第106章 CHAPTER XXIV(6)

"It's a cheat--an infamous conspiracy!I will unseat him--by my soul I will!""You may find it difficult,"said John Halifax,counting out the guineas deposited by Jacob Baines,and laying them in a heap before Mr.Brown,the steward."Small as the number is,I believe any Committee of the House of Commons will decide that nine honester votes were never polled.But I regret,my lord--I regret deeply,Mr.

Brithwood,"--and there was a kind of pity in his eye--"that in this matter I have been forced,as it were,to become your opponent.Some day,perhaps,you may both do me the justice that I now can only look for from my own conscience.""Very possibly,"replied the earl,with a satirical bow."I believe,gentlemen,our business is ended for to-day,and it is a long drive to Norton Bury.Sir Ralph,might we hope for the honour of your company?No?Good day,my friends.Mr.Halifax,your servant.""One word,my lord.Those workmen of mine,who are your tenants--Iam aware what usually results when tenants in arrear vote against their landlords--if,without taking any harsher measures,your agent will be so kind as to apply to me for the rent--""Sir,my agent will use his own discretion."

"Then I rely on your lordship's kindliness--your sense of honour.""Honour is only spoken of between equals,"said the earl,haughtily.

"But on one thing Mr.Halifax may always rely--my excellent memory."With a smile and bow as perfect as if he were victoriously quitting the field,Lord Luxmore departed.Soon not one remained of all those who had filled the church and churchyard,making there a tumult that is chronicled to this very day by some ancient villagers,who still think themselves greatly ill-used because the Reform Act has blotted out of the list of English boroughs the "loyal and independent"borough of Kingswell.

Sir Ralph Oldtower stood a good while talking with John;and finally,having sent his carriage on,walked with him down Kingswell Hill towards the manor-house.I,riding alongside,caught fragments of their conversation.

"What you say is all true,Mr.Halifax;and you say it well.But what can we do?Our English constitution is perfect--that is,as perfect as anything human can be.Yet corruptions will arise;we regret,we even blame--but we cannot remove them.It is impossible.""Do you think,Sir Ralph,that the Maker of this world--which,so far as we can see,He means like all other of His creations gradually to advance toward perfection--do you think He would justify us in pronouncing any good work therein 'impossible'?""You talk like a young man,"said the baronet,half sadly."Coming years will show you the world and the ways of it in a clearer light.""I earnestly hope so."

Sir Ralph glanced sideways at him--perhaps with a sort of envy of the very youth which he thus charitably excused as a thing to be allowed for till riper wisdom came.Something might have smote the old man with a conviction,that in this youth was strength and life,the spirit of the new generation then arising,before which the old worn-out generation would crumble into its natural dust.Dust of the dead ages,honourable dust,to be reverently inurned,and never parricidally profaned by us the living age,who in our turn must follow the same downward path.Dust,venerable and beloved--but still only dust.

The conversation ending,we took our diverse ways;Sir Ralph giving Mr.Halifax a hearty invitation to the manor-house,and seeing him hesitate,added,that "Lady Oldtower would shortly have the honour of calling upon Mrs.Halifax."John bowed."But I ought to tell you,Sir Ralph,that my wife and Iare very simple people--that we make no mere acquaintances,and only desire friends.""It is fortunate that Lady Oldtower and myself share the same peculiarity."And,shaking hands with a stately cordiality,the old man took his leave.

"John,you have made a step in the world to-day.""Have I?"he said,absently,walking in deep thought,and pulling the hedge-leaves as he went along.

"What will your wife say?"

"My wife?bless her!"and he seemed to be only speaking the conclusion of his thinking."It will make no difference to her--though it might to me.She married me in my low estate--but some day,God willing,no lady in the land shall be higher than my Ursula."Thus as in all things each thought most of the other,and both of Him--whose will was to them beyond all human love,ay,even such love as theirs.

Slowly,slowly,I watched the grey turrets of the manor-house fade away in the dusk;the hills grew indistinct,and suddenly we saw the little twinkling light that we knew was the lamp in Longfield parlour,shine out like a glow-worm across the misty fields.

"I wonder if the children are gone to bed,Phineas?"And the fatherly eyes turned fondly to that pretty winking light;the fatherly heart began to hover over the dear little nest of home.

"Surely there's some one at the white gate.Ursula!""John!Ah--it is you."

The mother did not express her feelings after the fashion of most women;but I knew by her waiting there,and by the nervous tremble of her hand,how great her anxiety had been.

"Is all safe,husband?"

"I think so.Mr.Oldtower is elected--HE must fly the country.""Then she is saved."

"Let us hope she is.Come,my darling!"and he wrapped his arm round her,for she was shivering."We have done all we could and must wait the rest.Come home.Oh!"with a lifted look and a closer strain,"thank God for home!"