’Ithinkhe’smorethanclever。’
’Idaresay——andwellinstructedinsomerespects。’
’Ibelievehimtobeathoroughlinguist，sir。’
’Idaresay。IrememberawaiterinahotelinHolbornwhocouldspeaksevenlanguages。It’sanaccomplishmentverynecessaryforaCourierorQueen’sMessenger。’
’Youdon’tmeantosay，sir，thatyoudisregardforeignlanguages？’
’Ihavesaidnothingofthekind。Butinmyestimationtheydon’tstandintheplaceofprinciples，oraprofession，orbirth，orcountry。Ifancytherehasbeensomeconversationbetweenyouaboutyoursister。’
’Certainlytherehas。’
’Ayoungmanshouldbeverycharyabouthowhespeakstoanotherman，toastranger，abouthissister。Asister’snameshouldbetoosacredforclubtalk。’
’Clubtalk！Goodheavens，sir，youdon’tthinkthatIhavespokenofEmilyinthatway？Thereisn’tamaninLondonwhohasahigherrespectforhissisterthanIhaveformine。Thisman，bynomeansinalightway，butwithallseriousness，hastoldmethathewasattachedtoEmily。andIbelievinghimtobeagentlemanandwelltodointhisworld，havereferredhimtoyou。
Canthathavebeenwrong？’
’Idon’tknowhowhe’stodo，asyoucallit。Ihaven’tasked，andIdon’tmeantoask。ButIdoubthisbeingagentleman。HeisnotanEnglishgentleman。Whatwashisfather？’
’Ihaven’ttheleastidea。’
’Orhismother？’
’Hehasnevermentionedhertome。’
’Norhisfamily。noranythingoftheirantecedents？Heisamanfallenoutofthemoon。Allthatisnothingtousaspassingacquaintances。BetweenmensuchignoranceshouldIthinkbarabsoluteintimacy——butthatmaybeamatteroftaste。Butitshouldbeheldtobeutterlyantagonistictoanysuchallianceasthatofmarriage。Heseemstobeafriendofyours。Youhadbettermakehimunderstandthatitisquiteoutofthequestion。
Ihavetoldhimso，andyouhadbetterrepeatit。’Sosaying，MrWhartonwentupstairstodress，andEverett，havingreceivedhisfather’sinstructions，wentawaytotheclub。
WhenMrWhartonreachedthedrawing-room，hefoundMrsRobyalone，andheatonceresolvedtodiscussthematterwithherbeforehespoketohisdaughter。’Harriet，’hesaidabruptly，’doyouknowanythingofMrLopez？’
’MrLopez！Oh，yes，Iknowhim。’
’Doyoumeanthatheisanintimatefriend？’
’AsfriendsgoonLondon，heis。Hecomestoourhouse，andI
thinkthathehuntswithDick。’DickwasMrRoby。
’That’sarecommendation。’
’Well，MrWharton，Ihardlyknowwhatyoumeanbythat，’saidMrsRoby，smiling。’Idon’tthinkmyhusbandwilldoMrLopezanyharm。andIamsureMrLopezwon’tdomyhusbandany。’
’Idaresaynot。Butthat’snotthequestion。Robycantakecareofhimself。’
’Quiteso。’
’AndsoIdaresaycanMrLopez。’AtthismomentEmilyenteredtheroom。’Mydear，’saidherfather，’Iamspeakingtoyouraunt。Wouldyoumindgoingdownstairsandwaitingforus？Tellthemweshallbereadyfordinnerintenminutes。’ThenEmilypassedoutoftheroom，andMrsRobyassumedagravedemeanour。
’ThemanwearespeakingofhasbeentomeandhasmadeanofferforEmily。’Ashesaidthishelookedanxiouslyintohissister-
in-law’sface，inorderthathemighttellfromthathowfarshefavouredtheideaofsuchamarriage，——andhethoughtthatheperceivedatonce，thatshewasnotaversetoit。’Youknowitisquiteoutofthequestion，’hecontinued。
’Idon’tknowwhyitshouldbeoutofthequestion。ButofcourseyouropinionwouldhavegreatweightwithEmily。’
’Greatweight！Well——Ishouldhopeso。Ifnot，Idonotknowwhoseopinionistohaveweight。Inthefirstplace，themanisaforeigner。’
’Oh，no——heisEnglish。ButifhewereaforeignermanyEnglishgirlsmarryforeigners。’
’Mydaughtershallnot——notwithmypermission。Youhavenotencouragedher，Ihope。’
’Ihavenotinterferedatall，’saidMrsRoby。Butthiswasalie。MrsRobyhadinterfered。MrsRoby，indiscussingthemeritsandcharacterofthelovertotheyounglady，hadalwayslentherselftothelover’said，——andhadcondescendedtoacceptfromthelovervariouspresentswhichshecouldhardlyhavetakenhadshebeenhostiletohim。
’Andnowtellmeaboutherself。Hassheseenhimoften？’
’Why，MrWharton，hehasdinedhere，inthehouse，overandoveragain。Ithoughtyouwereencouraginghim。’
’Heavensandearth！’
’Ofcourseshehasseenhim。Whenamandinesatahouseheisboundtocall。Ofcoursehehascalled，——Idon’tknowhowoften。Andshehasmethimroundthecorner。’——RoundthecornerinManchesterSquare，meantMrsRoby’shouseinBerkeleyStreet——’LastSundaytheywereattheZootogether。Dickgotthemtickets。Ithoughtyouknewaboutit。’
’DoyoumeanthatmydaughterwenttotheZoologicalGardensalonewiththisman？’thefatheraskedindismay。
’Dickwaswiththem。Ishouldhavegone，onlyIhadaheadache。
Didyounotknowthatshewent？’
’Yes，——IheardabouttheGardens。ButIheardnothingabouttheman。’
’Ithought，MrWharton，youwereallinhisfavour。’
’Iamnotatallinhisfavour。Idislikehimparticularly。ForanythingIknowhemayhavesoldpencilsaboutthestreetslikeanyotherJew-boy。’
’Hegoestochurch，justasyoudo，——thatis，ifhegoesanywhere。whichIdaresayhedoesaboutasoftenasyourself，MrWharton。’NowMrWharton，thoughhewasathoroughandperhapsbigotedmemberoftheChurchofEngland，wasnotfondofgoingtochurch。
’Doyoumeantotellme，’hesaid，pressinghishandstogether，andlookingveryseriouslyintohissister-in-law’sface。’doyoumeantotellmethatshe——likeshim？’
’Yes——Ithinkshedoeslikehim。’
’Youdon’tmeantosay——she’sinlovewithhim？’
’Shehasnevertoldmethatsheis。Youngladiesareshyofmakingsuchassertionsastotheirownfeelingsbeforeduetimefordoingsohascome。Ithinksheprefershimtoanybodyelse。
andthatwerehetoproposetoherself，shewouldgivehimherconsenttogotoyou。’
’Heshallneverenterthishouseagain，’saidMrWhartonpassionately。
’Youmustarrangethatwithher。Ifyouhavesostronganobjectiontohim。Iwonderthatyoushouldhavehadhimhereatall。’
’HowwasItoknow？Godblessmysoul！——justbecauseamanwasallowedtodinehereonceortwice！Uponmyword，it’stoobad。’
’Papa，won’tyouandauntcomedowntodinner？’askedEmily，openingthedoorgently。Thentheywentdowntodinner，andduringthemealnothingwassaidaboutMrLopez。Buttheywerenotverymerrytogether，andpoorEmilyfeltsureherownaffairshadbeendiscussedinatroublesomemanner。
CHAPTER5
’NOONEKNOWSANYTHINGABOUTHIM。’
NeitheratdinneronthateveningatManchesterSquare，norafterdinner，aslongasMrsRobyremainedinthehouse，wasawordsaidaboutLopezbyMrWharton。Heremainedlongerthanusualwithhisbottleofportwineinthedining-room，andwhenhewentupstairs，hesathimselfdownandfellasleep，almostwithoutasign。Hedidnotaskforasong，nordidEmilyoffertosing。
ButassoonasMrsRobywasgone，——andMrsRobywenthome，roundthecorner，somewhatearlierthanusual，——thenMrWhartonwokeupinstantlyandmadeinquiryofhisdaughter。
Therehad，however，beenafewwordsspokenonthesubjectbetweenMrsRobyandherniece，whichhadservedtoprepareEmilyforwhatwascoming。’Lopezhasbeentoyourfather，’saidMrsRoby，inavoicenotspeciallyencouragingforsuchanoccasion。
Thenshepausedamoment，butherniecesaidnothing，andshecontinued，’Yes，——andyourfatherhasbeenblamingme，——asifI
haddoneanything！Ifhedidnotmeanyoutochooseforyourself，whydidn’thekeepacloserlook-out？’
’Ihaven’tchosenanyone，AuntHarriet。’
’Well——tospeakfairly。Ithoughtyouhad。andIhavenothingtosayagainstyourchoice。Asyoungmengo，IthinkMrLopezisasgoodasthebestofthem。Idon’tknowwhyyoushouldn’thavehim。Ofcourseyou’llhavemoney，butthenIsupposehemakesalargeincomehimself。AstoMrFletcher，youdon’tcareabitabouthim。’
’Notinthatwaycertainly。’
’Nodoubtyourpapawillhaveitoutwithyoujustnow。soyouhadbettermakeupyourmindwhatyouwillsaytohim。Ifyoureallyliketheman，Idon’tseewhyyoushouldn’tsayso，andsticktoit。Hehasmadearegularoffer，andgirlsthesedaysarenotexpectedtobetheirfather’sslaves。’Emilysaidnothingfurthertoherauntonthatoccasion，butfindingthatshemustintruth’haveitout’withherfatherpresently，gaveherselfuptoreflection。Itmightprobablybethecasethatthewholeconditionofherfuturelifewoulddependonthewayinwhichshemightnow’haveitout’withherfather。
IwouldnotwishthereadertobeprejudicedagainstMissWhartonbythemostunnaturalfeelingwhichperhapsmaybefeltinregardtotheaunt。MrsRobywaspleasedwithlittleintrigues，wasaddictedtotheamusementoffosteringloveaffairs，wasfondofbeingthoughttobeusefulinsuchmatters，andwasnotaversetohavingpresentsgiventoher。Shehadmarriedavulgarman。andthoughshehadnotbecomeliketheman，shehadbecomevulgar。
ShewasnotaneligiblecompanionforMrWharton’sdaughter，——amatterastowhichthefatherhadnotgivenhimselfproperopportunitiesoflearningthefacts。Anauntinhiscloseneighbourhoodwassogreatacomforttohim，——soreadyandsonaturalanassistancetohiminhisdifficulties！ButEmilyWhartonwasnotintheleastlikeheraunt，norhadMrsWhartonbeenatalllikeMrsRoby。Nodoubtthecontactwasdangerous。
Injuryhadperhapsalreadybeendone。Itmaybethatsomeslightestsoilhadalreadymarredthepurewhiteofthegirl’snaturalcharacter。Butifso，thestainwasyettooimpalpabletobevisibletoordinaryeyes。
EmilyWhartonwasatallfairgirl，withgreyeyes，ratherexceedingtheaverageproportionsaswellasheightofwomen。
Herfeatureswereregularandhandsome，andherformwasperfect，butitwasbyhermannerandhervoicethatsheconquered，ratherthanbyherbeauty，——bythosegiftsandbyaclearnessofintellectjoinedwiththatfemininesweetnesswhichhasitsmostfrequentfoundationinself-denial。Thosewhoknewherwell，andhadbecomeattachedtoher，wereapttoendowherwithallvirtues，andtogivehercreditforalovelinesswhichstrangersdidnotfindonherface。Butaswedonotlightupourhouseswithourbrightestlampsforallcomers，soneitherdidsheemitfromhereyestheirbrightestsparkstillspecialoccasionforsuchshininghadarisen。Tothosewhowereallowedtolovehernowomanwasmorelovable。Therewasinnateinheranappreciationofherownpositionasawoman，andwithitaprincipleofself-denialasahumanbeing，whichitwasbeyondthepowerofanyMrsRobytodestroyorevendefilebysmallstains。
Likeothergirlsshehadbeentaughttopresumethatitwasherdestinytobemarried，andlikeothergirlsshehadthoughtmuchaboutherdestiny。Ayoungmangenerallyregardsitashisdestinyeithertosucceedortofailinthisworld，andhethinksaboutthat。Tohimmarriage，whenitcomes，isanaccidenttowhichhehashardlyasyetgivenathought。Buttothegirlthematrimonywhichisorisnottobeherdestinycontainswithinitselftheonlysuccessorfailurewhichsheanticipates。TheyoungmanmaybecomeLordChancellor，oratanyrateearnhisbreadcomfortablyasacountrycourtjudge。Butthegirlcanlookforwardtolittleelsethanthechanceofhavingagoodmanforherhusband——agoodman，orifhertasteslieinthatdirection，arichman。EmilyWhartonhaddoubtlessthoughtaboutthosethings，andshesincerelybelievedthatshehadfoundthegoodmaninFerdinandLopez。
Theman，certainly，wasonestrangelyendowedwiththepowerofcreatingabelief。WhengoingtoMrWhartoninhischambers，hehadnotintendedtocheatthelawyerintoanyerroneousideaabouthisfamily，buthehadresolvedthathewouldsodiscussthequestionofhisowncondition，whichwouldprobablyberaised，astoleaveupontheoldman’smindanunfoundedconvictionthat，inregardtomoneyandincome，hehadnoreasontofearquestion。Notawordhadbeensaidabouthismoneyorhisincome。AndMrWhartonhadfelthimselfboundtoabstainfromallusionstosuchmattersfromanassuredfeelingthathecouldnotinthatdirectionplantanenduringobjection。InthiswayLopezhadcarriedhispointwithMrWharton。HehadconvincedMrsRobythatamongallthegirl’sattractionsthegreatestattractionforhimwasthefactthatshewasMrsRoby’sniece。HehadmadeEmilyherselfbelievethattheonestrongpassionofhislifewashisloveforher，andthishehaddonewithouteverhavingaskedforherlove。AndhehadeventakenthetroubletoallureDick，andhadlistenedtoandhadtalkedwholepagesoutofBell’sLife。Onhisownbehalfitmustbeacknowledgedthathedidlovethegirl，aswellperhapsashewascapableoflovinganyone——buthehadfoundoutmanyparticularsastoMrWharton’smoneybeforehehadallowedhimselftoloveher。
AssoonasMrsRobyhadgatheredupherknitting，anddeclared，asshealwaysdidonsuchoccasions，thatshecouldgoroundthecornerwithouthavinganyonetolookafterher。MrWhartonbegan，’Emily，mydear，comehere。’Thenshecameandsatonafootstoolathisfeet，andlookedupintohisface。’DoyouknowwhatIamgoingtospeakabout，mydarling？’
’Yes，papa。IthinkIdo。Itisabout——MrLopez。’
’Youraunthastoldyou，Isuppose。Yes，itisaboutMrLopez。
Ihavebeenverymuchastonishedto-daybyMrLopez，——amanofwhomIhaveseenverylittleandknowless。Hecametometo-dayandaskedformypermission——toaddressyou。’Shesatperfectlyquiet，stilllookingathim，butdidnotsayaword。’OfcourseIdidnotgivemypermission。’
’Whyofcourse，papa？’
’Becauseheisastrangerandaforeigner。Wouldyouhavewishedmetotellhimthathemightcome？’
’Yes，papa。’Hewassittingonasofaandshrankbackalittlefromherasshemadethisfreeavowal。’InthatcaseIcouldhavejudgedformyself。Isupposeeverygirlwouldliketodothat。’
’Butshouldyouhaveacceptedhim？’
’IthinkIshouldhaveconsultedyoubeforeIdidthat。ButI
shouldhavewishedtoaccepthim。Papa，Idolovehim。Ihaveneversaidthatbeforetoanyone。Iwouldnotsaysotoyounow，ifhehadnot——spokentoyouashehasdone。’
’Emily，itmustnotbe。’
’Whynot，papa？Ifyousayitshallnotbeso，itshallnot，I
willdoasyoubidme。’Thenheputouthishandandcaressedher，strokingdownherhair。’ButIthinkyououghttotellmewhyitmustnotbe，——asIdolovehim。’
’Heisaforeigner。’
’Butishe？AndwhyshouldnotaforeignerbeasgoodasanEnglishman？Hisnameisforeign，buthetalksEnglishandlivesasanEnglishman。’
’Hehasnorelatives，nofamily，nobelongings。Heiswhatwecallanadventurer。Marriage，mydear，isamostseriousthing。’
’Yes，papa，Iknowthat。’
’Oneisboundtobeverycareful。HowcanIgiveyoutoamanI
knownothingabout，——anadventurer？WhatwouldtheysayinHertfordshire？’
’Idon’tknowwhytheyshouldsayanything，butiftheydidI
shouldn’tmuchcare。’
’Ishould，mydear。Ishouldcareverymuch。Oneisboundtothinkofone’sfamily。Supposeitshouldturnoutafterwardsthathewas——disreputable？’
’Youmaysaythatofanyman，papa。’
’Butwhenamanhasconnections，afatherandamother，orunclesandaunts，peoplethateverybodyknowsabout，thenthereissomeguaranteeofsecurity。Didyoueverhearthismanspeakofhisfather？’
’Idon’tknowthatheeverdid。’
’Orhismother，——orhisfamily？Don’tyouthinkthatissuspicious？’
’Iwillaskhim，papa，ifyouwish。’
’No。Iwouldhaveyouaskhimnothing。Iwouldnotwishthatthereshouldbeanopportunityforsuchasking。Iftherehasbeenintimacybetweenyou，suchinformationshouldhavecomenaturally，——asathingofcourse。Youhavemadehimnopromise？’
’Ohno，papa。’
’Norspokentohim——ofyourregardforhim？’
’Never——notaword。Nortome，——exceptinsuchwordsasoneunderstandseventhoughtheysaynothing。’
’Iwishhehadneverseenyou。’
’Isheabadman，papa？’
’Whoknows？Icannottell。Hemaybeeversobad。Howisonetoknowwhetheramanbebadorgoodwhenoneknowsnothingabouthim？’Atthispointthefathergotupandwalkedabouttheroom。
’Thelongandtheshortofitisthatyoumustnotseehimanymore。’
’Didyoutellhimso？’
’Yes——well。Idon’tknowwhetherIsaidexactlythat，butI
toldhimthatthewholethingmustcometoanend。Anditmust。
Luckilyitseemsthatnothinghasbeensaidoneitherside。’
’Butpapa——istheretobenoreason？’
’Haven’tIgivenreasons？Iwillnothavemydaughterencourageanadventurer，——amanofwhomnobodyknowsanything。Thatisreasonsufficient。’
’Hehasabusiness，andliveswithgentlemen。HeisEverett’sfriend。Heiswelleducated——oh，somuchbetterthanmostmenthatonemeets。Andheisclever。Papa，Iwishyouknewhimbetterthanyoudo。’
’Idonotwanttoknowhimbetter。’
’Isnotthatprejudice，papa？’
’MydearEmily，’saidMrWharton，strivingtowaxintoangerthathemightbefirmagainsther。’Idon’tthinkitbecomesyoutoaskyourfathersuchaquestionasthat。YououghttobelievethatitisthechiefobjectofmylifetodothebestIcanformychildren。’
’Iamsureitis。’
’Andyououghttofeelthat，asIhavehadalongexperienceintheworld，myjudgementaboutayoungmanmightbetrusted。’
ThatwasastatementwhichMissWhartonwasnotpreparedtoadmit。Shehadalreadyprofessedherselfwillingtosubmittoherfather’sjudgement，anddidnotnowbyanymeanscontemplaterebellionagainstparentalauthority。Butshedidfeelthatonamattersovitaltohershehadarighttopleadhercausebeforejudgementshouldbegiven，andshewasnotslowtoassureherself，evenasthisinterviewwenton，thatherloveforthemanwasstrongenoughtoentitlehertoassureherfatherthatherhappinessdependedonhisreversalofthesentencealreadypronounced。’Youknow，papa，thatItrustyou，’shesaid，’AndI
havepromisedyouthatIwillnotdisobeyyou。IfyoutellmethatIamnevertoseeMrLopezagain，Iwillnotseehim。’
’Youareagoodgirl。Youwerealwaysagoodgirl。’
’ButIthinkthatyououghttohearme。’Thenhestoodstillwithhishandsinhistrouserpocketslookingather。Hedidnotwanttohearaword，buthefeltthathewouldbeatyrantifherefused。’IfyoutellmethatIamnottoseehim，Ishallnotseehim。ButIshallbeveryunhappy。Idolovehim，andI
shallneverloveanyoneelseinthesameway。’
’Thatisnonsense，Emily。ThereisArthurFletcher。’
’IamsureyouwillneveraskmetomarryamanIdonotlove，andIshallneverloveArthurFletcher。Ifthisistobeasyousay，itwillmakemevery，verywretched。Itisrightthatyoushouldknowthetruth。IfitisonlybecauseMrLopezhasaforeignname——’
’Itisn’tonlythat。nooneknowsanythingabouthim，orwhereonemightinquireeven。’
’Ithinkyoushouldinquire，papa，andbequitecertainbeforeyoupronouncesuchasentenceagainstme。Itwillbeacrushingblow。’Helookedather，andsawthattherewasafixedpurposeinhercountenanceofwhichhehadneverbeforeseensimilarsigns。’Youclaimarighttomyobedience，andIacknowledgeit。
IamsureyoubelievemewhenIpromisenottoseehimwithoutyourpermission。’
’Idobelieveyou。OfcourseIbelieveyou。’
’ButifIdothatforyou，papa，Ithinkthatyououghttobeverysure，onmyaccount，thatIhaven’ttobearsuchunhappinessfornothing。You’llthinkaboutit，papa，——willyounot，beforeyouquitedecide？’Sheleanedagainsthimasshespoke，andhekissedher。’Goodnight，now，papa。Youwillthinkaboutit？’
’Iwill。Iwill。OfcourseIwill。’
Andhebegantheprocessofthinkingaboutitimmediately，——
beforethedoorwasclosedbehindher。Butwhatwastheretothinkabout？Nothingthatshehadsaidalteredintheleasthisideaabouttheman。Hewasconvincedaseverthatunlesstherewasmuchtoconcealtherewouldnotbesomuchconcealment。
Butafeelingbegantogrowuponhimalreadythathisdaughterhadamodeofpleadingwithhimwhichhewouldnotultimatelybeabletoresist。Hehadthepower，heknew，ofputtinganendtothethingaltogether。Hehadonlytosayresolutelyandunchangeablythatthethingshouldn’tbe，anditwouldn’t。Ifhecouldsteelhisheartagainsthisdaughter’ssorrowfor，say，atwelvemonth，thevictorywouldbewon。Buthealreadybegantofearthathelackedthepowertosteelhisheartagainsthisdaughter。
CHAPTER6
ANOLDFRIENDGOESTOWINDSOR。
’Andwhataretheygoingtomakeyounow？’
Thisquestionwasaskedofherhusbandbyaladywithwhomperhapsthereadersofthisvolumemayhavealreadyformedsomeacquaintance。Chroniclesofherearlylifehavebeenwritten，atanyratecopiously。TheladywastheDuchessofOmnium，andherhusbandwasofcoursetheDuke。InorderthatthenatureofthequestionaskedbytheDuchessmaybeexplained，itmustbestatedthatjustatthistimethepoliticalaffairsofthenationhadgotthemselvestiedupintooneofthosetrulydesperateknotsfromwhicheventhewisdomandexperienceofseptuagenarianstatesmencanseenounravelment。Theheadsofpartieswereatastandstill。IntheHouseofCommons，therewas，sotosay，nomajorityoneitherside。Themindsofmembersweresoastraythat，accordingtothebestcalculationthatcouldbemade，therewouldbeamajorityofabouttenagainstanypossibleCabinet。
Therewouldcertainlybeamajorityagainsteitherofthosewell-
tried，but，atthismoment，littletrustedPrimeMinisters，MrGreshamandMrDaubney。Therewerecertainmen，nominallybelongingtothisortotheotherparty，whowouldcertainlywithinaweekofthenominationofaCabinetintheHouse，opposetheCabinetwhichtheyoughttosupport。MrDaubneyhadbeeninpower，——nay，wasinpower，thoughhehadtwiceresigned。MrGreshamhadbeentwicesentfortoWindsor，andhadononeoccasionundertakenandonanotherhadrefusedtoundertaketoformaMinistry。MrDaubneyhadtriedtwoorthreecombinations，andhadbeenathiswits’end。Hewasnodoubtstillinpower，——
couldappointbishops，andmakepeers，andgiveawayribbons。
Buthecouldn’tpassalaw，andcertainlycontinuedtoholdhispresentuncomfortablepositionbynowillofhisown。ButaPrimeMinistercannotescapetillhehassucceededinfindingasuccessor。andthoughthesuccessorbefoundandconsentstomakeanattempt，theoldunfortunatecannotbeallowedtogofreewhentheattemptisshowntobeafailure。Hehasnotabsolutelygivenupthekeysofhisboxes，andnoonewilltakethemfromhim。Evenasovereigncanabdicate。butthePrimeMinisterofaconstitutionalgovernmentisinbonds。ThereadermaythereforeunderstandthattheDuchesswasaskingherhusbandwhatplaceamongthepoliticalrulersofthecountryhadbeenofferedtohimbythelastaspiranttotheleadershipoftheGovernment。
Butthereadershouldunderstandmorethanthis，andmayperhapsdoso，ifhehaseverseenthoseformerchroniclestowhichallusionhasbeenmade。TheDuke，beforehebecameaduke，hadheldveryhighoffice，havingbeentheChancelloroftheExchequer。Whenhewastransferred，perforce，totheHouseofLords，hehad，——asitisnotuncommoninsuchcases，——acceptedalowerpoliticalstation。ThishaddispleasedtheDuchess，whowasambitiousbothonherownbehalfandthatofherlord，——andwhothoughtthataDukeofOmniumshouldbenothingintheGovernmentifnotatanyratenearthetop。Butafterthat，withthesimpleandsingleobjectofdoingsomespecialpieceofworkforthenation，——somethingwhichhefanciedthatnobodyelsewoulddoifhedidn’tdoit，——hisGrace，ofhisownmotion，athisownsolicitation，hadencounteredfurtherofficialdegradation，verymuchtothedisgustoftheDuchess。AnditwasnotthewaywithherGracetohidesuchsorrowsinthedepthofherbosom。Whenaffrontedshewouldspeakout，whethertoherhusband，ortoanother，——usingironyratherthanargumenttosupporthercauseandtovindicateherways。Theshaftsofridiculehurledbyheragainstherhusbandinregardtohisvoluntaryabasementhadbeenmanyandsharp。Theystunghim，butneverforamomentinfluencedhim。Itwashernaturetosaysuchthings，——andheknewthattheycameratherfromheruncontrolledspiritthanfromanymalice。Shewashiswifetoo，andhehadanideathatoflittleinjuriesofthatsortthereshouldbenoendofbearingonthepartofahusband。Sometimeshewouldendeavourtoexplaintoherthemotiveswhichactuatedhim。buthehadcometofearthattheywereandmustbeunintelligibletoher。Buthecreditedherwithlessthanherrealintelligence。
Shedidunderstandthenatureofhisworkandhisreasonsfordoingit。and，afterherownfashion，didwhatsheconceivedtobeherownworkinendeavouringtocreatewithinhisbosomadesireforhigherthings。’Surely，’shesaidtoherself，’ifamanofhisrankistobeaminister，heshouldbeagreatminister——atanyrateasgreatashiscircumstanceswillmakehim。Amannevercansavehiscountrybydegradinghimself。’Inthishewouldprobablyhaveagreed。buthisideaofdegradationandhershardlytallied。
Whenthereforesheaskedhimwhattheyweregoingtomakehim，itwasasthoughsomesarcastichousekeeperinagreatestablishmentshouldaskthebutler，——somebutlertoopronetoyieldinsuchmatters，——whetherthemasterhadappointedhimlatelytothecleaningofshoesorthecarryingofcoals。Sincetheseknotshadbecomesoverytight，andsincethejourneystoWindsorhadbecomesoveryfrequent，herGracehadaskedmanysuchquestions，andhadreceivedbutveryindifferentreplies。TheDukehadsometimesdeclaredthatthematterwasnotripeenoughtoallowhimtomakeanyanswer。’Ofcourse，’saidtheDuchess，’youshouldkeepthesecret。Theeditorsoftheeveningpapershaven’tknownitforaboveanhour。’AtanothertimehetoldherthathehadundertakentogiveMrGreshamhisassistanceinanywaythatmightbeasked。
’JointundersecretarywithLordFawn，Ishouldsay，’answeredtheDuchess。Thenhetoldherthathebelievedanattemptwouldbemadeatamixedministry，butthathedidnotintheleastknowtowhomtheworkofdoingsowouldbeconfided。’Youwillbeaboutthelastmanwhowillbetold，’repliedtheDuchess。Now，atthismoment，hehad，assheknew，comedirectfromthehouseofMrGresham，andsheaskedherquestioninherusualspirit。
’Andwhataretheygoingtomakeyounow？’
Buthedidnotanswerthequestioninhisusualmanner。Hewouldcustomarilysmilegentlyatherbadinage，andperhapssayawordintendedtoshowthathewasnotintheleastmovedbyherraillery。Butinthisinstancehewasverygrave，andstoodbeforeheramomentmakingnoansweratall，lookingatherinasadandalmostsolemnmanner。’Theyhavetoldyouthattheycandowithoutyou，’shesaid，breakingoutalmostintoapassion。
’Iknewitwouldbe。Menarealwaysvaluedbyothersastheyvaluethemselves。’
’Iwishitwereso，’hereplied。’Ishouldsleepeasierto-
night。’
’Whatisit，Plantagenet？’sheexclaimed，jumpingupfromherchair。
’Inevercaredforyourridiculehitherto，Cora，butnowIfeelthatIwantyoursympathy。’
’Ifyouaregoingtodoanything，——todoreallyanything，youshallhaveit。Oh，howyoushallhaveit！’
’IhavereceivedherMajesty’sorderstogodowntoWindsoratonce。Imuststartwithinhalfanhour。’
’YouaregoingtobePrimeMinister！’sheexclaimed。Asshespokeshethrewherarmsup，andthenrushedintohisembrace。
Neversincetheirfirstunionhadshebeensodemonstrativeeitherofloveoradmiration。’Oh，Plantagenet，’shesaid，’ifI
candoanythingIwillslaveforyou。’Asheputhisarmroundherwaisthealreadyfeltthepleasantnessofheralteredwaytohim。Shehadneverworshippedhimyet，andthereforeherworshipwhenitdidcomehadallthedelighttohimwhichitordinarilyhastothenewlymarriedhero。
’Stopamoment，Cora。Idonotknowhowitmaybeyet。ButthisIknow，thatifwithoutcowardiceIcouldavoidthistask，I
wouldcertainlyavoidit。’
’Ohno！Andtherewouldbecowardice。ofcoursetherewould，’
saidtheDuchess，notmuchcaringwhatmightbethebondswhichboundhimtothetasksolongasheshouldcertainlyfeelhimselftobebound。
’Hehastoldmethathethinksitmydutytomaketheattempt。’
’Whoishe？’
’MrGresham。IdonotknowthatIshouldhavefeltmyselfboundbyhim，buttheDukesaidalso。’Thisdukewasourduke’soldfriend，theDukeofStBungay。
’Washethere？Andwhoelse？’
’Nooneelse。Itisnocaseforexultation，Cora，forthechancesarethatIshallfail。TheDukehaspromisedtohelpme，onconditionthatoneortwohehasnamedareincluded，andthatoneortwowhomhehasalsonamedarenot。Ineachcase，I
shouldmyselfhavedoneexactlyasheproposes。’
’AndMrGresham？’
’Hewillretire。Thatisamatterofcourse。Hewillintendtosupportme，butallthatisveiledintheobscuritywhichisalways，Ithink，darkerastothefutureofpoliticsthananyotherfuture。Cloudsarise，oneknowsnotwhyorwhence，andcreatedarknesswhenoneexpectedlight。Butasyet，youmustunderstand，nothingissettled。IcannotevensaywhatanswerI
maymaketoherMajesty，tillIknowwhatcommandsherMajestymaylayuponme。’
’Youmustkeepaholdofitnow，Plantagenet，’saidtheDuchess，clenchingherownfist。
’Iwillnotevencloseafingeronitwithanypersonalambition，’saidtheDuke。’IfIcouldberelievedfromtheburdenofthismoment，itwouldbeaneasetomyheart。I
rememberonce，’hesaid，——andashespokeheagainputhisarmaroundherwaist，’whenIwasdebarredfromtakingoffice，byadomesticcircumstance。’
’Irememberthattoo，’shesaid，speakingverygentlyandlookingupathim。
’Itwasagrieftomeatthetime，thoughitturnedoutsowell，——becausetheofficethensuggestedtomewasonewhichIthoughtIcouldfillwithcredittothecountry。Ibelievedinmyselfthen，asfarasthatworkwent。ButforthisattemptIhavenobeliefinmyself。IdoubtwhetherIhaveanygiftforgoverningmen。’
’Itwillcome。’
’ItmaybethatImusttry——anditmaybethatImustbreakmyheartbecauseIfail。ButIshallmaketheattemptifIamdirectedtodosoinanymannerthatshallseemfeasible。Imustbeoffnow。TheDukeistobeherethisevening。TheyhadbetterhavedinnerreadyformewheneverImaybeabletoeatit。’Thenhetookhisdeparturebeforeshecouldsayanotherword。
WhentheDuchesswasaloneshetooktothinkingofthewholethinginamannerwhichtheywhobestknewherwouldhavethoughttobeveryunusualwithher。Shealreadypossessedallthatrankandwealthcouldgiveher，andtogetherwiththosegoodthingsapeculiarpositionofherown，ofwhichshewasproud，andwhichshehadmadeherownnotbyherwealthandrank，butbyacertainfearlessenergyandpowerofraillerywhichneverdesertedher。
Manyfearedher，andshewasafraidofnone，andmanyalsolovedher，——whomshealsoloved，forhernaturewasaffectionate。Shewashappywithherchildren，happywithherfriends，intheenjoymentofperfecthealth，andcapableoftakinganexaggeratedinterestinanythingthatmightcomeuppermostforthemoment。
Onewouldhavebeeninclinedtosaythatpoliticswerealtogetherunnecessarytoher，andthatasDuchessofOmnium，latelyknownasLadyGlencoraPalliser，shehadawiderandpleasanterinfluencethancouldbelongtoanywomanaswifeofaPrimeMinister。Andshewasessentiallyoneofthosewomenwhoarenotcontentedtobeknownsimplyasthewivesoftheirhusbands。Shehadacelebrityofherown，quiteindependentofhisposition，andwhichcouldnotbeenhancedbyanygloryoranypoweraddedtohim。Nevertheless，whenhelefthertogodowntotheQueenwiththeprospectofbeingcalledupontoactaschiefoftheincomingministry，herheartthrobbedwithexcitement。Ithadcomeatlast，andhewouldbe，toherthinking，theleadingmaninthegreatestkingdomintheworld。
ButshefeltinregardtohimsomewhatasdidLadyMacbethtowardsherlord。
Whatthouwould’sthighly，Thatwould’stthouholily。
Sheknewhimtobefullofscruples，unabletobendwhenaughtwastobegotbybending，unwillingtodomineerwhenmenmightbebroughttosubjectiononlybydomination。Thefirstdutynevercouldbetaughttohim。Towinsupportbysmileswhenhisheartwasbitterwithinhimwouldneverbewithinthepowerofherhusband。Hecouldneverbebroughttobuyanenemybypoliticalgifts，——wouldneverbepronetosilencehiskeenestopponentbymakinghimhisrighthandsupporter。Buttheotherlessonwaseasierandmightshethoughtbelearned。Powerissopleasantthatmenquicklylearntobegreedyintheenjoymentofit，andtoflatterthemselvesthatpatriotismrequiresthemtobeimperious。Shewouldbeconstantwithhimdayandnighttomakehimunderstandthathisdutytohiscountryrequiredhimtobeinverytruthitschiefruler。Andthenwithsomeknowledgeofthingsastheyare，——andalsowithmuchignorance，——shereflectedthathehadathiscommandameansofobtainingpopularityandsecuringpower，whichhadnotbelongedtohisimmediatepredecessors，andhadperhapsnevertothesameextentbeenatthecommandofanyministerofEngland。HiswealthasDukeofOmniumhadbeengreat。buthers，asavailableforimmediatepurposes，hadbeengreaterthanevenhis。Aftersomefashion，ofwhichshewasprofoundlyignorant，herownpropertywasseparatedfromhisandreservedtoherselfandherchildren。Sincehermarriageshehadneversaidawordtohimabouthermoney，——unlessitweretoaskthatsomethingoutofthecommoncoursemightbespentonsome，generallyabsurd，object。Butnowhadcomethetimeforsquanderingmoney。Shewasnotonlyrich，butshehadapopularitythatwasexclusivelyherown。ThenewPrimeMinisterandthenewPrimeMinister’swifeshouldentertainafterafashionthathadneveryetbeenknownevenamongthenobilityofEngland。Bothintownandcountrythosegreatmansionsshouldbekeptopenwhichwerenowrarelymuchusedbecauseshefoundthemdull，cold，andcomfortless。InLondonthereshouldnotbeamemberofParliamentwhomshewouldnotherselfknowandinfluencebyherflatteryandgrace，——orifthereweremenwhomshecouldnotinfluence，theyshouldliveasmentabooedandunfortunate。Moneymatterednothing。Theirincomewasenormous，andforaseriesofyears，——forhalfadozenyearsifthegamecouldbekeptupsolong，——theycouldspendtreblewhattheycalledtheirincomewithoutrealinjurytotheirchildren。
Visionspassedthroughherbrainofwondrousthingswhichmightbedone，——ifonlyherhusbandwouldbetruetohisowngreatness。
TheDukehadleftheratabouttwo。Shedidnotstiroutofthehousethatday，butinthecourseoftheafternoonshewrotealinetoafriendwholivednotveryfarfromher。TheDuchessdweltinCarltonTerrace，andherfriendinParkLane。Thenotewasasfollows：
DEARM，Cometomeatonce。Iamtooexcitedtogotoyou。YoursG
ThiswasaddressedtooneMrsFinn，aladyastowhomchronicleshavebeenwritten，andwhohasbeenknowntothereadersofsuchchroniclesasafrienddearlylovedbytheDuchess。AsquicklyasshecouldputonhercarriagegarmentsandgetherselftoCarltonTerrace，MrsFinnwasthere。’Well，mydear，howdoyouthinkit’sallsettledatlast？’saidtheDuchess。ItwillprobablybefeltthatthenewPrimeMinister’swifewasindiscreet，andhardlyworthyoftheconfidenceplacedinherbyherhusband。Butsurelyweallhavesomeonefriendtowhomwetelleverything，andwiththeDuchessMrsFinnwasthatonefriend。
’IstheDuketobePrimeMinister？’
’Howonearthshouldyouhaveguessedthat？’
’Whatelsecouldmakeyousoexcited？Besides，itisbynomeansstrange。Iunderstandthattheyhavegoneontryingthetwooldstagestillitisuselesstotrythemanylonger。andifthereistobeafreshman，noonewouldbemorelikelythantheDuke。’
’Doyouthinkso？’
’Certainly。Whynot？’
’Hehasfritteredawayhispoliticalpositionbysuchmeaninglessconcessions。Andthenhehadneverdoneanythingtoputhimselfforward，——atanyratesincehelefttheHouseofCommons。
PerhapsIhaven’treadthingsright——butIwassurprised，verymuchsurprised。’
’Andgratified？’
’Ohyes。Icantellyoueverything，becauseyouwillneithermisunderstandmenortelltalesofme。Yes，——IshalllikehimtobePrimeMinister，thoughIknowthatIshallhaveabadtimeofitmyself。’
’Whyabadtime？’
’Heissohardtomanage。Ofcourse，Idon’tmeanaboutpolitics。Ofcourseitmustbeamixedkindofthingatfirst，andIdon’tcareastrawwhetheritruntoRadicalismorToryism。
Thecountrygoesonitsownway。eitherforbetterorforworse，whicheverofthemarein。Idon’tthinkitmakesanydifferencewhatsortoflawsarepassed。Butamongourselves，inourset，itmakesadealofdifferencewhogetsthegarters，andthecounties，whoaremadebaronsandthenearls，andwhosenamestandsattheheadofeverything。’
’Thatisyourwayoflookingatpolitics？’
’Iownittoyou——andImustteachittohim。’
’Youneverwilldothat，LadyGlen。’
’Neverisalongword。Imeantotry。ForlookbackandtellmeofanyPrimeMinisterwhohasbecomesickofhispower。Theybecomesickofthewantofpowerwhenit’sfallingawayfromthem，——andthentheyaffecttodisdainandputasidethethingtheycannolongerenjoy。Loveofpowerisakindoffeelingwhichcomestomanashegrowsolder。’
’PoliticswiththeDukehavebeensimplepatriotism，’saidMrsFinn。
’Thepatriotismmayremain，mydear，butnotthesimplicity。I
don’twanthimtosellhiscountrytoGermany，ortoturnitintoanAmericanrepublicinorderthathemaybepresident。Butwhenhegetsthereinsintohishands，Iwanthimtokeepthemthere。
Ifhe’ssomuchhonesterthanotherpeople，ofcoursehe’sthebestmanfortheplace。Wemustmakehimbelievethattheveryexistenceofthecountrydependsonhisfirmness。’
’Totellyouthetruth，LadyGlen，Idon’tthinkyou’llevermaketheDukebelieveanything。Whathebelieves，hebelieveseitherfromveryoldhabit，orfromtheworkingofhisownmind。’
’You’realwayssinginghispraises，Marie。’
’Idon’tknowthatthereisanyspecialpraiseinwhatIsay。butasfarasIcansee，itistheman’scharacter。’
’MrFinnwillcomein，ofcourse，’saidtheDuchess。
’MrFinnwillbeliketheDukeinonething。He’lltakehisownwayastobeinginorout，quiteindependentofhiswife。’
’You’dlikehimtobeinoffice？’
’No，indeed！WhyshouldI？HewouldbemoreoftenattheHouse，andkeeplaterhours，andbealwaysawayallthemorningintothebargain。ButIshalllikehimtodoashelikeshimself。’
’Fancythinkingofallthat，I’dsitupallnighteverynightofmylife，——I’dlistentoeverydebateintheHousemyself，——tohavePlantagenetPrimeMinister。Iliketobebusy。Wellnow，ifitdoescomeoff——’
’Itisn’tsettled，then？’
’Howcanonehopethatasinglejourneywillsettleit，whenthoseothermenhavebeengoingbackwardsandforwardsbetweenWindsorandLondon，likebucketsinawell，forthelastthreeweeks？Butifitissettled，Imeantohaveacabinetofmyown，andImeanthatyoushalldotheforeignaffairs。’
’You’dbetterletmebeattheexchequer。I’mverygoodataccounts。’
’I’lldothatmyself。TheaccountsthatIintendtoseta-goingwouldfrightenanyonelessaudacious。AndImeantobemyownhomesecretary，andtokeepmyownconscience，——andtobemyownmasteroftheceremoniescertainly。Ithinkasmallcabinetgetsonbest。Doyouknow，——IshouldliketoputtheQueendown。’
’Whatonearthdoyoumean？’
’Notreason。nothingofthatkind。ButIshouldliketomakeBuckinghamPalacesecond-rate。andI’mnotquitesurebutIcan。
Idaresayyoudon’tquiteunderstandme。’
’Idon’tthinkthatIdo，LadyGlen。’
’Youwillsomeofthesedays。Comeinto-morrowbeforelunch。I
supposeIshallknowallaboutitthen，andshallhavefoundthatmybasketofcrockeryhasbeenkickedoverandeverythingsmashed。’
CHAPTER7
ANOTHEROLDFRIEND。
AtaboutninetheDukereturned，andwaseatinghisverysimpledinnerinthebreakfast-room，——abeefsteakandapotato，withaglassofsherryandApollinariswater。NomanmoreeasilysatisfiedastowhatheeatanddranklivedinLondoninthosedays。Asregardedtheeatinganddrinkinghedinedalone，buthiswifesatwithhimandwaitedonhim，havingsenttheservantoutoftheroom。’IhavetoldherMajestyIwoulddothebestI
could，’saidtheDuke。
’ThenyouarePrimeMinister。’
’Notatall。MrDaubneyisPrimeMinister。Ihaveundertakentoformaministry，ifIfinditpracticable，withtheassistanceofsuchfriendsasIpossess，IneverfeltbeforethatIhadtoleansoentirelyonothersasIdonow。’
’Leanonyourselfonly。Beenoughforyourself。’
’Thoseareemptywords，Cora——wordsthatarequiteempty。Inonesenseamanshouldalwaysbeenoughforhimself。Heshouldhaveenoughofprincipleandenoughofconsciencetorestrainhimfromdoingwhatheknowstobewrong。Butcanashipbuilderbuildhisshipsingle-handed，orthewatchmakermakehiswatchwithoutassistance？Onformeroccasionssuchasthis，Icouldsay，withlittleornohelpfromwithout，whetherIwouldorwouldnotundertaketheworkthatwasproposedtome，becauseI
hadonlyabitoftheshiptobuild，orawheelofthewatchtomake。Myownefficacyformypresenttaskwoulddependentirelyontheco-operationofothers，andunfortunatelyuponthatofsomeotherswithwhomIhavenosympathy，northeywithme。’
’Leavethemout，’saidtheDuchessboldly。
’Buttheyaremenwhowillnotbeleftout，andwhoseservicesthecountryhasarighttoexpect。’
’Thenbringthemin，andthinknomoreaboutit。Itisnogoodcryingforpainthatcannotbecured。’
’Co-operationisdifficultwithoutcommunityoffeeling。Ifindmyselftobetoostubborn-heartedfortheplace。ItwasnothingtometositinthesameCabinetwithamanIdislikedwhenIhadnotputhimtheremyself。Butnow。AsIhavetravelledupI
havealmostfeltthatIcouldnotdoit！IdidnotknowbeforehowmuchImightdislikeaman。’
’Whoistheoneman？’
’Nay——whoeverhebe，Iwillhavetobeafriendnow，andthereforeIwillnotnamehim，eventoyou。Butitisnotoneonly。Ifitwereone，absolutelymarkedandrecognised，Imightavoidhim。Butmyfriends，realfriends，aresofew！WhoistherebesidestheDukeonwhomIcanleanwithbothconfidenceandlove？’
’LordCantrip。’
’Hardlyso，Cora。ButLordCantripgoesoutwithMrGresham。
Theywillalwaysclingtogether。’
’YouusedtolikeMrMildmay。’
’MrMildmay，——yes！IftherecouldbeaMrMildmayintheCabinetthistroublewouldnotcomeuponmyshoulders。’
’ThenI’mverygladthattherecan’tbeMrMildmay。Whyshouldn’ttherebeasgoodfishintheseaaseverwerecaughtoutofit？’
’Whenyou’vegotagoodfishyouliketomakeasmuchofitasyoucan。’
’IsupposeMrMonkwilljoinyou。’
’Ithinkweshallaskhim。ButIamnotpreparedtodiscussmen’snamesasyet。’
’YoumustdiscussthemwiththeDukeimmediately。’
’Probably——butIhadbetterdiscussthemwithhimbeforeIfixmyownmindbynamingthemeventoyou。’
’You’llbringinMrFinn，Plantagenet？’
’MrFinn！’
’Yes，——PhineasFinn，——themanwhowastried。’
’MydearCora，wehaven’tcomedowntothatyet。Weneednotatanyratetroubleourselvesaboutthesmallfishestillwearesurethatwecangetthebigfishestojoinus。’
’Idon’tknowwhyheshouldbeasmallfish。Nomanhasdonebetterthanhehas。andifyouwantamantosticktoyou——’
’Idon’twantamantosticktome。Iwantamantosticktohiscountry。’
’Youweretalkingaboutsympathy。’
’Well，yes——Iwas。Butdonotnameanyoneelsejustatpresent。TheDukewillbeheresoon，andIwouldbealonetillhecomes。’
’ThereisonethingmoreIwanttosay，Plantagenet。’
’Whatisit？’
’OnefavourIwanttoask。’
’Praydonotaskanythingforanymanatpresent。’
’Itisnotanythingforanyman。’
’Norforanywoman。’
’Itisforawoman，——butonewhomIthinkyouwouldwishtooblige。’
’Whoisit？’Thenshecurtsied，smilingathimdrolly，andputherhanduponherbreast。’Somethingforyou！WhatonearthcanyouwantthatIcandoforyou？’
’Willyoudoit，——ifitbereasonable？’
’IfIthinkitreasonable，Icertainlywilldoit。’
Thenhermannerchangedaltogether，andshebecameseriousandalmostsolemn。’If，asIsuppose，allthegreatplacesaboutherMajestybechanged，IshouldliketobeMistressoftheRobes。’
’You！’saidhe，almoststartledoutofhisusualquietdemeanour。
’Whynot？Isnotmyrankhighenough？’
’Youburdenyourselfwiththeintricaciesandsubserviences，withthetediumandpompositiesoftheCourtlife！Cora，youdonotknowwhatyouaretalkingabout，orwhatyouareproposingforyourself。’
’IfIamwillingtotrytoundertakeaduty，whyshouldIbedebarredfromitanymorethanyou？’
’BecauseIhaveputmyselfintoagroove，andgroundmyselfintoamould，andclippedandparedandpinchedmyselfallround，——
veryineffectually，asIfear，——tofitmyselfforthisthing。
Youhavelivedasfreeasair。Youhavedisdained，——andthoughImayhavegrumbledIhavestillbeenproudtoseeyoudisdain，——
towrapyourselfintheswaddlingbandagesofCourtlife。YouhaveridiculedallthosewhohavebeennearherMajestyasCourtladies。’
’Theindividuals，Plantagenet，perhaps，butnottheoffice。Iamgettingoldernow，andIdonotseewhyIshouldnotbeginanewlife。’Shehadbeensomewhatquelledbytheunexpectedenergy，andwasatthemomenthardlyabletoanswerhimwithherusualspirit。
’Donotthinkofit，mydear。Youaskedwhetheryourrankwashighenough。Itmustbeso，asthereis，asithappens，nonehigher。Butyourposition，shoulditcometopassthatyourhusbandistheheadofGovernment，willbetoohigh。ImaysaythatinnoconditionshouldIwishtomywifetobesubjecttootherrestraintthanthatwhichiscommontoallmarriedwomen。
Ishouldnotchoosethatsheshouldhaveanydutiesunconnectedwithourjointfamilyandhome。ButasFirstMinisteroftheCrownIwouldaltogetherobjecttoherholdinganofficebelievedtobeatmydisposal。’Shelookedathimwithherlargeeyeswideopen，andthenlefthimwithoutaword。Shehadnootherwayofshowingherdispleasure，forsheknewthatwhenhespokeashehadspokennowallargumentwasunavailing。
TheDukeremainedanhouralonebeforehewasjoinedbytheotherDuke，duringwhichhedidnotforamomentapplyhismindtothesubjectwhichmightbethoughttobemostprominentinhisthoughts，——thefillingup，namely，ofalistofhisnewgovernment。Allthathecoulddointhatdirectionwithoutfurtherassistancehadbeenalreadydoneveryeasily。Therewerefourorfivecertainnames，——namesthatisofcertainpoliticalfriends，andthreeorfouralmostequallycertainofmenwhohadbeenpoliticalenemies，butwhowouldnotclearlybeaskedtojointheministry。SirGregoryGrogram，thelateAttorney-
General，wouldofcoursebeaskedtoresumedhisplace，butSirTimothyBeeswax，whowasuptothismomentSolicitor-GeneralfortheConservatives，wouldalsobeinvitedtoretainthatwhichheheld。Manydetailswereknown，notonlytothetwodukeswhowereabouttopatchuptheministrybetweenthem，buttothepoliticalworldatlarge，——andwherefactsuponwhichthenewspaperswereabletodisplaytheirwonderfulforesightandgeneralomniscience，withtheirusualconfidence。Andastothepointswhichwereindoubt，——whetherornot，forinstance，thatconsistentoldTory，SirOrlandoDrought，shouldbeaskedtoputupwiththePost-officeorshouldbeallowedtoremainattheColonies，——theyoungerDukedidnotcaretotroublehimselftilltheeldershouldhavecometohisassistance。Buthisownpositionandhisquestionablecapacityforfillingit，——thatoccupiedallhismind。Ifnominallyfirsthewouldbereallyfirst。Ofsomuchitseemedtohimthathishonourrequiredhimtoassurehimself。Tobeafaneantrulerwasindirectantagonismbothtohisconscienceandtohispredilections。Tocallhimselfbyagreatnamebeforetheworld，andthentobesomethinginfinitelylessthanthatname，wouldbetohimadegradation。Butthoughhefeltfixedastothat，hewasbynomeansassuredastothatotherpoint，whichtomostmenfirmintheirresolvesashewas，andbackedupashehadbeenbytheconfidenceofothers，wouldbecauseofsmallhesitation。Hediddoubthisabilitytofillthatplacewhichitwouldnowbehisdutytooccupy。Hemorethandoubted。Hetoldhimselfagainandagainthattherewaswantingtohimacertainnoblecapacityforcommandingsupportandhomagefromothermen。Withthingsandfactshecoulddeal，buthumanbeingshadnotopenedthemselvestohim。Butnowitwastoolate！Andyet，——ashesaidtohiswife，——tofailwouldbreakhisheart！Noambitionhadpromptedhim。Hewassureofhimselfthere。Oneonlyconsiderationhadforcedhimintothisgreatdanger，andthathadbeentheassuranceofothersthatitwashismanifestdutytoencounterit。Andhowtherewasclearlynoescape，——noescapecompatiblewiththatclean-handedtruthfromwhichitwasnotpossibleforhimtoswerve。HemightcreatedifficultiesinorderthatthroughthemawaymightstillbeopenedtohimofrestoringtotheQueenthecommissionwhichhadbeenentrustedtohim。Hemightinsistonthisorthatimpossibleconcession。Butthememoryofescapesuchasthatwouldbreakhisheartassurelyasthefailure。
WhentheDukewasannounced，herosetogreethisoldfriendalmostwithfervour。’Itisashame，’hesaid，’tobringyououtsolate。Ioughttohavegonetoyou。’
’Notatall。Itisalwaystheruleinthesecasesthatthemanwhohasmosttodoshouldfixhimselfaswellashecanwhereothersmaybeabletofindhim。’TheDukeofStBungaywasanoldmanbetweenseventyandeighty，withhairnearlywhite，andwhoonenteringtheroomhadtounfoldhimselfoutofvariouscoatsandcomforters。Buthewasinfullpossessionnotonlyofhisintellectsbutofhisbodilypower，showing，asmanypoliticiansdoshow，thatthecaresofthenationmaysituponaman’sshouldersformanyyearswithoutbreakingorevenbendingthem。FortheDukehadbelongedtoministriesnearlyforthelasthalfcentury。Asthechronicleshavealsodealtwithhim，nofurtherrecordsofhispastlikeshallnowbegiven。
HehadsaidsomethingabouttheQueen，expressinggraciouswishesforthecomfortofherMajestyinallthesematters，somethingoftheinconvenienceofthesepoliticaljourneystoandfro，somethingalsoofthedelicacyanddifficultyoftheoperationsonhandwhichwereenhancedbythenecessityofbringingtogetherascordialallieswhohadhithertoactedwithbitteranimosityonetoanother，beforetheyoungerDukesaidaword。’Wemayaswell，’saidtheelder，’makeoutsomesmallprovisionallist，andyoucanaskthoseyounametobewithyouearlytomorrow。Butperhapsyouhavealreadymadealist。’
’Noindeed。Ihavenotevenhadapencilinmyhand。’
’Wemayaswellbeginthen，’saidtheelderfacingthetablewhenhesawthathisless-experiencedcompanionmadenoattemptatbeginning。
’Thereissomethinghorribletomeintheideaofwritingdownmen’snamesforsuchaworkasthis，justasboysatschoolusedtodrawouttheelevensforacricketmatch。’Theoldstagerturnedroundandstaredattheyoungerpolitician。’Thethingitselfissomomentousthatoneoughttohaveaidfromheaven。’
PlantagenetPalliserwasthelastmanfromwhomtheDukeofStBungaywouldhaveexpectedromanceatanytime，and，leastofall，atsuchatimeasthis。’Aidfromheavenyoumayhave，’hesaid，’bysayingyourprayers。andIdon’tdoubtyouaskforthisandallotherthingsgenerally。Butanangelwon’tcometotellyouwhooughttobeChancelloroftheExchequer。’
’Noangelwill，andthereforeIwishIcouldwashmyhandsofit。’Hisoldfriendstaredathim。’Itislikesacrilegetome，attemptingthiswithoutfeelingone’sownfitnessforthework。
Itunmansme，——thisnecessityofdoingthatwhichIknowI
cannotdowithfittingjudgement。’
’Youmindhasbeenalittletoohardatworkto-day。’
’Ithasn’tbeenatworkatall。I’vehadnothingtodo，andhavebeenunablereallytothinkofwork。ButIfeelthatchancecircumstanceshaveputmeintoapositionforwhichIamunfit，andwhichyetIhavebeenunabletoavoid。Howmuchbetterwoulditbethatyoushoulddothisalone，——youyourself。’
’Utterlyoutofthequestion。IdoknowandthinkthatIalwayshaveknownmyownpowers。Neitherhasmyaptitudeindebatenormycapacityforworkjustifiedmeinlookingtothepremiership。
Butthat，forgiveme，isnownotworthyofconsideration。Itisbecauseyoudoworkandcanwork，andbecauseyouhavefittedyourselfforthatcontinuedcourseoflucidexplanationwhichwenowcalldebate，thatmenonbothsideshavecalleduponyouasthebestmantocomeforwardinthisdifficulty。Excuseme，myfriend，again，ifIsaythatIexpecttofindyourmanlinessequaltoyourcapacity。’
’IfIcouldonlyescapefromit！’
’Psha——nonsense！’saidtheDuke，gettingup。’Thereissuchathingasconsciencewithsofineanedgethatitwillallowamantodonothing。You’vegottoserveyourcountry。OnsuchassistanceasIcangiveyouyouknowthatyoumaydependwithabsoluteassurance。Nowletusgettowork。IsupposeyouwouldwishthatIshouldtakethechairattheCouncil。’
’Certainly——ofcourse，’saidtheDukeofOmnium，turningtothetable。Theoncepracticalsuggestionhadfixedhim，andfromthatmomenthegavehimselftotheworkinhandwithallhisenergies。Itwasnotverydifficult，nordidittakethemaverylongtime。IfthefuturePrimeMinisterhadnothisnamesathisfingers’ends，thefuturePresidentoftheCouncilhadthem。
EightmenweresoonnamedwhomitwasthoughtwellthattheDukeofOmniumshouldconsultearlyinthemorningastotheirwillingnesstofillcertainplaces。
’Eachoneofthemmayhavesomeotheroneorsometwowhomhemayinsistonbringingwithhim，’saidtheelderDuke。’andthoughofcourseyoucannotyieldtothepressureineverysuchcase，itwillbewisetoallowyourselfscopeforsomeamountofconcession。You’llfindthey’llshakedownaftertheusualamountofresistanceandcompliance。No——don’tleaveyourhouseto-morrowtoseeanybodyunlessitbeMrDaubneyorHerMajesty。I’llcometoyouattwo，andifherGracewillgivemeluncheon，I’lllunchwithher。Goodnight，anddon’tthinktoomuchofthebignessofthething。IrememberdearoldLordBrocktellingmehowmuchmoredifficultitwastofindagoodcoachmanthanagoodSecretaryofState。’
TheDukeofOmnium，ashesatthinkingofthingsforthenexthourinhischair，succeededinprovingtohimselfthatLordBrockneveroughttohavebeenPrimeMinisterofEnglandafterhavingventuredtomakesopoorajokeonsosolemnasubject。