We broke up at half-past six o'clock, A. M.; Broughton was the first to rise from table, and many immediately followed his example: against this movement, however, he remonstrated.

"Don't let my withdrawal disperse you," said he; "the fact is, I am obliged to go, for I 've a cause of great importance in the King's Bench the first thing this morning, and I've not yet read a line of my brief, which is very voluminous.

"What the deuce, man!" cried Singleton, "are you going to read a brief and plead a cause before you take any rest?"" "To be sure I am," answered Broughton indifferently.

"Well, that is working on end with a vengeance! Why, you have not had an intermission of labour for the last twentyfour hours!"

"There is nothing wonderful in that," returned Broughton; "I slept last night, and you know I never by any chance go to bed oftener than three times a week."

So saying he left the room. Broughton particularly plumed himself upon this faculty of prolonged mental labour.

For my own part, I went home thoroughly tired out, and slept with great satisfaction until two o'clock in the afternoon, when I dressed and read my letters-operations which I usually performed simultaneously. This day's post brought me one. letter of moment; it was from my agent Nicholls, and the purport of it was to break to me the distressing intelligence that the virtue of Mr. Ball and the independent electors of Phad at length yielded to the seductive influence of gold; in a word, that Lord Daventry had purchased the borough over my head, and consequently that I had no longer a particle of interest in it after my present tenure should be terminated.

It was useless to repine or to curse, which is the favourite mode of expressing one's feelings upon such occasions. The matter admitted of no remedy, therefore I determined, with my usual philosophy, to dismiss it from my mind, and to forget that such a frail and faithless thing as the borough of P. existed. I had not finished my toilet, when there was a knock at my dressing-room door, followed immediately by the entrance of Spencer. This young gentleman I had not seen for some days; for since he had become private secretary to the leader of the Opposition, his time had been almost wholly occupied by the business of his situation.. He now came with a joyful countenance to felicitate me on my successful speech, and on the approaching consummation of Whig hopes produced by the result of the late division in the House of Com

mons.

"You will certainly get a high office," said he, "perhaps, indeed, a Cabinet one; at least, if you 're not a minister now, I have no doubt that I shall have the happiness of seeing you one in the course of two or three sessions."

"I am obliged to you for your flattering opinion of my prospects," returned I, "but I have no such hopes. And now, tell me, do you continue to like your situation and patron?"

He declared that he grew more attached to both every day, and reiterated his extravagant praises of Broughton.

"I suspect, Ned," said I, "that you have already acquired some influence in that quarter."

Spencer answered with the air of a man who is highly flattered by the suspicion, and cares not to be implicity believed in his disclaimer of it.

"It may be a caprice of mine," I resumed, "but I cannot help doubting about the consequences of this morning's division. You are a shrewd fellow, Ned, and have had good opportunities of observing the state of things. Tell me candidly what is your real opinion on the subject?"?

"I think it is quite clear that no Ministry can maintain itself with so small a majority as forty."

"Of course, the Launceston party must go out; but what I want to know is, who will come in?"

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I understand what you mean," rejoined Spencer, "and, to tell you the truth, I do think that the Whigs should not be too confident. You know what a prejudice exists against them in a certain quarter; and (inter nos) what wonder? Have they not most indecently and impolitically insinuated, that the chief obstacle to their admission to power lies in that quarter which is inimical to them on account of their popular principles? Have not many individuals of the body justly rendered themselves obnoxious by the virulent personality in which they have indulged toward the exalted party to which I allude. Singleton, especially, is in mauvais odeur, and Broughton himself has occasionally been very intemperate. Here are two persons who could not possibly be omitted from any Whig arrangement. For these reasons, I am inclined to think that every available expedient will be attempted before a communication is sent to Brookes's."

"I am pretty much of your opinion," said I; "but do you think it would be possible to form and establish an administration of an intermediate character ?"

"I have not the least doubt of it," returned the private secretary; "it would not be difficult, I suspect, to find the materials for such an one, if a man of rank, abilities, and above all, vigour of character, could be induced to place himself at the head of it.”

"Have you any such person in contemplation ?" inquired I. "Oh, none in the world! It is a mere hypothesis; only, my dear Matthew, as I conceal nothing from you which I am not bound in honour to keep secret, I will tell you that from my observation of Broughton, I strongly suspect-indeed I am

pretty well convinced that he would willingly become part of a combined and extended administration, which, discarding party prejudices, applied itself to the practical benefit of the country. I am persuaded that Broughton means well, and warned by repeated disappointments, he sees the improbability of permanently establishing, at least at present, a pure Whig government; and therefore, notwithstanding the obloquy he may incur, is disposed

To provide for himself," interrupted I; "his watchword is sauvé qui peut !' I suspected as much."

"With what different sentiments can the same things be viewed!" cried Spencer;" that which I should consider as a signal act of patriotism, you would look upon in a contrary light."

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Certainly, if Broughton were to desert the party which first called him into political existence; which has raised him, although there were many of at least equal pretensions with himself, to its highest honours, and would to-morrow, if it had the power, bestow upon him equally substantial tokens of regard; if he, I say, were to desert the Whig body, it would, in my opinion, be an act almost analogous to the crime of filial ingratitude.'

Surely that is going too far: even admitting the act to be reprehensible, the rules of private life are not applicable to the public character."

"That, Spencer, is a distinction which could never comprehend; for honesty, according to the peculiar view which I take of it, is an immutable principle, modified by neither time, 'place, nor circumstance."

"I shall not dispute that point with you," answered Spencer; “I only say, that the distinction which you reject is a deuced convenient one, for if it were not generally allowed, there would be an end of all freedom of debate."

"Unquestionably, the separation of public from private honesty, and the regulation of them as two essentially different qualities, is an invention no less useful than ingenious. If you call a gentleman a knavish fellow, you are immediately knocked down, and shot next morning; but, if you describe a member of Parliament as a trimmer, he goes about to argue that he is not, but never dreams of committing an assault upon you, or calling you to personal account. It is, therefore, I admit, a very ingenious artifice to place political probity on a level with measures, abilities, oratorical powers, or any other matter of taste and opinion, which is open to free discussion and animadversion. At the same time, while I admire and approve the practice, I cannot recognize it as a principle, or if I do, as a fiction, akin to those which the law so frequently makes use of."

"Then," said Spencer, "whatever might be your theoretical opinion, in your conduct, you would conform to the general practice?"

"How do you mean?"

room now,

"Why, suppose, for instance, Broughton should enter the and convince you, by the clearest arguments, that the Whigs could not come into power, and that the times were not ripe for the full application of their principles. If he should then apprize you that he had become a party to an arrangement, by which Whiggism was cut down to a practical form, and promise you a high office provided you would follow his example and secede, or, if you choose strong language, desert from the main body, would you suffer any scruples about party engagements to withhold you from thus serving at the same time, and in an eminent degree, your own and your country's interests ?"

"I confess that I should be so infatuated," answered I; "nay, more, I would not only refuse to follow the example of the deserter, but also go down forthwith to the House of Commons, and expose his treachery in the strongest language that I could

command."

Spencer made no reply, but looked thoughtful. /

"Here, Ned," said Ï, "is something to amuse you while Parker is shaving me."

So saying, I tossed to him the letter of my agent, Mr. Nicholls. I eyed his countenance keenly while he was reading it, and never shall I forget the expression which it assumed. It turned as pale as death, and was filled with the deepest con

sternation.

"Well," said I, "what do you think of that?"

"Can nothing be done in this business?" inquired he, calmly.

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Absolutely nothing. I have henceforth no more influence in that quarter than Parker has. I am chiefly sorry on your account, because you see I am no longer in a condition to perform my promise to you.'

Spencer was silent. I never beheld so sudden and complete* a prostration of spirits as was produced in this young man by the perusal of my agent's letter. He sat with me about a quarter of an hour longer, but spoke scarcely a word during that time. He then rose abruptly, and observing that he had some letters to write for the post, wished me good morning.

CHAPTER XXVII.

A FEW minutes after I had descended to the drawing-room, Auriol was announced. He begged that I would not suffer him to interfere with any of my engagements, for if he found that he was in my way in any instance in which I was not frank with him, it would effectually banish him from my house. I assured him that I was quite at leisure, and that whenever his presence obstructed business, I would not hesitate to tell him so. His scruples were accordingly quieted, and he sat down. I asked him if he had received a visit from my friend Dr. Henniker, to whom I had despatched a note the day previous, requesting that he would call upon Auriol, and mentioning a few particulars respecting the character and habits of his new patient, of which I had deemed it expedient to advertise

him.

"I had an interview with your physician about an hour ago," returned the poet, "and it is in consequence of that interview that I am here now."

"Well, my dear friend, what did he think of you?"

"He recommended my immediate departure to a warm climate, as I expected; and when I told him that important business would detain me in London a short time, he strongly advised me if possible to transact it by proxy. He did not say that there was any immediate danger; yet, though his manner was benevolent and kind, and free from any alarming mysteriousness, I cannot help suspecting he considers me in a bad way. Now, I should feel greatly obliged, if you would take an early opportunity of seeing Dr. Henniker, ask him what is his real opinion about me, and then communicate it faithfully to myself. Will you be so kind?"

"But why not content yourself with adopting his advice? As to your poem, I will superintend its publication; so dismiss from your mind all anxiety on that account."

"Still, I must press my request. What I want to ascertain is, whether there is a really good chance of my life being saved by leaving this country? If not, and Dr. Henniker should have urged this measure merely as the last resort in a desperate case, ask him how much longer he thinks I may hold out in my present state? If his report should be of the first description, I will accept your most kind offer; if of the latter, it would be useless; for I may as well employ the remnant of my time in finishing the work which has been its main employ

ment."

"What!" resumed he, after a pause, perceiving that I was silent, "do you doubt my firmness, Sydenham? There has