ere be a respectable
majority against them."

"Of course he will dissolve," said Phineas, speaking of Mr. Gresham;
"what else can he do?"

"He is very anxious to carry his Irish Reform Bill first, if he can
do so. Good-night, Phineas. I shall not be down to-morrow as there
is nothing to be done. Come to me on Thursday, and we will go to the
House together."

On the Wednesday Phineas was engaged to dine with Mr. Low. There
was a dinner party in Bedford Square, and Phineas met half-a-dozen
barristers and their wives,--men to whom he had looked up as
successful pundits in the law some five or six years ago, but who
since that time had almost learned to look up to him. And now they
treated him with that courteousness of manner which success in life
always begets. There was a judge there who was very civil to him; and
the judge's wife whom he had taken down to dinner was very gracious
to him. The judge had got his prize in life, and was therefore
personally indifferent to the fate of ministers; but the judge's wife
had a brother who wanted a County Court from Lord De Terrier, and it
was known that Phineas was giving valuable assistance towards the
attainment of this object. "I do think that you and Mr. Monk are so
right," said the judge's wife. Phineas, who understood how it came to
pass that the judge's wife should so cordially approve his conduct,
could not help thinking how grand a thing it would be for him to have
a County Court for himself.

When the guests were gone he was left alone with Mr. and Mrs. Low,
and remained awhile with them, there having been an understanding
that they should have a last chat together over the affairs of our
hero. "Do you really mean that you will not stand again?" asked Mrs.
Low.

"I do mean it. I may say that I cannot do so. My father is hardly
so well able to help me as he was when I began this game, and I
certainly shall not ask him for money to support a canvass."

"It's a thousand pities," said Mrs. Low.

"I really had begun to think that you would make it answer," said Mr.
Low.

"In one way I have made it answer. For the last three years I have
lived upon what I have earned, and I am not in debt. But now I must
begin the world again. I am afraid I shall find the drudgery very
hard."

"It is hard no doubt," said the barrister, who had gone through it
all, and was now reaping the fruits of it. "But I suppose you have
not forgotten what you learned?"

"Who can say? I dar