, a career yet more brilliant. Hush! I don't doubt
your gratitude; let me proceed. There is a possible chance, after certain
decisions that the Government have come to, that we may be beaten in the
House of Commons, and of course resign. I tell you this beforehand, for I
wish you to have time to consider what, in that case, would be your best
course. My power of serving you would then probably be over. It would, no
doubt (seeing our close connection, and my views with regard to your
future being so well known)--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 cannot 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 _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,