"
"It's Bonteen's doing."
"Very probably."
"Surely you can get the better of that?"
"I look upon Phineas Finn, Duchess, almost as a child of my own. He
has come back to Parliament altogether at my instigation."
"Then you ought to help him."
"And so I would if I could. Remember I am not the man I used to be
when dear old Mr. Mildmay reigned. The truth is, I never interfere
now unless I'm asked."
"I believe that every one of you is afraid of Mr. Gresham."
"Perhaps we are."
"I'll tell you what. If he's passed over I'll make such a row that
some of you shall hear it."
"How fond all you women are of Phineas Finn."
"I don't care that for him," said the Duchess, snapping her
fingers--"more than I do, that is, for any other mere acquaintance.
The man is very well, as most men are."
"Not all."
"No, not all. Some are as little and jealous as a girl in her tenth
season. He is a decently good fellow, and he is to be thrown over,
because--"
"Because of what?"
"I don't choose to name any one.
Pages:
597
598
599
600
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621