ich he had undoubtedly acted wisely,--he must
leave the case to the discretion of his counsel."

"And then poor Phineas was silenced?"

"He spoke another word. 'My lord,' said he, 'I for my part wish
that the first twelve men on the list might be taken.' But old
Chaffanbrass went on just the same. It took them two hours and a half
before they could swear a jury."

"But, Mr. Erle,--taking it altogether,--which way is it going?"

"Nobody can even guess as yet. There was ever so much delay besides
that about the jury. It seemed that somebody had called him Phinees
instead of Phineas, and that took half an hour. They begin with the
quarrel at the club, and are to call the first witness to-morrow
morning. They are to examine Ratler about the quarrel, and
Fitzgibbon, and Monk, and, I believe, old Bouncer, the man who
writes, you know. They all heard what took place."

"So did you?"

"I have managed to escape that. They can't very well examine all the
club. But I shall be called afterwards as to what took place at the
door. They will begin with Ratler."

"Everybody knows there was a quarrel, and that Mr. Bonteen had been
drinking, and that he behaved as badly as a man could behave."

"It must all be proved, Duchess."

"I'll tell you what, Mr. Erle. If,--if,--if this ends badly for Mr.
Finn I'll wear mourning to the day of my death. I'll go to the
Drawing Room in mourning, to show what I think of it."

Lord Chiltern, who was also on the bench, took his account of the
trial home to his wife and sister in Portman Square. At this time
Miss Palliser was staying with them, and the three ladies were
together when the account was brought to them. In that house it was
taken as doctrine that Phineas Finn was innocent. In the presence of
her brother, and before her sister-in-law's visitor, Lady Laura had
learned to be silent on the subject, and she now contented herself
with listening, knowing that she could relieve herself by speech
when alone with Lady Chiltern. "I never knew anything so tedious in
my life," said the Master of the Brake hounds. "They have not done
anything yet."

"I suppose they have made their speeches?" said his wife.

"Sir Gregory Grogram opened the case, as they call it; and a very
strong case he made of it. I never believe anything that a lawyer
says when he has a wig on his head and a fee in his hand. I prepare
myself beforehand to regard it all as mere words, supplied at so much
the thousand. I k