All these put together make but a part of
the indescribable whole which unconsciously affected Mr.
Bradshaw, and established Mr. Donne in his estimation as a
creature quite different to any he had seen before, and as most
unfit to mate with Jemima. Mr. Hickson, who had appeared as a
model of gentlemanly ease before Mr. Donne's arrival, now became
vulgar and coarse in Bradshaw's eyes. And yet, such was the charm
of that languid, high-bred manner, that Mr. Bradshaw "cottoned"
(as he expressed it to Mr. Farquhar) to his new candidate at
once. He was only afraid lest Mr. Donne was too indifferent to
all things under the sun to care whether he gained or lost the
election; but he was reassured after the first conversation they
had together on the subject. Mr. Donne's eye lightened with an
eagerness that was almost fierce, though his tones were as
musical, and nearly as slow, as ever; and, when Mr. Bradshaw
alluded distantly to "probable expenses" and "packets," Mr. Donne
replied--
"Oh, of course! disagreeable necessity! Better speak as little
about such things as possible; other people can be found to
arrange all the dirty work. Neither you nor I would like to soil
our fingers by it, I am sure. Four thousand pounds are in Mr.
Pilson's hands, and I shall never inquire what becomes of them;
they may, very probably, be absorbed in the law expenses, you
know. I shall let it be clearly understood from the hustings that
I most decidedly disapprove of bribery, and leave the rest to
Hickson's management.
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