e serviceable than a slave," said the old man.

"No; no; I deny it. I can admit much from you, but I cannot admit
that. The politician who becomes the master of his country sinks from
the statesman to the tyrant."

"We misunderstand each other, my friend. Pitt, and Peel, and
Palmerston, were not tyrants, though each assumed and held for
himself to the last the mastery of which I speak. Smaller men who
have been slaves, have been as patriotic as they, but less useful.
I regret that you should follow Mr. Bonteen in his office."

"Because he was Mr. Bonteen."

"All the circumstances of the transfer of office occasioned by your
uncle's death seem to me to make it undesirable. I would not have
you make yourself too common. This very murder adds to the feeling.
Because Mr. Bonteen has been lost to us, the Minister has recourse to
you."

"It was my own suggestion."

"But who knows that it was so? You, and I, and Mr. Gresham--and
perhaps one or two others."

"It is too late now, Duke; and, to tell the truth of myself, not even
you can make me other than I am. My uncle's life to me was always a
problem which I could not understand. Were I to attempt to walk in
his ways I should fail utterly, and become absurd. I do not feel the
disgrace of following Mr. Bonteen."

"I trust you may at least be less unfortunate."

"Well;--yes. I need not expect to be murdered in the streets because
I am going to the Board of Trade. I shall have made no enemy by my
political success."

"You think that--Mr. Finn--did do that deed?" asked the elder Duke.

"I hardly know what I think. My wife is sure that he is innocent."

"The Duchess is enthusiastic always."

"Many others think the same. Lord and Lady Chiltern are sure of
that."

"They were always his best friends."

"I am told that many of the lawyers are sure that it will be
impossible to convict him. If he be acquitted I shall strive to think
him innocent. He will come back to the House, of course."

"I should think he would apply for the Hundreds," said the Duke of
St. Bungay.

"I do not see why he should. I would not in his place. If he be
innocent, why should he admit himself unfit for a seat in Parliament?
I tell you what he might do;--resign, and then throw himself again
upon his constituency." The other Duke shook his head, thereby
declaring his opinion that Phineas Finn was in truth the man who had
murdered Mr. Bonteen.

When it was publicly known that the Duke of