"What, has the king changed?" said Egremont. "I thought it
was all right."
"All was right," said Lady Marney. "These men would have been
turned out again, had he only lived three months more."
"Lived!" exclaimed Egremont.
"Yes," said Lady Marney; "the king is dying."
Slowly delivering himself of an ejaculation, Egremont leant
back in his chair.
"He may live a month," said Lady Marnev; "he cannot live two.
It is the greatest of secrets; known at this moment only to
four individuals, and I communicate it to you, my dear
Charles, in that absolute confidence which I hope will always
subsist between us, because it is an event that may greatly
affect your career."
"How so, my dear mother?"
"Marbury! I have settled with Mr Tadpole that you shall stand
for the old borough. With the government in our hands, as I
had anticipated at the general election, success I think was
certain: under the circumstances which we must encounter, the
struggle will be more severe, but I think we shall do it: and
it will be a happy day for me to have our own again, and to
see you in Parliament, my dear child."
"Well, my dear mother, I should like very much to be in
Parliament, and particularly to sit for the old borough; but I
fear the contest will be very expensive," said Egremont
inquiringly.
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