If there were a general election to-morrow, I should
regard your seat as one of the safest in England."
Both Mr. Low and Lord Chiltern were equally urgent with him to
return to his usual mode of life,--using different arguments for
their purpose. Lord Chiltern told him plainly that he was weak and
womanly,--or rather that he would be were he to continue to dread
the faces of his fellow-creatures. The Master of the Brake hounds
himself was a man less gifted than Phineas Finn, and therefore hardly
capable of understanding the exaggerated feelings of the man who had
recently been tried for his life. Lord Chiltern was affectionate,
tender-hearted, and true;--but there were no vacillating fibres in
his composition. The balance which regulated his conduct was firmly
set, and went well. The clock never stopped, and wanted but little
looking after. But the works were somewhat rough, and the seconds
were not scored. He had, however, been quite true to Phineas during
the dark time, and might now say what he pleased. "I am womanly,"
said Phineas.
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