CHAPTER V.

** Homunculi quanti sunt, cum recogito.” 1_PLauTus,
I? is obvious that for many reasons we must be brief upon he political intrigue in which the scheming spirit of Lord Var- grave was employed. It would, indeed, be scarcely possible to reserve the necessary medium between too plain a revelation nd too complex a disguise. It suffices, therefore, very shortly 0 repeat what the reader has already gathered from what has one before—namely, that the question at issue was one which has happened often enough in all governments—one on which © ‘the cabinet was divided, and in which the weaker party was
endeavouring to out-trick the stronger. fe
_ The malcontents, foreseeing that sooner or later the head of he gathering must break, were again divided among themselves
_ * When I reflect, how great your little men are in their own consideration,
H
LR | oi tate Vy
whether to resign or to stay in, and strive to force a resignation : on their dissentient colleagues. The’richer and the more honest | were for the former course ; the poorer and the more dependent © for the latter. We have seen that the latter policy was that espoused and recommended by Vargrave--(who, though not in — the cabinet, always contrived somehow or other to worm out its secrets)—at the same time he by no means rejected the other — string to his bow. If it were possible so to arrange and to strengthen his faction, that, by the coup @état of a sudden resignation in a formidable body, the whole Government might be broken up, and a new one formed from among the resignees, it would obviously be the best plan. But then Lord Vargrave was doubtful of his own strength, and fearful to play into the hands of his colleagues, who might be able to stand even better without himself and his allies, and, by conciliating the Opposi- tion, take a step onward in political movement, which might leave Vargrave placeless and powerless for years to come. .
He repented his own rashness in the recent debate, which was, indeed, a premature boldness that had sprung out of momentary excitement—for the craftiest orator must be indis-_ creet sometimes. He spent the next few days in alternately | seeking to explain away to one party, and to sound, unite, and consolidate the other. His attempts in the one quarter were received by the premier with the cold politeness of an offended but careful statesman, who believed just as much as he chose, and preferred taking his own opportunity for a breach with a subordinate, to risking any imprudence by the gratification. of resentment. In the last quarter, the penetrating adventurer saw that his ground was more insecure than he had anticipated. He perceived in dismay and secret rage, that many of those most loud in his favour while he was with the Government would desert him the soonest if thrown out. Liked as a subordinate minister, he was viewed with very different eyes the moment it was a question, whether, instead of cheering his sentiments, men should trust themselves to his guidance Some did not wish to displease the Government; others did not seek to weaken, but to correct them. One of his stanchest allies in the Commons was a candidate for a peerage—another suddenly remembered
idea of a puppet premier in Lord Saxingham—others insinuated tc to Vargrave that he himself was not precisely of that standing in the country which would command respect to a new party, of which, if not the head, he would be the mouthpiece ;—for them- “selves they knew, admired, and trusted him; but those d—d country gentlemen—and the dull public! _ Alarmed, wearied, and disgusted, the schemer saw himself s reduced to submission, for the present at least; and more than ever he felt the necessity of Evelyn’s fortune to fall back upon, x ‘if the chance of the cards should rob him of his salary. He was : glad to escape for a breathing while from the vexations and he arassments that beset him, and looked forward with the eager interest of a sanguine and elastic mind—always escaping from ‘one scheme to another--to his excursion into B shire. 4 At the villa of Mr. Douce, Lord Vargrave met a young nobleman who had just succeeded to a property not only large _and unencumbered, but of a nature to give him importance in the eyes of politicians. Situated in a very small county, the states of Lord Doltimore secured to his nomination at least one of the representatives, while a little village at the back of hi pleasure-grounds constituted a borough, and returned two members to parliament. Lord Doltimore, just returned from the Continent, had not even taken his seat in the Lords; and ough his family connections, such as they were—and they were not very high, and by no means in the fashion—were ministérial, his own opinions were as yet unrevealed. To this young nobleman Lord Vargrave was singularly attentive; he was well formed to attract men younger than himself ; and he eminently succeeded in his designs upon Lord Doltimore’s affection. His lordship was a small, pale man, with a very limited share f understanding, supercilious in manner, elaborate in dress, not ll-natured au fond, and with much of the English gentleman in lis disposition ;—that is, he was honourable in his ideas and ’ ions, whenever his natural dulness and neglected education nabled him clearly to perceive (through the midst of prejudices, delusions of others, and the false lights of the dissipated % H 2
he was. s second cousin 1 to the premier—some laughed at= the ee
3 : society in which he had lived) what was right and what wrong:
But his leading characteristics were vanity and conceit. He had :
lived much with younger sons, cleverer than himself, who bor- rowed his money, sold him their horses, and won from him at
cards. In return, they gave him all that species of flattery which —
young men can give with so hearty an appearance of cordial admiration. ‘You certainly have the best horses in Paris. You
are really a devilish good fellow, Doltimore. Oh, do you know, a - Doltimore, what little Dészvé says of si You have certainly
turned the girl’s head.”
This sort of adulation from one sex was not corrected by any —
great acerbity from the other. Lord Doltimore at the age of
twenty-two was a very good fart ; and, whatever his other de= a
ficiencies, he had sense enough to perceive that he received much greater attention—whether from opera-dancers in search of a
friend, or virtuous young ladies in search of a husband—than _ any of the companions, good-looking though many of them were, —
with whom he had habitually lived.
“You will not long remain in town now the season is over?” —
said Vargrave, as after dinner he found himself, by the de- parture of the ladies, next to Lord Doltimore.
“No, indeed ; even in the season, I don’t much like London. Paris has rathes spoiled me for any other place.”
“Paris is certainly very charming—the ease of French life has — _a fascination that our formal ostentation wants. Nevertheless, to —
aman like you, London must have many attractions.”
“Why, I have a good many friends here ; but still, after Ascot, it rather bores me.”
“ Have you any horses on the turf?”
“Not yet; but Legard (you know Legard, perhaps—a very good fellow) is anxious that I should try my luck. I was very fortunate in the races at Paris—you know we have established racing there. The French take to it quite naturally.”
“ Ah, indeed !—it is so long since I have been in Paris—most
Ai decid aiad,
me eral
PFN Se ee ce els
Pe ee eee
exciting amusement! A propos of races—I am going down to —
Lord Raby’s to-morrow ; I think I saw in one of the morning papers, that you had very largely backed a horse entered at
Knaresdean.”
1
underer—I think of ‘buying Thunderer. Legard— Legard—(he was in the Guards, but he sold out)—is a ood judge, and recommends the purchase. How very odd that ou too should be going to Knaresdean !” “a Odd, indeed, but most lucky !—we can go together, if you are SG z better engaged, 3
to et Nese riiciecs. the shyness got the better of the : ; anity—he excused himself—he feared he was engaged to take —
Lumley smiled, and changed the conversation ; and so agree- le did he make himself, that when the party Droke up, and © umley had just shaken hands with his host, Doltimore came to , and said in a little confusion—
“TT think I can put off Legard—if—if you” 2
“That’s delightful! What time shall we start ?—need not get own much before dinner—one o'clock?”
‘Oh, yes !—not too long before dinner—one o'clock will be a le too early.”
“Two then. Where are you staying?” “ At Fenton’s.” “T will call for you—good night!—I long to see Thun-