But no sooner had the offer been made by Lord Silverbridge than he
saw his own indiscretion. Tifto was very well for Chester or
Newmarket, very well perhaps for the Beargarden, but not very well
for an electioneering expedition. An idea came to the young
nobleman that if it should be his fate to represent Silverbridge
in Parliament for the next twenty years, it would be well that
Silverbridge should entertain respecting him some exalted
estimation,--that Silverbridge should be taught to regard him as a
fit son of his father and a worthy specimen of the British
political nobility. Struck by serious reflection of this nature he
did open his mind to Tregear. 'I am very fond of Tifto,' he said,
'but I don't know whether he's just the sort of fellow to take
down to an election.'
'I should think not,' said Tregear very decidedly.
'He's a very good fellow, you know,' said Silverbridge. 'I don't
know an honester man than Tifto anywhere.'
'I dare say. Or rather, I don't dare say. I know nothing about the
Major's honesty, and I doubt whether you do.
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