‘Then you refuse to do as I ask?’

’I do not know how I can help refusing it.  If you wanted me to grow a couple of inches taller, I couldn’t do it, even though I should be ever so anxious to oblige you.’

’But a very young man, as you are, may have so much deference for his elders as to be induced to believe that he has been in error.’

‘Oh yes; of course.’

’You cannot but be aware that the political condition of the country is the one subject to which I have devoted the labour of my life.’

’I know that very well; and of course, I know how much they all think of you.’

‘Then my opinion might go for something with you?’

’So it does, sir; I shouldn’t have doubted at all only for that.  Still, you see, as the thing is,—­how am I to help myself?’

’You believe that you must be right,—­you who have never given an hour’s study to the subject.’

’No, sir.  In comparison with a great many men, I know that I am a fool.  Perhaps it is because I know that, that I am a Conservative.  The Radicals are always saying that a Conservative must be a fool.  Then a fool ought to be a Conservative.’

Hereupon the father got up from his chair and turned round, facing the fire, with his back to his son.  He was becoming very angry, but endeavoured to restrain his anger.  The matter in dispute between them was of so great importance, that he could hardly be justified in abandoning it in consequence of arguments so trifling in themselves as these which his son adduced.  As he stood there for some minutes thinking of it all, he was tempted again and again to burst out in wrath and threaten the lad,—­to threaten him as to money, as to his amusements, as to the general tenure of his life.  The pity was so great that the lad should be so stubborn and so foolish!  He would never ask his son to be a slave to the Liberal party, as he had been.  But that a Palliser should not be a Liberal,—­and his son, as the first recreant Palliser,—­was wormwood to him!  As he stood there he more than once clenched his fist in eager desire to turn upon the young man; but he restrained himself, telling himself that in justice he should not be angry for such offence as this.  To become a Conservative, when the path to liberalism was so fairly open, might be the part of a fool, but could not fairly be imputed as a crime.  To endeavour to be just was the study of his life, and in no condition of life can justice be more imperatively due than from a father to his son.

‘You mean to stand for Silverbridge?’ he said at last.

‘Not if you object, sir.’

This made it worse.  It became now still more difficult for him to scold the young man.  ’You are aware that I should not meddle in any way.’

’That is what I supposed.  They will return a Conservative at any rate.’

‘It is not that I care about,’ said the Duke sadly.

’Upon my word, sir, I am very sorry to vex you; but what would you have me do?  I will give up Parliament altogether, if you say that you wish it.’