Soon after that Phineas took his departure from the house, feeling sore and unhappy.  But on the next morning he was received in Grosvenor Place with an amount of triumph which went far to compensate him.  Lady Laura had written to him to call there, and on his arrival he found both Violet Effingham and Madame Max Goesler with his friend.  When Phineas entered the room his first feeling was one of intense joy at seeing that Violet Effingham was present there.  Then there was one of surprise that Madame Max Goesler should make one of the little party.  Lady Laura had told him at Mr. Palliser’s dinner-party that they, in Portman Square, had not as yet advanced far enough to receive Madame Max Goesler,—­and yet here was the lady in Mr. Kennedy’s drawing-room.  Now Phineas would have thought it more likely that he should find her in Portman Square than in Grosvenor Place.  The truth was that Madame Goesler had been brought by Miss Effingham,—­with the consent, indeed, of Lady Laura, but with a consent given with much of hesitation.  “What are you afraid of?” Violet had asked.  “I am afraid of nothing,” Lady Laura had answered; “but one has to choose one’s acquaintance in accordance with rules which one doesn’t lay down very strictly.”  “She is a clever woman,” said Violet, “and everybody likes her; but if you think Mr. Kennedy would object, of course you are right.”  Then Lady Laura had consented, telling herself that it was not necessary that she should ask her husband’s approval as to every new acquaintance she might form.  At the same time Violet had been told that Phineas would be there, and so the party had been made up.

“‘See the conquering hero comes,’ said Violet in her cheeriest voice.

“I am so glad that Mr. Finn has been made a lord of something,” said Madame Max Goesler.  “I had the pleasure of a long political discussion with him the other night, and I quite approve of him.”

“We are so much gratified, Mr. Finn,” said Lady Laura.  “Mr. Kennedy says that it is the best appointment they could have made, and papa is quite proud about it.”

“You are Lord Brentford’s member; are you not?” asked Madame Max Goesler.  This was a question which Phineas did not quite like, and which he was obliged to excuse by remembering that the questioner had lived so long out of England as to be probably ignorant of the myths, and theories, and system, and working of the British Constitution.  Violet Effingham, little as she knew of politics, would never have asked a question so imprudent.

But the question was turned off, and Phineas, with an easy grace, submitted himself to be petted, and congratulated, and purred over, and almost caressed by the three ladies, Their good-natured enthusiasm was at any rate better than the satire of Bunce, or the wisdom of Mrs. Low.  Lady Laura had no misgivings as to Phineas being fit for governing, and Violet Effingham said nothing as to the short-lived tenure of ministers.  Madame Max Goesler, though she had asked an indiscreet question, thoroughly appreciated the advantage of Government pay, and the prestige of Government power.  “You are a lord now,” she said, speaking, as was customary with her, with the slightest possible foreign accent, “and you will be a president soon, and then perhaps a secretary.  The order of promotion seems odd, but I am told it is very pleasant.”