"At the same time," said Sir Christopher, "whatever advantages I may possess—whatever be those merits which have placed me in this—this——"
"Enviable and responsible," suggested Mr. Lykspittal, meekly.
"Enviable and responsible position," continued the knight, adopting the epithets as coolly and quietly as if they were prompted by his own imagination;—"at the same time," he said, "it will not be amiss if certain measures be adopted to—to——"
"Enhance the popularity of your name," observed Mr. Lykspittal, in the same low, cringing, and meek tone as before.
"Just so," exclaimed the knight. "In fact, I mean to take a high stand in the county—to put myself more forward than I have hitherto done—to attend public meetings and——"
"Public dinners," suggested Mr. Lykspittal.
"Exactly," said Sir Christopher: "in a word, I want to—to——"
"Become a public man," added the ready-witted gentleman, whose business it was to furnish ideas to those who furnished him with cash in return.
"You understand me as well as I understand myself, Mr. Lykspittal," observed the knight.
"It's my business, sir," was the answer. "Besides, you are so enlightened and enlightening a man, Sir Christopher, that you may be regarded as a lamp constantly diffusing its lustre even upon the darkest and most chaotic ideas. Pardon me, Sir Christopher, for being so bold as to express my opinion: but it is the truth—and I never flatter."