t nevertheless," said Lady Montfort. "I don't
care about the cost or the trouble--but it must be certain."

Then she went home and wrote a line to Endymion, to tell him that it was
all settled, that she had seen his sister, who agreed with her that it
must be done, and that she had called on the Secretary of the Treasury,
and had secured a certain seat. "I wish you could come to luncheon," she
added, "but I suppose that is impossible; you are always so busy. Why
were you not in the Foreign Office? I am now going to call on the Tory
women to see how they look, but I shall be at home a good while before
seven, and of course count on seeing you."

In the meantime, Endymion by no means shared the pleasurable excitement
of his fair friend. His was an agitated walk from the Albany to
Whitehall, where he resumed his duties moody and disquieted. There was a
large correspondence this morning, which was a distraction and a relief,
until the bell of Mr. Sidney Wilton sounded, and he was in attendance on
his chief.

"It is a great secret," said Mr. Wilton, "but I think I ought to tell
you; instead of resigning, the government have decided to dissolve. I
think it a mistake, but I stand by my friends. They believe the Irish
vote will be very large, and with cheap bread will carry us through.
I think the stronger we shall be in Ireland the weaker we shall be in
England, and I doubt whether our cheap bread will be cheap enough. These
Manchester associations have altered the aspect of affairs. I have been
thinking a good deal about your position. I should like, before we broke
up, to have seen you provided for by some permanent office of importance
in which you might have been useful to the state, but it is difficult to
manage these things suddenly. However, now we have time at any rate to
look about us. Still, if I could have seen you permanently attached
to this office in a responsible position, I should have been glad. I
impressed upon the chief yesterday that you are most fit for it."

"Oh! do not think of me, dear sir; you have been always too kind to me.
I shall be content with my lot. All I shall regret is ceasing to serve
you."

Lady Montfort's carriage drove up to Montfort House just as Endymion
reached the door. She took his arm with eagerness; she seemed breathless
with excitement. "I fear I am very late, but if you had gone away I
should never have pardoned you. I have been kept by listening to all the
new appointments