"But who is the people? is he a new Shah, or what?" "Oh, the people!" said she; "the people! they are the sovereign people! They are all the men and women you see walking about; they want their rights--their rights--that's all!" "All the men and women walking about!" exclaimed I. "What news is this? They have got a king already. What do they want more?" "They have, 'tis true," said she; "but what is that without their rights?" "I don't know what you mean about their rights," said I; "but we have a Shah, and I know that if any Persian wanted anything more, and talked about his rights, all that he would get for his pains would be the _felek_--a good bastinado on the soles of his feet; that's what he would get." "Oh, la!" said Mrs. Figsby, "that may do for Persians, but it won't do for Englishmen. They must be fairly represented; and, if such men as Figsby are not elected, it is a great shame, and the country will go to rack and ruin." At this stage of our conversation a knocking at the door was heard, and soon after entered the moonfaced Bessy's husband. I immediately recognised my former rival, but great changes had taken place in his person also. In former days he was happy to be allowed to take the lowermost place in the _mejlis_ or assembly; now he walked in with an air of consequence and protection. He came into the room with a noise and bustle; his boots creaked most independently; he was all over chains; and seemed strangled from the tightness of his clothes. He soon got over his surprise at seeing me; and, before he had done shaking my hand, he exclaimed, "All is going as it ought to be! I have been at the meeting. I made such a speech, Bessy, you would have been quite charmed. There is no doubt of my coming in. We shall beat the Tories hollow." "That is charming!" said his overjoyed wife. "Then you will be an M.P., and who knows what else! And here is the prince," said she, "who is ready to give you his vote." "That's right!" said the entranced grocer. "That's very kind of him! But stop! let me see; are you a ten-pound householder? is your name stuck up against the church-door? and have you paid your shilling?" "_Allah! Allah!_" I exclaimed. "What do I know of all this? I am nothing but a Persian Mirza. I am ignorant of your ten-pounds, your church-doors, and your shillings. Do leave off this child's play, and let us talk of other things." "Other things!" cried one. "Child's play!" exclaimed the other. "It is the only thing now thought of," said the man. "It is of the greatest consequence to the state, and to Marylebone, that Figsby should be elected!" vociferated the lady. I found that I had put my unlucky leg foremost on this occasion, and so I thought of making my retreat; but, before I did so, after having observed a look of recognition between husband and wife, Mr. Figsby stept up to me, and said,