“We don’t look for long speeches from men of wealth, sir. We’ve plenty of speakers whose only bank is the English language; and tremendously they draw upon it. What we want—what we can’t have too much of—is the substantial, unmistakeable power of property. When a man rises with a million of money in his pocket, people think it’s his wealth that talks and not he. Therefore, boggle as he may, he is sure to say something worth listening to. The world is charitable, sir, and tolerates the man for the metal.”
“Of course; very right. I don’t know,” said Jericho, re-assured, “that I ought to fear Parliament—much.”
“Fear! Your party would embrace you! You’d be the pet of the—by the way, what are your politics?” asked Candituft.
“The politics of—of the human heart,” answered Jericho, “of course, nothing less.”
“I thought so: our side! My dear sir, you will find it will be impossible for us to make too much of you. And now to the question that has brought me here. The borough of Toadsham is at your service. You needn’t even show yourself; all you have to say is—yes; and take your seat. You can’t imagine how your dear, your noble wife has jumped at the notion.”
“Well, ‘yes’ is soon said,” observed Jericho.
“And you’ll say it? I knew you would,” and Candituft shook Jericho by the hand. “Ha, sir! what a career is open to you. With your boundless wealth”—
“Pooh! pooh! no such thing, Mr. Candituft. What could have put it into your head?”
“With your boundless wealth, sir, after serving your country with your patriotic votes in the Commons, you’ll be gathered to the House of Lords in your green old age. Think of that, sir. In your very green old age. Rank, title, honours! Why, who shall say that the little ermine destined to trim your robe, are not at this minute playing somewhere in the Ural Mountains? Who shall say that the silk-worms that shall spin the silk for your blue riband, are not at this moment in the egg?”
Jericho thought he felt his heart warm with the fancy. He flattered himself that the organ absolutely fluttered. He observed—“What will be the price—the lowest price of Toadsham?”