elect him." Then he paused, not
remembering what was to come next; but the sentiment which he had
uttered appeared to his auditors to be so good in itself and so
well-delivered, that they filled up a long pause with continued
clappings and exclamations. "Yes," continued the young member of
Parliament, encouraged by the kindness of the crowd, "I have known
Frank Tregear ever so long, and I don't think you could find a better
member of Parliament anywhere." There were many ladies present and
they thought that the Duke's son was just the person who ought to
come electioneering among them. His voice was much pleasanter to
their ears than that of old Mr. Williams. The women waved their
handkerchiefs and the men stamped their feet. Here was an orator
come among them! "You all know all about it just as well as I do,"
continued the orator, "and I am sure you feel that he ought to be
member for Polpenno." There could be no doubt about that as far as
the opinion of the audience went. "There can't be a better fellow
than Frank Tregear, and I ask you all to give three cheers for the
new member." Ten times three cheers were given, and the Carbottleites
outside the door who had come to report what was going on at the
Tregear meeting were quite of opinion that this eldest son of the
former Prime Minister was a tower of strength. "I don't know anything
about Mr. Carbottle," continued Silverbridge, who was almost growing
to like the sound of his own voice. "Perhaps he's a good fellow too."
"No; no, no. A very bad fellow indeed," was heard from different
parts of the room. "I don't know anything about him. I wasn't at
school with Carbottle." This was taken as a stroke of the keenest
wit, and was received with infinite cheering. Silverbridge was in the
pride of his youth, and Carbottle was sixty at the least. Nothing
could have been funnier. "He seems to be a stout old party, but I
don't think he's the man for Polpenno. I think you'll return Frank
Tregear. I was at school with him;--and I tell you, that you can't
find a better fellow anywhere than Frank Tregear." Then he sat down,
and I am afraid he felt that he had made the speech of the evening.
"We are so much obliged to you, Lord Silverbridge," Miss Tregear said
as they were walking home together. "That's just the sort of thing
that the people like. So reassuring, you know. What Mr. Williams says
about the dissenters is of course true; but it isn't reassuring."

"I hope I didn't mak