rning aspirant. Of course there was
something said at first as to the life of the Earl at Dresden. The
Duke recollected the occasion of such banishment, and shook his head;
and attempted to look unhappy when the wretched condition of Mr.
Kennedy was reported to him. But he was essentially a happy man, and
shook off the gloom at once when Phineas spoke of politics. "So you
are coming back to us, Mr. Finn?"

"They tell me I may perhaps get the seat."

"I am heartily glad, for you were very useful. I remember how Cantrip
almost cried when he told me you were going to leave him. He had been
rather put upon, I fancy, before."

"There was perhaps something in that, your Grace."

"There will be nothing to return to now beyond barren honours."

"Not for a while."

"Not for a long while," said the Duke;--"for a long while, that is,
as candidates for office regard time. Mr. Daubeny will be safe for
this Session at least. I doubt whether he will really attempt to
carry his measure this year. He will bring it forward, and after the
late division he must get his second reading. He will then break
down gracefully in Committee, and declare that the importance of the
interests concerned demands further inquiry. It wasn't a thing to be
done in one year."

"Why should he do it at all?" asked Phineas.

"That's what everybody asks, but the answer seems to be so plain!
Because he can do it, and we can't. He will get from our side much
support, and we should get none from his."

"There is something to me sickening in their dishonesty," said
Phineas energetically.

"The country has the advantage; and I don't know that they are
dishonest. Ought we to come to a deadlock in legislation in order
that parties might fight out their battle till one had killed the
other?"

"I don't think a man should support a measure which he believes to be
destructive."

"He doesn't believe it to be destructive. The belief is
theoretic,--or not even quite that. It is hardly more than romantic.
As long as acres are dear, and he can retain those belonging to him,
the country gentleman will never really believe his country to be in
danger. It is the same with commerce. As long as the Three per Cents.
do not really mean Four per Cent.,--I may say as long as they don't
mean Five per Cent.,--the country will be rich, though every one
should swear that it be ruined."

"I'm very glad, at the same time, that I don't call myself a
Conservative," said Phine