pe we have not come inopportunely," said the Duke of Omnium. Mr.
Gresham assured him almost with hilarity that nothing could be less
inopportune;--and then the Duke was sure that Mr. Gresham was to
be the new Prime Minister, whoever might join him or whoever might
refuse to do so. "I told my friend here," continued our Duke, laying
his hand upon the old man's arm, "that I would give him his answer to
a proposition he made me within twenty-four hours. But I find that I
can do so without that delay."

"I trust your Grace's answer may be favourable to us," said Mr.
Gresham,--who indeed did not doubt much that it would be so, seeing
that Mr. Monk had accompanied him.

"I do not think that it will be unfavourable, though I cannot do as
my friend has proposed."

"Any practicable arrangement--" began Mr. Gresham, with a frown,
however, on his brow.

"The most practicable arrangement, I am sure, will be for you to
form your Government without hampering yourself with a beaten
predecessor."

"Not beaten," said Lord Cantrip.

"Certainly not," said the other Duke.

"It is because of your success that I ask your services," said Mr.
Gresham.

"I have none to give,--none that I cannot better bestow out of office
than in. I must ask you, gentlemen, to believe that I am quite fixed.
Coming here with my friend Mr. Monk, I did not state my purpose to
him; but I begged him to accompany me, fearing lest in my absence he
should feel it incumbent on himself to sail in the same boat with his
late colleague."

"I should prefer to do so," said Mr. Monk.

"Of course it is not for me to say what may be Mr. Gresham's ideas;
but as my friend here suggested to me that, were I to return to
office, Mr. Monk would do so also, I cannot be wrong in surmising
that his services are desired." Mr. Gresham bowed assent. "I shall
therefore take the liberty of telling Mr. Monk that I think he is
bound to give his aid in the present emergency. Were I as happily
placed as he is in being the possessor of a seat in the House of
Commons, I too should hope that I might do something."

The four gentlemen, with eager pressure, begged the Duke to
reconsider his decision. He could take this office and do nothing in
it,--there being, as we all know, offices the holders of which are
not called upon for work,--or he could take that place which would
require him to labour like a galley slave. Would he be Privy Seal?
Would he undertake the India Board? But the