第7章
Therewere，sosaidtheCourcyiteswhenawayfromCourcy，excellentshopsintheplace；buttheywerenotthelessaccustomed，whenathomeamongthemselves，tocomplaintoeachotherofthevileextortionwithwhichtheyweretreatedbytheirneighbours。Theironmonger，therefore，thoughheloudlyassertedthathecouldbeatBristolinthequalityofhiswaresinonedirection，andundersellGloucesterinanother，boughthisteaandsugarontheslyinoneofthoselargertowns；andthegrocer，ontheotherhandequallydistrustedthepotsandpansofhomeproduction。Trade，therefore，atCourcy，hadnotthrivensincetherailwayopened：and，indeed，hadanypatientinquirerstoodatthecrossthroughoneentireday，countingcustomerswhoenteredtheneighbouringshops，hemightwellhavewonderedthatanyshopsinCourcycouldbekeptopen。
Andhowchangedhasbeenthebustleofthatoncenoisyinntothepresentdeath-likesilenceofitsgreencourtyard！There，alameostlercrawlsaboutwiththehandsthrustintothecapaciouspocketsofhisjacket，feedingonmemory。Thatwearypairofomnibusjades，andthreesorrypostersareallthatnowgracethosestableswherehorsesusedtobestalledinclosecontiguitybythedozen；wheretwentygrainsapiece，abstractedfromeveryfeedofoatsconsumedduringtheday，wouldhaveaffordedadailyquarttotheluckypilferer。
Come，myfriend，anddiscoursewithme。Letusknowwhatarethyideasoftheinestimablebenefitswhichsciencehasconferredonusinthese，ourlatterdays。Howdostthou，amongothers，appreciaterailwaysandthepowerofsteam，telegraphs，telegrams，andournewexpresses？Butindifferently，yousay。"TimewasI"vezeedvifteenpairo""ossesgooutofthis"ereyardinvour-and-twentyhour；andnowtherebe"antvifteen，no，notten，invour-and-twentydays！Therewastheduik-notthis"un；hebe"antnogude；butthis"un"svather-why，whenhe"dcomedowntheroad，thecattledidbea-going，vourdaysaneend。Here"dbethetooterandtheyounggen"lmen，andthegovernessandtheyoungleddies，andthentheservants-they"dbeal"aysthegrandestfolkofall——andthentheduikanddoochess——Lordlove"ee，zur；themoneydidflyinthemdays！Butnow——"andthefeelingofscornandcontemptwhichthelameostlerwasenabledbyhisnativetalenttothrowintotheword"now"，wasquiteaseloquentagainstthepowerofsteamasanythingthathasbeenspokenatdinners，orwritteninpamphletsbythekeenestadmirersoflatter-daylights。
"Why，lukeatthis"eretown，"continuedheofthesieve，"thegrassbea-growingintheverystreets；——thatcan"tbenogude。Why，luke"eehere，zur；Idobea-standingatthis"eregateway，justthisway，hourarterhour，andmyheyesishopenmostly；——Izeeswho"sa-comingandwho"sa-going。Nobody"sa-comingandnobody"sa-going；thatcan"tbenogude。Lukeatthattherehomnibus；why，darnme——"andnow，inhiseloquenceatthispeculiarpoint，myfriendbecamemoreloudandpowerfulthanever——"why，darnme，ifmaisterharnsenoughwiththattherebustoputhirononthemosses"feet，I"ll-be-blowed！"Andasheutteredthishypotheticaldenunciationonhimselfhespokeveryslowly，bringingouteverywordasitwereseparately，andloweringhimselfathiskneesateverysound，movingatthesametimehisrighthandupanddown。Whenhehadfinished，hefixedhiseyesupontheground，pointingdownwards，asiftherewastobethesiteofhisdoomifthecursethathehadcalleddownuponhimselfshouldevercometopass；
andthen，waitingnofurtherconverse，hehobbledaway，melancholy，tohisdesertedstables。
Oh，myfriend！mypoorlamefriend！itwillavailnothingtotelltheeofLiverpoolandManchester；ofthegloriesofGlasgow，withherflourishingbanks；ofLondon，withitsthirdmillionsofinhabitants；
ofthegreatthingswhichcommerceisdoingforthisnationofthine！
Whatiscommercetothee，unlessitbecommerceinpostingonthatworn-out，allbutuselessgreatwesternturnpike-road？Thereisnothingleftfortheebuttobecartedawayasrubbish——fortheeandformanyofusinthesenowprosperousdays；oh，mymelancholy，care-riddenfriend！
CourcyCastlewascertainlyadullplacetolookat，andFrank，inhisformervisits，hadfoundthattheappearancedidnotbeliethereality。HehadbeenbutlittletherewhentheearlhadbeenatCourcy；andashehadalwaysfeltfromhischildhoodapeculiartastetothegovernanceofhisauntthecountess，thisperhapsmayhaveaddedtohisfeelingofdislike。Now，however，thecastlewastobefullerthanhehadeverbeforeknownit；theearlwastobeathome；therewassometalkoftheDukeofOmniumcomingforadayortwo，thoughthatseemeddoubtful；therewassomefaintdoubtofLordPorlock；MrMoffat，intentonthecomingelection——andalso，letushope，onhiscomingbliss——wastobeoneoftheguests；andtherewasalsotobethegreatMissDunstable。
Frank，however，foundthatthosegrandeeswerenotexpectedquiteimmediately。"ImightgobacktoGreshamsburyforthreeorfourdaysassheisnottobehere，"hesaidnaivelytohisaunt，expressing，withtolerableperspicuity，hisfeeling，thatheregardedhisvisittoCourcyCastlequiteasamatterofbusiness。Butthecountesswouldhearofnosucharrangement。Nowthatshehadgothim，shewasnotgoingtolethimfallbackintotheperilsofMissThorne"sintrigues，orevenofMissThorne"spropriety。"Itisquiteessential，"shesaid，"thatyoushouldbehereafewdaysbeforeher，sothatshemayseethatyouareathome。"Frankdidnotunderstandthereasoning；buthefelthimselfunabletorebel，andhetherefore，remainedthere，comfortinghimself，asbesthemight，withtheeloquenceoftheHonourableGeorge，andthesportinghumoursoftheHonourableJohn。
MrMoffatwastheearliestarrivalofanyimportance。Frankhadnothithertomadetheacquaintanceofhisfuturebrother-in-law，andtherewas，therefore，somelittleinterestinthefirstinterview。MrMoffatwasshownintothedrawing-roombeforetheladieshadgoneuptodress，anditsohappenedthatFrankwastherealso。Asnooneelsewasintheroombuthissisterandtwoofhiscousins，hehadexpectedtoseetheloversrushintoeachother"sarms。ButMrMoffatrestrainedhisardour，andMissGreshamseemedcontentedthatheshoulddoso。
Hewasanice，dapperman，ratherabovethemiddleheight，andgood-lookingenoughhadhehadalittlemoreexpressioninhisface。Hehaddarkhair，verynicelybrushed，smallblackwhiskers，andasmallblackmoustache。Hisbootswereexcellentlywellmade，andhishandswereverywhite。HesimperedgentlyashetookholdofAugusta"sfingers，andexpressedahopethatshehadbeenquitewillsincelasthehadthepleasureofseeingher。ThenhetouchedthehandsoftheLadyRosinaandtheLadyMargaretta。
"MrMoffat，allowmetointroduceyoutomybrother？"
"Mosthappy，I"msure，"saidMrMoffat，againputtingouthishand，andallowingittoslipthroughFrank"sgrasp，ashespokeinapretty，mincingvoice："LadyArabellaquitewell？——andyourfather，andsisters？Verywarmisn"tit？——quitehotintown，Idoassureyou。"
"IhopeAugustalikeshim，"saidFranktohimself，arguingonthesubjectexactlyashisfatherhaddone；"butforanengagedloverheseemstometohaveaveryqueerwaywithhim。"Frank，poorfellow！whowasofacoarsermould，would，undersuchcircumstances，havebeenallforkissing——sometimes，indeed，evenunderothercircumstances。
MrMoffatdidnotdomuchtowardsimprovingtheconvivialityofthecastle。Hewas，ofcourse，agooddealintentuponhiscomingelection，andspentmuchofhistimewithMrNearthewinde，thecelebratedparliamentaryagent。ItbehovedhimtobeagooddealatBarchester，canvassingtheelectorsandundermining，byMrNearthewinde"said，theminesforblowinghimoutofhisseat，whichweredailybeingcontrivedbyMrCloserstil，onbehalfofSirRoger。
Thebattlewastobefoughtontheinternecineprinciple，noquarterbeinggivenortakenoneitherside；andofcoursethisgaveMrMoffatasmuchasheknewhowtodo。
MrCloserstilwaswellknowntobethesharpestmanathisbusinessinallEngland，unlessthepalmshouldbegiventohisgreatrivalMrNearthewinde；andinthisinstancehewastobeassistedinthebattlebyaverycleveryoungbarrister，MrRomer，whowasanadmirerofSirRoger"scareerinlife。SomepeopleinBarchester，whentheysawSirRoger，CloserstilandMrRomersaunterdowntheHighStreet，arminarm，declaredthatitwasallupwithpoorMoffat；butothers，inwhoseheadthebumpofvenerationwasstronglypronounced，whisperedtoeachotherthatgreatshibboleth——thenameoftheDukeofOmnium——andmildlyassertedittobeimpossiblethattheduke"snomineeshouldbethrownout。
Ourpoorfriendthesquiredidnottakemuchinterestinthematterexceptinsofarthathelikedhisson-in-lawtobeinParliament。Boththecandidateswereinhiseyeequallywrongintheiropinions。Hehadlongsincerecantedthoseerrorsofhisearlyyouth，whichhadcosthimhisseatforthecounty，andhadabjuredtheDeCourcypolitics。HewasstaunchenoughasaTorynowthathisbeingsowouldnolongerbeoftheslightestusetohim；buttheDukeofOmnium，andLorddeCourcy，andMrMoffatwereallWhigs；Whigs，however，differingaltogetherinpoliticsfromSirRoger，whobelongedtotheManchesterschool，andwhosepretensions，throughsomeofthoseinscrutabletwistsinmodernpoliticswhicharequiteunintelligibletothemindsofordinarymenoutsidethecircle，wereonthisoccasionsecretlyfavouredbythehighConservativeparty。
HowMrMoffat，whohadbeenbroughtintothepoliticalworldbyLorddeCourcy，obtainedtheweightoftheduke"sinterestInevercouldexactlylearn。Forthedukeandtheearldidnotgenerallyactastwin-brothersonsuchoccasions。
ThereisagreatdifferenceinWhigs。LorddeCourcywasaCourtWhig，followingthefortunes，andenjoying，whenhecouldgetit，thesunshineofthethrone。HewasasojourneratWindsor，andavisitoratBalmoral。Hedelightedingoldsticks，andwasneversohappyaswhenholdingsomecapofmaintenanceorspurofprecedencewithduedignityandacknowledgedgraceinthepresenceofalltheCourt。Hismeanshadbeensomewhatembarrassedbyearlyextravagance；and，therefore，asitwastohistastetoshine，itsuitedhimtoshineatthecostoftheCourtratherthanathisown。
TheDukeofOmniumwasaWhigofaverydifferentcalibre。Herarelywentnearthepresenceofmajesty，andwhenhedidso，hediditmerelyasadisagreeabledutyincidenttohisposition。HewasverywillingthattheQueenshouldbequeensolongashewasallowedtobeDukeofOmnium。NorhadhebegrudgedPrinceAlbertanyofhishonourstillhewascalledPrinceConsort。Then，indeed，hehad，tohisownintimatefriends，madesomeremarkinthreewordsnotflatteringtothediscretionofthePrimeMinister。TheQueenmightbequeensolongashewasDukeofOmnium。Theirrevenueswereaboutthesame，withtheexception，thattheduke"swerehisown，andhecoulddowhathelikedwiththem。Thisremembrancedidnotunfrequentlypresentitselftotheduke"smind。Inperson，hewasaplain，thinman，tall，butundistinguishedinappearance，exceptthattherewasagleamofprideinhiseyewhichseemedeverymomenttobesaying，"IamtheDukeofOmnium"。Hewasunmarried，and，ifreportsaidtrue，agreatdebauchee；butifsohehadalwayskepthisdebaucheriesdecentlyawayfromtheeyesoftheworld，andwasnot，therefore，opentothatloudcondemnationwhichshouldfalllikeahailstormroundtheearsofsomemoreopensinners。
Whythesetwomightynoblesputtheirheadstogetherinorderthatthetailor"ssonshouldrepresentBarchesterinParliament，Icannotexplain。MrMoffat，was，ashasbeensaid，LorddeCourcy"sfriend；
anditmaybethatLorddeCourcywasabletorepaythedukeforhiskindness，astouchingBarchester，withsomelittleassistanceinthecountyrepresentation。
ThenextarrivalwasthatoftheBishopofBarchester。Ameek，good，worthyman，muchattachedtohiswife，andsomewhataddictedtohisease。She，apparently，wasmadeinadifferentmould，andbyherenergyanddiligenceatonedforanywantofthosequalitieswhichmightbeobservedinthebishophimself。Whenaskedhisopinion，hislordshipwouldgenerallyreplybysaying——"MrsProudieandIthinksoandso。"
Butbeforethatopinionwasgiven，MrsProudiewouldtakeupthetale，andshe，inhermoreconcisemanner，wasnotwonttoquotethebishopashavingatallassistedintheconsiderationofthesubject。ItwaswellknowninBarsetshirethatnomarriedpairconsortedmorecloselyormoretenderlytogether；andtheexampleofsuchconjugalaffectionamongpersonsintheupperclassesisworthmentioning，asitisbelievedbythosebelowthem，andtoooftenwithtruth，thatthesweetblissofconnubialreciprocityisnotsocommonasitshouldbeamongthemagnatesoftheearth。
ButthearrivalevenofthebishopandhiswifedidnotmaketheplacecheerfultoFrankGresham，andhebegantolongforMissDunstable，inorderthathemighthavesomethingtodo。HecouldnotgetonatallwithMrMoffat。HehadexpectedthatthemanwouldatoncehavecalledhimFrank，andthathewouldhavecalledthemanGustavus；buttheydidnotevengetbeyondMrMoffatandMrGresham。"VeryhotinBarchester，today，very，"wasthenearestapproachtoconversationwhichFrankcouldattainwithhim；andasfarashe，Frank，couldsee，Augustanevergotmuchbeyondit。Theremightbetete-a-tetemeetingsbetweenthem，but，ifso，Frankcouldnotdetectwhentheytookplace；andso，openinghisheartatlasttotheHonourableGeorge，forthewantofabetterconfidant，heexpressedhisopinionthathisfuturebrother-in-lawwasamuff。
"Amuff——Ibelieveyoutoo。Whatdoyouthinknow？IhavebeenwithhimandNearthewindeinBarchesterthesethreedayspast，lookinguptheelectors"wivesanddaughters，andthatkindofthing。"
"Isay，ifthereisanyfuninityoumightaswelltakemewithyou。"
"Oh，thereisnotmuchfun；theyaremostlysoslobberedanddirty。A
sharpfellowinNearthewinde，andknowswhatheisaboutwell。"
"Doeshelookupthewivesanddaughterstoo？"
"Oh，hegoesoneverytackjustasit"swanted。ButtherewasMoffat，yesterday，inaroombehindthemilliner"sshopnearCuthbert"sGate；I
waswithhim。Thewoman"shusbandisoneofthechoristersandanelector，youknow，andMoffatwenttolookforhisvote。Now，therewasnoonetherewhenwegottherebutthethreeyoungwomen，thewife，thatis，andhertwogirls——veryprettywomentheyaretoo。"
"Isay，George，I"llgoandgetthechorister"svoteforMoffat；I
oughttodoitashe"stobemybrother-in-law。"
"ButwhatdoyouthinkMoffatsaidtothewomen？"
"Can"tguess——hedidn"tkissthem，didhe？"
"Kissanyofthem？No；buthebeggedtogivethemhispositiveassuranceasagentlemanthatifhewasreturnedtoParliamenthewouldvoteforanextensionofthefranchise，andtheadmissionoftheJewsintotheParliament。"
"Well，heisamuff，"saidFrank。
CHAPTERXVI
MISSDUNSTABLE
AtlastthegreatMissDunstablecame。Frank，whenheheardthattheheiresshadarrived，feltsomeslightpalpitationathisheart。Hehadnottheremotestideaintheworldofmarryingher；indeed，duringthelastweekpast，absencehadsoheightenedhisloveforMaryThornethathewasmorethaneverresolvedthathewouldnevermarryanyonebuther。Heknewthathehadmadeheraformalofferforherhand，andthatitbehovedhimtokeeptoit，letthecharmsofMissDunstablebewhattheymight；but，nevertheless，hewaspreparedtogothroughacertainamountofcourtship，inobediencetohisaunt"sbehests，andhefeltalittlenervousatbeingbroughtupinthatway，facetoface，todobattlewithtwohundredthousandpounds。
"MissDunstablehasarrived，"saidhisaunttohim，withgreatcomplacency，onhisreturnfromanelectioneeringvisittothebeautiesofBarchesterwhichhemadewithhiscousinGeorgeonthedayaftertheconversationwhichwasrepeatedattheendofthelastchapter。"Shehasarrived，andislookingremarkablywell；shehasquiteadistingueair，andwillgraceanycircletowhichshemaybeintroduced。Iwillintroduceyoubeforedinner，andyoucantakeherout。"
"Icouldn"tproposetohertonight，Isuppose？"saidFrank，maliciously。
"Don"ttalknonsense，Frank，"saidthecountessangrily。"IamdoingwhatIcanforyou，andtakingonaninfinityoftroubletoendeavourtoplaceyouinanindependentposition；andnowyoutalknonsensetome。"
Frankmutteredsomesortofapology，andthenwenttopreparehimselffortheencounter。
MissDunstable，thoughshehadcomebytrain，hadbroughtwithherherowncarriage，herownhorses，herowncoachmanandfootman，andherownmaid，ofcourse。Shehadalsobroughtwithherhalfascoreoftrunks，fullofwearingapparel；someofthemnearlyasrichasthatwonderfulboxwhichwasstolenashorttimesincefromthetopofacab。Butshebroughtthesethings，notintheleastbecauseshewantedthemherself，butbecauseshehadbeeninstructedtodoso。
Frankwasalittlemorethanordinarilycarefulindressing。Hespoiltacoupleofwhitenecktiesbeforehewassatisfied，andwasratherfastidiousasthesetofhishair。Therewasnotmuchofthedandyabouthimintheordinarymeaningoftheword。Buthefeltthatitwasincumbentonhimtolookhisbest，seeingwhatitwasexpectedheshouldnowdo。HecertainlydidnotmeantomarryMissDunstable；butashewastohaveaflirtationwithher，itwaswellthatheshoulddosounderthebestpossibleauspices。
Whenheenteredthedrawing-roomheperceivedatoncethattheladywasthere。ShewasseatedbetweenthecountessandMrsProudie；andmammon，inherperson，wasreceivingworshipfromthetemporalitiesandspiritualitiesoftheland。Hetriedtolookunconcerned，andremainedinthefartherpartoftheroom，talkingwithsomeofhiscousins；buthecouldnotkeephiseyeoffthefuturepossibleMrsFrankGresham；
anditseemedasthoughshewasasmuchconstrainedtoscrutinizehimashefelttoscrutinizeher。
LadydeCourcyhaddeclaredthatshewaslookingextremelywell，andhadparticularlyalludedtoherdistingueappearance。Frankatoncefeltthathecouldnotaltogethergoalongwithhisauntinthisopinion。MissDunstablemightbeverywell；butherstyleofbeautywasonewhichdidnotquitemeetwithhiswarmestadmiration。
Inageshewasaboutthirty；butFrank，whowasnogreatjudgeinthesematters，andwhowasaccustomedtohaveveryyounggirlsroundhim，atonceputherdownasbeingtenyearsolder。Shehadaveryhighcolour，veryredcheeks，alargemouth，bigwhiteteeth，abroadnose，andbright，small，blackeyes。Herhairalsowasblackandbright，butverycrisp，andstrong，andwascombedcloseroundherfaceinsmallcrispblackringlets。Sinceshehadbeenbroughtoutintothefashionableworldsomeofherinstructorsinfashionhadgivenhertounderstandthatcurlswerenotthething。"They"llalwayspassmuster，"MissDunstablehadreplied，"whentheyaredoneupwithbank-notes。"ItmaythereforebepresumedthatMissDunstablehadawillofherown。
"Frank，"saidthecountess，inthemostnaturalandunpremeditatedway，assoonasshecaughthernephew"seye，"comehere。IwanttointroduceyoutoMissDunstable。"Theintroductionwasthenmade。"MrsProudie，wouldyouexcuseme？ImustpositivelygoandsayafewwordstoMrsBarlow，orthepoorwomanwillfeelherselfhuffed"；andsosaying，shemovedoff，leavingthecoastclearforMasterFrank。
Heofcourseslippedintohisaunt"splace，andexpressedahopethatMissDunstablewasnotfatiguedbyherjourney。
"Fatigued！"saidshe，inavoiceratherloud，butverygood-humoured，andnotaltogetherunpleasing；"Iamnottobefatiguedbysuchathingasthat。Why，inMaywecamethroughallthewayfromRometoPariswithoutsleeping——thatis，withoutsleepinginabed——andwewereupsetthreetimesoutofthesledgescomingovertheSimpton。Itwassuchfun！Why，Iwasn"ttosaytiredeventhen。"
"AllthewayfromRometoParis！"saidMrsProudie——inatoneofastonishment，meanttoflattertheheiress——"andwhatmadeyouinsuchahurry？"
"Somethingaboutmoneymatters，"saidMissDunstable，speakingratherlouderthanusual。"Somethingtodowiththeointment。Iwassellingthebusinessjustthen。"
MrsProudiebowed，andimmediatelychangedtheconversation。"Idolatryis，Ibelieve，morerampantthaneverinRome，"saidshe；"andIfearthereisnosuchthingatallasSabbathobservance。"
"Oh，notintheleast，"saidMissDunstable，withratherajoyousair；
"Sundaysandweek-daysareallthesamethere。"
"Howveryfrightful！"saidMrsProudie。
"Butit"sadeliciousplace。IdolikeRome，Imustsay。AndasforthePope，ifhewasn"tquitesofathewouldbethenicestoldfellowintheworld。HaveyoubeeninRome，MrsProudie？"
MrsProudiesighedassherepliedinthenegative，anddeclaredherbeliefthatdangerwasapprehendedfromsuchvisits。
"Oh！——ah！——themalaria——ofcourse——yes；ifyougoatthewrongtime；butnobodyissuchafoolasthatnow。"
"Iwasthinkingofthesoul，MissDunstable，"saidthelady-bishop，inherpeculiargravetone。"AplacewheretherearenoSabbathobservances——"
"AndhaveyoubeenatRome，MrGresham？"saidtheyounglady，turningalmostabruptlyroundtoFrank，andgivingasomewhatuncivillycoldshouldertoMrsProudie"sexhortation。She，poorlady，wasforcedtofinishherspeechtotheHonourableGeorge，whowasstandingneartoher。Hehavinganideathatbishopsandalltheirbelongings，likeotherthingsappertainingtoreligion，should，ifpossible，beavoided；
butifthatwerenotpossible，shouldbetreatedwithmuchassumedgravity，immediatelyputonalongface，andremarkedthat——"itwasadeucedshame：forhisparthealwayslikedtoseepeoplegoquietonSundays。Theparsonshadonlyonedayoutofseven，andhethoughttheywerefullyentitledtothat。"Satisfiedwithwhich，ornotsatisfied，MrsProudiehadtoremainsilenttilldinner-time。
"No，"saidFrank；"IneverwasinRome。IwasinParisonce，that"sall。"Andthen，feelingnotunnaturalanxietyastothepresentstateofMissDunstable"sworldlyconcerns，hetookanopportunityoffallingbackonthatpartofherconversationwhichMrsProudiehadexercisedsomuchtactinavoiding。
"Andwasitsold？"saidhe。
"Sold！whatsold？"
"Youweresayingaboutthebusiness——thatyoucamebackwithoutgoingtobedbecauseofsellingthebusiness。"
"Oh！——theointment。No；itwasnotsold。Afterall，theaffairdidnotcomeoff，andImighthaveremainedandhadanotherrollinthesnow。
Wasn"titapity？"
"So，"saidFranktohimself，"ifIshoulddoit，IshouldbeowneroftheointmentofLebanon：howodd！"Andthenhegaveherhisarmandhandedherdowntodinner。
HecertainlyfoundthathisdinnerwaslessdullthananyotherhehadsatdowntoatCourcyCastle。HedidnotfancythatheshouldeverfallinlovewithMissDunstable；butshecertainlywasanagreeablecompanion。Shetoldhimofhertour，andthefunshehadinherjourneys；howshetookaphysicianwithherforthebenefitofherhealth，whomshegenerallywasforcedtonurse；ofthetroubleitwastohertolookafterandwaituponhernumerousservants；ofthetrickssheplayedtobamboozlepeoplewhocametostareather；and，lastly，shetoldhimofaloverwhofollowedherfromcountrytocountry，andwasnowinhotpursuitofher，havingarrivedinLondontheeveningbeforesheleft。
"Alover？"saidFrank，somewhatstartledbythesuddennessoftheconfidence。
"Alover——yes——MrGresham；whyshouldInothavealover？"
"Oh！——no——ofcoursenot。Idaresayyouhavehadagoodmany。"
"Onlythreeorfour，uponmyword；thatis，onlythreeorfourthatI
favour。Oneisnotboundtoreckontheothers，youknow。"
"No，they"dbetoonumerous。Andsoyouhavethreewhomyoufavour，MissDunstable；"andFranksighed，asthoughheintendedtosaythatthenumberwastoomanyforhispeaceofmind。
"Isnotthatquiteenough？ButofcourseIchangethemsometimes；"andshesmiledonhimverygood-naturedly。"ItwouldbeverydullifI
werealwaystokeepthesame。"
"Verydullindeed，"saidFrank，whodidnotquiteknowwhattosay。
"DoyouthinkthecountesswouldmindmyhavingortwoofthemhereifIweretoaskher？"
"Iamquitesureshewould，"saidFrank，verybriskly。"Shewouldnotapproveofit；norshouldI。"
"You——why，whathaveyoutodowithit？"
"Agreatdeal——somuchsothatIpositivelyforbidit；but，MissDunstable——"
"Well，MrGresham？"
"Wewillcontrivetomakeupforthedeficiencyaswellaspossible，ifyouwillpermitustodoso。Nowformyself——"
"Well，foryourself？"
Atthismomentthecountessgleamedheraccomplishedeyeroundthetable，andMissDunstablerosefromherchairasFrankwaspreparinghisattack，andaccompaniedtheotherladiesintothedrawing-room。
Hisaunt，asshepassedhim，touchedhisarmlightlywithherfan，solightlythattheactionwasperceivedbynooneelse。ButFrankwellunderstoodthemeaningofthetouch，andappreciatedtheapprobationwhichitconveyed。Hemerelyblushedhoweverathisowndissimulation；
forhefeltmorecertainthateverthathewouldnevermarryMissDunstable，andhefeltnearlyequallysurethatMissDunstablewouldnevermarryhim。
LorddeCourcywasnowathome；buthispresencedidnotaddmuchhilaritytotheclaret-cup。Theyoungmen，however，wereverykeenabouttheelection，andMrNearthewinde，whowasoneoftheparty，wasfullofthemostsanguinehopes。
"Ihavedoneagoodoneatanyrate，"saidFrank；"Ihavesecuredthechorister"svote。"
"What！Bagley？"saidNeathewinde。"Thefellowkeptoutofmyway，andIcouldn"tseehim。"
"Ihaven"texactlyseenhim，"saidFrank；"butI"vegothisvoteallthesame。"
"What！byaletter？"saidMrMoffat。
"No，notbyletter，"saidFrank，speakingratherlowashelookedatthebishopandtheearl；"Igotapromisefromhiswife：Ithinkhe"salittleinthehenpeckedline。"
"Ha——ha——ha！"laughedthegoodbishop，who，inspiteofFrank"smodulationofvoice，hadoverheardwhathadpassed。"Isthatthewayyoumanageelectioneeringmattersinourcathedralcity？"Theideaofoneofhischoristersbeinginthehenpeckedlinewasveryamusingtothebishop。
"Oh，Igotadistinctpromise，"saidFrank，inhispride；andthenaddedincautiously，"butIhadtoorderbonnetsforthewholefamily。"
"Hush-h-h-h！"saidMrNearthewinde，absolutelyflabbergastedbysuchimprudenceonthepartofoneofhisclient"sfriends。"Iamquitesurethatyouorderhadnoeffect，andwasintendedtohavenoeffectonMrBagley"svote。"
"Isthatwrong？"saidFrank；"uponmywordIthoughtitwasquitelegitimate。"
"Oneshouldneveradmitanythinginelectioneeringmatters，shouldone？"saidGeorge，turningtoMrNearthewinde。
"Verylittle，MrdeCourcy；verylittleindeed——thelessthebetter。
It"shardtosayinthesedayswhatiswrongandwhatisnot。Now，there"sReddypalm，thepublican，themanwhohastheBrownBear。Well，Iwasthere，ofcourse：he"savoter，andifanymaninBarchesteroughttofeelhimselfboundtovoteforafriendoftheduke"sheought。Now，IwassothirstywhenIwasinthatman"shouse，thatI
wasdyingforaglassofbeer；butforthelifeofmeIdidn"tdareorderone。"
"Whynot？"saidFrank，whosemindwasonlyjustbeginningtobeenlightenedbythegreatdoctrineofpurityofelectionaspractisedinEnglishprovincialtowns。
"Oh，Closerstilhadsomefellowlookingatme；why，Ican"twalkdownthattownwithouthavingmyverystepscounted。Ilikesharpfightingmyself，butInevergososharpasthat。"
"NeverthelessIgotBagley"svote，"saidFrank，persistinginpraiseofhisownelectioneeringprowess；"andyoumaybesureofthis，MrNearthewinde，noneofCloserstil"smenwerelookingatmewhenIgotit。"
"Who"llpayforthebonnets，Frank？"saidGeorge。
"Oh，I"llpayforthemifMoffatwon"t。IthinkIshallkeepanaccountthere；theyseemtohavegoodglovesandthosesortofthings。"
"Verygood，Ihavenodoubt，"saidGeorge。
"IsupposeyourlordshipwillbeintownsoonafterthemeetingofParliament？"saidthebishop，questioningtheearl。
"Oh！yes；IsupposeImustbethere。Iamneverallowedtoremainverylonginthequiet。Itisagreatnuisance；butitistoolatetothinkofthatnow。"
"Meninhighplaces，mylord，neverwere，andneverwillbe，allowedtoconsiderthemselves。Theyburntheirtorchesnotintheirownbehalf，"
saidthebishop，thinking，perhaps，asmuchofhimselfashedidofhisnoblefriend。"Restandquietarethecomfortsofthosewhohavebeencontenttoremaininobscurity。"
"Perhapsso，"saidtheearl，finishinghisglassofclaretwithanairofvirtuousresignation。"Perhapsso。"Hisownmartyrdom，however，hadnotbeensevere，fortherestandquietofhomehadneverbeenpeculiarlysatisfactorytohistastes。Soonafterthistheywenttotheladies。
ItwassomelittletimebeforeFrankcouldfindanopportunityofrecommencinghisallottedtaskwithMissDunstable。Shegotintoconversationwiththebishopandwithsomeotherpeople，and，exceptthathetookherteacupandnearlymanagedtosqueezeoneofherfingersasshedidso，hemadeverylittlefurtherprogresstilltowardsthecloseoftheevening。
Atlasthefoundhersonearlyaloneastoadmitofhisspeakingtoherinalowconfidentialvoice。
"Haveyoumanagedthatmatterwithmyaunt？"
"Whatmatter？"saidMissDunstable；andhervoicewasnotlow，norparticularlyconfidential。
"Aboutthosethreeorfourgentlemenwhomyouwishtoinvitehere？"
"Oh！myattendantknights！no，indeed；yougavemesuchveryslighthopeofsuccess；besides，yousaidsomethingaboutmynotwantingthem。"
"YesIdid；Ireallythinkthey"dbequiteunnecessary。Ifyoushouldwantanyonetodefendyou——"
"Atthesecomingelections，forinstance。"
"Then，oratanyothertime，thereareplentyherewhowillbereadytostandupforyou。"
"Plenty！Idon"twantplenty：onegoodlanceintheoldendayswasalwaysworthmorethanascoreofordinarymen-at-arms。"
"Butyoutalkedaboutthreeorfour。"
"Yes；butthenyousee，MrGresham，Ihaveneveryetfoundtheonegoodlance——atleast，notgoodenoughtosuitmyideasoftrueprowess。"
WhatcouldFrankdobutdeclarethathewasreadytolayhisowninrest，nowandalwaysinherbehalf？
Hisaunthadbeenquiteangrywithhim，andhadthoughtthatheturnedherintoridicule，whenhespokeofmakinganoffertoherguestthatveryevening；andyetherehewassoplacedthathehadhardlyanalternative。Lethisinwardresolutiontoabjuretheheiressbeeversostrong，hewasnowinapositionwhichallowedhimnochoiceinthematter。EvenMaryThornecouldhardlyhaveblamedhimforsaying，thatsofarashisownprowesswent，itwasquiteatMissDunstable"sservice。HadMarybeenlookingon，sheperhaps，mighthavethoughtthathecouldhavedonesowithlessofthatlookofdevotionwhichhethrewintohiseyes。
"Well，MrGresham，that"sverycivil——verycivilindeed，"saidMissDunstable。"Uponmyword，ifaladywantedatrueknightshemightdoworsethantrusttoyou。OnlyIfearthatyourcourageisofsoexaltedanaturethatyouwouldbeeverreadytodobattleforanybeautythatmightbeindistress——or，indeed，whomightnot。Youcouldneverconfineyourvalourtotheprotectionofonemaiden。"
"Oh，yes！butIwouldthoughifIlikedher，"saidFrank。"Thereisn"tamoreconstantfellowintheworldthanIaminthatway——youtryme，MissDunstable。"
"Whenyoungladiesmakesuchtrialsasthat，theysometimesfindittoolatetogobackifthetrialdoesn"tsucceed，MrGresham。"
"Oh，ofcourse，there"salwayssomerisk。It"slikehunting；therewouldbenofuniftherewasnodanger。"
"Butifyougetatumbleonedayyoucanretrieveyourhonourthenext；
butapoorgirlifsheoncetrustsamanwhosaysthathelovesher，hasnosuchchance。Formyself，IwouldneverlistentoamanunlessI"dknownhimforsevenyearsatleast。"
"Sevenyears！"saidFrank，whocouldnothelpthinkingthatinsevenyears"timeMissDunstablewouldbealmostanoldwoman。"Sevendaysisenoughtoknowanyperson。"
"Orperhapssevenhours；eh，MrGresham？"
"Sevenhours——well，perhapssevenhours，iftheyhappentobeagooddealtogetherduringthattime。"
"There"snothingafteralllikeloveatfirstsight，isthere，MrGresham？"
Frankknewwellenoughthatshewasquizzinghim，andcouldnotresistthetemptationhefelttoberevengedonher。"Iamsureit"sverypleasant，"saidhe；"butasformyself，Ihaveneverexperiencedit。"
"Ha，ha，ha！"laughedMissDunstable。"Uponmyword，MrGresham，I
likeyouamazingly。Ididn"texpecttomeetanybodydownherethatI
couldlikehalfsomuch。YoumustcomeandseemeinLondon，andI"llintroduceyoutomythreeknights，"andsosaying，shemovedawayandfellintoconversationwithsomeofthehigherpowers。
Frankfelthimselftoberathersnubbed，inspiteofthestrongexpressionwhichMissDunstablehadmadeinhisfavour。Itwasnotquitecleartohimthatshedidnottakehimforaboy。Hewas，tobesure，avengedonherforthatbytakingherforamiddle-agedwoman；
but，nevertheless，hewashardlysatisfiedwithhimself；"andshemightfindafterwardsthatshewasleftinthelurchwithallhermoney。"Andsoheretired，solitary，intoafarpartoftheroom，andbegantothinkofMaryThorne。Ashedidso，andashiseyesfelluponMissDunstable"sstiffcurls，healmostshuddered。
Andthentheladiesretired。Hisaunt，withagood-naturedsmileonherface，cometohimasshewasleavingtheroom，thelastofthebevy，andputtingherhandonhisarm，ledhimoutintoasmallunoccupiedchamberwhichopenedfromthegrandsaloon。
"Uponmyword，MasterFrank，"saidshe，"youseemtobelosingnotimewiththeheiress。Youhavequitemadeanimpressionalready。"
"Idon"tknowmuchaboutthat，aunt，"saidhe，lookingrathersheepish。
"Oh，Ideclareyouhave；but，Frank，mydearboy，youshouldnotprecipitatethesesortofthingstoomuch。Itiswelltotakealittlemoretime：itismorevalued；andperhaps，youknow，onthewhole——"
PerhapsFrankmightknow；butitwasclearthatLadydeCourcydidnot：
atanyrate，shedidnotknowhowtoexpressherself。Hadshesaidouthermindplainly，shewouldprobablyhavespokenthus："IwantyoutomakelovetoMissDunstable，certainly；oratanyratetomakeanoffertoher；butyouneednotmakeashowofyourselfandofher，bydoingitsoopenlyasallthat。"Thecountess，however，didnotwanttoreprimandherobedientnephew，andthereforedidnotspeakoutherthoughts。
"Well？"saidFrank，lookingupintoherface。
"Takealeetlemoretime——thatisall，mydearboy；slowandsure，youknow，"sothecountessagainpattedhisarmandwentawaytobed。
"Oldfool！"mutteredFranktohimself，ashereturnedtotheroomwherethemenwerestillstanding。Hewasrightinthis：shewasanoldfool，orshewouldhaveseenthattherewasnochancewhateverthathernephewandMissDunstableshouldbecomemanandwife。
"WellFrank，"saidtheHonourableJohn；"soyou"reaftertheheiressalready。"
"Hewon"tgiveanyofusachance，"saidtheHonourableGeorge。"Ifhegoesoninthatwayshe"llbeMrsGreshambeforeamonthisover。But，Frank，whatwillshesayofyourmanneroflookingforBarchestervotes？"
"MrGreshamiscertainlyanexcellenthandatcanvassing，"saidMrNearthewinde；"onlyalittletooopeninhismannerofproceeding。"
"Igotthatchoristerforyouatanyrate，"saidFrank。"Andyouwouldneverhavehadhimwithoutme。"
"Idon"tthinkhalfsomuchofthechorister"svoteasthatofMissDunstable，"saidtheHonourableGeorge："that"stheinterestthatisreallyworthlookingafter。"
"But，surely，"saidMrMoffat，"MissDunstablehasnotpropertyinBarchester？"Poorman！hisheartwassointentonhiselectionthathehadnoamomenttodevotetotheclaimsoflove。
CHAPTERXVII
THEELECTION
Andnowtheimportantdayoftheelectionhadarrived，andsomemen"sheartsbeatquicklyenough。TobeornottoamemberoftheBritishParliamentisaquestionofveryconsiderablemomentinaman"smind。
Muchisoftensaidofthegreatpenaltieswhichtheambitiouspayforenjoyingthishonour；ofthetremendousexpensesofelection；ofthelong，tedioushoursofunpaidlabour：ofthewearydayspassedintheHouse；but，nevertheless，theprizeisoneverywellworththepricepaidforit——wellworthanypricethatcanbepaidforitshortofwadingthroughdirtanddishonour。
NoothergreatEuropeannationhasanythinglikeittooffertotheambitionofitscitizens；forinnoothergreatcountryofEurope，noteveninthosewhicharefree，hasthepopularconstitutionobtained，aswithus，truesovereigntyandpowerofrule。Hereitisso；andwhenamanlayshimselfouttobeamemberofParliament，heplaysthehighestgameandforthehigheststakeswhichthecountryaffords。
Tosomemen，bornsilver-spooned，aseatinParliamentcomesasamatterofcourse。Fromthetimeoftheirearlymanhoodtheyhardlyknowwhatitisnottositthere；andthehonourishardlyappreciated，beingtoomuchamatterofcourse。Asarule，theyneverknowhowgreatathingitistobeinParliament；though，whenreversecomes，asreversesoccasionallywillcome，theyfullyfeelhowdreadfulitistobeleftout。
Buttomenaspiringtobemembers，ortothosewhohavingbeenoncefortunatehaveagaintofightthebattlewithoutassuranceofsuccess，thecomingelectionmustbematterofdreadconcern。Of，howdelightfultohearthatthelong-talkedofrivalhasdeclinedthecontest，andthatthecourseisclear！ortofindbyashortcanvassthatone"smajorityissafe，andthepleasuresofcrowingoveranunlucky，friendlessfoequitesecured！
NosuchgratificationasthisfilledthebosomofMrMoffatonthemorningoftheBarchesterelection。Tohimhadbeenbroughtnopositiveassuranceofsuccessbyhisindefatigableagent，MrNearthewinde。Itwasadmittedonallsidesthatthecontestwouldbeaverycloseone；andMrNearthewindewouldnotdomorethanassertthattheyoughttowinunlessthingswentwrongwiththem。
MrNearthewindehadotherelectionstoattendto，andhadnotbeenremainingatCourcyCastleeversincethecomingofMissDunstable：buthehadbeenthere，andatBarchester，asoftenaspossible，andMrMoffatwasmadegreatlyuneasybyreflectinghowveryhighthebillwouldbe。
Thetwopartieshadoutdoneeachotherintheloudnessoftheirassertions，thateachwouldonhissideconducttheelectioninstrictconformitytolaw。Therewastobenobribery。Bribery！whoindeedinthesedayswoulddaretobribe；togiveabsolutemoneyforanabsolutevote，andpayforsuchanarticleindownrightpalpablesovereigns？
No。Puritywasmuchtoorampantforthat，andthemeansofdetectiontoowellunderstood。Butpuritywastobecarriedmuchfurtherthanthis。Thereshouldbenotreating；nohiringoftwohundredvotestoactasmessengersattwentyshillingsadayinlookingupsomefourhundredothervoters；nobandsweretobepaidfor；nocarriagesfurnished；noribbonssupplied。Britishvotersweretovote，ifvotetheywould，fortheloveandrespecttheyboretotheirchosencandidate。Ifsoactuated，theywouldnotvote，theymightstayaway；
nootherinducementwouldbeoffered。
Somuchwassaidloudly——veryloudly——byeachparty；but，nevertheless，MrMoffat，earlyintheseelectiondays，begantohavesomemisgivingsaboutthebill。Theproclaimedarrangementhadbeenoneexactlysuitabletohistaste；forMrMoffatlovedhismoney。Hewasamaninwhosebreasttheambitionofbeinggreatintheworld，andofjoininghimselftoaristocraticpeoplewascontinuallyatwarwiththegreatcostwhichsuchtastesoccasioned。Hislastelectionhadnotbeenacheaptriumph。Inonewayoranothermoneyhadbeendraggedfromhimforpurposeswhichhadbeentohismindunintelligible；andwhen，aboutthemiddleofhisfirstsession，hehad，withmuchgrumbling，settledalldemands，hehadquestionedwithhimselfwhetherhiswhistlewasworthitscost。
Hewasthereforeagreatsticklerforpurityofelection；although，hadheconsideredthematter，heshouldhaveknownthatwithhimmoneywashisonlypassportintothatElysiuminwhichhehadnowlivedfortwoyears。Heprobablydidnotconsiderit；forwhen，inthosecanvassingdaysimmediatelyprecedingtheelection，hehadseenthatallthebeer-houseswereopen，andhalfthepopulationwasdrunk，hehadaskedMrNearthewindewhetherthisviolationofthetreatywastakingplaceonlyonthepartoftheopponent，andwhether，insuchcase，itwouldnotbydulynoticedwithaviewtoapossiblepetition。
MrNearthewindeassuredhimtriumphantlythathalfatleastofthewallowingswinewerehisownespecialfriends；andthatsomewhatmorethanhalfofthepublicansofthetownwereeagerlyengagedinfightinghis，MrMoffat"sbattle。MrMoffatgroaned，andwouldhaveexpostulatedhadMrNearthewindebeenwillingtohearhim。Butthatgentleman"sserviceshadbeenputintorequisitionbyLordDeCourcyratherthanbythecandidate。Forthecandidatehecaredbutlittle。
Topaythebillwouldbeenoughforhim。He，MrNearthewinde，wasdoinghisbusinessashewellknewhowtodoit；anditwasnotlikelythatheshouldsubmittobelecturedbysuchasMrMoffatonatrumperyscoreofexpense。
Itcertainlydidappearonthemorningoftheelectionasthoughsomegreatchangehadbeenmadeinthatresolutionofthecandidatestobeverypure。Fromandearlyhourroughbandsofmusicweretobeheardineverypartoftheusuallyquiettown；cartsandgigs，omnibusesandflys，alltheoldcarriagesfromalltheinn-yards，andeveryvehicleofanydescriptionwhichcouldbepressedintotheservicewereinmotion；ifthehorsesandpost-boyswerenottobepaidforbythecandidates，thevotersthemselveswerecertainlyveryliberalintheirmodeofbringingthemselvestothepoll。TheelectiondistrictofthecityofBarchesterextendedforsomemilesoneachsideofthecity，sothattheomnibusesandflyshadenoughtodo。Beerwastobehadatthepublic-houses，almostwithoutquestion，byallwhochosetoaskforit；andrumandbrandyweredispensedtoselectcircleswithinthebarswithequalprofusion。Asforribbons，themercers"shopsmusthavebeenemptiedofthatarticle，asfarasscarletandyellowwereconcerned。ScarletwasSirRoger"scolour，whilethefriendsofMrMoffatweredeckedwithyellow。Seeingwhathedidsee，MrMoffatmightwellaskwhethertherehadnotbeenaviolationofthetreatyofpurity！
AtthetimeofthiselectiontherewassomequestionwhetherEnglandshouldgotowarwithallherenergy；orwhetheritwouldnotbebetterforhertosaveherbreathtocoolherporridge，andnotmeddlemorethancouldbehelpedwithforeignquarrels。ThelastviewofthematterwasadvocatedbySirRoger，andhismottoofcourseproclaimedthemeritsofdomesticpeaceandquiet。"Peaceabroadandabigloafathome"，wasconsequentlydisplayedonfourorfivehugescarletbanners，andcarriedwavingovertheheadsofthepeople。ButMrMoffatwasastaunchsupporteroftheGovernment，whowerealreadyinclinedtobebelligerent，and"England"shonour"wasthereforethelegendunderwhichheselectedtodobattle。Itmay，however，bedoubtedwhethertherewasinallBarchesteroneinhabitant——letaloneoneelector——sofatuoustosupposethatEngland"shonourwasinanyspecialmannerdeartoMrMoffat；orthathewouldbewhitmoresureofabigloafthanhewasnow，shouldSirRogerhappilybecomeamemberofthelegislature。
Andthenthefineartswereresortedto，seeingthatlanguagefellshortintellingallthatwasfoundnecessarytobetold。PoorSirRoger"sfailingasregardsthebottleweretoowellknown；anditwasalsoknownthat，inacquiringthistitle，hehadnotquitelaidasidetheroughmodeofspeechwhichhehadusedinhisearlyyears。Therewas，consequently，agreatdaubpainteduponsundrywalls，onwhichanavvy，withapimply，bloatedface，wastobeseenstandingonarailwaybank，leaningonaspadeholdingabottleinonehand，whileheinvitedacomradetodrink。"Come，Jack，shallushaveadropofsome"atshort？"werethewordscomingoutofthenavvy"smouth；andunderthiswaspaintedinhugeletters，THELASTNEWBARONET
ButMrMoffathardlyescapedoneasierterms。Thetradebywhichhisfatherhadmadehismoneywasaswellknownasthatoftherailwaycontractor；andeverypossiblesymboloftailordomwasdisplayedingraphicportraitureonthewallsandhoardingsofthecity。Hewasdrawnwithhisgoose，hisscissors，withhisneedle，withhistapes；hemightbeseenmeasuring，cutting，pressing，carryinghomehisbundleandpresentinghislittlebill；andundereachoftheserepresentationswasrepeatedhisownmotto："England"shonour"。
SuchwerethepleasantlittleamenitieswithwhichthepeopleofBarchestergreetedthetwocandidateswhoweredesirousofthehonourofservingtheminParliament。
Thepollingwentbrisklyandmerrily。Thereweresomewhataboveninehundredregisteredvoters，ofwhomthegreaterportionrecordedtheirvotesearlyintheday。Attwoo"clock，accordingtoSirRoger"scommittee，thenumberswereasfollows：——
Scatcherd275
Moffat268
Whereas，bythelightaffordedbyMrMoffat"speople，theystoodinaslightlydifferentratiotoeachother，beingwrittenthus：——
Moffat277
Scatcherd269
Thisnaturallyheightenedtheexcitement，andgaveadditionaldelighttotheproceedings。Athalf-pasttwoitwasagreedbybothsidesthatMrMoffatwasahead；theMoffatitesclaimingamajorityoftwelve，andtheScatcherditesallowingamajorityofone。Butbythreeo"clocksundrygoodmenandtrue，belongingtotherailwayinterest，hadmadetheirwaytotheboothinspiteoftheeffortsofabandofroughsfromCourcy，andSirRogerwasagainleading，bytenoradozen，accordingtohisownshowing。
Onelittletransactionwhichtookplaceintheearlierpartofthedaydeservestoberecorded。TherewasinBarchesteranhonestpublican——honestastheworldofpublicansgoes——whonotonlywaspossessedofavote，butpossessedofasonwhowasavoter。HewasoneReddypalminearlierdays，beforehehadlearnedtoappreciatethefullvalueofanEnglishman"sfranchise，hehadbeenadeclaredLiberalandafriendofRogerScatcherd"s。Inlatterdayshehadgovernedhispoliticalfeelingswithmoredecorum，andhadnotallowedhimselftobecarriedawaybysuchfoolishfervourashehadevincedinhisyouth。Onthisspecialoccasion，however，hislineofconductwassomysteriousasforawhiletobaffleeventhosewhoknewhimbest。
HishousewasapparentlyopeninSirRoger"sinterest。Beer，atanyrate，wasflowingthereaselsewhere；andscarletribbonsgoingin——notperhaps，inastateofperfectsteadiness——cameoutmoreunsteadythanbefore。StillhadMrReddypalmbeendeaftothevoiceofthatcharmer，Closerstil，thoughhehadcharmedwithallhiswisdom。MrReddypalmhadstated，firsthisunwillingnesstovoteatall：——hehad，hesaid，givenoverpolitics，andwasnotinclinedtotroublehismindagainwiththesubject；thenhehadspokenofhisgreatdevotiontotheDukeofOmnium，underwhosegrandfathershisgrandfatherhadbeenbred：MrNearthewindehad，ashesaid，beenwithhim，andprovedtohimbeyondashadowofadoubtthatitwouldshowthedeepestingratitudeonhisparttovoteagainsttheduke"scandidate。
MrCloserstilthoughtheunderstoodallthis，andsentmore，andstillmorementodrinkbeer。Heevencaused——takinginfinitetroubletosecuresecrecyinthematter——threegallonsofBritishbrandytobeorderedandpaidforasthebestFrench。But，nevertheless，MrReddypalmmadenosigntoshowthatheconsideredthattherightthinghadbeendone。Ontheeveningbeforetheelection，hetoldoneofMrCloserstil"sconfidentialmen，thathehadthoughtagooddealaboutit，andthathebelievedheshouldbeconstrainedbyhisconsciencetovoteforMrMoffat。
WehavesaidthatMrCloserstilwasaccompaniedbyalearnedfriendofhis，oneMrRomer，abarrister，whowasgreatlyinterestedinSirRoger，andwho，beingastrongLiberal，wasassistinginthecanvasswithmuchenergy。He，hearinghowmatterswerelikelytogowiththisconscientiouspublican，andfeelinghimselfpeculiarlycapableofdealingwithsuchdelicatescruples，undertooktolookintothecaseinhand。Early，therefore，onthemorningoftheelection，hesauntereddownthecrossstreetinwhichhungoutthesignoftheBrownBear，and，asheexpected，foundMrReddypalmnearhisowndoor。
Nowitwasquiteanunderstoodthingthattherewastobenobribery。
ThiswasunderstoodbynoonebetterthanMrRomer，whohad，intruth，drawnupmanyofthepublishedassurancestothateffect。And，togivehimhisdue，hewasfullymindedtoactinaccordancewiththeseassurances。Theobjectofallthepartieswastomakeitworththevoters"whiletogivetheirvotes；buttodosowithoutbribery。MrRomerhadrepeatedlydeclaredthathewouldhavenothingtodowithanyillegalpractising；buthehadalsodeclaredthat，aslongasallwasdoneaccordingtolaw，hewasreadytolendhisbesteffortstoassistSirRoger。HowheassistedSirRoger，andadheredtothelaw，willnowbeseen。
Oh，MrRomer！MrRomer！isitnotthecasewiththeethatthou"wouldstnotplayfalse，andyetwouldstwronglywin？"Notinelectioneering，MrRomer，anymorethaninanyotherpursuits，canamantouchpitchandnotbedefiled；asthou，innocentasthouart，wiltsoonlearntothyterriblecost。
"Well，Reddypalm，"saidMrRomer，shakinghandswithhim。MrRomerhadnotbeenequallycautiousasNeatherwinde，andhadalreadydrunksundryglassesofaleattheBrownBear，inthehopeofsofteningthesternBear-warden。"Howisitto-day？Whichistobetheman？"
"Ifanyoneknowsthat，MrRomer，youmustbetheman。Apoornumbskulllikemeknowsnothingofthemmatters。HowshouldI？AllI
looksto，MrRomer，issellingatrifleofdrinknowandthen——sellingit，andgettingpaidforit，youknow，MrRomer。"
"Yes，that"simportant，nodoubt。Butcome，Reddypalm，suchanoldfriendasSirRogerasyouare，amanhespeaksofasoneofhisintimatefriends，Iwonderhowyoucanhesitateaboutit？Nowwithanotherman，Ishouldthinkthathewantedtobepaidforvoting——"
"Oh，MrRomer！fie——fie——fie！"
"Iknowit"snotthecasewithyou。Itwouldbeaninsulttoofferyoumoney，evenifmoneyweregoing。Ishouldnotmentionthis，onlyasmoneyisnotgoing，neither，onoursidenorontheother，noharmcanbedone。"
"MrRomer，ifyouspeakofsuchathing，you"llhurtme。IknowthevalueofanEnglishman"sfranchisetoowelltowishtosellit。I
wouldnotdemeanmyselfsolow；no，notthoughfive-and-twentypoundavotewasgoing，astherewasinthegoodoldtimes——andthat"snotsolongeither。"
"Iamsureyouwouldn"t，Reddypalm；I"msureyouwouldn"t。Butanhonestmanlikeyoushouldsticktooldfriends。Now，tellme，"andputtinghisarmthroughReddypalm"s，hewalkedwithhimintothepassageofhisownhouse；"Now，tellme——isthereanythingwrong？It"sbetweenfriends，youknow。Isthereanythingwrong？"
"Iwouldn"tsellmyvoteforuntoldgold，"saidReddypalm，whowasperhapsawarethatuntoldgoldwouldhardlybeofferedtohimforit。
"Iamsureyouwouldnot，"saidMrRomer。
"But，"saidReddypalm，"amanlikestobepaidhislittlebill。"
"Surely，surely，"saidthebarrister。
"AndIdidsaytwoyearssince，whenyourfriendMrCloserstilbroughtafriendofhisdowntostandhere——itwasn"tSirRogerthen——butwhenhebroughtafriendofhisdown，andwhenIdrewtwoorthreehogsheadsofaleontheirside，andwhenmybillwasquestioned，andonlyhalf-settled，IdidsaythatIwouldn"tinterferewithnoelectionnomore。AndnomoreIwill，MrRomer——unlessitbetogiveaquietvoteforthenoblemanunderwhomIandminealwayslivedrespectable。"
"Oh！"saidMrRomer。
"Amandoliketohavehisbillpaid，youknow，MrRomer。"
MrRomercouldnotbutacknowledgethatthiswasanaturalfeelingonthepartofanordinarymortalpublican。
"Itgoesaginthegrainwithamannottohavehislittlebillpaid，andspeciallyatelectiontime，"againurgedMrReddypalm。
MrRomerhadnotmuchtimetothinkaboutit；butheknewwellthatmattersweresonearlybalanced，thatthevotesofMrReddypalmandhissonwereofinestimablevalue。
"Ifit"sonlyaboutyourbill，"saidMrRomer，"I"llseetohaveitsettled。I"llspeaktoCloserstilaboutthat。"
"Allright！"saidReddypalm，seizingtheyoungbarrister"shand，andshakingitwarmly；"allright！"Andlateintheafternoonwhenavoteortwobecamematterofintenseinterest，MrReddypalmandhissoncameuptothehustingsandboldlytenderedtheirsfortheiroldfriendSirRoger。
TherewasagreatdealofeloquenceheardinBarchesteronthatday。
SirRogerhadbythistimesofarrecoveredastobeabletogothroughthedreadfullyhardworkofcanvassingandaddressingtheelectorsfromeightinthemorningtillnearsunset。Averyperfectrecovery，mostmenwillsay。Yes；aperfectrecoveryasregardedthetemporaryuseofhisfaculties，bothphysicalandmental；thoughitmaybedoubtedwhethertherecanbeanypermanentrecoveryfromsuchadiseaseashis。Whatamountofbrandyheconsumedtoenablehimtoperformthiselectionwork，andwhatlurkingevileffecttheexcitementhaveonhim——ofthesemattersnorecordwaskeptinthehistoryofthoseproceedings。
SirRoger"seloquencewasofaroughkind；butnotperhapsthelessoperativeonthoseforwhomitwasintended。ThearistocracyofBarchesterconsistedchieflyofclericaldignitaries，bishops，deans，prebendaries，andsuchlike：onthemandtheirsitwasnotprobablethatanythingsaidbySirRogerwouldhavemucheffect。Thosemenwouldeitherabstainfromvoting，orvotefortherailwayhero，withtheviewofkeepingouttheDeCourcycandidate。Thencametheshopkeepers，whomightalsoberegardedasastiff-neckedgeneration，impervioustoelectioneeringeloquence。Theywould，generally，supportMrMoffat。Buttherewasaninferiorclassofvoters，ten-poundfreeholders，andsuchlike，who，atthisperiod，weresomewhatgiventohaveanopinionoftheirown，andoverthemitwassupposedthatSirRogerdidobtainsomepowerbyhisgiftoftalking。
"Now，gentlemen，willyoutellmethis，"saidhe，bawlingatthetopofhisvoicefromtheporticowhichgracedthedooroftheDragonofWantley，atwhichcelebratedinnSirRoger"scommitteesat：——"WhoisMrMoffat，andwhathashedoneforus？Therehavebeensomepicture-makersaboutthetownthisweekpast。TheLordknowswhotheyare；Idon"t。ThesecleverfellowsdotellyouwhoIam，andwhatI"vedone。Iain"tveryproudofthewaythey"vepaintedme，thoughthere"ssomethingaboutitIain"tashamedofeither。Seehere，"andheheldupononesideofhimoneofthegreatdaubsohhimself——"justholdittheretillIcanexplainit，"and，hehandedthepapertooneofhisfriends。"That"sme，"saidSirRoger，puttinguphisstick，andpointingtothepimply-nosedrepresentationofhimself。
"Hurrah！Hur-r-rah！morepowertoyou——weallknowwhoyouare，Roger。You"retheboy！Whendidyougetdrunklast？"Such-likegreetings，togetherwithadeadcatwhichwasflungathimfromthecrowd，andwhichhedexterouslyparriedwithhisstick，weretheanswerswhichhereceivedtothisexordium。
"Yes，"saidhe，quiteundismayedbythislittlemissilewhichhadsonearlyreachedhim："that"sme。Andlookhere；thisbrown，dirty-lookingbroadstreakhereisintendedforarailway；andthatthinginmyhand——nottherighthand；I"llcometothatpresently——"
"Howaboutthebrandy，Roger？"
"I"llcometothatpresently。I"lltellyouaboutthebrandyingoodtime。Butthatthinginmylefthandisaspade。Now，Ineverhandledaspade，andnevercould；but，boys，Ihandledachiselandmallet；andmanyahundredblockofstonehascomeoutsmoothfromunderthathand；"andSirRogerlifteduphisgreatbroadpalmwideopen。
"Soyoudid，Roger，andwellwemindsit。"
"Themeaning，however，ofthatspadeistoshowthatImadetherailway。NowI"mverymuchobligedtothosegentlemenoverattheWhiteHorseforputtingupthispictureofme。It"satruepicture，andittellsyouwhoIam。Ididmakethatrailway。Ihavemadethousandsofmilesofrailway；Iammakingthousandsofmilesrailways——someinEurope，someinAsia，someinAmerica。It"satruepicture，"andhepokedhisstickrightthroughitandheldituptothecrowd。"Atruepicture：butforthatspadeandthatrailway，I
shouldn"tbenowhereaskingyourvotes；and，whennextFebruarycomes，Ishouldn"tbesittinginWestminstertorepresentyou，asbyGod"sgrace，Icertainlywilldo。ThattellsyouwhoIam。Butnow，willyoutellmewhoMrMoffatis？"
"Howaboutthebrandy，Roger？"
"Oh，yes，thebrandy！Iwasforgettingthatandthelittlespeechthatiscomingoutofmymouth——adealshorterspeech，andabetteronethanwhatIammakingnow。Here，intherighthandyouseeabrandybottle。
Well，boys，Iamnotashamedofthat；aslongasamandoeshiswork——andthespadeshowsthat——it"sonlyfairheshouldhavesomethingtocomforthim。I"malwaysabletowork，andfewmenworkmuchharder。
I"malwaysabletowork，andnomanhasarighttoexpectmoreofme。I
neverexpectmorethanthatfromthosewhowordwithme。"
"Nomoreyoudon"t，Roger：alittledrop"sverygood，ain"tit，Roger？
Keepsthecoldfromthestomach，eh，Roger？"
"Thenastothisspeech，“Come，Jack，let"shaveadropofsome"atshort“。Why，that"sagoodspeechtoo。WhenIdodrinkIliketosharewithafriend；andIdon"tcarehowhumblethatfriendis。"
"Hurrah！morepower。That"struetoo，Roger；mayyouneverbewithoutadroptowetyourwhistle。"
"TheysayI"mthelastnewbaronet。Well，Iain"tashamedofthat；notabit。WhenwillMrMoffatgethimselfmadeabaronet？NomancantrulysayI"mtooproudofit。Ihaveneverstuckmyselfup；no，norstuckmywifeupeither：butIdon"tseemuchtobeashamedofbecausethebigwigschosetomakeabaronetofme。"
"Nor，nomoretheeh"ant，Roger。We"dallbebarrownitesifsobeweknewtheway。"
"Butnow，havingpolishedoffthisbitofpicture，letmeaskyouwhoMrMoffatis？Therearepicturesenoughabouthim，too；thoughHeavenknowswheretheyallcomefrom。IthinkSirEdwinLandseermusthavedonethisoneofthegoose；itissodeadlynatural。Lookatit；thereheis。Uponmyword，whoeverdidthatoughttomakehisfortuneatsomeoftheseexhibitions。Hereheisagain，withabigpairofscissors。Hecallshimself“England"shonour“；whatthedeuceEngland"shonourhastodowithtailoring，Ican"ttellyou：perhapsMrMoffatcan。Butmindyou，myfriends，Idon"tsayanythingagainsttailoring：someofyouaretailors，Idaresay。"
"Yes，webe，"saidalittlesqueakingvoicefromoutofthecrowd。
"Andagoodtradeitis。WhenIfirstknowBarchesterthereweretailorsherecouldlickanystone-masoninthetrade；Isaynothingagainsttailors。Butitisn"tenoughforamantobeatailorunlesshe"ssomethingelsealongwithit。You"renotsofondoftailorsthatyou"llsendoneuptoParliamentmerelybecauseheisatailor。"
"Wewon"thavenotailors。No；noryetnocabbaging。Takeagoofbrandy，Roger；you"reblown。"
"No，I"mnotblownyet。I"veadealmoretosayaboutMrMoffatbeforeIshallbeblown。WhathashedonetoentitlehimtocomeherebeforeyouandaskyoutosendhimtoParliament？Why；heisn"tevenatailor。Iwishhewere。There"salwayssomegoodinafellowwhoknowshowtoearnhisownbread。Butheisn"tatailor；hecan"tevenputastitchintowardsmendingEngland"shonour。Hisfatherwasatailor；notaBarchestertailor，mindyou，soastogivehimanyclaimonyouraffections；butaLondontailor。Nowthequestionis，doyouwanttosendthesonofaLondontailoruptoParliamenttorepresentyou？"
"No，wedon"t；noryetwewon"teither。"
"Iratherthinknot。You"vehadhimonce，andwhathashedoneforyou？hashesaidmuchforyouintheHouseofCommons？Why，he"ssodumbadogthathecan"tbarkevenforabone。I"mtoldit"squitepainfultohearhimfumblingandmumblingandtryingtogetupaspeechthereoverattheWhiteHorse。Hedoesn"tbelongtothecity；hehasn"tdoneanythingforthecity；andhehasn"tthepowertodoanythingforthecity。Then，whyonearthdoeshecomehere？I"lltellyou。TheEarldeCourcybringshim。He"sgoingtomarrytheEarldeCourcy"sniece；fortheysayhe"sveryrich——thistailor"sson——onlytheydosayalsothathedoesn"tmuchliketospendhismoney。He"sgoingtomarryLorddeCourcy"sniece，andLorddeCourcywishesthathisnephewshouldbeinParliament。There，that"stheclaimwhichMrMoffathashereonthepeopleofBarchester。He"sLorddeCourcy"snominee，andthosewhofeelthemselvesboundhandandfoot，heartandsoul，toLorddeCourcy，hadbettervoteforhim。Suchmenhavemyleave。IfthereareenoughofsuchatBarchestertosendhimtoParliament，thecityinwhichIwasbornmustbeverymuchalteredsinceIwasayoungman。"
Andsofinishinghisspeech，SirRogerretiredwithin，andrecruitedhimselfintheusualmanner。
SuchwasthefloodofeloquenceattheDragonofWantly。AttheWhiteHorse，meanwhile，thefriendsoftheDeCourcyinterestweretreatedperhapstosounderpoliticalviews；thoughnotexpressedinperiodssointelligiblyfluentasthoseofSirRoger。
MrMoffatwasayoungman，andtherewasnoknowingtowhatproficiencyintheParliamentarygiftofpublictalkinghemightyetattain；buthithertohisproficiencywasnotgreat。Hehad，however，endeavouredtomakeupbystudyforanywantofreadinessofspeech，andhadcometoBarchesterdaily，forthelastfourdays，fortifiedwithaveryprettyharangue，whichhehadpreparedforhimselfinthesolitudeofhischamber。Onthethreepreviousdaysmattershadbeenallowedtoprogresswithtolerablesmoothness，andhehadbeenpermittedtodeliverhimselfofhiselaborateeloquencewithfewotherinterruptionsthanthoseoccasionedbyhisownwantofpractice。Butonthis，thedayofdays，theBarchesterianroughswerenotsocomplaisant。ItappearedtoMrMoffat，whenheessayedtospeak，thathewassurroundedbyenemiesratherthanfriends；andinhishearthegavegreatblametoMrNearthewindefornotmanagingmattersbetterforhim。
"MenofBarchester，"hebegan，inavoicewhichwaseverynowandthenpreternaturallyloud，butwhich，ateachfourthorfifthword，gavewayfromwantofpower，anddescendedtoitsnaturalweaktone。"MenofBarchester——electorsandnon-electors——"
"Weishallelectors；hallonus，myyoungkiddy。"
"Electorsandnon-electors，Inowaskyoursuffrages，notforthefirsttime——"
"Oh！we"vetriedyou。Weknowwhatyou"remadeon。Goon，Snip；don"tyoulet"emputyoudown。"
"I"vehadthehonourofrepresentingyouinParliamentforthelasttwoyearsand——"
"Andadeuceddealyoudidforus，didn"tyou？"
"Whatcouldyouexpectfromtheninthpartofaman？Nevermind，Snip——goon；don"tyoubeoutbyanyofthem。Sticktoyourwaxandthreadlikeaman——liketheninthpartofaman——goonalittlefaster，Snip。"
"Forthelasttwoyears——and——and——"HereMrMoffatlookedroundtohisfriendsforsomelittlesupport，andtheHonourableGeorge，whostoodclosebehindhim，suggestedthathehadgonethroughitlikeabrick。
"And——andIwentthroughitlikeabrick，"saidMrMoffat，withthegravestpossibleface，takingupinhisutterconfusionthewordsthatwereputintohismouth。
"Hurray！——soyoudid——you"retherealbrick。Welldone，Snip；goitagainwiththewaxandthread！"
"Iamathorough-pacedreformer，"continuedMrMoffat，somewhatreassuredbytheeffectoftheopportunewordswhichhisfriendhadwhisperedintohisear。"Athorough-pacedreformer——athorough-pacedreformer——"
"Goon，Snip。Weallknowwhatthatmeans。"
"Athorough-pacedreformer——"
"Nevermindyourpaces，man；butgeton。Tellussomethingnew。We"reallreformers，weare。"
PoorMrMoffatwasalittlethrownback。Itwasn"tsoeasytotellthesegentlemenanythingnew，harnessedashewasatthismoment；sohelookedbackathishonourablesupporterforsomefurtherhint。"Saysomethingabouttheirdaughters，"whisperedGeorge，whoseownflightsoforatorywerealwaysonthatsubject。HadhecounselledMrMoffattowayawordortwoaboutthetides，hisadvicewouldnothavebeenlesstothepurpose。
"Gentlemen，"hebeganagain——"youallknowthatIamathorough-pacedreformer——"
"Oh，dratyourreform。He"sadumbdog。Gobacktoyourgoose，Snippy；youneverweremadeforthiswork。GotoCourcyCastleandreformthat。"
MrMoffat，grievedinhissoul，wasbecominginextricablybewilderedbysuchfacetiaeasthese，whenanegg——anditmaybefearednotafreshegg——flungwithunerringprecision，struckhimontheopenpartofhiswell-plaitedshirt，andreducedhimtospeechlessdespair。
Aneggisameansofdelightfulsupportwhenproperlyadministered；butitisnotcalculatedtoaddmuchspirittoaman"seloquence，ortoensurehispowersofendurance，whensuppliedinthemannerabovedescribed。Menthereare，doubtless，whosetongueswouldnotbestoppedevenbysuchanargumentasthis；butMrMoffatwasnotoneofthem。Astheinsidiousfluidtrickleddownbeneathhiswaistcoat，hefeltthatallfurtherpowersofcoaxingtheelectorsoutoftheirvotes，bywordsflowingfromhistonguesweeterthanhoney，wasforthatoccasiondeniedhim。Hecouldnotbeself-confident，energetic，witty，andgood-humouredwitharottenegg，dryingthroughhisclothes。Hewasforced，therefore，togiveway，andwithsadlydisconcertedairretiredfromtheopenwindowatwhichhehadbeenstanding。
ItwasinvainthattheHonourableGeorge，MrNearthewinde，andFrankendeavouredagaintobringhimtothecharge。Hewaslikeabeatenprize-fighter，whosepluckhasbeencowedoutofhim，andwho，ifhestandsup，onlystandsuptofall。MrMoffatgotsulkyalso，andwhenhewaspressed，saidthatBarchesterandthepeopleinitmightbed。
"Withallmyheart，"saidMrNearthewinde。"Thatwouldn"thaveanyeffectontheirvotes。"
But，intruth，itmatteredverylittlewhetherMrMoffatspoke，orwhetherhedidn"tspeak。Fouro"clockwasthehourforclosingthepoll，andthatwasnowfastcoming。Tremendousexertionshadbeenmadeabouthalf-pastthree，byasafeemissarysentfromNearthewinde，toprovetoMrReddypalmthatallmannerofcontingentadvantageswouldaccruetotheBrownBearifitshouldturnoutthatMrMoffatshouldtakehisseatforBarchester。Nobribewas，ofcourseofferedorevenhintedat。ThepurityofBarchesterwasnotcontaminatedduringthedaybyonesuchcurseasthis。Butaman，andapublican，wouldberequiredtodosomegreatdeedinthepublicline。Toopensomecolossaltapptodrawbeerforthemillion；andnoonewouldbesofitasMrReddypalm——ifonlyitmightturnoutthatMrMoffatshould，inthecomingFebruary，takehisseatasmemberforBarchester。
ButMrReddypalmwasamanofhumbledesires，whoseambitionsscorednohigherthanthis——thathislittlebillsshouldbedulysettled。Itwaswonderfulwhatloveaninnkeeperhasforhisbillinitsentirety。Anaccount，witharespectabletotaloffiveorsixpounds，isbroughttoyou，andyoucomplainbutofonearticle；thatfireinthebedroomwasneverlighted；orthatsecondglassofbrandyandwaterwasnevercalledfor。Youdesiretohavetheshillingexpunged，andallyourhost"spleasureinthewholetransactionisdestroyed。Oh！myfriends，payforthebrandyandwater，thoughyouneverdrankit；
sufferthefiretopass，thoughitneverwarmedyou。Whymakeagoodmanmiserableforsuchatrifle？
ItbecamenotifiedtoReddypalmwithsufficientclearnessthathisbillforthepastelectionshouldbepaidwithoutfurtherquestion；andtherefore，atfiveo"clocktheMayorofBarchesterproclaimedtheresultsofthecontestsinthefollowingfigures：——
Scatcherd378
Moffat376
MrReddypalm"stwovoteshaddecidedthequestion。MrNearthewindeimmediatelywentuptotown；andthedinnerpartyatCourcyCastlethateveningwasnotaparticularlypleasantmeal。
Thismuch，however，hadbeenabsolutelydecidedbeforetheyellowcommitteeconcludedtheirlabourattheWhiteHorse：thereshouldbeapetition。MrNearthewindehadnotbeenasleep，andalreadyknewsomethingofthemannerinwhichMrReddypalm"smindhadbeenquieted。