of
the party was preoccupied and uneasy. Harold's mind was busy constructing
probabilities about what he should discover of Jermyn's mismanagement or dubious
application of funds, and the sort of self-command he must in the worst case
exercise in order to use the man as long as he wanted him. Jermyn was closely
observing Harold with an unpleasant sense that there was an expression of
acuteness and determination about him which would make him formidable. He would
certainly have preferred at that moment that there had been no second heir of
the Transome name to come back upon him from the East. Mrs Transome was not
observing the two men; rather, her hands were cold, and her whole person shaken
by their presence; she seemed to hear and see what they said and did with
preternatural acuteness, and yet she was also seeing and hearing what had been
said and done many years before, and feeling a dim terror about the future.
There were piteous sensibilities in this faded woman, who thirty-four years ago,
in the splendour of her bloom, had been imperious to one of these men, and had
rapturously pressed the other as an infant to her bosom, and now knew that she
was of little consequence to either of them.
    »Well, what are the prospects about the election?« said Harold, as the
breakfast was advancing. »There are two Whigs and one Conservative likely to be
in the field, I know. What is your opinion of the chances?«
    Mr Jermyn had a copious supply of words, which often led him into
periphrase, but he cultivated a hesitating stammer, which, with a handsome
impassiveness of face, except when he was smiling at a woman, or when the latent
savageness of his nature was thoroughly roused, he had found useful in many
relations, especially in business. No one could have found out that he was not
at his ease. »My opinion,« he replied, »is in a state of balance at present.
This division of the county, you are aware, contains one manufacturing town of
the first magnitude, and several smaller ones. The manufacturing interest is
widely dispersed. So far - a - there is a presumption - a - in favour of the two
Liberal candidates. Still with a careful canvass of the agricultural districts,
such as those we have round us at Treby Magna, I think - a - the auguries - a -
would not be unfavourable to the return of a Conservative. A fourth candidate of
good position, who should coalesce with Mr Debarry - a -«
    Here Mr Jermyn hesitated for the