“If you go in, you want to do so independently,” said Jane.

“Yes, I do; and here I risk my election.  The Liberal party want a certain vote, which they think they could secure better by sending up a stranger from the Reform Club, who knows little and cares less about the burghs, than by supporting a man who will look into political and national questions for himself, and who will not be a mere partisan.  If they mistrust me and send some one to divide the Liberal interest, I can only save the Swinton burghs from the duke’s man, by retiring.”

“But how foolish to divide the Liberal interest,” said Jane.

“My dear Jane, you forget that his party is dearer to a party man than anything else.  The question to be considered—­and I want to see how your nice conscience will guide you through the bewildering mazes of political morality—­is this:  Whether it would be right to pledge myself to the party, in which case I am sure of my return, or to remain independent, and so make it very doubtful,” said Francis.

“You cannot vote always with the Liberals—­at least with the Liberals who form governments and oppositions,” said Jane.  “They are often in the wrong, and particularly so in the bestowal of patronage, which, I suppose, is a very important matter among party politicians.  The appointments which the Whigs have made of late years have often been most shamefully actuated by family or party reasons, and not with a single eye to the public service.  Many times the Conservatives are really more liberal than the Whigs—­sometimes the Whigs are more Conservative than the Tories.  It is of the first importance that there should be many men such as you in Parliament, who will watch over both parties; and, if this determined dualism is at work everywhere, how are such men to get into the legislature?  But, surely, you could carry the burghs—­you can speak, can you not?”

“I don’t know, I never tried; but I dare say I could beat Mr. Fortescue, the duke’s candidate.  He has never opened his mouth in the House, but to give his vote, and on the hustings he made no figure.”

“Try the independent course, by all means; you may be beaten, but then if you succeed, you will be so much more useful.”

“It will probably cost me a thousand pounds.”

“It is shameful that the duty of serving one’s country for nothing should be so dearly bought.  If you get in, you must try to introduce some measure to reduce election expenses.”

“A difficult matter.  The object of the Parliament, when once assembled, is to make it difficult and expensive to get in.  To keep the candidature within the limits of a privileged body is considered a great safeguard.”

“Not by me, or by you,” said Jane.  “I want you to get in because you know the feelings and the wants of the people who have no votes better than ninety-nine out of a hundred, who are members of Parliament.  Oh!  Francis, I feel quite sure that if you exert yourself you can get in.  And what is a thousand pounds?—­you have it to spare.”