“I have met a gentleman at Miss Thomson’s pretty frequently,” said Francis, “who struck me as having the most remarkable qualifications for a member of Parliament.  He has a habit of recurring to first principles which is rather startling, but which always forces you to give a reason for the faith that is in you, and which either confirms your opinion satisfactorily, or changes, or modifies it.  He has retired from business on about 700 pounds a year—­which he has made in America, principally—­has no family, no cares, and plenty of leisure—­is the most upright of men, and knows more of the principles of jurisprudence, and the details of commercial matters than any one I ever knew; but no constituency would choose him, and he cannot afford to throw away a thousand pounds for the privilege of having his say out.  He is one of the electors of Swinton, and particularly anxious that I should contest the burghs.  His own vote he can answer for, but he boasts of no large following; though he is a man who ought to exert mental influence, he is too far ahead to be popular.  If I were to stand, and were to succeed, I will find him a most useful prompter; and with you to inspire enthusiasm for the public service, and this Mr. Sinclair to suggest principles and details, I ought to distinguish myself.”

“I am quite sure that you will,” said Jane; “so my advice is to lose no time in seeing Mr. Freeman.  I cannot believe that people who call themselves liberal can act so illiberally as to endeavour to stifle independence.  You will tell me a different tale tomorrow.”

Francis did as Jane advised him, and as he himself thought he should do, and waited on Mr. Freeman.  It happened to be a time of a lull in party politics; there was no question strongly before the public mind on which Whigs and Tories were so equally pitted that one vote was of extreme importance; there was no near prospect of a change of Ministry, and the great Whig houses had been much baited lately about their family selfishness and their party selfishness being quite as bad as that of the old Tory set.  So it appeared to Mr. Freeman at the present crisis to be a very wise and expedient thing to offer support to an independent man like Mr. Hogarth, for it was very questionable if the duke, who had been more liberal in his expenditure in the towns, would not carry it against a mere club man, and they had no better man to spare.  Mr. Hogarth, at least, was sure to ask nothing of the Government.  His support, when they got it, would cost nothing; his adverse vote would be only on outside questions, as a rule.  It would look very well for the county election, which was to be a very tough affair between a younger son of the duke and a younger brother of the earl, that Mr. Hogarth, of Cross Hall, should have the earl’s cordial support in the burghs.  His vote was secure for the Honourable James, and all those he could influence, he hoped.  Francis said he could answer for his own, but his tenants must please themselves.