e next room and showed the paper to Mr.
Warburton. "Perhaps you were right," he said, "when you told me not
to send that money."

"It will matter nothing," said the private Secretary when he had read
it,--thinking, however, that it might matter much, but wishing to
spare the Duke.

"I was obliged to repay the man as the Duchess had--had encouraged
him. The Duchess had not quite--quite understood my wishes." Mr.
Warburton knew the whole history now, having discussed it all with
the Duchess more than once.

"I think your Grace should take no notice of the article."

No notice was taken of it, but three days afterwards there appeared a
short paragraph in large type,--beginning with a question. "Does the
Duke of Omnium intend to answer the question asked by us last Friday?
Is it true that he paid the expenses of Mr. Lopez when that gentleman
stood for Silverbridge? The Duke may be assured that the question
shall be repeated till it is answered." This the Duke also saw and
took to his private Secretary.

"I would do nothing at any rate till it be noticed in some other
paper," said the private Secretary. "The 'People's Banner' is known
to be scandalous."

"Of course it is scandalous. And, moreover, I know the motives and
the malice of the wretched man who is the editor. But the paper is
read, and the foul charge if repeated will become known, and the
allegation made is true. I did pay the man's election expenses;--and,
moreover, to tell the truth openly as I do not scruple to do to you,
I am not prepared to state publicly the reason why I did so. And
nothing but that reason could justify me."

"Then I think your Grace should state it."

"I cannot do so."

"The Duke of St. Bungay is here. Would it not be well to tell the
whole affair to him?"

"I will think of it. I do not know why I should have troubled you."

"Oh, my lord!"

"Except that there is always some comfort in speaking even of one's
trouble. I will think about it. In the meantime you need perhaps not
mention it again."

"Who? I? Oh, certainly not."

"I did not mean to others,--but to myself. I will turn it in my mind
and speak of it when I have decided anything." And he did think about
it,--thinking of it so much that he could hardly get the matter out
of his mind day or night. To his wife he did not allude to it at
all. Why trouble her with it? She had caused the evil, and he had
cautioned her as to the future. She could not help him out of the