“Well, I believe he wants it badly,” said one who affected a tone of half kindliness. “They tell me he has not eight hundred a year left him.” “Not four. I doubt if he could lay claim to three.” “He never had in his best day above four or five thousand, though he tells you of his twenty-seven or twenty-eight.” “He had originally about six; but he always lived at the rate of twelve or fifteen, and in mere ostentation too.” “So I 've always heard.” And then there followed a number of little anecdotes of Culduff's selfishness, his avarice, his meanness, and such like, told with such exactitude as to show that every act of these men's lives was scrupulously watched, and when occasion offered mercilessly recorded. While they thus sat in judgment over him, Lord Culduff himself was seated at a fire in a dingy old room in Downing Street, the Chief Secretary for Foreign Affairs opposite him. They were talking in a tone of easy familiarity, as men might who occupied the same social station, a certain air of superiority, however, being always apparent in the manner of the Minister towards the subordinate. “I don't think you can ask for this, Culduff,” said the great man, as he puffed his cigar tranquilly in front of him. “You've had three of these special missions already.” “And for the simple reason that I was the one man in England who knew how to do them.” “We don't dispute the way you did them; we only say all the prizes in the wheel should not fall to the same man.” “You have had my proxy for the last five years.” “And we have acknowledged the support--acknowledged it by more than professions.” “I can only say this, that if I had been with the other side, I 'd have met somewhat different treatment.” “Don't believe it, Culduff. Every party that is in power inherits its share of obligations. We have never disowned those we owe to you.” “And why am I refused this, then?” “If you wanted other reasons than those I have given you, I might be able to adduce them--not willingly indeed--but under pressure, and especially in strict confidence.” “Reasons against my having the mission?” “Reasons against your having the mission.” “You amaze me, my Lord. I almost doubt that I have heard you aright I must, however, insist on your explaining yourself. Am I to understand that there are personal grounds of unfitness?” The other bowed in assent. “Have the kindness to let me know them.” “First of all, Culduff, this is to be a family mission--the duchess is a connection of our own royal house--and a certain degree of display and consequent expense will be required. Your fortune does not admit of this.” “Push on to the more cogent reason, my Lord,” said Culduff, stiffly.