mother had gone down."

"Oh! my mother did wonders," said Egremont: "we should have
been beat without her. Indeed, to tell the truth, I quite
gave up the thing the moment they started their man. Before
that we were on velvet; but the instant he appeared everything
was changed, and I found some of my warmest supporters,
members of his committee."

"You had a formidable opponent, Lord Marney told me," said Sir
Vavasour. "Who was he?"

"Oh! a dreadful man! A Scotchman, richer than Croesus, one
McDruggy, fresh from Canton, with a million of opium in each
pocket, denouncing corruption, and bellowing free trade."

"But they do not care much for free trade in the old borough?"
said Lord Marney.

"No, it was a mistake," said Egremont, "and the cry was
changed the moment my opponent was on the ground. Then all
the town was placarded with 'Vote for McDruggy and our young
Queen,' as if he had coalesced with her Majesty."

"My mother must have been in despair," said Lord Marney.

"We issued our placard instantly of 'Vote for our young Queen
and Egremont,' which was at least more modest, and turned out
more popular."