"Well--I will explain. Your sovereign has a right to command your services; and, by obeying him and serving your country, you are enabled to prevent a malignant opponent from ruining you and your family, by extorting a vast sum of money not equitably due: I protest I see no difference in principle, Aubrey, between availing yourself of the statute of limitations, and of the call of the king to foreign service;--but we must talk of this again. By the way, what is the name of your worthy opponent? Tittlemouse, or some such strange name?" "Titmouse!--By the way, you lose a seat for Yatton," said Aubrey, with a faint smile. Lord C---- pricked up his ears. "Ay, ay! how's that?" "The gentleman whom you have named professes, I understand, Liberal principles; probably he will sit for the borough himself; at all events, he will return the member." "He's a poor ignorant creature, isn't he? What has made him take up with Liberal principles? By taking a little notice of him early, one might--eh?--influence him;--but--of course you don't intend to vacate this session?" "I intend this day to apply for the Chiltern Hundreds; and this evening, if you like, a new writ may be moved for the borough of Yatton." "You _must_ come down to-night, my dear Aubrey, you really must," said Lord C----, with undisguised anxiety--with more than he had shown during the interview. "The numbers will run very close; they are stirring heaven and earth!--Good heavens! my dear Aubrey, a vote's invaluable to-night;--gad, you _sha'n't_ have the Chiltern Hundreds;[9] you mustn't really apply for it--at all events, not till to-morrow." "I shall sit no more in the House of Commons," said Mr. Aubrey, with a sad determined air; "besides, I leave for Yatton by to-night's mail. There are those waiting for me whom you would not have me disappoint, Lord C----!" "Not for worlds, my dear Aubrey," replied Lord C----, half absently. He was intensely disappointed at not obtaining Mr. Aubrey's vote that evening; and rose to go. "Then I am to direct to Yatton, when I may have occasion to write to you?" said he. "For the next three weeks only--my movements after that period are not yet fixed." "Adieu, Aubrey; and I entreat of you to remember me most sincerely to Mrs. Aubrey and your sister; and when you look at them,--recollect--pray, recollect our conversation of to-day."