He is deeply in debt, at Norton Bury and elsewhere.

Warrants are out against him; and only as an M.P.can he be safe from outlawry.
Add to this, an offence common as daylight, yet which the law dare not wink at when made patent--that he has bribed, with great or small sums, every one of the fifteen electors of Kingswell; and I think I have said enough to convince any honest Englishman that Mr.Gerard Vermilye is not fit to represent them in Parliament." Here a loud cheer broke from the crowd at the door and under the open windows, where, thick as bees, the villagers had now collected.

They, the un-voting, and consequently unbribable portion of the community, began to hiss indignantly at the fifteen unlucky voters.

For though bribery was, as John had truly said, "as common as daylight," still, if brought openly before the public, the said virtuous public generally condemned it, if they themselves had not been concerned therein.
The sheriff listened uneasily to a sound, very uncommon at elections, of the populace expressing an opinion contrary to that of the lord of the soil.
"Really, Mr.Brithwood, you must have been as ignorant as I was of the character of your nominee, or you would have chosen some one else.
Herbert"-- he turned to his son, who, until the late dissolution, had sat for some years as member for Norton Bury--"Herbert, are you acquainted with any of these facts ?" Mr.Herbert Oldtower looked uncomfortable.
"Answer," said his father.

"No hesitation in a matter of right and wrong.