as to himself. Now he came to his late chief with
a new project. Mr. Gresham would attempt to form a Ministry if the
Duke of Omnium would join him.

"It is impossible," said the younger politician, folding his hands
together and throwing himself back in his chair.

"Listen to me before you answer me with such certainty. There are
three or four gentlemen who, after the work of the last three
years, bearing in mind the manner in which our defeat has just been
accomplished, feel themselves disinclined to join Mr. Gresham unless
you will do so also. I may specially name Mr. Monk and Mr. Finn. I
might perhaps add myself, were it not that I had hoped that in any
event I might at length regard myself as exempt from further service.
The old horse should be left to graze out his last days, Ne peccet ad
extremum ridendus. But you can't consider yourself absolved on that
score."

"There are other reasons."

"But the Queen's service should count before everything. Gresham and
Cantrip with their own friends can hardly make a Ministry as things
are now unless Mr. Monk will join them. I do not think that any other
Chancellor of the Exchequer is at present possible."

"I will beseech Mr. Monk not to let any feeling as to me stand in his
way. Why should it?"

"It is not only what you may think and he may think,--but what others
will think and say. The Coalition will have done all that ought
to have been expected from it if our party in it can now join Mr.
Gresham."

"By all means. But I could give them no strength. They may be sure at
any rate of what little I can do for them out of office."

"Mr. Gresham has made his acceptance of office,--well, I will not
say strictly conditional on your joining him. That would hardly be
correct. But he has expressed himself quite willing to make the
attempt with your aid, and doubtful whether he can succeed without
it. He suggests that you should join him as President of the
Council."

"And you?"

"If I were wanted at all I should take the Privy Seal."

"Certainly not, my friend. If there were any question of my return
we would reverse the offices. But I think I may say that my mind is
fixed. If you wish it I will see Mr. Monk, and do all that I can to
get him to go with you. But for myself,--I feel that it would be
useless."

At last, at the Duke's pressing request, he agreed to take
twenty-four hours before he gave his final answer to the proposition.

CHAPTER LXXVII

The