“Isn’t it?  Mr. Palliser, do you live up to your political theories?” At this moment Mr. Palliser was sitting perfectly silent between Lady Hartletop and the Duke’s daughter, and he gave a little spring in his chair as this sudden address was made to him.  “Your House of Commons theories, I mean, Mr. Palliser.  Mr. Finn is saying that it is very well to have far advanced ideas,—­it does not matter how far advanced,—­because one is never called upon to act upon them practically.”

“That is a dangerous doctrine, I think,” said Mr. Palliser.

“But pleasant,—­so at least Mr. Finn says.”

“It is at least very common,” said Phineas, not caring to protect himself by a contradiction.

“For myself,” said Mr. Palliser gravely, “I think I may say that I always am really anxious to carry into practice all those doctrines of policy which I advocate in theory.”

During this conversation Lady Hartletop sat as though no word of it reached her ears.  She did not understand Madame Max Goesler, and by no means loved her.  Mr. Palliser, when he had made his little speech, turned to the Duke’s daughter and asked some question about the conservatories at Longroyston.

“I have called forth a word of wisdom,” said Madame Max Goesler, almost in a whisper.

“Yes,” said Phineas, “and taught a Cabinet Minister to believe that I am a most unsound politician.  You may have ruined my prospects for life, Madame Max Goesler.”

“Let me hope not.  As far as I can understand the way of things in your Government, the aspirants to office succeed chiefly by making themselves uncommonly unpleasant to those who are in power.  If a man can hit hard enough he is sure to be taken into the elysium of the Treasury bench,—­not that he may hit others, but that he may cease to hit those who are there.  I don’t think men are chosen because they are useful.”

“You are very severe upon us all.”

“Indeed, as far as I can see, one man is as useful as another.  But to put aside joking,—­they tell me that you are sure to become a minister.”

Phineas felt that he blushed.  Could it be that people said of him behind his back that he was a man likely to rise high in political position?  “Your informants are very kind,” he replied awkwardly, “but I do not know who they are.  I shall never get up in the way you describe,—­that is, by abusing the men I support.”

After that Madame Max Goesler turned round to Mr. Grey, who was sitting on the other side of her, and Phineas was left for a moment in silence.  He tried to say a word to Lady Hartletop, but Lady Hartletop only bowed her head gracefully in recognition of the truth of the statement he made.  So he applied himself for a while to his dinner.

“What do you think of Miss Effingham?” said Madame Max Goesler, again addressing him suddenly.

“What do I think about her?”

“You know her, I suppose.”