e any honest Englishman that Mr. Gerard Vermilye is
not fit to represent them in Parliament."

Here a loud cheer broke from the crowd at the door and under the open
windows, where, thick as bees, the villagers had now collected. They,
the un-voting, and consequently unbribable portion of the community,
began to hiss indignantly at the fifteen unlucky voters. For though
bribery was, as John had truly said, "as common as daylight," still, if
brought openly before the public, the said virtuous public generally
condemned it, if they themselves had not been concerned therein.

The sheriff listened uneasily to a sound, very uncommon at elections,
of the populace expressing an opinion contrary to that of the lord of
the soil.

"Really, Mr. Brithwood, you must have been as ignorant as I was of the
character of your nominee, or you would have chosen some one else.
Herbert"--he turned to his son, who, until the late dissolution, had
sat for some years as member for Norton Bury--"Herbert, are you
acquainted with any of these facts?"

Mr. Herbert Oldtower looked uncomfortable.

"Answer," said his father. "No hesitation in a matter of right and
wrong. Gentlemen, and my worthy friends, will you hear Mr. Oldtower,
whom you all know? Herbert, are these accusations true?"

"I am afraid so," said the grave young man, more gravely.

"Mr. Brithwood, I regret extremely that this discovery was not made
before. What do you purpose doing?"

"By the Lord that made me, nothing! The borough is Lord Luxmore's; I
could nominate Satan himself if I chose. My man shall stand."

"I think," Lord Luxmore said, with meaning, "it would be better for all
parties that Mr. Vermilye should stand."

"My lord," said the baronet; and one could see that not only rigid
justice, but a certain obstinacy, marked his character, especially when
anything jarred against his personal dignity or prejudices; "you forget
that, however desirous I am to satisfy the family to whom this borough
belongs, it is impossible for me to see with satisfaction--even though
I cannot prevent--the election of any person so unfit to serve His
Majesty. If, indeed, there were another candidate, so that the popular
feeling might decide this very difficult matter--"

"Sir Ralph," said John Halifax, determinedly, "this brings me to the
purpose for which I spoke. Being a landholder, and likewise a freeman
of this borough, I claim the right of nominating a second candidate."

I