'Oh, I don't mean that; that's nothing; I am not thinking of myself. I only want you to understand that I am truly anxious to see you take that line in public matters which may make your services most valuable to the public, and which may redound the most to your own advantage. I have thought of what you said to me with the most mature deliberation, and I am persuaded that I shall best do my duty to you, and to the service, by recommending you to abandon altogether your idea of going into Parliament.' Sir Gregory said this in his weightiest manner. He endeavoured to assume some of that authority with which he had erst cowed the young Tudor at the Weights and Measures, and as he finished his speech he assumed a profound look which ought to have been very convincing. But the time was gone by with Alaric when such tricks of legerdemain were convincing to him. A grave brow, compressed lips, and fixed eyes, had no longer much effect upon him. He had a point to gain, and he was thinking of that, and not of Sir Gregory's grimaces. 'Then you will not see the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject?' 'No,' said Sir Gregory; 'it would be useless for me to do so. I could not advocate such a scheme, feeling certain that it would be injurious both to yourself and to the service; and I would not desire to see the Chancellor with the view of opposing your wishes.' 'I am much obliged to you for that, at any rate,' said Alaric. 'But I do hope that you will not carry your plan any farther. When I tell you, as I do with the utmost sincerity, that I feel certain that an attempt to seat yourself in Parliament can only lead to the ruin of your prospects as a Civil servant--prospects which are brighter now than those of any other young man in the service--I cannot but think that you must hesitate before you take any step which will, in my opinion, render your resignation necessary.' 'I shall be sorry to resign, Sir Gregory, as I have such true pleasure in serving with you.' 'And, I presume, a salary of £1,200 a year is not unacceptable?' said Sir Gregory, with the very faintest of smiles. 'By no means,' said Alaric; 'I am a poor man, depending altogether on my own exertions for an income. I cannot afford to throw away a chance.' 'Then take my word for it, you should give up all idea of Parliament,' said Sir Gregory, who thought that he had carried his point. 'But I call a seat in Parliament a chance,' said Alaric; 'the best chance that a man, circumstanced as I am, can possibly have. I have the offer of a seat, Sir Gregory, and I can't afford to throw it away.' 'Then it is my duty to tell you, as the head of your office, that it will be your duty to resign before you offer yourself as a candidate.' 'That you mean is your present opinion, Sir Gregory?' 'Yes, Mr. Tudor, that is my opinion--an opinion which I shall be forced to express to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if you persist in this infatuation.'