EGERTON.—“Agreed. Have you anything further to say?”
THE BARON.—“Nothing, except that, if you require more money, I am still at your service.”
EGERTON.—“I thank you. No; I shall take the occasion of my retirement from office to reduce my establishment. I have calculated already, and provided for the expenditure I need, up to the date I have specified, and I shall have no occasion to touch the L5,000 that I still retain.”
“Your young friend, Mr. Leslie, ought to be very grateful to you,” said the baron, rising. “I have met him in the world,—a lad of much promise and talent. You should try and get him also into parliament.”
EGERTON (thoughtfully).—“You are a good judge of the practical abilities and merits of men, as regards worldly success. Do you really think Randal Leslie calculated for public life—for a parliamentary career?”
THE BARON.—“Indeed I do.”
EGERTON (speaking more to himself than Levy).—“Parliament without fortune,—‘t is a sharp trial; still he is prudent, abstemious, energetic, persevering; and at the onset, under my auspices and advice, he might establish a position beyond his years.”
THE BARON. “It strikes me that we might possibly get him into the next parliament; or, as that is not likely to last long, at all events, into the parliament to follow,—not for one of the boroughs which will be swept away, but for a permanent seat, and without expense.”
EGERTON.—“Ay,—and how?”
THE BARON.—“Give me a few days to consider. An idea has occurred to me. I will call again if I find it practicable. Good-day to you, Egerton, and success to your election for Lansmere.”