"I'll be hanged if it _is_ great fun, though you are pleased to say so,"
said Beecher, angrily.

Twining was far too good-tempered to feel hurt by this peevishness, and
only rubbed his hands and laughed joyfully.

"And the worst of all," resumed Beecher,--"the worst of all is, he
_will_ be a foreground figure; do what you may, he _will_ be in the
front of the Stand-house."

"Get him a situation abroad, my Lord,--something in the colonies," broke
in Twining.

"Not a bad thought that, Twining; only he is so notorious."

"Doesn't signify in the least, my Lord. Every office under the Crown has
its penal settlements. The Foreign Office makes its culprits consuls;
the Colonial sends their chief justices to the Gold Coast; and the Home
Secretary's Botany Bay is Ireland."

"But would they really give me something,--I mean something he 'd take?"

"I have n't a doubt of it, my Lord; I wanted to get rid of a poor
relation t' other day, and they made him a Boundary Commissioner at
Baffin's Bay. Baffin's Bay!--what fun!" And he laughed immoderately.

"How am I to set about this, Twining? You are aware that up to this I
have had no relations with politics or parties."

"Nothing easier, my Lord; always easy for a peer,--proxy often of great
consequence. Write to the Premier,--hint that you are well disposed to
adopt his views,--due maintenance of all the glorious privileges of our
Constitution, with progressive improvement,--great fun, capital fun!
all the landmarks firm and fixed, and as much of your neighbor's farm as
possible. Or if you don't like to do this, set Davenport Dunn at
them; he is your Lordship's Irish agent,--at least, he was the late
Viscount's,--he 'll do it,--none better, none so well!"

"That might be the best way," said Beecher, musing.

"He'll be charmed--delighted--overjoyed at this proof of your Lordship's
confidence. He 'll go to work at once, and before your Lordship begins
to receive, or go out, your amiable and most highly gifted father-in-law
may be Income-tax Collector in Cochin-China."

"Now, there's only one thing more, Twining, which is, to induce Davis
to agree to this. He likes Europe,--likes the life of England and the
Continent."

"Certain he does,--quite sure of it; no man more calculated to
appreciate society or adorn it. Capital fun!"

"Do you think," resumed Beecher, "that you could just throw out a
hint--a slight suggestion--to see how he'd take it?"

"Come much better fr