s with you and your constituents. But even if ministers did go out, I
am but a poor subaltern in a public office. I am no minister--why should I
go out too?"

"Why? Hang it, Leslie, you are laughing at me. A young fellow like you
could never be mean enough to stay in, under the very men who drove out
your friend Egerton!"

"It is not usual for those in the public offices to retire with every
change of Government."

"Certainly not; but always those who are the relations of a retiring
minister--always those who have been regarded as politicians, and who mean
to enter Parliament, as of course you will do at the next election. But
you know that as well as I do--you who are so decided a politician--the
writer of that admirable pamphlet! I should not like to tell my friend
Hazeldean, who has a sincere interest in you, that you ever doubted on a
question of honor as plain as your A, B, C."

"Indeed, Sir John," said Randal, recovering his suavity, while he inly
breathed a dire anathema on his county member, "I am so new to these
things, that what you say never struck me before. No doubt you must be
right; at all events, I cannot have a better guide and adviser than Mr.
Egerton himself."

"No, certainly--perfect gentleman, Egerton! I wish we could make it up with
him and Hazeldean."

_Randal_, (sighing)--"Ah, I wish we could!"

_Sir John._--"And some chance of it now; for the time is coming when all
true men of the old school must stick together."

_Randal._--"Wisely, and admirably said, my dear Sir John. But, pardon me, I
must pay my respects to the ambassador."

Randal escaped, and, passing on, saw the ambassador himself in the next
room, conferring in a corner with Audley Egerton. The ambassador seemed
very grave--Egerton calm and impenetrable, as usual. Presently the Count
passed by, and the ambassador bowed to him very stiffly. As Randal, some
time later, was searching for his cloak below, Audley Egerton unexpectedly
joined him. "Ah, Leslie," said the minister, with more kindness than
usual, "if you don't think the night air too cold for you, let us walk
home together. I have sent away the carriage."

This condescension in his patron was so singular that it quite startled
Randal, and gave him a presentiment of some evil. When they were in the
street, Egerton, after a pause, began--"My dear Mr. Leslie, it was my hope
and belief that I had provided for you at least a competence; and that I
might open to you, later