Arthur Fletcher was also asked to undertake the task.He was the successful candidate, the man who opposed Lopez, and who was declared by the "People's Banner" to have emancipated that borough by his noble conduct from the tyranny of the House of Palliser.And it was thought that he might like an opportunity of making himself known in the House.But he was simply indignant when the suggestion was made to him.'What is it to me,' he said, 'who paid the blackguard's expenses?'
This went on for some weeks after Parliament had met, and for some days even after the article in which direct allusion was made to the Duchess.The Prime Minister could not be got to consent that no notice should be taken of the matter, let the papers or the public say what they would, nor could he be induced to let the matter be handled in a manner proposed by the elder Duke.And during this time he was in such a fever that those about him felt that something must be done.Mr Monk suggested that if everybody held his tongue,--meaning all the Duke's friends,--the thing would wear itself out.But it was apparent to those who were nearest to the minister, to Mr Warburton, for instance, and the Duke of St Bungay, that the man himself would be worn out first.The happy professor of a thick skin can hardly understand how one not so blessed may be hurt by the thong of a little whip! At last the matter was arranged.At the instigation of Mr Monk, Sir James Deering, who was really the father of the House, an independent member, but one who generally voted with the Coalition, consented to ask the question in the House of Commons.And Phineas Finn was instructed by the Duke as to the answer that was to be given.The Duke of Omnium in giving these instructions made a mystery of the matter which he by no means himself intended.But he was so sore that he could not be simple in what he said.'Mr Finn,' he said, 'you must promise me this;--that the name of the Duchess shall not be mentioned.'
'Certainly not by me, if you will tell me that I am not to mention it.'
'No one else can do so.The matter will take the form of a simple question, and though the conduct of the minister may no doubt be made the subject of debate,--and it is not improbable that any conduct may do so in this instance,--it is, I think, impossible that any member should make an allusion to my wife.
The privilege or power of returning a member for the borough has undoubtedly been exercised by our family since as well as previous to both the Reform Bills.At the last election Ithought it right to abandon that privilege, and notified to those about my intention.But that which a man has the power of doing he cannot always do without interference of those around him.
There was a misconception, and among my,--my adherents,--there were some who injudiciously advised Mr Lopez to stand on my interest.But he did not get my interest, and was beaten;--and therefore when he asked me for the money which he had spent, Ipaid it to him.That is all.I think the House can hardly avoid to see that my effort was made to discontinue an unconstitutional proceeding.'
Sir James Deering asked the question.'He trusted,' he said, 'that the House would not think that the question of which he had given notice and which he was about to ask was instigated by any personal desire on his part to inquire into the conduct of the Prime Minister.He was one who believed that the Duke of Omnium was as little likely as any man in England to offend by unconstitutional practice on his own part.But a great deal had been talked and written lately about the late election at Silverbridge, and there were those who thought,--and he was one of them,--that something should be said to stop the mouths of cavillers.With this object he would ask the Right Honourable Gentleman who led the House, and who was perhaps first in standing among the Duke's colleagues in that House, whether the noble Duke was prepared to have any statement on the subject made.'
The house was full to the very corners of the galleries.Of course it was known to everybody that the question was to be asked and to be answered.There were some who thought the matter was so serious that the Prime Minister could not get over it.
Others had heard the details in the clubs that Lady Glen, as the Duchess was still called, was to be made the scapegoat.Men of all classes were open-mouthed in the denunciation and meanness of Lopez--though no one but Mr Wharton knew half his villainy, as he alone knew that the expenses had been paid twice over.In one corner of the reporter's gallery sat Mr Slide, pencil in hand, prepared to revert to his old work on so momentous an occasion.
It was a great day for him.He by his own unassisted energy had brought the Prime Minister to book, and had created all this turmoil.It might be his happy lot to be the means of turning the Prime Minister out of office.It was he who had watched over the nation! The Duchess had been most anxious to be present,--but had not ventured to come without asking her husband's leave, which he had most peremptorily refused to give.'I cannot understand, Glencora, how you can suggest such a thing,' he had said.
'You make so much of everything,' she had replied petulantly; but she had remained at home.The ladies' gallery was, however, quite full.Mrs Finn was there, of course, anxious not only for her friend, but eager to hear how her husband would acquit himself in his task.The wives and daughters of all the ministers were there,--excepting the wife of the Prime Minister.
