them. Then he
drew forth his spectacles, and began to rub them with the thin end of his
coat-tail. He was inwardly exercising great self-mastery - suppressing the
thought of his personal needs, which Jermyn's presence tended to suggest, in
order that he might be equal to the larger duties of this occasion.
    »I am aware - Mr Jermyn has told me,« said Harold, »what good service you
have done me already, Mr Lyon. The fact is, a man of intellect like you was
especially needed in my case. The race I am running is really against Garstin
only, who calls himself a Liberal, though he cares for nothing, and understands
nothing, except the interests of the wealthy traders. And you have been able to
explain the difference between Liberal and Liberal, which, as you and I know, is
something like the difference between fish and fish.«
    »Your comparison is not unapt, sir,« said Mr Lyon, still holding his
spectacles in his hand, »at this epoch, when the mind of the nation has been
strained on the passing of one measure. Where a great weight has to be moved, we
require not so much selected instruments as abundant horse-power. But it is an
unavoidable evil of these massive achievements that they encourage a coarse
undiscriminatingness obstructive of more nicely-wrought results, and an
exaggerated expectation inconsistent with the intricacies of our fallen and
struggling condition. I say not that compromise is unnecessary, but it is an
evil attendant on our imperfection; and I would pray every one to mark that,
where compromise broadens, intellect and conscience are thrust into narrower
room. Wherefore it has been my object to show our people that there are many who
have helped to draw the car of Reform, whose ends are but partial, and who
forsake not the ungodly principle of selfish alliances, but would only
substitute Syria for Egypt - thinking chiefly of their own share in peacocks,
gold, and ivory.«
    »Just so,« said Harold, who was quick at new languages, and still quicker at
translating other men's generalities into his own special and immediate
purposes, »men who will be satisfied if they can only bring in a plutocracy, buy
up the land, and stick the old crests on their new gateways. Now the practical
point to secure against these false Liberals at present is, that our electors
should not divide their votes. As it appears that many who vote for Debarry are
likely to split their votes in favour of Garstin, it is of the first consequence
that