The representation of one of the few Metropolitan divisions which had then returned a Home Ruler had fallen vacant.

As it chanced he knew the head Unionist whip very well.

They had been friends since they were lads at school together, and this gentleman, having heard Geoffrey make a brilliant speech in court, was suddenly struck with the idea that he was the very man to lead a forlorn hope.
The upshot of it was that Geoffrey was asked if he would stand, and replied that he must have two days to think it over.

What he really wanted the two days for was to enable him to write to Beatrice and receive an answer from her.

He had an almost superstitious faith in her judgment, and did not like to act without it.