The Baron, (his brow colouring.)—“Look you, Egerton, I shall be too happy to do you a favour.”
Egerton, (with stateliness.)—“Favour! No, Baron Levy, I ask from you no favour. Dismiss all thought of rendering me one. It is but a consideration of business on both sides. If you think it better that we shall at once settle our accounts, my lawyer shall investigate them. If you agree to the delay I request, my lawyer shall give you no trouble; and all that I have, except hope and character, pass to your hands without a struggle.”
The Baron.—“Inflexible and ungracious, favour or not—put it as you will—I accede, provided, first, that you allow me to draw up a fresh deed, which will accomplish your part of the compact;—and secondly, that we saddle the proposed delay with the condition that you do not lose your election.”
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 owe no man aught except yourself. 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 £5000 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—’tis 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.”