not perhaps mention my name." The Duke of
St. Bungay nodded his head, and said that he would speak to the great
man and would not mention any one's name.

And he did speak. "Has any one said anything to you about it?" asked
the Prime Minister.

"I saw it in the 'Evening Pulpit' myself. I have not heard it
mentioned anywhere."

"I did pay the man's expenses."

"You did!"

"Yes,--when the election was over, and, as far as I can remember,
some time after it was over. He wrote to me saying that he had
incurred such and such expenses, and asking me to repay him. I sent
him a cheque for the amount."

"But why?"

"I was bound in honour to do it."

"But why?"

There was a short pause before this second question was answered.
"The man had been induced to stand by representations made to him
from my house. He had been, I fear, promised certain support which
certainly was not given him when the time came."

"You had not promised it?"

"No;--not I."

"Was it the Duchess?"

"Upon the whole, my friend, I think I would rather not discuss it
further, even with you. It is right that you should know that I did
pay the money,--and also why I paid it. It may also be necessary that
we should consider whether there may be any further probable result
from my doing so. But the money has been paid, by me myself,--and was
paid for the reason I have stated."

"A question might be asked in the House."

"If so, it must be answered as I have answered you. I certainly shall
not shirk any responsibility that may be attached to me."

"You would not like Warburton to write a line to the newspaper?"

"What;--to the 'People's Banner!'"

"It began there, did it? No, not to the 'People's Banner,' but to the
'Evening Pulpit.' He could say, you know, that the money was paid
by you, and that the payment had been made because your agents had
misapprehended your instructions."

"It would not be true," said the Prime Minister, slowly.

"As far as I can understand that was what occurred," said the other
Duke.

"My instructions were not misapprehended. They were disobeyed. I
think that perhaps we had better say no more about it."

"Do not think that I wish to press you," said the old man, tenderly;
"but I fear that something ought to be done;--I mean for your own
comfort."

"My comfort!" said the Prime Minister. "That has vanished long
ago;--and my peace of mind, and my happiness."

"There has been nothing done which cannot be ex