’Itisimpossible！，saidtheyoungerpolitician，foldinghishandstogetherandthrowinghimselfbackinthechair。
’Listentomebeforeyouanswermewithsuchcertainty。Therearethreeorfourgentlemenwho，aftertheworkofthelastthreeyears，bearinginmindthemannerinwhichourdefeathasjustbeenaccomplished，feelthemselvesdisinclinedtojoinMrGreshamunlessyouwilldosoalso。ImayspeciallynameMrMonkandMrFinn。Imightperhapsaddmyself，wereitnotthatIhadhopedthatinanyeventImightatlengthregardmyselfasexemptfromfurtherservice。Theoldhorseshouldbelefttograzeouthislastdays，nepeccetadextremumridendus。Butyoucan’tconsideryourselfabsolvedonthatscore。’
’Thereareotherreasons。’
’ButtheQueen’sserviceshouldcountbeforeeverything。GreshamandCantripwiththeirownfriendscanhardlymakeaMinistryasthingsarenowunlessMrMonkwilljointhem。IdonotthinkthatanyotherChancelloroftheExchequerisatpresentpossible。’
’IwillbeseechMrMonknottoletanyfeelingastomestandinhisway。Whyshouldit？’