At last a candidate was selected, whose nomination and whose consent to occupy the position created very great surprise in the London world. The press had of course taken up the matter very strongly. The 'Morning Breakfast Table' supported Mr Melmotte with all its weight. There were people who said that this support was given by Mr Broune under the influence of Lady Carbury, and that Lady Carbury in this way endeavoured to reconcile the great man to a marriage between his daughter and Sir Felix. But it is more probable that Mr Broune saw,--or thought that he saw,--which way the wind sat, and that he supported the commercial hero because he felt that the hero would be supported by the country at large. In praising a book, or putting foremost the merits of some official or military claimant, or writing up a charity,-- in some small matter of merely personal interest,--the Editor of the 'Morning Breakfast Table' might perhaps allow himself to listen to a lady whom he loved. But he knew his work too well to jeopardize his paper by such influences in any matter which might probably become interesting to the world of his readers. There was a strong belief in Melmotte. The clubs thought that he would be returned for Westminster. The dukes and duchesses fêted him. The city,--even the city was showing a wavering disposition to come round. Bishops begged for his name on the list of promoters of their pet schemes. Royalty without stint was to dine at his table. Melmotte himself was to sit at the right hand of the brother of the Sun and of the uncle of the Moon, and British Royalty was to be arranged opposite, so that every one might seem to have the place of most honour. How could a conscientious Editor of a 'Morning Breakfast Table,' seeing how things were going, do other than support Mr Melmotte? In fair justice it may be well doubted whether Lady Carbury had exercised any influence in the matter.
But the 'Evening Pulpit' took the other side. Now this was the more remarkable, the more sure to attract attention, inasmuch as the 'Evening Pulpit' had never supported the Liberal interest. As was said in the first chapter of this work, the motto of that newspaper implied that it was to be conducted on principles of absolute independence. Had the 'Evening Pulpit,' like some of its contemporaries, lived by declaring from day to day that all Liberal elements were godlike, and all their opposites satanic, as a matter of course the same line of argument would have prevailed as to the Westminster election. But as it had not been so, the vigour of the 'Evening Pulpit' on this occasion was the more alarming and the more noticeable,--so that the short articles which appeared almost daily in reference to Mr Melmotte were read by everybody. Now they who are concerned in the manufacture of newspapers are well aware that censure is infinitely more attractive than eulogy,--but they are quite as well aware that it is more dangerous. No proprietor or editor was ever brought before the courts at the cost of ever so many hundred pounds,--which if things go badly may rise to thousands,--because he had attributed all but divinity to some very poor specimen of mortality. No man was ever called upon for damages because he had attributed grand motives. It might be well for politics and Literature and art,--and for truth in general, if it was possible to do so, but a new law of libel must be enacted before such salutary proceedings can take place. Censure on the other hand is open to very grave perils. Let the Editor have been ever so conscientious, ever so beneficent,--even ever so true,--let it be ever so clear that what he has written has been written on behalf of virtue, and that he has misstated no fact, exaggerated no fault, never for a moment been allured from public to private matters,--and he may still be in danger of ruin. A very long purse, or else a very high courage is needed for the exposure of such conduct as the 'Evening Pulpit' attributed to Mr Melmotte. The paper took up this line suddenly. After the second article Mr Alf sent back to Mr Miles Grendall, who in the matter was acting as Mr Melmotte's secretary, the ticket of invitation for the dinner, with a note from Mr Alf stating that circumstances connected with the forthcoming election for Westminster could not permit him to have the great honour of dining at Mr Melmotte's table in the presence of the Emperor of China. Miles Grendall showed the note to the dinner committee, and, without consultation with Mr Melmotte, it was decided that the ticket should be sent to the Editor of a thorough-going Conservative journal. This conduct on the part of the 'Evening Pulpit' astonished the world considerably; but the world was more astonished when it was declared that Mr Ferdinand Alf himself was going to stand for Westminster on the Liberal interest.