The Angry Tide Read Online Free PDF

appreciate your advice.'
    'Anything I can do I will do.'
    'As you know, Sir Christopher, I am a wealthy man, and I have a fancy to indulge my wealth. Do you know what Lord de Dunstanville is reported to have said at a recent dinner-party at his house?'
    'Reliably?'
    'I have it from a guest who was present. He said: "Mr George Warleggan's grandfather was a blacksmith who worked a forge in Hayle and hadn't a shilling to his name. But Mr George Warleggan, by industry and good luck, has acquired a fortune of £200,000."'
    Hawkins eyed his host with a narrow assessing gaze but did not speak. George looked up and met his eyes. 'The only misinformation in that remark, Sir Christopher, is that my grandfather's forge was not in Hayle.'
    Hawkins nodded. 'Well, your fortune is a matter for some congratulation, then, isn't it. Francis Basset must have thought so too. No one even as rich as he is can afford to despise wealth in another.'
    ‘ .. That's as maybe.' George leaned forward to fill the glasses again. 'But since I have money and wish to use it I would be very much in your debt if you would advise me how I might best re-enter Parliament.' He paused. 'Naturally, any favour I might do in return ...'
    Upstairs a child was crying. (Valentine, as if saddled with some incubus at an early age, often had bad dreams.)
    'Had you approached me before the election of last September, Mr Warleggan, your question would not have been a difficult one to answer. The government usually has seats to sell at £3,000 to £4,000.'
    'Then I was member for Truro.'
    'Yes, yes, I understand. But at the moment -'
    'I am not,' George said, 'so much concerned to buy a seat as a borough. I don't wish to be at the beck and call of some other patron. I want to be the patron myself.'
    'That would be much more expensive. And of course it is by no means a straightforward operation. One has the voters to consider,'
    'Oh, the voters ... Not in some of the boroughs. Which d o you control, Sir Christopher?’
    'I have an interest in Grampound and St Michael. Voting powers there are vested in those inhabitants who pay scot and lot -'
    'What does that mean?'
    'Roughly, those who pay a rate towards the maintenance of parish affairs.'
    'And how many such are there in each borough?' 'Officially it is supposed to be fifty in each borough but in effect it is fewer than that.'
    'And how does the patron influence the voters, if that is not too crude a way to put it? ’ 'He owns the properties they occupy,' said Sir Christopher drily. 'Ah ...'
    'But one has to have a care, Mr Warle ggan, Where overt bribery is seen to exist elections are frequently declared void on appeal to Parliament, and the offending member or his patron can be sent to prison.'
    George turned a couple of guineas in his fob. 'No doubt you would instruct me in the niceties of such matters. In return, if there should be any way in which I could assist y ou, e ither in banking or in furthering such interests as you may have in smelting, mining or shipping, pray let me know. It would give me pleasure if I were able to assist you.'
    Hawkins stared at the dark red eye of his port, 'I'll inquire for you, Mr Warleggan. Circumstances are always changing - there may be a chance at any time to purchase such controlling interests - or there may not. It is very much a matter of luck, of foresight, of opportunity. But most of all, of money. That will open many doors.'
    'Money I have,' said George, 'and will lay it out as you advise,'

Chapter Three
I
    The other weary traveller had arrived home. He had dismounted and the y had walked home together while dusk accompanied them and then overtook them like a rising tide. The children were just abed and Ross said not to wake them; it would be a surprise for them in the morning. He had been to see them sleeping and accepted his wife's assurances that they were in health. Downstairs again and all bustle and pattering feet and the clink of knives and plates while supper was bought