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;Icould 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."Intense,overwhelming astonishment struck all present.Such a right had been so long unclaimed,that everybody had forgotten it was a right at all.Sir Ralph and his clerk laid their venerable heads together for some minutes,before they could come to any conclusion on the subject.At last the sheriff rose.
"I am bound to say,that,though very uncommon,this proceeding is not illegal.""Not illegal?"almost screamed Richard Brithwood.
"Not illegal.I therefore wait to hear Mr.Halifax's nomination.
Sir,your candidate is,I hope,no democrat?""His political opinions differ from mine,but he is the only gentleman whom I in this emergency can name;and is one whom myself,and I believe all my neighbours,will be heartily glad to see once more in Parliament.I beg to nominate Mr.Herbert Oldtower."A decided sensation at the upper half of the room.At the lower half an unanimous,involuntary cheer;for among our county families there were few so warmly respected as the Oldtowers.
Sir Ralph rose,much perplexed."I trust that no one present will suppose I was aware of Mr.Halifax's intention.Nor,I understand,was Mr.Oldtower.My son must speak for himself."Mr.Oldtower,with his accustomed gravity,accompanied by a not unbecoming modesty,said,that in this conjuncture,and being personally unacquainted with both Mr.Brithwood and the Earl of Luxmore,he felt no hesitation in accepting the honour offered to him.
"That being the case,"said his father,though evidently annoyed,"Ihave only to fulfil my duty as public officer to the Crown."Amidst some confusion,a show of hands was called for;and then a cry rose of "Go to the poll!""Go to the poll!"shouted Mr.Brithwood."This is a family borough.
There has not been a poll here these fifty years.Sir Ralph,your son's mad.""Sir,insanity is not in the family of the Oldtowers.My position here is simply as sheriff of the county.If a poll be called for--""Excuse me,Sir Ralph,it would be hardly worth while.May I offer you--"It was--only his snuff-box.But the Earl's polite and meaning smile filled up the remainder of the sentence.
Sir Ralph Oldtower drew himself up haughtily,and the fire of youth flashed indignantly from his grand old eyes.
"Lord Luxmore seems not to understand the duties and principles of us country gentlemen,"he said coldly,and turned away,addressing the general meeting."Gentlemen,the poll will be held this afternoon,according to the suggestion of my neighbour here.""Sir Ralph Oldtower has convenient neighbours,"remarked Lord Luxmore.
"Of my neighbour,Mr Halifax,"repeated the old baronet,louder,and more emphatically."A gentleman,"--he paused,as if doubtful whether in that title he were awarding a right or bestowing a courtesy,looked at John,and decided--"a gentleman for whom,ever since I have known him,I have entertained the highest respect."It was the first public recognition of the position which for some time had been tacitly given to John Halifax in his own neighbourhood.
Coming thus,from this upright and honourable old man,whose least merit it was to hold,and worthily,a baronetage centuries old,it made John's cheek glow with an honest gratification and a pardonable pride.
"Tell her,"he said to me,when,the meeting having dispersed,he asked me to ride home and explain the reason of his detention at Kingswell--"Tell my wife all.She will be pleased,you know."Ay,she was.Her face glowed and brightened as only a wife's can--a wife whose dearest pride is in her husband's honour.
Nevertheless,she hurried me back again as quickly as I came.
