listen to
you, they will cheer you, but they will never follow you. The dove
and the eagle will not mate; the lion and the lamb will not lie down
together; and the conquerors will never rescue the conquered."

Egremont shook his head. "You still will cherish these phantoms, dear
Sybil! and why? They are not visions of delight. Believe me they are as
vain as they are distressing. The mind of England is the mind ever of
the rising race. Trust me it is with the People. And not the less
so, because this feeling is one of which even in a great degree it is
unconscious. Those opinions which you have been educated to dread and
mistrust are opinions that are dying away. Predominant opinions are
generally the opinions of the generation that is vanishing. Let an
accident, which speculation could not foresee, the balanced state at
this moment of parliamentary parties cease, and in a few years, more or
less, cease it must, and you will witness a development of the new mind
of England, which will make up by its rapid progress for its retarded
action. I live among these men; I know their inmost souls; I watch their
instincts and their impulses; I know the principles which they have
imbibed, and I know, however hindered by circumstances for the moment,
those principles must bear their fruit. It will be a produce hostile to
the oligarchical system. The future principle of English politics will
not be a levelling principle; not a principle adverse to privileges, but
favourable to their extension. It will seek to ensure equality, not by
levelling the Few but by elevating the Many."

Indulging for some little time in the mutual reflections, which the tone
of the conversation suggested, Sybil at length rose, and saying that
she hoped by this time her father might have returned, bade farewell to
Egremont, but he also rising would for a time accompany her. At the gate
of the gardens however she paused, and said with a soft sad smile, "Here
we must part," and extended to him her hand.

"Heaven will guard over you!" said Egremont, "for you are a celestial
charge."

Book 5 Chapter 3

As Sybil approached her home, she recognized her father in the court
before their house, accompanied by several men, with whom he seemed on
the point of going forth. She was so anxious to speak to Gerard, that
she did not hesitate at once to advance. There was a stir as she entered
the gate; the men ceased talking, some stood aloof, all welcomed
he