dder.'

"I have also observed that you have, of late, been much to Lord
Dawton's; I have even heard that you have been twice closeted with
him. It is well known that that person entertains hopes of leading
the Opposition to the grata arva of the Treasury benches; and
notwithstanding the years in which the Whigs have been out of office,
there are some persons who pretend to foresee the chance of a coalition
between them and Mr. Gaskell, to whose principles it is also added that
they have been gradually assimilating."

Here Vincent paused a moment, and looked full at me. I met his eye with
a glance as searching as his own. His look changed, and he continued.

"Now, listen to me, Pelham: such a coalition never can take place. You
smile; I repeat it. It is my object to form a third party; perhaps while
the two great sects 'anticipate the cabinet designs of fate,' there may
suddenly come by a third, 'to whom the whole shall be referred.' Say
that you think it not impossible that you may join us, and I will tell
you more."

I paused for three minutes before I answered Vincent. I then said--"I
thank you very sincerely for your proposal: tell me the names of two of
your designed party, and I will answer you."

"Lord Lincoln and Lord Lesborough."

"What!" said I--"the Whig, who says in the Upper House, that whatever
may be the distresses of the people, they shall not be gratified at the
cost of one of the despotic privileges of the aristocracy. Go to!--I
will have none of him. As to Lesborough, he is a fool and a boaster--who
is always puffing his own vanity with the windiest pair of oratorical
bellows that ever were made by air and brass, for the purpose of
sound and smoke, 'signifying nothing.' Go to!--I will have none of him
either."

"You are right in your judgment of my confreres," answered Vincent; "but
we must make use of bad tools for good purposes."

"No--no!" said I; "the commonest carpenter will tell you the reverse."

Vincent eyed me suspiciously. "Look you!" said he: "I know well that
no man loves better than you place, power, and reputation. Do you grant
this?"

"I do!" was my reply.

"Join with us; I will place you in the House of Commons immediately: if
we succeed, you shall have the first and the best post I can give you.
Now--'under which king, Bezonian, speak or die!'"

"I answer you in the words of the same worthy you quote," said I--"'A
foutra for thine office.'--Do you know, Vincent, that I h