depend upon it; and if you go on calculating with equal
exactness, you must succeed in life. Now the question is,
what is to be done with your election bills?"

"Exactly."

"You want to know what I will do for you, or rather what I can
do for you; that is the point. My inclination of course is to
do everything for you; but when I calculate my resources, I
may find that they are not equal to my inclination."

"I am sure, George, you will do everything, and more than
everything you ought."

"I am extremely pleased about this thousand pounds of my
mother, Charles."

"Most admirable of her! But she always is so generous!"

"Her jointure has been most regularly paid," continued Lord
Marney. "Always be exact in your payments, Charles. There is
no end to the good it produces. Now if I had not been so
regular in paying my mother her jointure, she would not in all
probability have been able to have given you this thousand
pounds; and, therefore, to a certain extent, you are indebted
for this thousand pounds to me."

Egremont drew up a little, but said nothing.

"I am obliged to pay my mother her jointure, whether ricks are