work required of him, than whom Mr. Mildmay, and Mr. Mildmay’s predecessor at the head of the liberal party, had had no more devoted adherent.  But the Duke of Omnium had never yet done a day’s work on behalf of his country.  They both wore the Garter, the Duke of St. Bungay having earned it by service, the Duke of Omnium having been decorated with the blue ribbon,—­because he was Duke of Omnium.  The one was a moral, good man, a good husband, a good father, and a good friend.  The other,—­did not bear quite so high a reputation.  But men and women thought but little of the Duke of St. Bungay, while the other duke was regarded with an almost reverential awe.  I think the secret lay in the simple fact that the Duke of Omnium had not been common in the eyes of the people.  He had contrived to envelope himself in something of the ancient mystery of wealth and rank.  Within three minutes of the Duke’s arrival Mrs. Bonteen, with an air of great importance, whispered a word to Phineas.  “He has come.  He arrived exactly at seven!”

“Who has come?” Phineas asked.

“The Duke of Omnium!” she said, almost reprimanding him by her tone of voice for his indifference.  “There has been a great doubt whether or no he would show himself at last.  Lady Glencora told me that he never will pledge himself.  I am so glad he has come.”

“I don’t think I ever saw him,” said Phineas.

“Oh, I have seen him,—­a magnificent-looking man!  I think it is so very nice of Lady Glencora getting him to meet us.  It is very rarely that he will join in a great party, but they say Lady Glencora can do anything with him since the heir was born.  I suppose you have heard all about that.”

“No,” said Phineas; “I have heard nothing of the heir, but I know that there are three or four babies.”

“There was no heir, you know, for a year and a half, and they were all au desespoir; and the Duke was very nearly quarrelling with his nephew; and Mr. Palliser—­; you know it had very nearly come to a separation.”

“I don’t know anything at all about it,” said Phineas, who was not very fond of the lady who was giving him the information.

“It is so, I can assure you; but since the boy was born Lady Glencora can do anything with the Duke.  She made him go to Ascot last spring, and he presented her with the favourite for one of the races on the very morning the horse ran.  They say he gave three thousand pounds for him.”

“And did Lady Glencora win?”

“No;—­the horse lost; and Mr. Palliser has never known what to do with him since.  But it was very pretty of the Duke;—­was it not?”