’Ah! the mind.  We imagine it free.  The House and the country are the sentient frame governing the mind of the politician more than his ideas.  He cannot think independently of them:—­nor I of my natural anatomy.  You will test the truth of that after your omelette and piquette, and marvel at the quitting of your line of route for Paris.  As soon as the mind attempts to think independently, it is like a kite with the cord cut, and performs a series of darts and frisks, that have the look of wildest liberty till you see it fall flat to earth.  The openness of his mind is most honourable to him.’

‘Ominous for his party.’

‘Likely to be good for his country.’

‘That is the question.’

’Prepare to encounter it.  In politics I am with the active minority on behalf of the inert but suffering majority.  That is my rule.  It leads, unless you have a despotism, to the conquering side.  It is always the noblest.  I won’t say, listen to me; only do believe my words have some weight.  This is a question of bread.’

‘It involves many other questions.’

’And how clearly those leaders put their case!  They are admirable debaters.  If I were asked to write against them, I should have but to quote them to confound my argument.  I tried it once, and wasted a couple of my precious hours.’

‘They are cogent debaters,’ Dacier assented.  ’They make me wince now and then, without convincing me:  I own it to you.  The confession is not agreeable, though it’s a small matter.’

’One’s pride may feel a touch with the foils as keenly as the point of a rapier,’ said Diana.

The remark drew a sharp look of pleasure from him.

’Does the Princess Egeria propose to dismiss the individual she inspires, when he is growing most sensible of her wisdom?’

’A young Minister of State should be gleaning at large when holiday is granted him.’

Dacier coloured.  ‘May I presume on what is currently reported?’

‘Parts, parts; a bit here, a bit there,’ she rejoined.  ’Authors find their models where they can, and generally hit on the nearest.’

‘Happy the nearest!’

’If you run to interjections I shall cite you a sentence, from your latest speech in the House.’

He asked for it, and to school him she consented to flatter with her recollection of his commonest words: 

’"Dealing with subjects of this nature emotionally does, not advance us a calculable inch."’

‘I must have said that in relation to hard matter of business.’

’It applies.  There is my hostelry, and the spectral form of Danvers, utterly depaysee.  Have you spoken to the poor soul?  I can never discover the links of her attachment to my service.’

’She knows a good mistress.—­I have but a few minutes, if you are relentless.  May I . . ., shall I ever be privileged to speak your Christian name?’