They might send up to Parliament the most
antediluvian old Tory they could find in England if they wished,
on not his son, not a Palliser as a Tory or Conservative. And
then, though the little town had gone back in the ways of the
world, the county, or the Duke's division of the county, had made
so much progress, that a Liberal candidate recommended by him
would almost certainly be returned. It was just the occasion on
which a Palliser should show himself ready to serve his country.
There would be an expense, but he would think nothing of expense
in such a matter. Ten thousand pounds spent on such an object
would not vex him. The very contest would have given him new life.
All this Lord Silverbridge understood, but had said to himself and
to all his friends that it was a matter in which he did not intend
to be controlled.
The Duke had passed a very unhappy night. He had told himself that
any such marriage as that spoken of was out of the question. He
believed that the matter might be so represented to his girl as to
make her feel that it was out of the question.
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