“That's all your noble friend knows about England, then. See what comes of a man passing his life among foreigners. I suppose a Spanish or an Italian deputy might n't give much trouble, nor oppose any strenuous resistance to such a dealing; but it won't do here,--it will not.” “Lord Culduff knows the world as well as most men, sir.” “Yes, one world, I 'm sure he does! A world of essenced old dandies and painted dowagers, surrounded by thieving lackeys and cringing followers; where everything can be done by bribery, and nothing without it. But that's not England, I'm proud to say; nor will it be, I hope, for many a day to come.” “I wish, sir, you could be induced to give your aid to Culduff in this matter. I need not say what an influence it would exert over my own fortunes.” “You must win your way, Temple, by your own merits,” said he, haughtily. “I 'd be ashamed to think that a son of mine owed any share of his success in life to ignoble acts or backstairs influence. Go back and tell Lord Culduff from me, that so far as I know it, Lord Rigglesworth's advice is my own. No wise man ever courts a public scandal; and he would be less than wise to confront one, with the certainty of being overwhelmed by it.” “Will you see him, sir? Will you speak to him yourself?” “I 'd rather not. It would be a needless pain to each of us.” “I suspect he means to leave this to-night.” “Not the worst thing he could do.” “But you 'll see him, to say good-bye?” “Certainly; and all the more easily if we have no conversation in the mean while. Who's that knocking? Is the door locked?” Temple hastened to open the door, and found Mr. Cutbill begging to have five minutes' conversation with Colonel Bramleigh. “Leave us together, Temple, and tell Marion to send me in some tea. You 'll have tea, too, won't you, Mr. Cutbill?” “No, thank you; I 'll ask for wine and water later. At present I want a little talk with you. Our noble friend has got it hot and heavy,” said he, as Temple withdrew, leaving Bramleigh and himself together; “but it's nothing to what will come out when Norton brings it before the House. I suppose there hasn't been such a scandal for years as he'll make of it.” “I declare, Mr. Cutbill, as long as the gentleman continues my guest, I 'd rather avoid than invite any discussion of his antecedents,” said Bramleigh, pompously. “All very fine, if you could stop the world from talking of them.” “My son has just been with me, and I have said to him, sir, as I have now repeated to you, that it is a theme I will not enter upon.” “You won't, won't you?” “No, sir, I will not.” “The more fool you, then, that's all.” “What, sir, am I to be told this to my face, under my own roof? Can you presume to address these words to me?”