But when the matter was remitted to themselves,--when the Duke declared that he would not interfere any more, for it was thus that the borough had obtained its freedom,--then the borough began to feel Conservative predilections.

"If his Grace really does mean us to do just what we please ourselves, which is a thing we never thought of asking from his Grace, then we find, having turned the matter over among ourselves, that we are upon the whole Conservative." In this spirit the borough had elected a certain Mr.Fletcher; but in doing so the borough had still a shade of fear that it would offend the Duke.

The house of Palliser, Gatherum Castle, the Duke of Omnium, and this special Duke himself, were all so great in the eyes of the borough, that the first and only strong feeling in the borough was the one of duty.

The borough did not altogether enjoy being enfranchised.

But when the Duke had spoken once, twice, and thrice, then with a hesitating heart the borough returned Mr.Fletcher.