CHAPTER71
THELADIESATLONGBARNSDOUBT。
ItcameatlasttobedecidedamongthemthatwhenoldMrWhartonreturnedtotown，——andhehadnowbeenatWhartonlongerthanhehadeverbeenknowntoremaintherebefore，——EmilyshouldstillremaininHertfordshire，andthatatsomeperiodnotthenfixedsheshouldgoforamonthtoLongbarns。Therewerevariousreasonswhichinducedhertoconsenttothischangeofplans。Inthefirstplaceshefoundherselftobeinfinitelymorecomfortableinthecountrythaninthetown。Shecouldgooutandmoveaboutandbestirherself，whereasinManchesterSquareshecouldonlysitathome。Herfatherhadassuredherthathethoughtthatitwouldbebetterthatsheshouldbeawayfromthereminiscencesofthehouseintown。AndthenwhenthefirstweekofFebruarywaspastArthurwouldbeupintown，andshewouldbefarawayfromhimatLongbarns，whereasinLondonshewouldbeclosewithinhisreach。Manylittleschemeswerelaidandstrugglesmadebothbyherselfandtheothersbeforeatlasttheirplansweresettled。MrWhartonwastoreturntoLondoninthemiddleofJanuary。ItwasquiteimpossiblethathecouldremainlongerawayeitherfromStoneBuildingsorfromtheEldon，andthenatthesametime，oradayortwofollowing，MrsFletcherwastogobacktoLongbarns。JohnFletcherandhiswifeandchildrenwerealreadygone——andArthuralsohadbeenatLongbarns。ThetwobrothersandEveretthadbeenbackwardsandforwards。EmilywasanxioustoremainatWhartonatanyratetillParliamentshouldhavemet，sothatshemightnotbeathomewithArthurinhisownhouse。Butmatterswouldnotarrangethemselvesexactlyasshewished。ItwasatlastsettledthatsheshouldgotoLongbarnswithMaryWhartonunderthechargeofJohnFletcherinthefirstweekinFebruary。AsarrangementswerealreadyinprogressforthepurchaseofBarntonSpinnies，SirAluredcouldnotpossiblyleavehisownhouse。NottohavewalkedthroughthewoodonthefirstdayitbecamepartoftheWhartonpropertywouldtohimhavebeentreasontotheestate。
Hisexperienceoughttohavetoldhimthattherewasnochanceofalawyerandacollegedealingtogetherwithsuchrapidity。butinthepresentstateofthingshecouldnotbeartoabsenthimself。Ordershadalreadybeengivenforthecuttingdownofcertaintreeswhichcouldnothavebeentouchedhadthereprobatelived，anditwasindispensablethatifatreefellatWhartonheshouldseethefall。ItthuscametopassthattherewasaweekduringwhichEmilywouldbeforcedtoliveundertheroofoftheFletcherstogetherwithArthurFletcher。
TheweekcameandshewasabsolutelyreceivedbyArthuratthedoorofLongbarns。ShehadnotbeenatthehousesinceithadfirstbeenintimatedtotheFletchersthatshewasdisposedtoreceivewithfavourtheaddressesofFerdinandLopez。Assherememberedthisitseemedtohertobeanageagosincethatmanhadinducedhertobelievethatofallthemenshehadevermethewasthenearesttoahero。Sheneverspokeofhimnow，butofcourseherthoughtsofhimwereneverending，——asalsoofherselfinthatshehadallowedherselftobesodeceived。Shewouldrecalltohermindwithbitterinwardsobbingsallthoselessonsofiniquitywhichhehadstriventoteachher，andwhichhadfirstopenedhereyestohistruecharacter——howsedulouslyhehadendeavouredtopersuadeherthatitwasherdutytorobherfatheronhisbehalf，howcontinuallyhehadendeavouredtomakeherthinkthatappearanceintheworldwaseverything，andthat，beingintruthpooradventurers，itbehovedthemtocheattheworldintothinkingthemrichandrespectable。Everyhintthathadbeensogivenhadbeenawoundtoher，andthosewoundswereallnowremembered。Thoughsincehisdeathshehadneverallowedawordtobespokeninherpresenceagainsthim，shecouldnotbuthatehismemory。Howgloriouswasthatothermaninhereyes，ashestoodthereatthedoorwelcominghertoLongbarns，fair-haired，open-eyed，withbronzedbrowandcheek，andsurlythehonestestfacethatalovingwomaneverlovedtogazeon。Duringthevariouslessonsshehadlearnedinhermarriedlife，shehadbecomegraduallybutsurelyawarethatthefaceofthatothermanhadbeendishonest。Shehadlearnedthefalsemeaningofeveryglanceofhiseyes，thesubtletyofhismouth，thecounterfeitmanoeuvresofhisbody，——thedeceitevenofhisdress。Hehadbeenallaliefromheadtofoot，andhehadthrownherloveasideasuselesswhenshealsowouldnotbealiar。Andherewasthisman，——spotlessinherestimation，compoundedofallgoodqualities，whichshecouldnowseeandtakeattheirpropervalue。Shehatedherselfforthesimplicitywithwhichshehadbeencheatedbysoftwordsandafalsedemeanourintosogreatasacrifice。
LifeatLongbarnswasveryquietduringthedayswhichshepassedtherebeforesheleftthem。Shewasfrequentlyalonewithhim，buthe，ifhestilllovedher，didnotspeakofhislove。Heexplaineditallonedaytohismother。’Ifitistobe，’saidtheoldlady，’Idon’tseetheuseofmoredelay。OfcoursethemarriageoughtnottobetillMarchtwelvemonths。Butifitisunderstoodthatitistobe，shemightalterherdressbydegrees，——andalterhermannerofliving。Thesethingsshouldalwaysbedonebydegrees。Ithinkithadbetterbesettled，Arthur，ifitistobesettled。’
’Iamafraid，mother。’
’Dearme！Ididn’tthinkyouwerethemanevertobeafraidofawoman。Whatcanshesaytoyou？’
’Refuseme。’
’Thenyouhadbetterknowatonce。ButIdon’tthinkshe’llbefoolenoughforthat。’
’Perhapsyouhardlyunderstandher，mother。’
MrsFletchershookherheadwithalookofconsiderableannoyance。’Perhapsnot。But，totellyouthetruth，Idon’tlikeyoungwomenwhomIcan’tunderstand。Youngwomenshouldn’tbemysterious。IlikepeopleofwhomIcangiveaprettygoodguesswhatthey’lldo。I’msureInevercouldhaveguessedthatshewouldhavemarriedthatman。’
’Ifyouloveme，mother，donotletthatbementionedbetweenusagain。WhenIsaidthatyoudidnotunderstandher，Ididnotmeanthatshewasmysterious。Ithinkthatbeforehedied，andsincehisdeath，shelearnedofwhatsortthatmanwas。Iwillnotsaythatshehateshismemory，butshehatesherselfforwhatshehasdone。’
’Sosheought，’saidMrsFletcher。
’Shehasnotyetbroughtherselftothinkthatherlifeshouldbeanythingbutonelongperiodofmourning，notforhim，butforherownmistake。YoumaybequitesurethatIaminearnest。ItisnotbecauseIdoubtofmyselfthatIputitoff。ButIfearthatifoncesheassertstomeherresolutiontoremainassheis，shewillfeelherselfboundtokeepherword。’
’Isupposesheisverymuchthesameasotherwomen，afterall，mydear，’saidMrsFletcher，whowasalmostjealousofthepeculiarsuperiorityofsentimentwhichhersonseemedtoattributetothiswoman。
’Circumstances，mother，makepeopledifferent，’hereplied。
’Soyouaregoingwithouthavinganythingfixed，’hiselderbrothersaidtohimthedaybeforehestarted。
’Yes，oldfellow。Itseemstoberatherslack——doesn’tit？’
’Idaresayyouknowbestwhatyou’reabout。Butifyouhavesetyourmindonit-’
’Youmaytakeyouroathonthat。’
’ThenIdon’tseewhyonewordshouldn’tputitallright。Thereneverisanyplacesogoodforthatkindofthingasacountryhouse。’
’Idon’tthinkthatwithheritwillmakemuchdifferencewherethehouseis，orwhatthecircumstances。’
’SheknowswhatyoumeanaswellasIdo。’
’Idaresayshedoes，John。Shemusthaveaverybadideaofmeifshedoesn’t。ButshemayknowwhatImeanandnotmeanthesamethingherself。’
’Howareyoutoknowifyoudon’taskher？’
’YoumaybesurethatIshallaskherassoonasIcanhopethatmydoingsomaygivehermorepleasurethanpain。Remember，I
havehadallthisoutwithherfather。IhavedeterminedthatI
willwaittilltwelvemonthshavepassedsincethatwretchedmanperished。’
Onthatafternoonbeforedinnerhewasalonewithherinthelibrarysomeminutesbeforetheywentuptodressfordinner。’I
shallhardlyseeyouto-morrow，’hesaid，’asImustleavethisathalf-pasteight。Ibreakfastateight。Idon’tsupposeanyonewillbedownexceptmymother。’
’Iamgenerallyasearlyasthat。Iwillcomedownandseeyoustart。’
’Iamsogladthatyouhavebeenhere，Emily。’
’SoamI。Everybodyhasbeensogoodtome。’
’Ithasbeenlikeolddays，——almost。’
’Itwillneverquitebelikeolddaysagain，Ithink。ButIhavebeenverygladtobehere——andatWharton。IsometimesalmostwishthatIwerenevergoingbacktoLondonagain，——onlyforpapa。’
’IlikeLondonmyself。’
’You！Yes，ofcourseyoulikeLondon。Youhaveeverythinginlifebeforeyou。Youhavethingstodo，andmuchtohopefor。
Itisallbeginningforyou，Arthur。’
’Iamfiveyearsolderthanyouare。’
’Whatdoesthatmatter？Itseemstomethatagedoesnotgobyyears。ItislongsinceIhavefeltmyselftobeanoldwoman。
Butyouarequiteyoung。Everybodyisproudofyou，andyououghttobehappy。’
’Idon’tknow，’saidhe，’itishardtosaywhatmakesapersonhappy。’Healmostmadeuphismindtospeaktoherthen。buthehadmadeuphismindbeforetoputitoffstillforalittletime，andhewouldnotallowhimselftobechangedonthespurofthemoment。Hehadthoughtofitmuch，andhehadalmosttaughthimselftothinkthatitwouldbebetterforherselfthatsheshouldnotacceptanotherman’slovesosoon。’Ishallcomeandseeyouintown，’hesaid。
’Youmustcomeandseepapa。ItseemstomethatEverettistobeagreatdealatWharton。Ihadbettergouptodressnow，orIshallbekeepingthemwaiting。’Heputhishandtoher，andwishedhergood-bye，excusinghimselfbysayingthattheyshouldnotbealonetogetherbeforehestarted。
Shesawhimgoonthenextmorning，——andthenshealmostfeltherselftobeabandoned，almostdeserted。Itwasafinecrispwinterday，dryandfresh，andclear，butwiththefroststillontheground。Afterbreakfastshewentouttowalkbyherselfinthelongshrubberypathswhichwentroundthehouse，andheresheremainedforaboveanhour。Shetoldherselfthatshewasverythankfultohimfornothavingspokentoheronasubjectsounfitforherearsaslove。Shestrengthenedherselfinherdeterminationneveragaintolistentoamanwillinglyonthatsubject。Shehadmadeherselfquiteunfittohaveanydealingsofthatnature。Itwasnotthatshecouldnotlove。Ohno！Sheknewwellenoughthatshedidlove，——lovewillallherheart。Ifitwerenotthatsheweresotorntoragsthatshewasnotfittobewornagain，shecouldnowhavethrownherselfintohisarmswithawholeheavenofjoybeforeher。Awoman，shetoldherself，hadnorighttoasecondchanceinlife，afterhavingmadeashipwreckofherselfinthefirst。ButthedangerofbeingseducedfromherjudgementbyArthurFletcherwasallover。Hehadbeennearherforthelastweekandhadnotspokenaword。
Hehadbeeninthesamehousewithherforthelasttendaysandhadbeenwithherasabrothermightbewithhissister。Itwasnotonlyshewhohadseentheproprietyofthis。Healsohadacknowledgedit，andshewas——gratefultohim。Assheendeavouredinhersolitudetoexpresshergratitudeinspokenwordsthetearsrolleddownhercheeks。Shewasglad，shetoldherself，verygladthatitwasso。Howmuchtroubleandpaintobothofthemwouldthusbespared！Andyethertearswerebittertears。Itwasbetterasitwas——andyetonewordoflovewouldhavebeenverysweet。Shealmostthoughtthatshewouldhavelikedtotellhimthatforhissake，forhisdearsake，shewouldrefuse——thatwhichnowwouldneverbeofferedtoher。Shewasquiteclearastotherectitudeofherownjudgement，clearasever。Andyetherheartwasheavywithdisappointment。
ItwastheendofMarchbeforesheleftHertfordshireforLondon，havingspentthegreaterpartofthetimeatLongbarns。Theladiesatthatplaceweremovedbymanydoubtsastowhatwouldbetheendofallthis。MrsFletchertheelderatlastalmosttaughtherselftobelievethattherewouldbenomarriage，andhavinggotbacktothatbelief，wasagainopposedtotheideaofmarriage。AnythingandeverythingthatArthurwantedheoughttohave。Theoldladyfeltnodoubtastothat。Whenconvincedthathedidnotwanttohavethewidow，——thiswomanwhoselifehadhithertobeensounfortunate，——shehadforhissaketakenthewomanagainbythehand，andhadassistedinmakingheroneofthemselves。ButhowmuchbetteritwoulditbethatArthurshouldthinkbetterofit！Itwasthemaddestconstancy，——thisclingingtothewidowofsuchamanasFerdinandLopez！Iftherewereanydoubt，thenshewouldbepreparedtodoallshecouldtopreventthemarriage。Emilyhadbeenforgiven，andthepardonbestowedmustofcoursebecontinued。ButshemightbepardonedwithoutbeingmadeMrsArthurFletcher。WhileEmilywasstillatLongbarnstheoldladyalmosttalkedoverherdaughter-in-lawtothiswayofthinking，——tillJohnFletcherputhisfootuponitaltogether。’Idon’tpretendtosaywhatshemaydo，’hesaid。
Oh，John，’saidhismother，’tohearamanlikeyoutalklikethatisabsurd。She’djumpathimifhelookedatherwithhalfaneye。’
’Whatshemaydo，’hecontinuedsaying，withoutappearingtolistentohismother，’Icannotsay。ButthathewillaskhertobehiswifeisascertainasIstandhere。’
CHAPTER72
’HETHINKSTHATOURDAYSARENUMBERED。’
AllthedetailsofthenewCountySuffrageBillweresettledatMatchingduringtherecessbetweenMrMond，PhineasFinn，andaveryexperiencedmanfromtheTreasury，oneMrPrime，whowassupposedtoknowmoreaboutsuchthingsthananymanliving，andwasconsequentlycalledConstitutionCharlie。Hewasanelderlyman，oversixtyyearsofage，whorememberedtheReformBill，andhadbeenengagedinthedoctoringofconstituencieseversince。
Thebill，ifpassed，wouldbemainlyhisbill，andyettheworldwouldneverhearhisnameconnectedwithit。LetushopethathewascomfortableatMatching，andthathefoundhisconsolationinthesmilesoftheDuchess。DuringthistimetheoldDukewasaway，andeventhePrimeMinisterwasabsentforsomedays。Hewouldfainhavebusiedhimselfaboutthebillhimself，butwashardlyallowedbyhiscolleaguestohaveanyhandinframingit。
ThegreatpointsofthemeasurehadofcoursebeenarrangedintheCabinet，——where，however，MrMonk’sviewshadbeenadoptedalmostwithoutachange。ItmaynotperhapsbetoomuchtoassumethatoneortwomembersoftheCabinetdidnotquiteunderstandthefullscopeofeverysuggestedclause。Theeffectswhichcauseswillproduce，thedangerswhichmaybeexpectedfromthisorthatchange，themannerinwhichthisorthatpropositionwillcomeoutinthewashing，donotstrikeevenCabinetMinistersataglance。Alittlestudyinaman’sowncabinet，afterperhapsreadingafewleadingarticles，andperhapsashortconversationwithanastutefriendortwo，willenableastatesmantobestrongatagiventimefor，orever，ifnecessary，againstameasure，whohaslistenedinsilence，andhasperhapsgivenhispersonalassent，totheoriginalsuggestion。IdoubtwhetherLordDrummond，whenhesatsilentintheCabinet，hadrealizedthosefearswhichweigheduponhimsostronglyafterwards，orhadthenforeseenthattheadoptionofanearlysimilarfranchiseforthecountiesandboroughsmustinevitablyleadtotheAmericansystemofnumericalrepresentation。Butwhentimehadbeengivenhim，andheandSirTimothyBeeswaxhadtalkeditallover，themindofnomanwaseverclearerthanthatofLordDrummond。
ThePrimeMinister，withthediligencewhichbelongedtohim，hadmasteredallthedetailsofMrMonk’sbillbeforeitwasdiscussedintheCabinet，andyethefoundthathisassistancewashardlyneededintheabsolutepreparation。Hadtheyallowedhimhewouldhavedoneitallhimself。Butitwasassumedthathewouldnottroublehimselfwithsuchwork，andheperceivedthathewasnotwanted。Nothingofmomentwassettledwithoutreferencetohim。Herequiredthateverythingshouldbeexplainedasitwenton，downtotheextensionofeveryboroughboundary。butheknewthathewasnotdoingithimself，andthatMrMonkandConstitutionCharliehadtheprizebetweenthem。
NordidhedareaskMrMonkwhatwouldbethefateofthebill。
Todevoteallone’stimeandmindandindustrytoameasurewhichoneknowswillfalltothegroundmustbesad。Workundersuchcircumstancesmustbeverygrievous。Butsuchisoftenthefateofstatesmen。WhetherMrMonklabouredundersuchaconvictionthePrimeMinisterdidnotknow，thoughhesawhisfriendandcolleaguealmostdaily。Intruthnoonedaredtotellhimexactlywhathethought。EventheoldDukehadbecomepartiallyreticent，andtakenhimselfofftohisownwoodsatLongRoyston。
ToPhineasFinnthePrimeMinisterwouldsometimessayaword，butwouldsayeventhattimidly。Onanyabstractquestion，suchasthatwhichhehaddiscussedwhentheyhadbeenwalkingtogether，hecouldtalkfreelyenough。Butonthematteroftheday，thoseaffairswhichwereofinfiniteimportancetohimself，andonwhichonewouldsupposehewouldtakedelightinspeakingtoatrustedcolleague，hecouldnotbringhimselftobeopen。
’Itmustbealongbill，Isuppose？’
’I’mafraidso，Duke。Itwillrun，Ifear，tooverahundredclauses。’
’ItwilltakethebestpartoftheSessiontogetthroughit？’
’IfwecanhavethesecondreadingearlyinMarch，wehopetosendituptoyouinthefirstweekinJune。Thatwillgiveusampletime。’
’Yes——yes。Isupposeso。’ButhedidnotdaretoaskPhineasFinnwhetherhethoughtthattheHouseofCommonswouldassenttothesecondreading。ItwasknownatthistimethatthePrimeMinisterwaspainfullyanxioustothefateoftheMinistry。ItseemedtobebuttheotherdaythateverybodyconnectedwiththeGovernmentwaslivinginfearlestheshouldresign。HisthreatsinthatdirectionhadalwaysbeenmadetohisoldfriendtheDukeofStBungay。butagreatmancannotwhisperhisthoughtswithouthavingthemcarriedintheair。InalltheclubsithadbeendeclaredthatthatwastherockbywhichtheCoalitionwouldprobablybewrecked。Thenewspapershadrepeatedthestory，andthePeople’sBannerhadassuredtheworldthatifitweresotheDukeofOmniumwouldthusdoforhiscountrytheonlygoodservicewhichitwaspossiblethatheshouldrenderit。ThatwasthetimewhenSirOrlandowasmutinousandwhenLopezhaddestroyedhimself。ButnownosuchthreatcamefromtheDuke，andthePeople’sBannerwasalreadyaccusinghimofclingingtopowerwithpertinaciousandunconstitutionaltenacity。HadnotSirOrlandodesertedhim？WasitnotwellknownthatLordDrummondandSirTimothyBeeswaxwereonlyrestrainedfromdoingsobyamistakenloyalty？
Everybodycameuptotown，MrMonkhavinghisbillinhispocket，andtheQueen’sspeechwasread，promisingtheCountySuffrageBill。Theaddresswasvotedwithaveryfewwordsfromeitherside。Thebattlewasnottobefoughtthen。Indeed，thestateofthingswassoabnormalthattherecouldhardlybesaidtobeanysidesintheHouse。Astrangerinthegallery，notknowingtheconditionofaffairs，wouldhavethoughtthatnoministerhadformanyyearscommandedsolargeamajority，asthecrowdofmemberswasalwaysontheGovernmentsideoftheHouse。buttheoppositionwhichMrMonkexpectedwould，heknew，comefromthosewhosataroundhim，behindhim，andevenathisveryelbow。
AboutaweekafterParliamentmetthebillwasreadforthefirsttime，andthesecondreadingwasappointedforanearlydayinMarch。
TheDukehadsuggestedtoMrMonktheexpedienceofsomefurtherdelay，givinghisreasonthenecessityofgettingthroughcertainroutinework，shouldtherejectionofthebillcreatetheconfusionofaresignation。NoonewhoknewtheDukecouldeversuspecthimofgivingafalsereason。ButitseemedthatinthisthePrimeMinisterwasallowinghimselftobeharassedbyfearsofthefuture。MrMonkthoughtthatanydelaywouldbeinjuriousandopentosuspicionafterwhathadbeensaidanddone，andwasurgentinhisarguments。TheDukegaveway，buthedidsoalmostsullenly，signifyinghisacquiescencewithhaughtysilence。’I
amsorry，’saidMrMonk，’todifferfromyourGrace，butmyopinioninthematterissostrongthatIdonotdaretoabstainfromexpressingit。’TheDukebowedagainandsmiled。Hehadintendedthatthesmileshouldbeacquiescent，butithadbeenascoldassteel。Heknewthathewasmisbehaving，butwasnotsufficientlymasterofhisownmannertobegracious。Hetoldhimselfonthespot，——thoughhewasquitewronginsotellinghimself，——thathehadnowmadeanenemyalsoofMrMonk，andthroughMrMonkofPhineasFinn。Andnowhefeltthathehadnofriendleftinwhomhecouldtrust，——fortheoldDukehadbecomecoldandindifferent。TheoldDuke，hethought，wastiredofhisworkandanxioustorest。ItwastheoldDukewhohadbroughthimintothishornet’snest。hadfixeduponhisbacktheunwillingload。hadcompelledhimtoassumetheplacewhichnowtolosewouldbeadisgrace，——andtheoldDukewasnowdesertinghim！
Hewassoreallover，angrywitheveryone，ungraciousevenwithhisprivateSecretaryandhiswife，——andespeciallymiserablebecausehewasthoroughlyawareofhisownfaults。Andyet，throughitall，therewaspresenttohimadesiretofightontotheverylast。Lethiscolleaguesdowhattheymight，andsaywhattheymight，hewouldremainPrimeMinisterofEnglandaslongashewassupportedbyamajorityintheHouseofCommons。
’Idonotknowanygreatershipthanthis，’Phineassaidtohimpleasantlyoneday，speakingoftheirnewmeasure，’towardsthatmillenniumofwhichweweretalkingatMatching，ifwecanonlyaccomplishit。’
’Thosemoralspeculations，MrFinn，’hesaid，’willhardlybeatthewearandtearofreallife。’Thewordsoftheanswer，combinedwiththemannerinwhichtheywerespoken，weresternandalmostuncivil。Phineas，atanyrate，haddonenothingtooffendhim。TheDukepaused，tryingtofindsomeexpressionbywhichhemightcorrecttheinjuryhehaddone，but，notfindingany，passedonwithoutfurtherspeech。Phineasshruggedhisshouldersandwenthisway，tellinghimselfthathehadreceivedonefurtherinjunctionnottoputhistrustinprinces。
’Weshallbebeatencertainly，’saidMrMonktoPhineasnotlongafterwards。
’Whatmakesyousosure？’
’Ismellitintheair。Iseeitinmen’sfaces。’
’Andyetit’samoderatebill。They’llhavetopasssomethingstrongerbeforelongiftheythrowitoutnow。’
’It’snotthebillthatthey’llreject，butus。Wehaveservedourturn，andweoughttogo。’
’TheHouseistiredoftheDuke？’
’TheDukeissogoodamanthatIhardlyliketoadmiteventhat，——butIfearitisso。Heisfretfulandhemakesenemies。’
’Isometimesthinkthatheisill。’
’Heisillateaseandsickatheart。Hecannothidehischagrin，andthenisdoublewretchedbecausehehasbetrayedit。
IdonotknowthatIeverrespected，and，atthesametime，pitiedamanmorethoroughly。’
’Hesnubbedmeawfullyyesterday，’saidPhineas。
’Hecannothelphimself。Hesnubsmeateverywordthathespeaks。yetIbelievethatismostanxioustobeciviltome。
Hisministryhasbeenofgreatservicetothecountry。Formyself，Ishallneverregrethavingjoinedit。ButIthinkthattohimithasbeenacontinualsorrow。’
ThesystemonwhichtheDuchesshadcommencedhercareeraswifeofthePrimeMinisterhadnowbeencompletelyabandoned。Inthefirstplace，shehadherselfbecomesowearyofitthatshehadbeenunabletocontinuetheexertion。Shehad，too，becomeinsomedegreeashamedofherfailures。ThenamesofMajorPountneyandMrLopezwerenotnowpleasanttoherears，nordidshelookbackwithsatisfactiononthecourtesiesshehadlavishedonSirOrlandoorthesmilesshehadgiventoSirTimothyBeeswax。
’I’veknownagoodmanyvulgarpeopleinmytime，’shesaidonedaytoMrsFinn，’butnoneeversovulgarasourministerialsupporters。Youdon’trememberMrBott，mydear。Hewasbeforeyourtime——oneofthearithmeticalmen，agreatfriendofPlantagenet’s。Hewasverybad，buttherehavecomeupworsesincehim。Sometimes，Ithink，Ilikealittlevulgarityforachange。but，uponmyhonour，whenwegetridofallthisitwillbeapleasuretogobacktoladiesandgentlemen。’ThistheDuchesssaidinextremebitterness。
’Itseemstomethatyouhaveprettywellgotridofallthis
already。’
’ButIhaven’tgotanybodyelseintheirplace。Ihavealmostmadeupmymindnottoaskanyoneintothehouseforthenexttwelvemonths。Iusedtothinkthatnothingwouldeverknockmeup，butnowIfeelthatI’malmostdonefor。IhardlydareopenmymouthtoPlantagenet。TheDukeofStBungayhascutme。MrMonklooksasominousasanowl。andyourhusbandhasn’tawordtosayleft。BarringtonErlehideshisfaceandpassesbywhenheseesme。MrRattlerdidtrytocomfortmetheotherdaybysayingthateverythingwasatsixesandsevens，andIreallytookitalmostasacomplimenttobespokento。Don’tyouthinkPlantagenetisill？’
’Heiscareworn。’
’Amanmaybewornbycaretilltherecomestobenothingleftofhim。Butheneverspeaksofgivingupnow。TheoldBishopofStAustelltalksofresigning，andhehasalreadymadeuphismindwhoistohavethesee。HeusedtoconsulttheDukeaboutallthesethings，butIdon’tthinkheeverconsultsanyonenow。HeneverforgavetheDukeaboutLordEarlybird。Certainly，ifamanwantstoquarrelwithallhisfriends，andtodoublethehatredofallhisenemies，hehadbetterbecomePrimeMinister。’
’Areyoureallysorrythatsuchwashisfate，LadyGlen？’
’Ah，——Isometimesaskmyselfthatquestion，butInevergetananswer。Ishouldhavethoughthimapoltroonifhehaddeclined。
Itistobethegreatestmaninthegreatestcountryintheworld。Doeversolittleandthemenwhowritehistorymustwriteaboutyou。Andnomanevertriedtobenoblerthanhetill——till——’
’Makenoexception。Ifhebecarewornandillandweary，hismannerscannotbethesameastheywere，buthispurityisthesameasever。’
’Idon’tknowthatitwouldremainso。Ibelieveinhim，Marie，morethaninanyman，——butIbelieveinnonethoroughly。Thereisadevilcreepsinuponthemwhentheirhandsarestrengthened。
IdonotknowwhatIwouldhavewished。WheneverIdowish，I
alwayswishwrong。Ah，me。whenIthinkofallthosepeopleI
haddownatGatherum，——ofthetroubleItook，andofthegloriousanticipationsinwhichIrevelled，Idofeelashamedofmyself。DoyourememberwhenIwasdeterminedthatthatwretchshouldbememberforSilverbridge？’
’Youhaven’tseenhersince，Duchess？’
’No。butImeantoseeher。Icouldn’tmakeherfirsthusbandmember，andthereforethemanwhoismemberistobehersecondhusband。ButI’malmostsickofschemes。Ohdear，IwishIknewsomethingthatwasreallypleasanttodo。IhaveneverreallyenjoyedanythingsinceIwasinlove，andIonlylikedthatbecauseitwaswicked。’
TheDuchesswaswronginsayingthattheDukeofStBungayhadcutthem。Theoldmanstillrememberedthekissandstillrememberedthepledge。Buthehadfounditverydifficulttomaintainhisoldrelationswithhisfriend。ItwashisopinionthattheCoalitionhaddoneallthatwaswantedfromit，andthatnowhadcomethetimewhentheymightretiregracefully。Itis，nodoubt，hardforaPrimeMinistertofindanexcuseforgoing。
ButiftheDukeofOmniumwouldhavebeencontenttoacknowledgethathewasnotthemantoaltertheCountySuffrage，anexcusemighthavebeenfoundthatwouldhavebeeninjurioustonoone。
MrMonkandMrGreshammighthavejoined，andthepresentPrimeMinistermighthaveresigned，explainingthathehaddoneallthathehadbeenappointedtoaccomplish。Hehad，however，yieldedatoncetoMrMonk，andnowitwastobefearedthattheHouseofCommonswouldnotacceptthebillfromhishands。Insuchastateofthings，——especiallyafterthatdisagreementaboutLordEarlybird，——itwasdifficultfortheoldDuketotenderhisadvice。HewasateveryCabinetCouncil。healwayscamewhenhispresencewasrequired。hewasinvariablygood-
humoured——butitseemedtohimthathisworkwasdone。HecouldhardlyvolunteertotellhischiefandhiscolleaguethathewouldcertainlybebeatenintheHouseofCommons，andthatthereforetherewaslittlemorenowtobedonethantoarrangethecircumstancesoftheirretirement。Nevertheless，astheperiodofthesecondreadingofthebillcameon，heresolvedthathewoulddiscussthematterwithhisfriend。Heowedittohimselftodoso，andheowedittothemanwhomhehadcertainlyplacedinhispresentposition。Onhimselfpoliticshadimposedaburdenverymuchlighterthanthatwhichtheyhadinflictedonhismoreenergeticandmuchlesspracticalcolleague。Throughhislonglifehehadeitherbeeninoffice，orinsuchapositionthatmenweresurethathewouldsoonreturntoit。Hehadtakenit，whenithadcome，willingly，andhadalwaysleftwithoutaregret。Asamancutsinandoutatawhisttable，andenjoysthegameandtherestfromthegame，sohadtheDukeofStBungaybeenwellpleasedineitherposition。Hewaspatriotic。buthispatriotismdidnotdisturbhisdigestion。Hehadbeenambitious，——butmoderatelyambitious，andhisambitionhadbeengratified。
Itneveroccurredtohimtobeunhappybecauseheorhispartywerebeatenonameasure。WhenPresidentoftheCouncil，hewoulddohisdutyandenjoyLondonlife。Wheninopposition，hecouldlingerinItalytillMayanddevotehisleisuretohistreesandhisbullocks。Hewasalwaysesteemed，alwaysself-
satisfied，andalwaysDukeofStBungay。ButwithourDukeitwasverydifferent。Patriotismwithhimwasafever，andthepublicserviceanexactingmistress。Aslongasthishadbeenallhehadstillbeenhappy。Nottrustinginhimself，hehadneveraspiredtogreatpower。Butnow，nowatlast，ambitionhadlaidholdofhim，——andthefeeling，notperhapsuncommonwithsuchmen，thatpersonaldishonourattachedtopersonalfailure。Whatwouldhisfuturelifebeifhehadsocarriedhimselfinhisgreatofficeastohaveshownhimselftobeunfittoresumeit？
Hithertoanyofficehadsufficedhiminwhichhemightbeuseful——
butnowhemusteitherbePrimeMinister，orasilent，obscure，andhumbledman！
DEARDUKE，Iwillbewithyouto-morrowmorningat11am，ifyoucangivemehalf-an-hour。
Yoursaffectionately，ST。B。
ThePrimeMinisterreceivedthisnoteoneafternoon，adayortwobeforethatappointedforthesecondreading，andmeetinghisfriendwithinanhourintheHouseofLords，confirmedtheappointment。’ShallInotrathercometoyou？’hesaid。ButtheoldDuke，wholivedinStJames’sSquare，declaredthatCarltonTerracewouldbeonhiswaytoDowningStreet，andsothematterwassettled。ExactlyateleventhetwoMinistersmet。’Idon’tliketroublingyou，’saidtheoldman，’whenIknowthatyouhavesomuchtothinkof。’
’Onthecontrary，Ihavebutlittletothinkof，——andmythoughtsmustbeverymuchengaged，indeed，whentheyshallbetoofulltoadmitofseeingyou。’
’Ofcourseweareallanxiousaboutthisbill。’ThePrimeMinistersmiled。Anxious！Yes，indeed。Hisanxietywasofsuchanaturethatitkepthimawakeallnight，andneverforamomentlefthismindfreebyday。’Andofcoursewemustbepreparedastowhatshallbedoneeitherintheeventofsuccessorfailure。’
’Youmightaswellreadthat，’saidtheother。’Itonlyreachedmethismorning，orIshouldhavetoldyouofit。’TheletterwasacommunicationfromtheSolicitor-Generalcontaininghisresignation。HehadnowstudiedtheCountySuffrageBillclosely，andregrettedtosaythathecouldnotgiveitconscientioussupport。Itwasamatterofsincerestsorrowtohimthathisrelationssopleasantshouldbebroken，buthemustresignhisplace，unless，indeed，theclausesastoredistributioncouldbewithdrawn。Ofcoursehedidnotsaythisasexpectinganysuchconcessionwouldbemadetohisopinion，butmerelyasindicatingthematteronwhichhisobjectionwassostrongastoover-ruleallotherconsiderations。Allthisheexplainedatgreatlength。
’Thepleasantnessoftherelationsmusthaveallbeenononeside，’saidtheveteran。’Heoughttohavegonealongtimesince。’
’AndLordDrummondhasalreadyasgoodassaidthatunlesswewillabandonthesameclauses，hemustopposethebillintheLords。’
’Andresign，ofcourse。’
’Hemeantthat，Ipresume。LordRamsdenhasnotspokentome。’
’Theclauseswillnotstickinhisthroat。Noroughtthey。Ifthelawyershavetheirownwayaboutthelawtheyshouldbecontented。’
’Thequestionis，whetherinthesecircumstancesweshouldpostponethesecondreading？’askedthePrimeMinister。
’Certainlynot，’saidtheotherDuke。’AstotheSolicitor-
Generalyouwillhavenodifficulty。SirTimothywasonlyplacedthereasaconcessiontohisparty。DrummondwillnodoubtcontinuetoholdhisofficetillweseewhatisdoneintheLowerHouse。Ifthesecondreadingbelostthere，——why，thenhislordshipcangowiththerestofus。’
’Rattlersaysweshallhaveamajority。HeandRobyarequiteagreedaboutit。Betweenthemtheymustknow，’saidthePrimeMinister，unintentionallypleadingforhimself。
’Theyoughttoknow，ifanymendo——butthecrisisisexceptional。Isupposeyouthinkthatifthesecondreadingislostweshouldresign？’
’Oh——certainly。’
’Or，afterthat，ifthebillismuchmutilatedinCommittee？I
don’tknowthatIshallpersonallybreakmyownheartaboutthebill。Theexistingdifferenceinthesuffragesisratherinaccordancewithmyprejudices。Butthecountrydesiresthemeasure，andIsupposewecannotconsenttoanymaterialalterationasthesemensuggest。’AshespokehelaidhishandonSirTimothy’sletter。
’MrMonkwouldnothearofit，’saidthePrimeMinister。
’Ofcoursenot。AndyouandIinthismeasuremuststicktoMrMonk。Mygreat，indeedmyonlystrongdesireinthematter，istoactinunisonwithyou。’
’Youarealwaysgoodandtrue，Duke。’
’Formyownpart，Ishallnotintheleastregrettofindinallthisanopportunityforresigning。Wehavedoneourwork，andif，asIbelieve，amajorityoftheHousewouldagainsupporteitherGreshamorMonkastheheadoftheentireLiberalparty，I
thinkthatthatarrangementwouldbeforthewelfareofthecountry。’
’Whyshoulditmakeanydifferencetoyou？WhyshouldyounotreturntotheCouncil？’
’Ishouldnotdoso——certainlynotatonce，probablynever。
Butyou，——whoareintheveryprimeofyourlife——’
ThePrimeMinisterdidnotsmilenow。Heknithisbrowsandadarkshadowcameacrosshisface。’Idon’tthinkIcoulddothat，’hesaid。’CaesarwouldhardlyhaveledalegionunderPompey。’
’Ithasbeendone，greatlytotheserviceofthecountry，andwithouttheslightestlossofhonourorcharacterinhimwhodidit。’
’Weneedhardlytalkofthat，Duke。Youthinkthenthatweshallfail——fail，ImeanintheHouseofCommons。IdonotknowthatfailureinourHouseshouldberegardedasfatal。’
’Inthreecasesweshouldfail。ThelossofanymaterialclauseinCommitteewouldbeasbadasthelossofthebill。’
’Ohyes。’
’Andthen，inspiteofMessrsRattlerandRoby，——whohavebeenwrongbeforeandmaybewrongnow，——wemaylosethesecondreading。’
’Andthethirdchanceagainstus？’
’Youwouldnotprobablytrytocarryonthebillwithaverysmallmajority。’
’Notwiththreeorfour。’
’Nor，Ithink，withsixorseven。Itwouldbeuseless。MyownbeliefisthatweshallnevercarrythebillintoCommittee。’
’Ihavealwaysknownyoutoberight，Duke。’
’Ithinkthatthegeneralopinionhassetinthatdirection，andgeneralopinionisgenerallyright。HavingcometothatconclusionIthoughtitbesttotellyou，inorderthatwemighthaveourhouseinorder。’TheDukeofOmnium，withallhishaughtinessandallhisreserve，wasthesimplestmanintheworldandtheleastapttopretendtobethatwhichhewasnot，sigheddeeplywhenheheardthis。’Formyownpart，’continuedtheelder，’Ifeelnoregretthatitshouldbeso。’
’Itisthefirstlargemeasurethatwehavetriedtocarry。’
’Wedidnotcomeintocarrylargemeasures，myfriend。LookbackandseehowmanylargemeasuresPittcarried——buthetookthecountrysafelythroughitsmostdangerouscrisis。’
’Whathavewedone？’
’CarriedontheQueen’sGovernmentprosperouslyforthreeyears。
Isthatnothingforaministertodo？Ihaveneverbeenafriendofgreatmeasures，knowingthatwhentheycomefast，oneafteranother，moreisbrokenintherattlethanisrepairedbythereform。WehavedonewhatParliamentandthecountryexpectedustodo，andtomypoorjudgementwehavedoneitwell。’
’Idonotfeelsuchself-satisfaction，Duke。Well——wemustseeitout，andifitisasyouanticipate，Ishallbeready。OfcourseIhavepreparedmyselfforit。Andif，oflate，mymindhasbeenlessturnedtoretirementthanitusedtobe，ithasbeenbecauseIhavebecomeweddedtothismeasure，andhavewisheditthatitshouldbecarriedunderourauspices。’ThentheoldDuketookhisleave，andthePrimeMinisterwasleftalonetoconsidertheannouncementthathadbeenmadetohim。
Hehadsaidthathehadpreparedhimself，but，insosaying，hehadhardlyknownhimself。Hitherto，thoughhehadbeentroubledbymanydoubts，hehadstillhoped。ThereportmadetohimbyMrRattler，backedasithadbeenbyMrRoby’sassurances，hadalmostsufficedtogivehimconfidence。ButMrRattlerandMrRobycombinedwereasnothingtotheDukeofStBungay。ThePrimeMinisterknewnow，——thathisdayswerenumbered。Theresignationofthatlingeringoldbishopwasnotcompleted，andthepersonwhomhebelievedwouldnothavethesee。Hehadmeditatedthemakingofapeerortwo，havinghithertobeencautiousinthatrespect，buthewoulddonothingofthekindifcalleduponbytheHouseofCommonstoresignwithanuncompletedmeasure。Buthisthoughtssoonranawayfromthepresenttothefuture。Whatwasnowtobecomeofhimself？Howshouldhelivehisfuturelife——hewhoasyethadnotpassedhisforty-seventhyear？HeregrettedmuchhavingmadethatapparentlypretentiousspeechaboutCaesar，thoughheknewhisoldfriendwellenoughtobesurethatitwouldneverbeusedagainsthim。Whowashethatheshouldclasshimselfamongthebigonesoftheworld？Amanmayindeedmeasuresmallthingsbygreat，butthemeasurershouldbecarefultodeclarehisownlittlenesswhenheillustrateshispositionbythatofthetoppingonesoftheearth。Butthethingsaidhadbeentrue。LetthePompeybewhohemight，he，thelittleCaesaroftheday，couldnevernowcommandanotherlegion。
HehadoncetoldPhineasFinnthatheregrettedthathehadabstainedfromtheordinaryamusementsofEnglishgentlemen。Buthehadabstainedfromtheirordinaryoccupations，——exceptsofaraspoliticsisoneofthem。Hecarednothingforoxenorforfurrows。Inregardtohisownlandhehardlyknewwhetherthefarmswerelargeorsmall。Hehadbeenascholar，andafteracertainfitfulfashionhehadmaintainedhisscholarship，buttheliteraturetowhichhehadbeenreallyattachedhadbeenthatofbluebooksandnewspapers。Whatwashetodowithhimselfwhencalledupontoresign？Andheunderstood，——orthoughtthatheunderstood，——hispositiontoowelltoexpectthatafterawhile，withtheusualinterval，hemightreturntopower。HehadbeenPrimeMinister，notastheleadingpoliticianoneitherside，notasthekingoftheparty，but，——sohetoldhimself，——asastop-
gap。Therecouldbenothingforhimnowtilltheinsipidityoflifeshouldgraduallyfadeawayintothegrave。
Afterawhilehegotupandwentofftohiswife’sapartment，theroominwhichsheusedtopreparehertriumphsandwherenowshecontemplatedherdisappointments。’IhavehadtheDukewithme，’
hesaid。
’What——atlast？’
’Idonotknowthathecouldhavedoneanygoodbycomingsooner。’
’AndwhatdoeshisGracesay？’
’Hethinksourdaysarenumbered。’
’Psha！——isthatall？Icouldhavetoldhimthateversolongago。Itwashardlynecessarythatheshoulddisturbhimselfatlasttocomeandtellussuchwell-ventilatednews。Thereisn’taporteratoneoftheclubswhodoesn’tknowit。’
’Thentherewillbethelesssurprise，——andtothosewhoareconcernedperhapsthelessmortification。’
’Didhetellyouwhowastosucceedyou？’askedtheDuchess。
’Notprecisely。’
’Heoughttohavedonethat，asIamsureheknows。Everybodyknowsexceptyou，Plantagenet。’
’Ifyouknow，youcantellme。’
’OfcourseIcan。ItisMrMonk。’
’Withallmyheart，Glencora。MrMonkisaverygoodman。’
’Iwonderwhetherhe’lldoanythingforus。Thinkhowdestituteweshallbe！WhatifIweretoaskhimforaplace！Wouldhenotgiveitus？’
’Willitmakeyouunhappy，Cora？’
’What——yourgoing？’
’Yes——thechangealtogether。’
Shelookedhiminthefaceforamomentbeforesheanswered，withapeculiarsmileinhereyestowhichhewaswellused，——asmilehalfludicrous，halfpathetic，——havinginitalsoadashofsarcasm。’Icandaretotellthetruth，’shesaid，’whichyoucan’t。Icanbehonestandstraightforward。Yes，itwillmakemeunhappy。Andyou？’
’DoyouthinkthatIcannotbehonesttoo，——atanyratetoyou？
Itdoesfretme。IdonotliketothinkthatIshallbewithoutwork。’
’Yes——Othello’soccupationwillbegone，——forawhile，forawhile。’Thenshecameuptohimandputbothherhandsonhisbreast。’Butyet，Othello，Ishallnotbeunhappy。’
’Wherewillbeyourcontentment？’
’Inyou。Itwasmakingyouill。Roughpeoplewhomthetendernessofyournaturecouldnotwellendure，troduponyou，andworriedyouwiththeirteethandwoundedyoueverywhere。I
couldhaveturnedatthemagainwithmyteeth，andgiventhemworryforworry——butyoucouldnot。Nowyouwillbesavedfromthem，andsoIshallnotbediscontented。’Allthisshesaidlookingupintohisface，stillwiththatsmilewhichwashalfpatheticandhalfludicrous。
’ThenIshallbecontentedtoo，’hesaidashekissedher。
CHAPTER73
ONLYTHEDUKEOFOMNIUM。
Thenightofthedebatearrived，butbeforethedebatewascommenced，SirTimothyBeeswaxgotuptomakeapersonalexplanation。HethoughtitrighttostatetotheHousehowitcametopassthathefoundhimselfboundtoleavetheMinistryatsoimportantacrisisinitsexistence。ThenanobservationwasmadebyanhonourablememberoftheGovernment，——presumablyinawhisper，butstillloudenoughtocatchthesharpearsofSirTimothy，whonowsatjustbelowthegangway。Itwassaidafterwardsthatthegentlemanwhomadetheobservation，——anIrishgentlemannamedFitzgibbon，conspicuousratherforhisloyaltytohispartythanhissteadiness，——hadpurposelytakentheplaceinwhichhethensat，thatSirTimothymighthearhiswhisper。Thewhispersuggestedthatfallinghouseswereoftenleftbycertainanimals。Itwascertainlyaveryloudwhisper，——
but，ifgentlemenaretobeallowedtowhisperatall，itisalmostimpossibletorestrainthevolumeofthevoice。TorestrainMrFitzgibbonhadalwaysbeenfounddifficult。SirTimothy，whodidnotlackpluck，turnedatonceuponhisassailant，anddeclaredthatwordshadbeenusedwithreferencetohimselfwhichthehonourablememberdidnotdaretogetuponhislegsandrepeat。LarryFitzgibbon，asthegentlemanwascalled，lookedhimfullintheface，butdidnotmovehishatfromhisheadorstiralimb。Itwasapleasantlittleepisodeintheevening’swork，andaffordedsatisfactiontotheHousegenerally。Thedetailsofthemeasure，assoonastheyweremadeknowntohim，appearedtohim，hesaid，tobefraughtwiththegravestandmostperniciousconsequences。HewassurethatmembersofherMajesty’sGovernment，whowerehurryingonthismeasurewithwhathethoughtwasanindecenthaste，——ministersarealwayseitherindecentinhasteortreacherousintheirdelay，——hadnotconsideredwhattheyweredoing，or，iftheyhadconsidered，wereblindastotheresults。Hethenattemptedtodiscussthedetailsofthemeasure，butwascalledtoorder。A
personalexplanationcouldnotbeallowedtogiveanopportunityofanticipatingthedebate。Hecontrived，however，beforehesatdown，tosaysomeveryheavythingsagainsthislatechief，andespeciallytocongratulatetheDukeontheservicesofthehonourablegentleman，thememberforMayo，——meaningtherebyMrLaurenceFitzgibbon。
ItwouldhaveperhapsbeenwellforeverybodyifthemeasurecouldhavebeenwithdrawnandtheMinistrycouldhaveresignedwithoutthedebate，——aseverybodywasconvincedwhatwouldbetheendofit。Letthesecondreadinggoasitmight，thebillcouldnotbecarried。TherearemeasureswhichrequirethehopefulheartinessofanewMinistry，andthethoroughgoingenergyofayoungParliament，——andthiswasoneofthem。TheHousewasasfullyagreedthatthischangewasnecessary，asiteveragreedonanysubject，——butstillthethingcouldnotbedone。EvenMrMonk，whowasthemostearnestofmen，feltthegeneralslacknessofallaroundhim。ThecommotionandexcitementwhichwouldbecausedbyachangeofMinistrymightrestoreitspropertonetotheHouse，butatitspresentconditionitwasunfitforitswork。NeverthelessMrMonkmadehisspeech，andputallhisargumentsintolucidorder。Heknewitwasfornothing，butneverthelessitmustbedone。Forhourafterhourhewenton，——foritwasnecessarytogiveeverydetailofhiscontemplatedproposition。Hewentthroughitassedulouslyasthoughhehadexpectedtosucceed，andsatdownaboutnineo’clockintheevening。ThenSirOrlandomovedtheadjournmentoftheHousetillthemorrow，givingashisreasonfordoingso，theexpedienceofconsideringthedetailshehadheard。Tothisnooppositionwasmade，andtheHousewasadjourned。
Onthefollowingdaytheclubswereallalivewithrumoursastothecomingdebate。ItwasknownthatastrongpartyhadbeenformedundertheauspicesofSirOrlando，andthatwithhimSirTimothyandotherpoliticianswereinclosecouncil。Itwasofcoursenecessarythattheyshouldimparttomanythesecretsoftheirconclave，sothatitwasknownearlyintheafternoonthatitwastheintentionoftheOppositionnottodiscussthebill，buttomovethatitbereadagainthatdaysixmonths。TheMinistryhadhardlyexpectedthis，asthebillwasundoubtedlypopularbothintheHouseandthecountry。andiftheOppositionshouldbebeateninsuchacourse，thatdefeatwouldtendgreatlytostrengthenthehandsoftheGovernment。Butifthefoeshouldsucceedincarryingapositivevetoonthesecondreading，itwouldunderallthecircumstancesbetantamounttoawantofconfidence。’I’mafraidtheyknowalmostmorethanwedoastothefeelingofmembers，’saidMrRobytoMrRattler。
’Thereisn’tamanintheHousewhosefeelinginthematterI
don’tknow，’saidRattler，’butI’mnotquitesosureoftheirprinciples。Onourownside，inouroldparty，thereareascoreofmenwhodetesttheDuke，thoughtheywouldfainbetruetotheGovernment。Theyhavevotedwithhimthroughthickandthin，andhehasnotspokenawordtothemsincehebecamePrimeMinister。Whatareyoutodowithsuchaman？Howareyoutoactwithhim？’
’Luptonwrotetohimtheotherdayaboutsomething，’answeredtheother，’Iforgetwhat，andhegotanotebackfromWarburtonascoldasice，——anabsoluteslapintheface。FancytreatingamanlikeLuptoninthatway，——oneofthemostpopularmenintheHouse，relatedtohalfthepeerage，andamanwhothinkssomuchofhimself！Ishouldn’twonderifheweretovoteagainstus——
Ishouldn’tindeed。’
’IthasallbeentheoldDuke’sdoing，’saidRattler，’andnodoubtitwasintendedforthebest。butthethinghasbeenafailurefromthebeginningtotheend。Iknewitwouldbeso。I
don’tthinktherehasbeenasinglemanwhohasunderstoodwhataMinisterialCoalitionreallymeansexceptyouandI。Fromtheverybeginningallyourmenwereaversetoitinspirit。’
’Lookhowtheyweretreated！’saidMrRoby。’WasitlikelythattheyshouldbeverystaunchwhenMrMonkbecameLeaderoftheHouse？’
TherewasaCabinetCouncilthatdaywhichlastedbutafewminutes，anditmaybeeasilypresumedthattheMinistersdecidedthattheywouldallresignatonceifSirOrlandoshouldcarryhisamendment。Itisnotunlikelythattheywereagreedtodothesameifheshouldcarryit，——leavingprobablythePrimeMinistertojudgewhatnarrowmajoritywouldconstitutenearness。Onthisoccasionthegentlemenassembledwerejocoseintheirmanner，andapparentlywellsatisfied，——asthoughtheysawbeforethemanendtoalltheirtroubles。TheSpartanboydidnotevenmakeagrimacewhenthewolfbithimbeneathhisfrock，andthesewereallSpartanboys。EventhePrimeMinister，whohadfortifiedhimselffortheoccasion，andwhoneverweptinanycompanybutthatofhiswifeandhisoldfriend，waspleasantinhismannerandalmostaffable。’Weshan’tmakethesteptowardsthemillenniumjustatpresent，’hesaidtoPhineasFinnastheylefttheroomtogether，——referringtowordswhichPhineashadspokenonaformeroccasion，andwhichthenhadnotbeenverywelltaken。
’Butweshallhavemadeasteptowardsthestep，’saidPhineas，’andgettingtoamillenniumeventhatissomething。’
’Isupposewearealltooanxious，’saidtheDuke，’toseesomegreeneffectscomefromourownlittledoings。Goodday。Weshallknowallaboutittolerablyearly。MonkseemstothinkthatitwillbeanattackontheMinistryandnotonthebill，andthatitwillbebesttogetavotewithaslittledelayaspossible。’
’I’llbetanevenfive-poundnote，’saidMrLuptonattheCarlton，’thatthepresentMinistryisoutto-morrow，andanotherthatnoonenamesfivemembersofthenextCabinet。’
’Youcanhelptowinyourfirstbet，’saidMrBeauchamp，averyoldmember，who，likemanyotherConservatives，hadsupportedtheCoalition。
’Ishallnotdothat，’saidLupton，’thoughIthinkIought。I
won’tvoteagainstthemaninhismisfortunes，though，uponmysoul，Idon’tlovehimverydearly。Ishallvoteneitherway，butIhopethatSirOrlandomaysucceed。’
’Ifhedo，whoistocomein？’saidtheother。’Isupposeyoudon’twanttoserveunderSirOrlando？’
’NorcertainlyundertheDukeofOmnium。WeshallnotwantaPrimeMinisteraslongasthereareasgoodfishintheseaashavebeencaughtoutofit。’
TherehadlatelybeenformedanewLiberalclub，establishedonabroaderbasisthantheProgress，andperhapswithagreateramountofaristocraticsupport。ThishadcomeupsincetheDukehadbeenPrimeMinister。Certainbusymenhadneverbeenquitecontentedwiththeexistingstateofthings，andhadthoughtthattheLiberalparty，withsuchassistanceastheclubcouldgiveit，wouldbestrongenoughtorulealone。ThatthegreatLiberalpartyshouldbeimpededinitsworkanditstriumphbysuchmenasSirOrlandoDroughtandSirTimothyBeeswaxwasodioustotheclub。AllthePallisershad，fromtimeimmemorial，runstraightasLiberals，andthereforetheclubhadbeenunwillingtoopposetheDukepersonally，thoughhewastheheadoftheCoalition。
AndcertainmembersoftheGovernment，PhineasFinn，forinstance，BarringtonErle，andMrRattlerwereonthecommitteeoftheclub。Buttheclub，asaclub，wasnotaversetoadiscontinuanceofthepresentstateofthings。MrGreshammightagainbecomePrimeMinister，ifhewouldcondescendsofar，onMrMonk。ItmightbepossiblethatthegreatLiberaltriumphcontemplatedbytheclubmightnotbeachievedbythepresentHouse——butthepresentHousemustgoshortly，andthen，withthatassistancefromawell-organizedclub，wouldhadlatelybeensoterriblywanting，——thelackofwhichhadmadetheCoalitionnecessary，——nodoubttheBritishconstituencieswoulddotheirduty，andaLiberalPrimeMinister，pureandsimple，mightreign，——almostforever。Withthisgreatfuturebeforeit，theclubwasverylukewarminitssupportofthepresentbill。’Ishallgodownandvoteforthemofcourse，’saidMrO’Mahony，’justforthelookofthething。’InsayingthisMrO’Mahonyexpressedthefeelingoftheclub，andthefeelingoftheLiberalpartygenerally。TherewassomethingduetotheDuke，butnotenoughtomakeitincumbentonhisfriendstomaintainhispositionasPrimeMinister。
ItwasagreatdayforSirOrlando。Athalf-pastfourtheHousewasfull，——notfromanydesiretohearSirOrlando’sargumentsagainstthebill，butbecauseitwasfeltthatagooddealofpersonalinterestwouldbeattachedtothedebate。IfonewereaskedinthesedayswhatgiftshouldaPrimeMinisteraskfirstfromthefairies，onewouldnamethepowerofattractingpersonalfriends。Eloquence，ifitbetooeasy，maybecomealmostacurse。Patriotismissuspected，andsometimessinkstopedantry。
AJove-bornintellectishardlywanted，andclasheswiththeinferiorities。Industryisexacting。Honestyisunpractical。
Truthiseasilyoffended。Dignitywillnotbend。Butthemanwhocanbeallthingstoallmen，whohaseverakindwordtospeak，apleasantjoketocrack，whocanforgiveallsins，whoiseverpreparedforfriendorfoe，butneververybittertothelatter，whoforgetsnotman’snames，andisalwaysreadywithlittlewords，——heisthemanwhowillbesupportedatacrisissuchasthisthatwasnowinthecourseofpassing。Itisforhimthatmenwillstruggle，andtalk，and，ifneedsbe，fight，asthoughtheveryexistenceofthecountrydependedonhispoliticalsecurity。Thepresentmanwouldreceivenosuchdefence，butstilltheviolentdepositionofaPrimeMinisterisalwaysamemorableoccasion。
SirOrlandomadehisspeech，and，ashadbeenanticipated，ithadverylittletodowiththebill，andwasalmostexclusivelyanattackuponhislatechief。Hethought，hesaid，thatthiswasanoccasiononwhichtheyhadbettercometoadirectissuewithaslittledelayaspossible。IfherightlyreadthefeelingoftheHouse，nobillofthismagnitudecomingfromthepresentMinistrywouldbelikelytobepassedinanefficientcondition。
TheDukehadfritteredawayhissupportinthatHouse，andasaMinisterhadlostthatconfidencewhichamajorityoftheHousehadoncebeenwillingtoplaceinhim。WeneednotfollowSirOrlandothroughhisspeech。Healludedtohisownservices，anddeclaredthathewasobligedtowithdrawthembecausetheDukewouldnottrusthimwiththemanagementofhisownoffice。HehadreasontobelievethatothergentlemenwhohadattachedthemselvestotheDuke’sMinistryhadfoundthemselvesequallycrippledbythispassionforautocraticrule。HereuponaloudchorusofdisapprobationcamefromtheTreasurybench，whichwasfullyansweredbyopposingnoisesfromtheothersideoftheHouse。SirOrlandodeclaredthatheneedonlypointtothefactthattheMinistryhadbeenalreadyshiveredbythesecessionofvariousgentlemen。’Onlytwo，’saidavoice。SirOrlandowasturningroundtocontradictthevoicewhenhewasgreetedbyanother。’Andthosetheweakest，’saidanothervoice，whichwasindubitablythatofLarryFitzgibbon。’Iwillnotspeakofmyself，’saidSirOrlandopompously，’butIamauthorizedtotelltheHousethatthenoblelordwhoisnowtheSecretaryofStatefortheColoniesonlyholdshisofficetillthiscrisisispassed。’
AfterthattherewassomesparringofaverybitterkindbetweenSirTimothyandPhineasFinn，tillatlastitseemedthatthedebatewastodegenerateintoawarofmanagainstman。PhineasandErle，andLauranceFitzgibbonallowedthemselvestobelashedintoanger，and，asfaraswordswent，hadthebestofit。Butofwhatusecoulditbe？EverymantherehadcomeintotheHousepreparedtovotefororagainsttheDukeofOmnium，——orresolved，likeMrLupton，nottovoteatall，anditwashardlyonthecardsthatasinglevoteshouldbeturnedthiswayorthatbyanyviolenceofspeaking。’Letitpass，’saidMrMonkinawhispertoPhineas。’Thefireisnotworththefuel。’
’IknowtheDuke’sfaults，’saidPhineas，’butthesemenknownothingofhisvirtues，andwhenIhearthemabusehim，Icannotstandit。’
Earlyinthenight，——beforetwelveo’clock，——theHousedivided，andevenatthatmomentofthedivisionnoonequiteknewhowitwouldgo。Therewouldbemanywhowouldofcoursevoteagainsttheamendmentasbeingsimplydesirousofrecordingtheiropinioninfavourofthebillgenerally。AndthereweresomewhothoughtthatSirOrlandoandhisfollowershadbeentooforward，andtooconfidentoftheirownstandingintheHouse，intryingsoviolentamodeofopposition。Itwouldhavebeenbetter，thesementhought，tohaveinsuredsuccessbyagradualandpersistentoppositiontothebillitself。Buttheyhardlyknewhowthoroughlymenmaybealienatedbysilenceandacolddemeanour。
SirOrlandoonthedivisionwasbeaten，butwasbeatenonlybynine。’Hecan’tgoonwiththisbill，’saidRattlerinoneofthelobbiesoftheHouse。’Idefyhim。TheHousewouldn’tstandit，youknow。’’Nominister，’saidRoby，’couldcarryameasurelikethatwithamajorityofnineonavoteofconfidence！’TheHousewasofcourseadjourned，andMrMonkwentatoncetoCarltonTerrace。
’Iwishithadonlybeenthreeorfour，’saidtheDuke，laughing。
’Whyso？’
’Becausetherewouldhavebeenlessdoubt。’
’Isthereanyatpresent？’
’Lesspossibilityfordoubt，Ishouldsay。Youwouldnotwishmetomaketheattemptwithsuchamajority？’
’Icouldnotdoit，Duke。’
’Iquiteagreewithyou。Buttherewillbethosewhowillsaythattheattemptmightbemade，——whowillaccusemeofbeingfaint-heartedbecausewedonotmakeit。’
’TheywillbemenwhounderstandnothingofthetemperoftheHouse。’
’Verylikely。Butstill，Iwishthemajorityhadonlybeentwoorthree。Thereislittlemoretobesaid，Isuppose。’
’Verylittle，yourGrace。’
’Wehadbettermeetto-morrowattwo，andifpossible，IwillseeherMajestyintheafternoon。Goodnight，MrMonk。’
’Goodnight，Duke。’
’Myreignisended。YouareagooddealandoldermanthanI，andyetprobablyyourshasyettobegin。’MrMonksmiledandshookhisheadashelefttheroom，nottrustinghimselftodiscusssolargeasubjectatsolateanhourofthenight。
Withoutwaitingamomentafterhiscolleague’sdeparture，thePrimeMinister，——forhewasstillPrimeMinister，——wentintohiswife’sroom，knowingthatshewaswaitinguptillsheshouldheartheresultofthedivision，andtherehefoundMrsFinnwithher。’Isitover？’askedtheDuchess。
’Yes——therehasbeenadivision。MrMonkhasjustbeenwithme。’
’Well！’
’Wehavebeatenthem，ofcourse，aswealwaysdo，’saidtheDuke，attemptingtobepleasant。’Youdidn’tsupposetherewasanythingtofear？Yourhusbandhasalwaysbidyoukeepupyourcourage——hashenot，MrsFinn？’
’Myhusbandhaslosthissenses，Ithink，’shesaid。’HehastakentosuchstormingandravingabouthispoliticalenemiesthatIhardlydaretoopenmymouth。’
’Tellwhathasbeendone，Plantagenet，’ejaculatedtheDuchess。
’Don’tyoubesounreasonableasMrsFinn，Cora。TheHousehasvotedagainstSirOrlando’samendmentbyamajorityofnine。’
’Onlynine！’
’AndIshallceasetobePrimeMinisterto-morrow。’
’Youdon’tmeantosaythatit’ssettled？’
’Quitesettled。Theplayhasbeenplayed，andthecurtainhasfallen，andthelightsarebeingputout，andthepoorwearyactorsmaygohometobed。’
’Butonsuchanamendmentsurelyanymajoritywouldhavedone。’
’No，mydear。Iwillnotnameanumber，butninecertainlywouldnotdo。’
’Anditisallover？’
’MyMinistryisover，ifyoumeanthat。’
’Theneverythingisoverforme。Ishallsettledowninthecountryandbuildcottages，andmixdraughts。You，Marie，willstillbegoingupthetree。IfMrFinnmanageswellhemaycometobePrimeMinistersomeday。
’Hehashardlysuchambition，LadyGlen，’
’Theambitionwillcomefastenough——willitnot，Plantagenet？
Lethimoncebegintodreamofitaspossible，andthedesirewillsoonbestrongenough。Howshouldyoufeelifitwereso？’
’Itisquiteimpossible，’saidMrsFinn，gravely。
’Idon’tseewhyanythingisimpossible。SirOrlandowillbePrimeMinisternow，andSirTimothyBeeswaxLordChancellor。
Afterthatanybodymayhopetobeanything。Well——Isupposewemaygotobed。Isyourcarriagehere，mydear？’
’Ihopeso。’
’Ringthebell，Plantagenet，forsomebodytoseeherdown。Cometolunchto-morrowbecauseIshallhavesomanygroanstoutter。
Whatbeast，whatbrutes，whatungratefulwretchesmenare！——
worsethanwomenwhentheygettogetherinnumbersenoughtobebold。Whyhavetheydesertedyou？Whathavewenotdoneforthem。ThinkofallthenewbedroomfurniturewesenttoGatherummerelytokeepthepartytogether。Therewerethousandsofyardsoflinen，andithasallbeenofnouse。Don’tyoufeellikeWolsey，Plantagenet？’
’Notintheleast，mydear。NoonewilltakeanythingawayfrommethatIown。’
’Forme，I’malmostasmuchdivorcedasCatherine，andhavehadmyheadcutoffascompletelyasAnneBullenandtherestofthem。Goaway，Marie，becauseIamgoingtohaveacrybymyself。’
TheDukehimselfonthatnightputMrsFinnintohercarriage。
andashewalkedwithherdownstairsheaskedherwhethershebelievedtheDuchesswasinearnestinhersorrow。’Shesomixesuphermirthandwoetogether，’saidtheDuke，’thatImyselfsometimescanhardlyunderstandher。’
’Ithinkshedoesregretit，Duke。’
’Shetoldmetheotherdaythatshewouldbecontented。’
’Afewweekswillmakeherso。AsforyourGrace，IhopeImaycongratulateyou。’
’Ohyes——Ithinkso。Wenoneofusliketobebeatenwhenwehavetakenathinginhand。Thereisalwaysalittledisappointmentatfirst。But，uponthewhole，itisbetterasitis。Ihopeitwillnotmakeyourhusbandunhappy。’
’Notforhisownsake。Hewillgoagainintothemiddleofthescrambleandfightononesideortheother。FormyownpartI
thinkoppositionisthepleasantest。Good-night，Duke。IamsosorrythatIshouldhavetroubledyou。’
Thenhewentalonetohisownroom，andsattherewithoutmovingforacoupleofhours。SurelyitwasagreatthingtohavebeenPrimeMinisterofEnglandforthreeyears，——aprizeofwhichnothingcouldnowrobhim。Heoughtnottobeunhappy。andyetheknewhimselftobewretchedanddisappointed。Ithadneveroccurredtohimtobeproudofbeingaduke，ortothinkofhiswealthotherwisethanachanceincidentofhislife，advantageousindeed，butbynomeansasourceofhonour。AndhehadbeenawarethathehadownedhisfirstseatinParliamenttohisbirth，andprobablyalsohisfirstintroductiontoofficiallife。
Anheirtoadukedom，ifhewillonlywork，mayalmostwithcertaintyfindhimselfreceivedintooneorotherregimentinDowningStreet。IthadnotinhisearlydaysbeenwithhimasithadwithhisfriendsMrMonkandPhineasFinn，whohadworkedtheirwayfromtheveryranks。ButevenadukecannotbecomePrimeMinisterbyfavour。Surelyhehaddonesomethingofwhichhemightbeproud。Andsohetriedtoconsolehimself。
Buttohavedonesomethingwasnothingtohim，——nothingtohispersonalhappiness，——unlesstherewasalsosomethingleftforhimtodo。Howshoulditbewithhimnow，——nowforthefuture？
Wouldmeneverlistentohimagain，orallowhimagaintoworkintheirbehoof，asheusedtodoinhishappydaysintheHouseofCommons？Hefearedthatitwasalloverforhim，andthatfortherestofhisdayshemustsimplybetheDukeofOmnium。