Soon after the trial Scatcherd had begun to rise, and his first savings had been entrusted to the doctor's care.

This had been the beginning of a pecuniary connexion which had never wholly ceased, and which had led to the purchase of Boxall Hill, and to the loan of large sums of money to the squire.
In another way also there had been a close alliance between them, and one not always of a very pleasant description.

The doctor was, and long had been, Sir Roger's medical attendant, and, in his unceasing attempts to rescue the drunkard from the fate which was so much to be dreaded, he not unfrequently was driven into a quarrel with his patient.
One thing further must be told of Sir Roger.

In politics he was as violent a Radical as ever, and was very anxious to obtain a position in which he could bring his violence to bear.

With this view he was about to contest his native borough of Barchester, in the hope of being returned in opposition to the de Courcy candidate; and with this object he had now come down to Boxall Hill.
Nor were his claims to sit for Barchester such as could be despised.
If money were to be of avail, he had plenty of it, and was prepared to spend it; whereas, rumour said that Mr Moffat was equally determined to do nothing so foolish.