t the Corn-Law League says your bread will not be cheap," said
Melchior Neuchatel.

"I wonder whether the League has really any power in the
constituencies," said Lord Roehampton. "I doubt it. They may have in
time, but then in the interval trade will revive. I have just been
reading Mr. Thornberry's speech. We shall hear more of that man. You
will not be troubled about any of your seats?" he said, in a lower tone
of sympathy, addressing Mrs. Neuchatel, who was his immediate neighbour.

"Our seats?" said Mrs. Neuchatel, as if waking from a dream. "Oh, I know
nothing about them, nor do I understand why there is a dissolution. I
trust that parliament will not be dissolved without voting the money for
the observation of the transit of Venus."

"I think the Roman Catholic vote will carry us through," said a
minister.

"Talking of Roman Catholics," said Mr. Wilton, "is it true that
Penruddock has gone over to Rome?"

"No truth in it," replied a colleague. "He has gone to Rome--there is
no doubt of that, and he has been there some time, but only for
distraction. He had overworked himself."

"He might have been a Dean if he had been a practical man," whispered
Lady Montfort to Mr. Neuchatel, "and on the high road to a bishopric."

"That is what we want, Lady Montfort," said Mr. Neuchatel; "we want
a few practical men. If we had a practical man as Chancellor of the
Exchequer, we should not be in the scrape in which we now are."

"It is not likely that Penruddock will leave the Church with a change
of government possibly impending. We could do nothing for him with his
views, but he will wait for Peel."

"Oh! Peel will never stand those high-fliers. He put the Church into a
Lay Commission during his last government."

"Penruddock will never give up Anglicanism while there is a chance of
becoming a Laud. When that chance vanishes, trust my word, Penruddock
will make his bow to the Vatican."

"Well, I must say," said Lord Roehampton, "if I were a clergyman I
should be a Roman Catholic."

"Then you could not marry. What a compliment to Lady Roehampton!"

"Nay; it is because I could not marry that I am not a clergyman."

Endymion had taken Adriana down to dinner. She looked very well, and was
more talkative than usual.

"I fear it will be a very great confusion--this general election," she
said. "Papa was telling us that you think of being a candidate."

"I am a candidate, but without a seat to captivate at present