Roger。We\'dallbebarrownitesifsobeweknewtheway。\'

\'Butnow，havingpolishedoffthisbitofpicture，letmeaskyouwhoMrMoffatis？Therearepicturesenoughabouthim，too；thoughHeavenknowswheretheyallcomefrom。IthinkSirEdwinLandseermusthavedonethisoneofthegoose；itissodeadlynatural。Lookatit；thereheis。Uponmyword，whoeverdidthatoughttomakehisfortuneatsomeoftheseexhibitions。Hereheisagain，withabigpairofscissors。Hecallshimself“England\'shonour“；whatthedeuceEngland\'shonourhastodowithtailoring，Ican\'ttellyou：perhapsMrMoffatcan。Butmindyou，myfriends，Idon\'tsayanythingagainsttailoring：someofyouaretailors，Idaresay。\'

\'Yes，webe，\'saidalittlesqueakingvoicefromoutofthecrowd。

\'Andagoodtradeitis。WhenIfirstknowBarchesterthereweretailorsherecouldlickanystone-masoninthetrade；Isaynothingagainsttailors。Butitisn\'tenoughforamantobeatailorunlesshe\'ssomethingelsealongwithit。You\'renotsofondoftailorsthatyou\'llsendoneuptoParliamentmerelybecauseheisatailor。\'

\'Wewon\'thavenotailors。No；noryetnocabbaging。Takeagoofbrandy，Roger；you\'reblown。\'

\'No，I\'mnotblownyet。I\'veadealmoretosayaboutMrMoffatbeforeIshallbeblown。WhathashedonetoentitlehimtocomeherebeforeyouandaskyoutosendhimtoParliament？Why；heisn\'tevenatailor。Iwishhewere。There\'salwayssomegoodinafellowwhoknowshowtoearnhisownbread。Butheisn\'tatailor；hecan\'tevenputastitchintowardsmendingEngland\'shonour。Hisfatherwasatailor；notaBarchestertailor，mindyou，soastogivehimanyclaimonyouraffections；butaLondontailor。Nowthequestionis，doyouwanttosendthesonofaLondontailoruptoParliamenttorepresentyou？\'

\'No，wedon\'t；noryetwewon\'teither。\'

\'Iratherthinknot。You\'vehadhimonce，andwhathashedoneforyou？hashesaidmuchforyouintheHouseofCommons？Why，he\'ssodumbadogthathecan\'tbarkevenforabone。I\'mtoldit\'squitepainfultohearhimfumblingandmumblingandtryingtogetupaspeechthereoverattheWhiteHorse。Hedoesn\'tbelongtothecity；hehasn\'tdoneanythingforthecity；andhehasn\'tthepowertodoanythingforthecity。Then，whyonearthdoeshecomehere？I\'lltellyou。TheEarldeCourcybringshim。He\'sgoingtomarrytheEarldeCourcy\'sniece；fortheysayhe\'sveryrich——thistailor\'sson——onlytheydosayalsothathedoesn\'tmuchliketospendhismoney。He\'sgoingtomarryLorddeCourcy\'sniece，andLorddeCourcywishesthathisnephewshouldbeinParliament。There，that\'stheclaimwhichMrMoffathashereonthepeopleofBarchester。He\'sLorddeCourcy\'snominee，andthosewhofeelthemselvesboundhandandfoot，heartandsoul，toLorddeCourcy，hadbettervoteforhim。Suchmenhavemyleave。IfthereareenoughofsuchatBarchestertosendhimtoParliament，thecityinwhichIwasbornmustbeverymuchalteredsinceIwasayoungman。\'

Andsofinishinghisspeech，SirRogerretiredwithin，andrecruitedhimselfintheusualmanner。

SuchwasthefloodofeloquenceattheDragonofWantly。AttheWhiteHorse，meanwhile，thefriendsoftheDeCourcyinterestweretreatedperhapstosounderpoliticalviews；thoughnotexpressedinperiodssointelligiblyfluentasthoseofSirRoger。

MrMoffatwasayoungman，andtherewasnoknowingtowhatproficiencyintheParliamentarygiftofpublictalkinghemightyetattain；buthithertohisproficiencywasnotgreat。Hehad，however，endeavouredtomakeupbystudyforanywantofreadinessofspeech，andhadcometoBarchesterdaily，forthelastfourdays，fortifiedwithaveryprettyharangue，whichhehadpreparedforhimselfinthesolitudeofhischamber。Onthethreepreviousdaysmattershadbeenallowedtoprogresswithtolerablesmoothness，andhehadbeenpermittedtodeliverhimselfofhiselaborateeloquencewithfewotherinterruptionsthanthoseoccasionedbyhisownwantofpractice。Butonthis，thedayofdays，theBarchesterianroughswerenotsocomplaisant。ItappearedtoMrMoffat，whenheessayedtospeak，thathewassurroundedbyenemiesratherthanfriends；andinhishearthegavegreatblametoMrNearthewindefornotmanagingmattersbetterforhim。

\'MenofBarchester，\'hebegan，inavoicewhichwaseverynowandthenpreternaturallyloud，butwhich，ateachfourthorfifthword，gavewayfromwantofpower，anddescendedtoitsnaturalweaktone。\'MenofBarchester——electorsandnon-electors——\'

\'Weishallelectors；hallonus，myyoungkiddy。\'

\'Electorsandnon-electors，Inowaskyoursuffrages，notforthefirsttime——\'

\'Oh！we\'vetriedyou。Weknowwhatyou\'remadeon。Goon，Snip；don\'tyoulet\'emputyoudown。\'

\'I\'vehadthehonourofrepresentingyouinParliamentforthelasttwoyearsand——\'

\'Andadeuceddealyoudidforus，didn\'tyou？\'

\'Whatcouldyouexpectfromtheninthpartofaman？Nevermind，Snip——goon；don\'tyoubeoutbyanyofthem。Sticktoyourwaxandthreadlikeaman——liketheninthpartofaman——goonalittlefaster，Snip。\'

\'Forthelasttwoyears——and——and——\'HereMrMoffatlookedroundtohisfriendsforsomelittlesupport，andtheHonourableGeorge，whostoodclosebehindhim，suggestedthathehadgonethroughitlikeabrick。

\'And——andIwentthroughitlikeabrick，\'saidMrMoffat，withthegravestpossibleface，takingupinhisutterconfusionthewordsthatwereputintohismouth。

\'Hurray！——soyoudid——you\'retherealbrick。Welldone，Snip；goitagainwiththewaxandthread！\'

\'Iamathorough-pacedreformer，\'continuedMrMoffat，somewhatreassuredbytheeffectoftheopportunewordswhichhisfriendhadwhisperedintohisear。\'Athorough-pacedreformer——athorough-pacedreformer——\'

\'Goon，Snip。Weallknowwhatthatmeans。\'

\'Athorough-pacedreformer——\'

\'Nevermindyourpaces，man；butgeton。Tellussomethingnew。We\'reallreformers，weare。\'

PoorMrMoffatwasalittlethrownback。Itwasn\'tsoeasytotellthesegentlemenanythingnew，harnessedashewasatthismoment；sohelookedbackathishonourablesupporterforsomefurtherhint。\'Saysomethingabouttheirdaughters，\'whisperedGeorge，whoseownflightsoforatorywerealwaysonthatsubject。HadhecounselledMrMoffattowayawordortwoaboutthetides，hisadvicewouldnothavebeenlesstothepurpose。

\'Gentlemen，\'hebeganagain——\'youallknowthatIamathorough-pacedreformer——\'

\'Oh，dratyourreform。He\'sadumbdog。Gobacktoyourgoose，Snippy；youneverweremadeforthiswork。GotoCourcyCastleandreformthat。\'

MrMoffat，grievedinhissoul，wasbecominginextricablybewilderedbysuchfacetiaeasthese，whenanegg——anditmaybefearednotafreshegg——flungwithunerringprecision，struckhimontheopenpartofhiswell-plaitedshirt，andreducedhimtospeechlessdespair。

Aneggisameansofdelightfulsupportwhenproperlyadministered；butitisnotcalculatedtoaddmuchspirittoaman\'seloquence，ortoensurehispowersofendurance，whensuppliedinthemannerabovedescribed。Menthereare，doubtless，whosetongueswouldnotbestoppedevenbysuchanargumentasthis；butMrMoffatwasnotoneofthem。Astheinsidiousfluidtrickleddownbeneathhiswaistcoat，hefeltthatallfurtherpowersofcoaxingtheelectorsoutoftheirvotes，bywordsflowingfromhistonguesweeterthanhoney，wasforthatoccasiondeniedhim。Hecouldnotbeself-confident，energetic，witty，andgood-humouredwitharottenegg，dryingthroughhisclothes。Hewasforced，therefore，togiveway，andwithsadlydisconcertedairretiredfromtheopenwindowatwhichhehadbeenstanding。

ItwasinvainthattheHonourableGeorge，MrNearthewinde，andFrankendeavouredagaintobringhimtothecharge。Hewaslikeabeatenprize-fighter，whosepluckhasbeencowedoutofhim，andwho，ifhestandsup，onlystandsuptofall。MrMoffatgotsulkyalso，andwhenhewaspressed，saidthatBarchesterandthepeopleinitmightbed。

\'Withallmyheart，\'saidMrNearthewinde。\'Thatwouldn\'thaveanyeffectontheirvotes。\'

But，intruth，itmatteredverylittlewhetherMrMoffatspoke，orwhetherhedidn\'tspeak。Fouro\'clockwasthehourforclosingthepoll，andthatwasnowfastcoming。Tremendousexertionshadbeenmadeabouthalf-pastthree，byasafeemissarysentfromNearthewinde，toprovetoMrReddypalmthatallmannerofcontingentadvantageswouldaccruetotheBrownBearifitshouldturnoutthatMrMoffatshouldtakehisseatforBarchester。Nobribewas，ofcourseofferedorevenhintedat。ThepurityofBarchesterwasnotcontaminatedduringthedaybyonesuchcurseasthis。Butaman，andapublican，wouldberequiredtodosomegreatdeedinthepublicline。Toopensomecolossaltapptodrawbeerforthemillion；andnoonewouldbesofitasMrReddypalm——ifonlyitmightturnoutthatMrMoffatshould，inthecomingFebruary，takehisseatasmemberforBarchester。

ButMrReddypalmwasamanofhumbledesires，whoseambitionsscorednohigherthanthis——thathislittlebillsshouldbedulysettled。Itwaswonderfulwhatloveaninnkeeperhasforhisbillinitsentirety。Anaccount，witharespectabletotaloffiveorsixpounds，isbroughttoyou，andyoucomplainbutofonearticle；thatfireinthebedroomwasneverlighted；orthatsecondglassofbrandyandwaterwasnevercalledfor。Youdesiretohavetheshillingexpunged，andallyourhost\'spleasureinthewholetransactionisdestroyed。Oh！myfriends，payforthebrandyandwater，thoughyouneverdrankit；

sufferthefiretopass，thoughitneverwarmedyou。Whymakeagoodmanmiserableforsuchatrifle？

ItbecamenotifiedtoReddypalmwithsufficientclearnessthathisbillforthepastelectionshouldbepaidwithoutfurtherquestion；andtherefore，atfiveo\'clocktheMayorofBarchesterproclaimedtheresultsofthecontestsinthefollowingfigures：——

Scatcherd378

Moffat376

MrReddypalm\'stwovoteshaddecidedthequestion。MrNearthewindeimmediatelywentuptotown；andthedinnerpartyatCourcyCastlethateveningwasnotaparticularlypleasantmeal。

Thismuch，however，hadbeenabsolutelydecidedbeforetheyellowcommitteeconcludedtheirlabourattheWhiteHorse：thereshouldbeapetition。MrNearthewindehadnotbeenasleep，andalreadyknewsomethingofthemannerinwhichMrReddypalm\'smindhadbeenquieted。