Thither he must return, that was certain; for if the election passed without startling events, he would again be in a position to catch Quarrier by the throat.
To be sure, there was the promise of assistance in a commercial career, but his indulgence of the last day or two had inclined him to prefer sums of ready money.

Once elected, Quarrier would not submit to social disgrace for the sake of a thousand pounds--nor for two thousand--possibly not for five.

Cupidity had taken hold upon Northway.
With a few thousands in his pocket, he might aim at something more to his taste than a life of trading.

Five thousand it should be, not a penny less! This time he was not to be fobbed off with bluster and posturing.
He spent the day in Bristol, and at nightfall journeyed towards Polterham.
No; even yet nothing had happened.

Conversation at an inn to which he betook himself assured him that things were going their orderly way.
Had Marks himself been _bought off_?
The next day--that before the election--he wandered about the town and its vicinity, undetermined how to act, thinking on the whole that he had better do nothing till after the morrow.