He had
been delighted with the re-election at Tankerville, and thought
that the borough had done itself much honour. Then came forth his
proposition. Lord Fawn had retired, absolutely broken down by
repeated examinations respecting the man in the grey coat, and the
office which Phineas had before held with so much advantage to the
public, and comfort to his immediate chief, Lord Cantrip, was there
for his acceptance. Mr. Gresham went on to express an ardent hope
that he might have the benefit of Mr. Finn's services. It was quite
manifest from his manner that he did not in the least doubt the
nature of the reply which he would receive.
Phineas had come primed with his answer,--so ready with it that it
did not even seem to be the result of any hesitation at the moment.
"I hope, Mr. Gresham, that you will be able to give me a few hours to
think of this." Mr. Gresham's face fell, for, in truth, he wanted an
immediate answer; and though he knew from experience that Secretaries
of State, and First Lords, and Chancellors, do demand time, and will
often drive very hard bargains before they will consent to get into
harness, he considered that Under-Secretaries, Junior Lords, and the
like, should skip about as they were bidden, and take the crumbs
offered them without delay.
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