"Still it should not be accepted from the old Church-and-State
party."
There was something pleasant in this to Phineas Finn,--something that
made him feel for the moment that he had perhaps mistaken the bearing
of his friend towards him. "We are sure of a majority, I suppose," he
said.
"Absolutely sure," said Ratler. "I begin to think it will amount to
half a hundred,--perhaps more."
"What will Daubeny do?"
"Go out. He can't do anything else. His pluck is certainly wonderful,
but even with his pluck he can't dissolve again. His Church Bill has
given him a six months' run, and six months is something."
"Is it true that Grogram is to be Chancellor?" Phineas asked the
question, not from any particular solicitude as to the prospects
of Sir Gregory Grogram, but because he was anxious to hear whether
Mr. Ratler would speak to him with anything of the cordiality of
fellowship respecting the new Government. But Mr. Ratler became at
once discreet and close, and said that he did not think that anything
as yet was known as to the Woolsack.
Pages:
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565