"Well, Sir Thomas," began Mr. Trigger, as it were girding his loins
for the task before him, "we think that your seat wouldn't stand
the brunt. We've been putting two and two together and that's what
we think." A very black cloud came over the brow of Sir Thomas
Underwood, but at the moment he said nothing. "Of course it can be
defended. If you choose to fight the battle you can defend it. It
will cost about L1,500,--or perhaps a little more. That is, the two
sides, for both will have to be paid." Mr. Trigger paused again, but
still Sir Thomas said not a word. "Mr. Griffenbottom thinks that he
should not be asked to take any part of this cost."

"Not a shilling," said Mr. Griffenbottom.

"Well," continued Mr. Trigger, "that being the case, of course we
have got to see what will be our best plan of action. I suppose, Sir
Thomas, you are not altogether indifferent about the money."

"By no means," said Sir Thomas.

"I don't know who is. Money is money all the world over."

"You may say that," put in Mr. Spicer.

"Just let me go on for a moment, Mr. Spicer, till I make this thing
clear to Sir Thomas. That's how we stand at present. It will cost
us,--that is to say you,--about L1,500, and we should do no good. I
really don't think we should do any good. Here are these judges, and
you know that new brooms sweep clean. I suppose we may allow that
there was a little money spent somewhere. They do say now that a
glass of beer would lose a seat."

Sir Thomas could not but remember all that he had said to prevent
there being even a glass of beer, and the way in which he had
been treated by all the party in that matter, because he had so
endeavoured. But it was useless to refer to all that at the present
moment. "It seems to me," he said, "that if one seat be vacated, both
must be vacated."

"It doesn't follow at all," said Mr. Griffenbottom.

"Allow me just for a moment longer," continued Trigger, who rose from
his seat as he came to the real gist of his speech. "A proposition
has been made to us, Sir Thomas, and I am able to say that it is
one which may be trusted. Of course our chief anxiety is for the
party. You feel that, Sir Thomas, of course." Sir Thomas would not
condescend to make any reply to this. "Now the Liberals will be
content with one seat. If we go on it will lead to disfranchising the
borough, and we none of us want that. It would be no satisfaction
to you, Sir Thomas, to be the means of robbing the