'Yes, darling, thank you. In sober earnest, your advice,' answered Lake;
'and you must advise me. Several of our neighbours--the Hillyards, the
Ledwiches, the Wyndermeres, and ever so many more--have spoken to me very
strongly about contesting the county, on the old Whig principles, at the
election which is now imminent. There is not a man with a chance of
acceptance to come forward, if I refuse. Now, you know what even moderate
success in the House, when family and property go together, may
accomplish. There are the Dodminsters. Do you think they would ever have
got their title by any other means? There are the Forresters----'

'I know it all, Stanley; and at once I say, go on. I thought you must
have formed some political project, Mr. Wealdon has been with you so
often; but you tell me nothing, Stanley.'

'Not, darling, till I know it myself. This plan, for instance, until you
spoke this moment, was but a question, and one which I could not submit
until I had seen Wealdon, and heard how matters stood, and what chances
of success I should really have. So, darling, you have it all; and I am
so glad you advise me to go on. It is five-and-thirty years since anyone
connected with Brandon came forward. But it will cost a great deal of
money, Dorkie.'

'Yes, I know. I've always heard it cost my uncle and Sir William Camden
fifteen thousand pounds.'

'Yes, it will be expensive, Wealdon thinks--_very_, this time. The other
side will spend a great deal of money. It often struck me as a great
mistake, that, where there is a good income, and a position to be
maintained, there is not a little put by every year to meet cases like
this--what they call a reserve fund in trading companies.'