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.

"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,