There was a brilliant meeting at Erpingham House; those who composed it were of the heads of the party: but there were divisions amongst themselves; some were secretly for joining Mr. Canning's administration; some had openly done so; others remained in stubborn and jealous opposition. With these last was the heart of Constance. "Well, well, Lady Erpingham," said Lord Paul Plympton, a young nobleman, who had written a dull history, and was therefore considered likely to succeed in parliamentary life--"well, I cannot help thinking you are too severe upon Canning: he is certainly very liberal in his views." "Is there one law he ever caused to pass for the benefit of the working classes? No, Lord Paul, his Whiggism is for peers, and his Toryism for peasants. With the same zeal he advocates the Catholic Question and the Manchester Massacre." "Yet, surely," cried Lord Paul, "you make a difference between the just liberality that provides for property and intelligence, and the dangerous liberality that would slacken the reins of an ignorant multitude." "But," said Mr. Benson, a very powerful member of the Lower House, "true politicians must conform to circumstances. Canning may not be all we wish, but still he ought to be supported. I confess that I shall be generous I care not for office, I care not for power; but Canning is surrounded with enemies, who are enemies also to the people: for that reason I shall support him." "Bravo, Benson!" cried Lord Paul. "Bravo, Benson!" echoed two or three notables, who had waited an opportunity to declare themselves; "that's what I call handsome." "Manly!" "Fair!" "Disinterested, by Jove!" Here the Duke of Aspindale suddenly entered the room. "Ah, Lady Erpingham, you should have been in the Lords to-night; such a speech! Canning is crushed for ever!" "Speech! from whom?" "Lord Grey--terrific: it was the vengeance of a life concentrated into one hour; it has shaken the Ministry fearfully." "Humph!" said Benson, rising; "I shall go to Brooks's and hear more." "And I too," said Lord Paul. A day or two after, Benson in presenting a petition, alluded in terms of high eulogy to the masterly speech made "in another place:" and Lord Paul Plympton said, "it was indeed unequalled." That's what I call handsome. Manly! Fair! Disinterested, by Jove!