 on a footing for me to know anything about his wife?«
    »Well, I took my hookah before breakfast,« he said aloud; »so, if you like,
we'll go into the library. My father never gets up till mid-day, I find.«
    »Sit down, sit down,« said Harold, as they entered the handsome, spacious
library. But he himself continued to stand before a map of the county which he
had opened from a series of rollers occupying a compartment among the
bookshelves. »The first question, Mr Jermyn, now you know my intentions, is,
whether you will undertake to be my agent in this election, and help me through?
There's no time to be lost, and I don't want to lose my chance, as I may not
have another for seven years. I understand,« he went on, flashing a look
straight at Jermyn, »that you have not taken any conspicuous course in politics;
and I know that Labron is agent for the Debarrys.«
    »O - a - my dear sir - a man necessarily has his political convictions, but
of what use is it for a professional man - a - of some education, to talk of
them in a little country town? There really is no comprehension of public
questions in such places. Party feeling, indeed, was quite asleep here before
the agitation about the Catholic Relief Bill. It is true that I concurred with
our incumbent in getting up a petition against the Reform Bill, but I did not
state my reasons. The weak points in that Bill are - a - too palpable, and I
fancy you and I should not differ much on that head. The fact is, when I knew
that you were to come back to us, I kept myself in reserve, though I was much
pressed by the friends of Sir James Clement, the Ministerial candidate, who is
-«
    »However, you will act for me - that's settled?« said Harold.
    »Certainly,« said Jermyn, inwardly irritated by Harold's rapid manner of
cutting him short.
    »Which of the Liberal candidates, as they call themselves, has the better
chance, eh?«
    »I was going to observe that Sir James Clement has not so good a chance as
Mr Garstin, supposing that a third Liberal candidate presents himself. There are
two senses in which a politician can be liberal« - here Mr Jermyn smiled - »Sir
James Clement is a poor baronet, hoping for an appointment, and can'
