"I don't give an opinion for all time. The affair will die down, as all affairs do. The girl'll marry somebody else in time, I suppose. Wellgood will get over his feelings. I'm not saying your son can't succeed you at Halton in due course. That would be making altogether too much of it. But now, if the moment comes anywhere, say, in the next twelve months--well, I question if a change of air--and another constituency--wouldn't be wiser." "I think so too--in his own interest. And I rather think that I, at least, owe it to Vivien to throw my weight on the side that will save her from annoyance." "That was in my mind too, Belfield; but I knew you'd think of it without my saying it." "I believe--I do really believe--that he will look at it in that light himself. Any gentleman would; and he's that, outside his plaguy love affairs." "I know he is; I know it. They bring such a lot of good fellows to grief--and pretty women too." "Well, I must write to him; and you must look out for another candidate." "By Jove, we must, and in quick time too! Apart from a General Election, I hear old Millington's sadly shaky. Well, good-bye, Belfield. My regards to your wife." He shook hands warmly. "This is hard luck on you; but he's got lots of time to pick up again. He'll end in the first flight yet. Cheer up. Better have a Prodigal than no son at all, like me!" "I imagine a good deal might be said on both sides in that debate." "Oh, stuff and nonsense! You wouldn't dare to say that to his mother!" "No; and I don't suppose I really think it myself. But this sort of thing does make a man a bit nervous, Meriton." "If the lady's attractions have led him astray, perhaps they'll be able now to keep him straight." "They won't be so great in one particular. They won't be forbidden fruit." "Aye, the best fox is always in the covert you mayn't draw. Human nature!" "At all events, my boy Harry's." And for that nature Harry had to pay. The present price was an end of his career in Meriton. One more voice joined the chorus, a powerful voice. Belfield bowed his head to the decision. It was final for the moment; in his depression of spirit he felt as though it were final for all time, as though his native town would know Harry no more. At any rate, now his place was vacant--the place from which he by transgression fell. It must be given to another. Only in Vivien's memory had he still his niche. Chapter XXII. GRUBBING AWAY.