"
"But there is a money bill which must be passed. That's Mr. Daubeny's
excuse."
"Ah, if they've a money bill of course it's all right. So you're in
Parliament again?"
"I'm sorry to say I'm not." Then Lady Laura explained to her father,
probably for the third or fourth time, exactly what was their guest's
position. "Oh, a scrutiny. We didn't use to have any scrutinies at
Loughton, did we? Ah, me; well, everything seems to be going to
the dogs. I'm told they're attacking the Church now." Lady Laura
glanced at Phineas; but neither of them said a word. "I don't
quite understand it; but they tell me that the Tories are going to
disestablish the Church. I'm very glad I'm out of it all. Things
have come to such a pass that I don't see how a gentleman is to hold
office now-a-days. Have you seen Chiltern lately?"
After a while, when Phineas had told the Earl all that there was
to tell of his son and his grandson, and all of politics and of
Parliament, Lady Laura suddenly interrupted them. "You knew, Papa,
that he was to see Mr.
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