"Yes, sir. We all get bit sooner or later, I suppose."
"I never was bit."
"Your sagacity and philosophy have been the wonder of the world, sir. There can be no doubt that in my profession a seat in the House would be of the greatest possible advantage to me. It enables a man to do a great many things which he could not touch without it."
"It may be so. I don't know anything about it."
"And then it is a great honour."
"That depends on how you get it, and how you use it;—very much also on whether you are fit for it."
"I shall get it honestly if I do get it. I hope I may use it well. And as for my fitness, I must leave that to be ascertained when I am there. I am sorry to say there will probably be a contest."
"I suppose so. A seat in Parliament without a contest does not drop into every young man's mouth."
"It very nearly dropped into mine." Then he told his father-in-law almost all the particulars of the offer which had been made him, and of the manner in which the seat was now suggested to him. He somewhat hesitated in the use of the name of the Duchess, leaving an impression on Mr. Wharton that the offer had in truth come from the Duke. "Should there be a contest, would you help me?"
"In what way? I could not canvass at Silverbridge, if you mean that."