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60 will be very expensive," said Egremont inquiringly.

"Oh! I have no doubt," said Lady Marney, "that we shall have some monster of the middle class, some tinker or tailor, or candlestickmaker, with his long purse, preaching reform and practising corruption; exactly as the liberals did under Walpole: bribery was unknown in the time of the Stuarts; but we have a capital registration, Mr. Tadpole tells me. And a young candidate with the old name will tell," said Lady Marney, with a smile: "and I shall go down and canvass, and we must do what we can."

"I have great faith in your canvassing,” said Egremont; "but still, at the same time, the powder and shot—"

"Are essential," said Lady Marney, "I know it, in these corrupt days; but Marney will of course supply those. It is the least he can do: regaining the family influence, and letting us hold up our heads again. I shall write to him the moment I am justified," said Lady Marney, "perhaps you will do so yourself, Charles."