stairs.

The condition of Phineas Finn was almost as bad, but he had a much
less protracted period of anticipation than that with which the lady
was tormented. He was sent up to dress for dinner with the knowledge
that in half an hour he would find himself in the same room with
Madame Goesler. There could be no question of his running away, no
possibility even of his escaping by a headache. But it may be doubted
whether his dismay was not even more than hers. She knew that she
could teach herself to use no other than fitting words; but he was
almost sure that he would break down if he attempted to speak to her.
She would be safe from blushing, but he would assuredly become as
red as a turkey-cock's comb up to the roots of his hair. Her blood
would be under control, but his would be coursing hither and thither
through his veins, so as to make him utterly unable to rule himself.
Nevertheless, he also plucked up his courage and descended, reaching
the drawing-room before Madame Goesler had entered it. Chiltern was
going on about Trumpeton Wood to Lord Baldock, and was renewing his
fury against all the Pallisers, while Adelaide stood by and laughed.
Gerard Maule was lounging on a chair, wondering that any man could
expend such energy on such a subject. Lady Chiltern was explaining
the merits of the case to Lady Baldock,--who knew nothing about
hunting; and the other guests were listening with eager attention.
A certain Mr. Spooner, who rode hard and did nothing else,
and who acted as an unacknowledged assistant-master under Lord
Chiltern,--there is such a man in every hunt,--acted as chorus, and
indicated, chiefly with dumb show, the strong points of the case.

"Finn, how are you?" said Lord Chiltern, stretching out his left
hand. "Glad to have you back again, and congratulate you about the
seat. It was put down in red herrings, and we found nearly a dozen of
them afterwards,--enough to kill half the pack."

"Picked up nine," said Mr. Spooner.

"Children might have picked them up quite as well,--and eaten them,"
said Lady Chiltern.

"They didn't care about that," continued the Master. "And now
they've wires and traps over the whole place. Palliser's a friend of
yours--isn't he, Finn?"

"Of course I knew him,--when I was in office."

"I don't know what he may be in office, but he's an uncommon bad sort
of fellow to have in a county."

"Shameful!" said Mr. Spooner, lifting up both his hands.

"This is my first cou