The attention of the country was fixed upon the Vanebury election, and Sydney Campion had become at once the observed of all observers. He knew it, and made the most of the situation, insisting in his speeches that this was a test-election, which would show what the country thought of the government, of its bribes to ignorance and its capitulation to rebellion, of its sacrifice of our honor abroad and our interests at home. He well knew what the effect of this would be on his friends in London, and how he would have earned their gratitude if he could carry the seat on these lines.
On the day before the poll, Sir John Pynsent came to Vanebury, to attend the last of the public meetings.
"Admirably done, so far!" he said, as he grasped Sydney's hand at the station. "How are things looking?"
"It is a certain win!" said Sydney. "No question about it."
And a win it was, such as any old campaigner might have been proud of. The numbers as declared by the returning officer were:
| Campion (C.) | 4765 |
| Hawkins (L.) | 4564 |
| —— | |
| Majority | 201 |
At the last election Tourmaline had had a majority of six hundred over his Conservative opponent, so that there had been a turnover of about four hundred voters. And no one doubted that a large number of these had made up their minds to turn since Campion had begun his canvass.
This was a complete success for Sydney. He was now Mr. Campion, M.P., with both feet on the ladder of ambition. Congratulations poured in upon him from all sides, and from that moment he was recognized by everybody as one of the coming men of the Conservative party.