_ BOOK VII CHAPTER III
"_Lauzun._--There, Marquis, there, I've done it.
_Montespan._--Done it! yes! Nice doings!"
_The Duchess de la Valliere_.
LUMLEY hastened to strike while the iron was hot. The next morning he went straight to the Treasury--saw the managing secretary, a clever, sharp man, who, like Ferrers, carried off intrigue and manoeuvre by a blunt, careless, bluff manner.
Ferrers announced that he was to stand for the free, respectable, open city of C------, with an electoral population of 2,500. A very showy place it was for a member in the old ante-reform times, and was considered a thoroughly independent borough. The secretary congratulated and complimented him.
"We have had losses lately in _our_ elections among the larger constituencies," said Lumley.
"We have indeed--three towns lost in the last six months. Members do die so very unseasonably."
"Is Lord Staunch yet provided for?" asked Lumley. Now Lord Staunch was one of the popular show-fight great guns of the administration--not in office, but that most useful person to all governments, an out-and-out supporter upon the most independent principles--who was known to have refused place and to value himself on independence--a man who helped the government over the stile when it was seized with a temporary lameness, and who carried "great weight with him in the country." Lord Staunch had foolishly thrown up a close borough in order to contest a large city, and had failed in the attempt. His failure was everywhere cited as a proof of the growing unpopularity of ministers.
"Is Lord Staunch yet provided for?" asked Lumley.
"Why, he must have his old seat--Three-Oaks. Three-Oaks is a nice, quiet little place; most respectable constituency--all Staunch's own family."
"Just the thing for him; yet, 'tis a pity that he did not wait to stand for C------; my uncle's interest would have secured him."
"Ay, I thought so the moment C------ was vacant. However, it is too late now."
"It would be a great triumph if Lord Staunch could show that a large constituency volunteered to elect him without expense."
"Without expense!--Ah, yes, indeed! It would prove that purity of election still exists--that British institutions are still upheld."
"It might be done, Mr. ------."
"Why, I thought that you--"
"Were to stand--that is true--and it will be difficult to manage my uncle; but he loves me much--you know I am his heir--I believe I could do it; that is, if you think it would be _a very great advantage_ to the party, and _a very great service_ to the government."
"Why, Mr. Ferrers, it would indeed be both."
"And in that case I could have Three-Oaks."
"I see--exactly so; but to give up so respectable a seat--really it is a sacrifice."
"Say no more, it shall be done. A deputation shall wait on Lord Staunch directly. I will see my uncle, and a despatch shall be sent down to C------ to-night; at least, I hope so. I must not be too confident. My uncle is an old man, nobody but myself can manage him; I'll go this instant."
"You may be sure your kindness will be duly appreciated."
Lumley shook hands cordially with the secretary and retired. The secretary was not "humbugged," nor did Lumley expect he should be. But the secretary noted this of Lumley Ferrers (and that gentleman's object was gained), that Lumley Ferrers was a man who looked out for office, and if he did tolerably well in parliament, that Lumley Ferrers was a man who ought to be _pushed_.
Very shortly afterwards the _Gazette_ announced the election of Lord Staunch for C------, after a sharp but decisive contest. The ministerial journals rang with exulting paeans; the opposition ones called the electors of C------ all manner of hard names, and declared that Mr. Stout, Lord Staunch's opponent, would petition--which he never did. In the midst of the hubbub, Mr. Lumley Ferrers quietly and unobservedly crept into the representation of Three-Oaks.
On the night of his election he went to Lord Saxingham's; but what there happened deserves another chapter. _