sway him, he stifled his scruples, and persuaded himself that
he was a candidate not only with the sanction, but at the
instance, of his brother. "You were speaking of the election,
George," said Egremont.

"About the election, Charles. Well, the long and short of it
is this: that I wish to see you comfortable. To be harassed
about money is one of the most disagreeable incidents of life.
It ruffles the temper, lowers the spirits, disturbs the rest,
and finally breaks up one's health. Always, if you possibly
can, keep square. And if by any chance you do find yourself
in a scrape, come to me. There is nothing under those
circumstances like the advice of a cool-headed friend."

"As valuable as the assistance of a cold-hearted one," thought
Egremont, who did not fancy too much the tone of this
conversation.

"But there is one thing of which you must particularly
beware," continued Lord Marney, "there is one thing worse even
than getting into difficulties--patching them up. The
patching-up system is fatal; it is sure to break down; you
never get clear. Now, what I want to do for you, Charles, is
to put you right altogether. I want to see you square and
more than square, in a position which will for ever guarantee
you from any annoyance of this kind."

"He is a good fellow after all," thought Egremont.

"That thousand pounds of my mother was very … propos," said