He shall not injure an honest man for me, nor
shall I promise him even neutrality with respect to his proposal for my
sister, whom I would rather see dead a hundred times than the wife of
such a fellow."
The next morning, about half an hour before breakfast, he told his uncle
that he was stepping into town and would bring him any letters that
might be for him in the post-office. He accordingly did so, and received
two letters, one Hycy's and the other with the crest and frank of the
sitting member for the county, who was no other than young Chevydale.
His uncle was at breakfast when he handed them to him, and we need
hardly say that the M.P. was honored by instant attention. The
Still-hound read it over very complacently. "Very well," he exclaimed;
"very well, indeed, so far. Harry, we must be on the alert, now the
elections are approaching, and Chevydale will be stoutly opposed, it
seems. We must work for him, and secure as many votes as we can. It
is our interest to do so, Harry,--and he will make it our interest
besides."
"Has principle nothing to do with it, sir?"
"Principle! begad, sir," retorted the uncle, "there's no such thing as
principle--lay that down as a fact--there's no such thing in this world
as principle."
"Well, but consistency, uncle. For instance, you know you always vote on
the Tory side, and Chevydale is a Liberal and an Emancipator.
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