A desire to help to beat the Conservatives had fastened on his very soul, and almost made Mr.Low odious in his eyes.

He was afraid of Mr.Low, and for the nonce would not go to him any more;--but he must see the porter at Lincoln's Inn, he must write a line to Mr.Low, and he must tell Mrs.Bunce that for the present he would still keep on her rooms.

His letter to Mr.Low was as follows:-- Great Marlborough Street, May, 186--.
MY DEAR LOW, I have made up my mind against taking the chambers, and am now off to the Inn to say that I shall not want them.

Of course, I know what you will think of me, and it is very grievous to me to have to bear the hard judgment of a man whose opinion I value so highly; but, in the teeth of your terribly strong arguments, I think that there is something to be said on my side of the question.

This seat in Parliament has come in my way by chance, and I think it would be pusillanimous in me to reject it, feeling, as I do, that a seat in Parliament confers very great honour.