 generic classification of mankind as one that was sanctioned by
Scripture), is all the freer in his relations with those deluded persons who
take him for what he is not, and imagine him to be a waverer. But for some time
opportunity had seemed barren. There were but three dubious votes besides Mr
Chubb's in the small district of which the Sugar Loaf could be regarded as the
centre of intelligence and inspiration: the colliers, of course, had no votes,
and did not need political conversion; consequently, the interests of Sproxton
had only been tacitly cherished in the breasts of candidates. But ever since it
had been known that a Radical candidate was in the field, that in consequences
of this Mr Debarry had coalesced with Mr Garstin, and that Sir James Clement,
the poor baronet, had retired, Mr Chubb had been occupied with the most
ingenious mental combinations in order to ascertain what possibilities of profit
to the Sugar Loaf might lie in this altered state of the canvass.
    He had a cousin in another county, also a publican, but in a larger way, and
resident in a borough, and from him Mr Chubb had gathered more detailed
political information than he could find in the Loamshire newspapers. He was now
enlightened enough to know that there was a way of using voteless miners and
navvies at nominations and elections. He approved of that; it entered into his
political idee; and indeed he would have been for extending the franchise to
this class - at least in Sproxton. If any one had observed that you must draw a
line somewhere, Mr Chubb would have concurred at once, and would have given
permission to draw it at a radius of two miles from his own tap.
    From the first Sunday evening when Felix had appeared at the Sugar Loaf, Mr
Chubb had made up his mind that this 'cute man who kept himself sober was an
electioneering agent. That he was hired for some purpose or other there was not
a doubt; a man didn't come and drink nothing without a good reason. In
proportion as Felix's purpose was not obvious to Chubb's mind, it must be deep;
and this growing conviction had even led the publican on the last Sunday evening
privately to urge his mysterious visitor to let a little ale be chalked up for
him - it was of no consequence. Felix knew his man, and had taken care not to
betray too soon that his real object was so to win the ear of the best fellows
about him as to induce them to meet him on a Saturday evening in the room where
Mr Lyon, or one
