"
Mr. Ratler did move for a new writ for the borough of Tankerville,
and within a fortnight of his restoration to liberty Phineas Finn was
no longer a Member of Parliament. It cannot be alleged that there
was any reason for what he did, and yet the doing of it for the time
rather increased than diminished his popularity. Both Mr. Gresham and
Mr. Daubeny expressed their regret in the House, and Mr. Monk said a
few words respecting his friend, which were very touching. He ended
by expressing a hope that they soon might see him there again, and an
opinion that he was a man peculiarly fitted by the tone of his mind,
and the nature of his intellect, for the duties of Parliament.
Then at last, when all this had been settled, he went to Lord
Brentford's house in Portman Square. He had promised that that should
be the first house he would visit, and he was as good as his word.
One evening he crept out, and walked slowly along Oxford Street, and
knocked timidly at the door. As he did so he longed to be told that
Lady Laura was not at home.
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