"
"After making you give up your place in Ireland?"
"They didn't make me give it up. I should never dream of using such
an argument to any one. Of course I had to judge for myself. There is
nothing to be said about it;--only it is so." As he told her this he
strove to look light-hearted, and so to speak that she should not see
the depth of his disappointment;--but he failed altogether. She knew
him too well not to read his whole heart in the matter.
"Who has said it?" she asked.
"Nobody says things of that kind, and yet one knows."
"And why is it?"
"How can I say? There are various reasons,--and, perhaps, very good
reasons. What I did before makes men think that they can't depend on
me. At any rate it is so."
"Shall you not speak to Mr. Gresham?"
"Certainly not."
"What do you say, Papa?"
"How can I understand it, my dear? There used to be a kind of honour
in these things, but that's all old-fashioned now. Ministers used to
think of their political friends; but in these days they only regard
their political enemies.
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