did not yet know whether to regard him as
a friend or foe. "We shall be very quiet for the next month or six
weeks," said Ratler.

"And then?" asked Phineas.

"Well, then it will depend on what may be the number of a few insane
men who never ought to have seats in the House."

"Such as Mr. Monk and Mr. Turnbull?" Now it was well known that both
those gentlemen, who were recognised as leading men, were strong
Radicals, and it was supposed that they both would support any bill,
come whence it might, which would separate Church and State.

"Such as Mr. Monk," said Ratler. "I will grant that Turnbull may be
an exception. It is his business to go in for everything in the way
of agitation, and he at any rate is consistent. But when a man has
once been in office,--why then--"

"When he has taken the shilling?" said Phineas. "Just so. I confess I
do not like a deserter."

"Phineas will be all right," said Barrington Erle.

"I hope so," said Mr. Ratler, as he passed on.

"Ratler and I run very much in the same groove," said Barrington,
"but I fancy there is some little difference in the motive power."

"Ratler wants place."

"And so do I."

"He wants it just as most men want professional success," said
Phineas. "But if I understand your object, it is chiefly the
maintenance of the old-established political power of the Whigs. You
believe in families?"

"I do believe in the patriotism of certain families. I believe that
the Mildmays, FitzHowards, and Pallisers have for some centuries
brought up their children to regard the well-being of their country
as their highest personal interest, and that such teaching has been
generally efficacious. Of course, there have been failures. Every
child won't learn its lesson however well it may be taught. But the
school in which good training is most practised will, as a rule, turn
out the best scholars. In this way I believe in families. You have
come in for some of the teaching, and I expect to see you a scholar
yet."

The House met on the following day, and the Address was moved and
seconded; but there was no debate. There was not even a full House.
The same ceremony had taken place so short a time previously, that
the whole affair was flat and uninteresting. It was understood that
nothing would in fact be done. Mr. Gresham, as leader of his side
of the House, confined himself to asserting that he should give his
firmest opposition to the proposed measure, which was, it see