ere about sixteen miles from Lord Chiltern's house.
The hounds had gone away in the direction of Trumpeton Wood, and it
was agreed that it would be useless to follow them. The waggonette
had been left at an inn about two miles from Copperhouse Cross, but
they resolved to abandon that and to ride direct to Harrington Hall.
It was now nearly three o'clock, and they would not be subjected to
the shame which falls upon sportsmen who are seen riding home very
early in the day. To get oneself lost before twelve, and then to come
home, is a very degrading thing; but at any time after two you may be
supposed to have ridden the run of the season, and to be returning
after an excellent day's work.

Then Madame Goesler began to talk about herself, and to give a short
history of her life during the last two-and-a-half years. She did
this in a frank natural manner, continuing her tale in a low voice,
as though it were almost a matter of course that she should make the
recital to so old a friend. And Phineas soon began to feel that it
was natural that she should do so. "It was just before you left us,"
she said, "that the Duke took to coming to my house." The duke spoken
of was the Duke of Omnium, and Phineas well remembered to have heard
some rumours about the Duke and Madame Max. It had been hinted to him
that the Duke wanted to marry the lady, but that rumour he had never
believed. The reader, if he has duly studied the history of the age,
will know that the Duke did make an offer to Madame Goesler, pressing
it with all his eloquence, but that Madame Goesler, on mature
consideration, thought it best to decline to become a duchess. Of all
this, however, the reader who understands Madame Goesler's character
will be quite sure that she did not say a word to Phineas Finn. Since
the business had been completed she had spoken of it to no one but to
Lady Glencora Palliser, who had forced herself into a knowledge of
all the circumstances while they were being acted.

"I met the Duke once at Matching," said Phineas.

"I remember it well. I was there, and first made the Duke's
acquaintance on that occasion. I don't know how it was that we became
intimate;--but we did, and then I formed a sort of friendship with
Lady Glencora; and somehow it has come about that we have been a
great deal together since."

"I suppose you like Lady Glencora?"

"Very much indeed,--and the Duke, too. The truth is, Mr. Finn, that
let one boast as one may of