titious passions. Whatever might
be the impulse Egremont however was certainly not slightly interested in
the Derby; and though by no means uninstructed in the mysteries of the
turf, had felt such confidence in his information that, with his usual
ardour, he had backed to a considerable amount the horse that ought to
have won, but which nevertheless only ran a second.

Book 1 Chapter 6

Notwithstanding the confidence of Lady St Julians, and her unrivalled
information, the health of the king did not improve: but still it was
the hay fever, only the hay fever. An admission had been allowed to
creep into the Court Circular, that "his majesty has been slightly
indisposed within the last few days;" but then it was soon followed by
a very positive assurance, that his majesty's favourite and long-matured
resolution to give a state banquet to the knights of the four orders,
was immediately to be carried into effect. Lady St Julians had the first
information of this important circumstance; it confirmed her original
conviction: she determined to go on with her quadrille. Egremont,
with something interesting at stake himself, was staggered by this
announcement, and by Lady St Julians' unshaken faith. He consulted his
mother: Lady Marney shook her head. "Poor woman!" said Lady Marney, "she
is always wrong. I know," continued her ladyship, placing her finger
to her lip, "that Prince Esterhazy has been pressing his long-postponed
investiture as a Grand Cross, in order that he may dine at this very
banquet; and it has been announced to him that it is impossible,
the king's health will not admit of it. When a simple investiture is
impossible, a state banquet to the four orders is very probable. No,"
said Lady Marney with a sigh; "it is a great blow for all of us, but it
is no use shutting our eyes to the fact. The poor dear king will never
show again."

And about a week after this there appeared the first bulletin. From that
instant, though the gullish multitude studied the daily reports with
grave interest; their hopes and speculations and arrangements changing
with each phrase; for the initiated there was no suspense. All knew that
it was over; and Lady St Julians, giving up her quadrille, began to look
about for seats in parliament for her sons.

"What a happiness it is to have a clever mother," exclaimed Egremont,
as he pondered over the returns of his election agent. Lady Marney, duly
warned of the impending catastro