‘None but the brave deserve the fair,’ said the Duke slapping his hands upon the table.  ’Why, if “We fail, we fail!  But screw your courage to the sticking place, And we’ll not fail.”  What high point would ever be reached if caution such as that were allowed to prevail?  What young men have done before cannot you do?  I have no doubt of your capacity.  None.’

‘Haven’t you, sir,’ said Silverbridge, considerably gratified,—­and also surprised.

‘None in the least.  But, perhaps, some of your diligence.’

‘I could learn it by heart, sir,—­if you mean that.’

’But I don’t mean that; or rather I mean much more than that.  You have first to realise in your mind the thing to be said, and then the words in which you should say it, before you come to learning by heart.’

‘Some of them I suppose would tell me what to say.’

’No doubt with your inexperience it would be unfit that you should be left entirely to yourself.  But I would wish you to know,—­ perhaps I should say to feel, that the sentiments expressed by you were just.’

‘I should have to praise Sir Timothy.’

’Not that necessarily.  But you would have to advocate that course in Parliament which Sir Timothy and his friends have taken and propose to take.’

‘But I hate him like poison.’

’There need be no personal feeling in the matter.  I remember that when I moved the address in your house Mr Mildmay was Prime Minister,—­a man for whom my regard and esteem was unbounded,—­who had been in political matters the preceptor of my youth, whom as a patriotic statesman I almost worshipped, whom I now remember as a man whose departure from the arena of politics left the country very destitute.  No one has sprung up since like him,—­or hardly second to him.  But in speaking on so large a subject as the policy of a party, I thought it beneath me to eulogise a man.  The same policy reversed may keep you silent respecting Sir Timothy.’

‘I needn’t of course say what I think about him.’

’I suppose you do agree with Sir Timothy as to his general policy? 
 On no other condition can you undertake such a duty.’

‘Of course I have voted with him.’

’So I have observed,—­not so regularly perhaps as Mr Roby would have desired.’  Mr Roby was the Conservative whip.

’And I suppose the people at Silverbridge expect me to support him.’

’I hardly know how that may be.  They used to be contented with more poor services.  No doubt they feel they have changed for the better.’

‘You shouldn’t say that, sir.’

’I am bound to suppose that they think so, because when the matter was left in their own hands they at once elected a Conservative.  You need not fear that you will offend them by seconding the address.  They will probably feel proud to see their young member brought forward on such an occasion; as I shall be proud to see my son.’