He insisted on introducing no crotchets of his own, and allowed Sir Gregory all the credit of the Commission.
This all went on delightfully for a while; but on one morning, early in May, Alaric somewhat disturbed the equanimity of his chief by communicating to him his intention of becoming a candidate for the representation of the borough of Strathbogy, at the next general election, which was to take place very shortly after the close of the session.

Sir Gregory was dumbfounded, and expressed himself as incapable of believing that Tudor really meant to throw up L1,200 a year on the mere speculation of its being possible that he should get into Parliament.

Men in general, as Sir Gregory endeavoured to explain with much eloquence, go into Parliament for the sake of getting places of L1,200 a year.

For what earthly reason should Alaric again be going to the bottom of the ladder, seeing that he had already attained a rung of such very respectable altitude?
Alaric said to himself, 'Excelsior!' To Sir Gregory he suggested that it might be possible that he should get into Parliament without giving up his seat at the Board.

Earth and heaven, it might be hoped, would not come together, even though so great a violence as this should be done to the time-honoured practices of the Government.