"The events of last night will, of course, make it impossible for you to again appear in the Division as a candidate."
"Excuse me," said Leicester; "but surely my illness of last night will not——"
"Illness!" interrupted Mr. Grayburn.
"Well, call it what you like. Say I was intoxicated. Is that enough to nullify all the work I have done in the constituency for the last three years?"
"The member for this Division must be a gentleman whose personal character is stainless," said Mr. Grayburn. "It is true that many would excuse last night in view of your recent disappointment, but only a few. And even they would turn against you as soon as certain facts came to light."
"What facts?"
"Facts which Mr. Osborne could reveal if he would. At present he simply characterises them as disgraceful."
Leicester still fought on grimly. Why, he hardly knew.
"I take it that even a political organisation will not be so mean as to believe a vague and unproved charge," he said.
"When it comes from a man like Mr. Osborne, yes."