s beforehand, for I wish you to have time to
consider what, in that case, would be your best course. My power of
serving you may then probably be over. It would, no doubt (seeing our
close connection, and my views with regard to your future being so well
known)--no doubt, be expected that you should give up the place you hold,
and follow my fortunes for good or ill. But as I have no personal enemies
with the opposite party--and as I have sufficient position in the world to
uphold and sanction your choice, whatever it may be, if you think it more
prudent to retain your place, tell me so openly, and I think I can
contrive that you may do it without loss of character and credit. In that
case, confine your ambition merely to rising gradually in your office,
without mixing in politics. If, on the other hand, you should prefer to
take your chance of my return to office, and so resign your own; and,
furthermore, should commit yourself to a policy that may then be not only
in opposition, but unpopular, I will do my best to introduce you into
parliamentary life. I can not say that I advise the latter."

Randal felt as a man feels after a severe fall--he was literally stunned.
At length he faltered out,

"Can you think, sir, that I should ever desert your fortunes--your
party--your cause?"

"My dear Leslie," replied the minister, "you are too young to have
committed yourself to any men or to any party, except, indeed, in that
unlucky pamphlet. This must not be an affair of sentiment, but of sense
and reflection. Let us say no more on the point now; but, by considering
the _pros_ and the _cons_, you can better judge what to do, should the
time for option suddenly arrive."

"But I hope that time may not come."

"I hope so too, and most sincerely," said the minister, with deliberate
and genuine emphasis.

"What could be so bad for the country?" ejaculated Randal. "It does not
seem to me possible, in the nature of things, that you and your party
should ever go out!"

"And when we are once out, there will be plenty of wiseacres to say it is
out of the nature of things that we should ever come in again. Here we are
at the door."

Chapter V.

Randal passed a sleepless night; but, indeed, he was one of those persons
who neither need, nor are accustomed to much sleep. However, toward
morning, when dreams are said to be prophetic, he fell into a most
delightful slumber--a slumber peopled by visions fitted to lure on, thr