ps it is because I know that, that I am a Conservative.
The Radicals are always saying that a Conservative must be a fool.
Then a fool ought to be a Conservative."

Hereupon the father got up from his chair and turned round, facing
the fire, with his back to his son. He was becoming very angry, but
endeavoured to restrain his anger. The matter in dispute between them
was of so great importance, that he could hardly be justified in
abandoning it in consequence of arguments so trifling in themselves
as these which his son adduced. As he stood there for some minutes
thinking of it all, he was tempted again and again to burst out in
wrath and threaten the lad,--to threaten him as to money, as to his
amusements, as to the general tenure of his life. The pity was so
great that the lad should be so stubborn and so foolish! He would
never ask his son to be a slave to the Liberal party, as he had been.
But that a Palliser should not be a Liberal,--and his son, as the
first recreant Palliser,--was wormwood to him! As he stood there
he more than once clenched his fist in eager desire to turn upon
the young man; but he restrained himself, telling himself that in
justice he should not be angry for such offence as this. To become a
Conservative, when the path to Liberalism was so fairly open, might
be the part of a fool, but could not fairly be imputed as a crime. To
endeavour to be just was the study of his life, and in no condition
of life can justice be more imperatively due than from a father to
his son.

"You mean to stand for Silverbridge?" he said at last.

"Not if you object, sir."

This made it worse. It became now still more difficult for him to
scold the young man.

"You are aware that I should not meddle in any way."

"That was what I supposed. They will return a Conservative at any
rate."

"It is not that I care about," said the Duke sadly.

"Upon my word, sir, I am very sorry to vex you; but what would you
have me do? I will give up Parliament altogether, if you say that you
wish it."

"No; I do not wish that."

"You wouldn't have me tell a lie?"

"No."

"What can I do then?"

"Learn what there is to learn from some master fit to teach you."

"There are so many masters."

"I believe it to be that most arrogant ill-behaved young man who was
with me yesterday who has done this evil."

"You mean Frank Tregear?"

"I do mean Mr. Tregear."

"He's a Conservative, of course; and of course he and I have