»Did I understand
you? Did you say that Mr. Rouncewell had been very active in this election?«
    »Uncommonly active.«
    »Against -«
    »O dear yes, against you. He is a very good speaker. Plain and emphatic. He
made a damaging effect, and has great influence. In the business-part of the
proceedings he carried all before him.«
    It is evident to the whole company, though nobody can see him, that Sir
Leicester is staring majestically.
    »And he was much assisted,« says Mr. Tulkinghorn, as a wind-up, »by his
son.«
    »By his son, sir?« repeats Sir Leicester, with awful politeness.
    »By his son.«
    »The son who wished to marry the young woman in my Lady's service?«
    »That son. He has but one.«
    »Then upon my honour,« says Sir Leicester, after a terrific pause, during
which he has been heard to snort and felt to stare; »then upon my honour, upon
my life, upon my reputation and principles, the floodgates of society are burst
open, and the waters have - a - obliterated the landmarks of the framework of
the cohesion by which things are held together!«
    General burst of cousinly indignation. Volumnia thinks it is really high
time, you know, for somebody in power to step in and do something strong.
Debilitated cousin thinks - Country's going - DAYVLE - steeple-chase pace.
    »I beg,« says Sir Leicester, in a breathless condition, »that we may not
comment further on this circumstance. Comment is superfluous. My Lady, let me
suggest in reference to that young woman -«
    »I have no intention,« observes my Lady from her window, in a low but
decided tone, »of parting with her.«
    »That was not my meaning,« returns Sir Leicester. »I am glad to hear you say
so. I would suggest that as you think her worthy of your patronage, you should
exert your influence to keep her from these dangerous hands. You might show her
what violence would be done, in such association, to her duties and principles;
and you might preserve her for a better fate. You might point out to her that
she probably would, in good time, find a husband at Chesney Wold by whom she
would not be -« Sir Leicester adds, after a moment's consideration, »dragged
from the altars of her forefathers.«
    These remarks he offers with his unvarying