"Oh! I have no doubt," said Lady Marney, "that we shall have
some monster of the middle class, some tinker or tailor, or
candlestick-maker, with his long purse, preaching reform and
practising corruption: exactly as the liberals did under
Walpole: bribery was unknown in the time of the Stuarts; but
we have a capital registration, Mr Tadpole tells me. And a
young candidate with the old name will tell," said Lady
Marney, with a smile: "and I shall go down and canvass, and we
must do what we can."
"I have great faith in your canvassing," said Egremont; "but
still, at the same time, the powder and shot--"
"Are essential," said Lady Marney, "I know it, in these
corrupt days: but Marney will of course supply those. It is
the least he can do: regaining the family influence, and
letting us hold up our heads again. I shall write to him the
moment I am justified," said Lady Marney, "perhaps you will do
so yourself, Charles."
"Why, considering I have not seen my brother for two years,
and we did not part on the best possible terms--"
"But that is all forgotten."
"By your good offices, dear mother, who are always doing good:
and yet," continued Egremont, after a moment's pause, "I am
not disposed to write to Marney, especially to ask a favour.
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