"Ah, my dear Mr Egerton," exclaimed Randal, "forgive me. But this question, right or wrong, has got such hold of the public mind. So little, if conceded in time, would give content; and it is so clear (if I may judge by the talk I hear everywhere I go) that, by refusing all concession, the government must fall, that I wish"-- "So do I wish," interrupted Egerton, with a gloomy impatient sigh--"so do I wish! But what avails it? If my advice had been taken but three weeks ago--now it is too late--we could have doubled the rock; we refused, we must split upon it." This speech was so unlike the discreet and reserved minister, that Randal gathered courage to proceed with an idea that had occurred to his own sagacity. And before I state it, I must add that Egerton had of late shown much more personal kindness to his _protégé_; that, whether his spirits were broken, or that at last, close and compact as his nature of bronze was, he felt the imperious want to groan aloud in some loving ear, the stern Audley seemed tamed and softened. So Randal went on. "May I say what I have heard expressed with regard to you and your position--in the streets--in the clubs?" "Yes, it is in the streets and the clubs that statesmen should go to school. Say on." "Well, then, I have heard it made a matter of wonder why you, and one or two others I will not name, do not at once retire from the ministry, and on the avowed ground that you side with the public feeling on this irresistible question." "Eh!" "It is clear that in so doing you would become the most popular man in the country--clear that you would be summoned back to power on the shoulders of the people. No new cabinet could be formed without you, and your station in it would perhaps be higher, for life, than that which you may now retain but for a few weeks longer. Has not this ever occurred to you?" "Never," said Audley, with dry composure. Amazed at such obtuseness, Randal exclaimed, "Is it possible! And yet, forgive me if I say I think you are ambitious, and love power." "No man more ambitious; and if by power you mean office, it has grown the habit of my life, and I shall not know what to do without it." "And how, then, has what seems to me so obvious never occurred to you?" "Because you are young, and therefore I forgive you; but not the gossips who could wonder why Audley Egerton refused to betray the friends of his whole career, and to profit by the treason." "But one should love one's country before a party." "No doubt of that; and the first interest of a country is the honour of its public men." "But men may leave their party without dishonour!"