I think it would be
unconstitutional. If you set yourself to work in that way, and cared
not what you spent, you might materially influence the elections, and
buy parliamentary support for yourself."

"But in this case the payment was made after the man had failed, and
certainly had not been promised either by me or by any one on my
behalf."

"I think it was unfortunate," said Mr. Monk.

"Certainly, certainly; but I am not asking as to that," said the Duke
impatiently. "The man had been injured by indiscreet persons acting
on my behalf and in opposition to my wishes." He said not a word
about the Duchess; but Mr. Monk no doubt knew that her Grace had
been at any rate one of the indiscreet persons. "He applied to
me for the money, alleging that he had been injured by my agents.
That being so,--presuming that my story be correct,--did I act
unconstitutionally?"

"I think not," said Mr. Monk, "and I think that the circumstances,
when explained, will bear you harmless."

"Thank you; thank you. I did not want to trouble you about that just
at present."

CHAPTER LVII

The Explanation

Mr. Monk had been altogether unable to decipher the Duke's purpose in
the question he had asked. About an hour afterwards they walked down
to the Houses together, Mr. Monk having been kept at his office. "I
hope I was not a little short with you just now," said the Duke.

"I did not find it out," said Mr. Monk, smiling.

"You read what was in the papers, and you may imagine that it is of a
nature to irritate a man. I knew that no one could answer my question
so correctly as you, and therefore I was a little eager to keep
directly to the question. It occurred to me afterwards that I had
been--perhaps uncourteous."

"Not at all, Duke."

"If I was, your goodness will excuse an irritated man. If a question
were asked about this in the House of Commons, who would be the best
man to answer it? Would you do it?"

Mr. Monk considered awhile. "I think," he said, "that Mr. Finn would
do it with a better grace. Of course I will do it if you wish it. But
he has tact in such matters, and it is known that his wife is much
regarded by her Grace."

"I will not have the Duchess's name mentioned," said the Duke,
turning short upon his companion.

"I did not allude to that, but I thought that the intimacy which
existed might make it pleasant to you to employ Mr. Finn as the
exponent of your wishes."

"I have the greatest confidence