orable views can serve his country under a Whig or Tory
administration, irrespective of his own preference for one or the other.
I feel this to be true. I know that, in my own official career, I
have always forgotten the peculiar politics of my masters; but another
question arises,--how shall I be judged by others? for while I confess
to you that I entertain for Peel's capacity a respect I have never been
able to feel for the Whig leaders, yet family prejudices, connections, a
hundred minor circumstances, some purely accidental, threw me among
the ranks of that party, and a sense of consistency kept me where very
probably unbiassed judgment had never suffered me to remain.'"

"Amazingly good! very well done, indeed!" said Linton, in whose dubious
smile younger eyes than Lord Kilgoff's might have read the most insolent
expression of contempt; not, indeed, at the hypocrisy, but at the poor
attempt to give it color. "There could be no thought of removing a man
with such sentiments."

"I think not, Linton. It would be a gross and flagrant case of official
tyranny to do so,--a case for inquiry in the House,--a motion to produce
the correspondence--"

"Better not, my Lord," said Linton, dryly; "that is an admirable letter
addressed to your friend, Lord Hindley; but in a blue book it won't read
so well. Take my advice: hold on if you can, go if you must, but don't
ask questions, at all events."

"Perhaps you are right, Tom," said Kilgoff, musing.

"Now for another point, my Lord; this visit to Mr. Cashel--"

"I 've declined it," said Lord Kilgoff, reddening, and with a look of
extreme irritation. "The note is there sealed on the table, and shall be
sent within an hour."

"I am not at liberty to ask your reasons, my Lord," said Linton, gravely
and respectfully, "but I am certainly free to state my own, why I think
you ought most positively to go there."

"You may, certainly," said Lord Kilgoff, rising impatiently, and pacing
the room; "I shall not interrupt you, but I shall also pledge myself not
to let them influence me in the slightest degree. My mind is made up,
sir."

"Then I shall speak with more freedom," said Linton, boldly; "because,
having no pretension to change your sentiments, I am merely desirous to
record my own."

Lord Kilgoff made no reply, but continued his walk, while Linton
resumed:--

"Now I see your impatience, my Lord, and will not trespass on it. Here,
in three words, is my case. The borough