“In that case,” said he, drawing a long breath, as though about to remove a perilous weight off his mind, “I will tell you frankly, it comes from authority. Now, don't ask me more,--not another question. I have already avowed what my instructions most imperatively forbid me to own,--what, in fact, would be ruin to me if it were known that I revealed. What his Excellency--I mean, what the other person said was, 'Ascertain Lady Lendrick's wishes on this subject; learn, if you can,--but, above all, without compromising yourself,--whether she really cares for a step in rank; find out, if so, what aid she can or will lend us.' But what am I saying? Here am I entering upon the whole detail? What would become of me if I did not know I might rely upon you?” “It's worth thinking over,” said she, after a pause. “I should think it is. It is not every day of our lives such a brilliant offer presents itself. All I ask, all I stipulate for, is that you make no confidences, ask no advice from any quarter. Think it well over in your own mind, but impart it to none, least of all to Sewell.” “Of course not to _him_,” said she, resolutely, for she knew well to what purposes he would apply the knowledge. “Remember that we want to have the resignation before Parliament meets,--bear that in mind. Time is all-important with us; the rest will follow in due course.” With this he said “Good-bye,” and was gone. “The rest will follow in due course,” said she to herself, repeating his last words as he went. “With your good leave, Mr. Balfour, the 'rest' shall precede the beginning.” Was n't it Bolingbroke that said constitutional government never could go on without lying,--audacious lying too? If the old Judge will only consent to go, her Ladyship's peerage will admit of a compromise. Such was Mr. Balfour's meditation as he stepped into his cab. CHAPTER XLIV. AFTER-DINNER THOUGHTS Her Majesty's--th had got their orders for Malta, and some surmised for India, though it was not yet known; but all agreed it was hard,--“confoundedly hard,” they called it. “Had n't they had their turn of Inidan service?--how many years had that grim old major passed in the Deccan,--what weary winters had the bronzed bald captain there spent at Rangoon!”