difficulty she had created. He continued to turn the matter over
in his thoughts till he so magnified it, and built it up into such
proportions, that he again began to think that he must resign. It
was, he thought, true that a man should not remain in office as Prime
Minister who in such a matter could not clear his own conduct.

Then there was a third attack in the "People's Banner," and after
that the matter was noticed in the "Evening Pulpit." This notice
the Duke of St. Bungay saw and mentioned to Mr. Warburton. "Has the
Duke spoken to you of some allegations made in the press as to the
expenses of the late election at Silverbridge?" The old Duke was
at this time, and had been for some months, in a state of nervous
anxiety about his friend. He had almost admitted to himself that he
had been wrong in recommending a politician so weakly organised to
take the office of Prime Minister. He had expected the man to be
more manly,--had perhaps expected him to be less conscientiously
scrupulous. But now, as the thing had been done, it must be
maintained. Who else was there to take the office? Mr. Gresham
would not. To keep Mr. Daubeny out was the very essence of the Duke
of St. Bungay's life,--the turning-point of his political creed,
the one grand duty the idea of which was always present to him.
And he had, moreover, a most true and most affectionate regard
for the man whom he now supported, appreciating the sweetness
of his character,--believing still in the Minister's patriotism,
intelligence, devotion, and honesty; though he was forced to own to
himself that the strength of a man's heart was wanting.

"Yes," said Warburton; "he did mention it."

"Does it trouble him?"

"Perhaps you had better speak to him about it." Both the old Duke and
the private Secretary were as fearful and nervous about the Prime
Minister as a mother is for a weakly child. They could hardly tell
their opinions to each other, but they understood one another, and
between them they coddled their Prime Minister. They were specially
nervous as to what might be done by the Prime Minister's wife,
nervous as to what was done by every one who came in contact with
him. It had been once suggested by the private Secretary that Lady
Rosina should be sent for, as she had a soothing effect upon the
Prime Minister's spirit.

"Has it irritated him?" asked the Duke.

"Well;--yes, it has;--a little, you know. I think your Grace had
better speak to him;--and