Carlyle. They found that gentleman about to leave it for
the evening, to return home to dinner; for, in the discussion of the
all-important topic, the meeting had suffered time to run on to a late
hour; those gentlemen who dined at a somewhat earlier one had, for once
in their lives, patiently allowed their dinners and their stomachs to
wait--which is saying a great deal for the patience of a justice.

Mr. Carlyle was taken by surprise. "Make me your member?" cried he,
merrily. "How do you know I should not sell you all?"

"We'll trust you, Carlyle. Too happy to do it."

"I am not sure that I could spare the time," deliberated Mr. Carlyle.

"Now, Carlyle, you must remember that you avowed to me, no longer than
last Christmas, your intention of going into parliament some time,"
struck in Mr. Justice Herbert. "You can't deny it."

"Some time!--yes," replied Mr. Carlyle; "but I did not say when. I have
no thoughts of it yet awhile."

"You must allow us to put you in nomination--you must, indeed, Mr.
Carlyle. There's nobody else fit for it. As good send a pig to the House
as some of us."

"An extremely flattering reason for proposing to shift the honor upon
me," laughed Mr. Carlyle.

"Well, you know what we mean, Carlyle; there's not a man in the
whole county so suitable as you, search it to the extremity of its
boundaries--you must know there is not."

"I don't know anything of the sort," returned Mr. Carlyle.

"At any rate, we shall do it, for we have determined upon having you.
When you walk into West Lynne to-morrow, you'll see the walks alive with
placards, 'Carlyle forever!'"

"Suppose you allow me until to-morrow to consider of it, and defer the
garnishing of the walls a day later," said Mr. Carlyle, a serious tone
peeping out in the midst of his jocularity.

"You do not fear the expenses?"

It was but a glance he returned in answer. As soon as the question had
been put--it was stupid old Pinner who propounded it--they had felt how
foolish it was. And indeed the cost would be a mere nothing, were there
no opposition.

"Come, decide now, Carlyle. Give us your promise."

"If I decide now, it will be in the negative," replied Mr. Carlyle. "It
is a question that demands consideration. Give me till to-morrow for
that, and it is possible that I may accede to your request."

This was the best that could be made of him, and the deputation backed
out, and as nothing more could be done, departed to their se