CHAPTER III.
"/Lauzun./--There, Marquis, there, I've done it.
/Montespan./--Done it! yes! Nice doings!"
/The Duchess de la Valliere/.
LUMLEY hastened to strike while the iron was hot. The next morning he
went straight to the Treasury--saw the managing secretary, a clever,
sharp man, who, like Ferrers, carried off intrigue and manoeuvre by a
blunt, careless, bluff manner.
Ferrers announced that he was to stand for the free, respectable, open
city of C------, with an electoral population of 2,500. A very showy
place it was for a member in the old ante-reform times, and was
considered a thoroughly independent borough. The secretary
congratulated and complimented him.
"We have had losses lately in /our/ elections among the larger
constituencies," said Lumley.
"We have indeed--three towns lost in the last six months. Members do
die so very unseasonably."
"Is Lord Staunch yet provided for?" asked Lumley. Now Lord Staunch was
one of the popular show-fight great guns of the administration--not in
office, but that most useful person to all governments, an out-and-out
supporter upon the most independent principles--who was known to have
refused place and to value himself on independence--a man who helped the
government over the stile when it was seized with a temporary lameness,
and who carried "great weight with him in the country." Lord Staunch
had foolishly thrown up a close borough in order to contest a large
city, and had failed in the attempt. His failure was everywhere cited
as a proof of the growing unpopularity of ministers.
"Is Lord Staunch yet provided for?" asked Lumley.
"Why, he must have his old seat--Three-Oaks. Three-Oaks is a nice, quiet
little place; most respectable constituency--all Staunch's own family."
"Just the thing for him; yet, 'tis a pity that he did not wait to stand
for C------; my uncle's interest would have secured him."
"Ay, I thought so the moment C------ was vacant. However, it is too
late now."
"It would be a great triumph if Lord Staunch could show that a large
constituency volunteered to elect him without expense."
"Without expense!--Ah, yes, indeed! It would prove that purity of
election still exists--that British institutions are still upheld."
"It might be done, Mr. ------."
"Why, I thought that you--"
"Were to stand--that is true--and it will be difficult to manage my
uncle; but he loves me much--you know I am his heir--I believe I could
do it; that is, if you think it would be /a very great advantage/ to the
party, and /a very great service/ to the government."
"Why, Mr. Ferrers, it would indeed be both."
"And in that case I could have Three-Oaks."
"I see--exactly so; but to give up so respectable a seat--really it is a
sacrifice."
"Say no more, it shall be done. A deputation shall wait on Lord Staunch
directly. I will see my uncle, and a despatch shall be sent down to
C------ to-night; at least, I hope so. I must not be too confident. My
uncle is an old man, nobody but myself can manage him; I'll go this
instant."
"You may be sure your kindness will be duly appreciated."
Lumley shook hands cordially with the secretary and retired. The
secretary was not "humbugged," nor did Lumley expect he should be. But
the secretary noted this of Lumley Ferrers (and that gentleman's object
was gained), that Lumley Ferrers was a man who looked out for office,
and if he did tolerably well in parliament, that Lumley Ferrers was a
man who ought to be /pushed/.
Very shortly afterwards the /Gazette/ announced the election of Lord
Staunch for C------, after a sharp but decisive contest. The
ministerial journals rang with exulting paeans; the opposition ones
called the electors of C------ all manner of hard names, and declared
that Mr. Stout, Lord Staunch's opponent, would petition--which he never
did. In the midst of the hubbub, Mr. Lumley Ferrers quietly and
unobservedly crept into the representation of Three-Oaks.
On the night of his election he went to Lord Saxingham's; but what there
happened deserves another chapter.
