Positive answers, as he well knew, were not often forthcoming among official men; official men, as he had already learnt, prefer to do their business by answers which are not positive.

He himself had become adverse to positive answers since he had become a commissioner, and was quite prepared to dispense with them in the parliamentary career which he hoped that he was now about to commence.

This much, however, was quite clear, that he might offer himself as a candidate to the electors of Strathbogy without resigning; and that Sir Gregory's hostile remonstrance on the subject, should he choose to make one, would not be received as absolute law by the greater powers.
Accordingly as Alaric was elated, Sir Gregory was depressed.

He had risen high, but now this young tyro whom he had fostered was about to climb above his head.

O the ingratitude of men! Alaric, however, showed no triumph.