porter.
Then
he
would
fain
believe
Sidonia
was
writing
a
note
.
Then
crossing
the
street
,
he
mounted
by
some
steps
the
terrace
of
the
Tuileries
nearly
opposite
the
Hotel
of
the
Minister
of
Finance
,
and
watched
the
house
.
A
quarter
of
an
hour
elapsed
,
Sidonia
did
not
come
forth
.
They
were
at
home
to
him
;
only
to
him
.
Sick
at
heart
,
infinitely
wretched
,
scarcely
able
to
guide
his
steps
,
dreading
even
to
meet
an
acquaintance
,
and
almost
feeling
that
his
tongue
would
refuse
the
office
of
conversation
,
he
contrived
to
reach
his
grandfather
's
hotel
,
and
was
about
to
bury
himself
in
his
chamber
,
when
on
the
staircase
he
met
Flora
.
Coningsby
had
not
seen
her
for
the
last
fortnight
.
Seeing
her
now
,
his
heart
smote
him
for
his
neglect
,
excusable
as
it
really
was
.
Any
one
else
at
this
time
,
he
would
have
hurried
by
without
recognition
,
but
the
gentle
and
suffering
Flora
was
too
meek
to
be
rudely
treated
by
so
kind
a
heart
as
Coningsby
's
.
He
looked
at
her
;
she
was
pale
and
agitated
.
Her
step
trembled
,
while
she
still
hastened
on
.
"
What
is
the
matter
?
"
inquired
Coningsby
.
"
My
Lord
,
—
the
Marchioness
,
—
are
in
danger
,
thrown
from
their
carriage
.
"
Briefly
she
detailed
to
Coningsby
all
that
had
occurred
;
that
M
.
Villebecque
had
already
repaired
to
them
;
that
she
herself
only
this
moment
had
learned
the
intelligence
,
that
seemed
to
agitate
her
to
the
centre
.
Coningsby
instantly
turned
with
her
;
but
they
had
scarcely
emerged
from
the
court-yard
when
the
carriage
approached
that
brought
Lord
and
Lady
Monmouth
home
.
They
followed
it
into
the
court
.
They
were
immediately
at
its
door
.
"
All
is
right
,
Harry
,
"
said
the
Marquess
,
calm
and
grave
.
Coningsby
pressed
his
grandfather
's
hand
.
Then
he
assisted
Lucretia
to
alight
.
"
I
am
quite
well
,
"
she
said
,
"
now
.
"
"
But
you
must
lean
on
me
,
dearest
Lady
Monmouth
,
"
Coningsby
said
in
a
tone
of
great
tenderness
,
as
he
felt
Lucretia
almost
sinking
from
him
.
And
he
supported
her
into
the
hall
of
the
hotel
.
Lord
Monmouth
had
lingered
behind
.
Flora
crept
up
to
him
,
and
with
unwonted
boldness
offered
her
arm
to
the
Marquess
.
He
looked
at
her
with
a
glance
of
surprise
,
and
then
a
soften
expression
,
one
indeed
of
an
almost
winning
sweetness
,
which
,
though
rare
,
was
not
a
stranger
to
his
countenance
,
melted
his
features
,
and
taking
the
arm
so
humbly
presented
,
he
said
:
"
Ma
Petite
,
you
look
more
frightened
than
any
of
us
.
Poor
child
!
"
He
had
reached
the
top
of
the
flight
of
steps
;
he
withdrew
his
arm
from
Flora
,
and
thanked
her
with
all
his
courtesy
.
"
You
are
not
hurt
then
,
sir
?
"
she
ventured
to
ask
with
a
look
which
expressed
the
infinite
solicitude
,
which
her
tongue
did
not
venture
to
convey
.
"
By
no
means
,
my
good
little
girl
;
"
and
he
extended
his
hand
to
her
,
which
she
reverently
bent
over
and
embraced
.
CHAPTER
VII
.
When
Coningsby
had
returned
to
his
grandfather
's
hotel
that
morning
,
it
was
with
a
determination
of
leaving
Paris
the
next
day
for
England
,
but
the
accident
to
Lady
Monmouth
,
though
,
as
it
ultimately
appeared
,
accompanied
by
no
very
serious
consequences
,
quite
dissipated
this
intention
.
It
was
impossible
to
quit
them
so
crudely
,
at
such
a
moment
.
So
he
remained
another
day
,
and
that
was
the
day
preceding
Sidonia
's
fête
,
which
he
particularly
resolved
not
to
attend
.
He
felt
it
quite
impossible
that
he
could
again
endure
the
sight
of
either
Sidonia
or
Edith
.
He
looked
upon
them
as
persons
who
had
deeply
injured
him
;
though
they
really
were
individuals
who
had
treated
him
with
invariable
kindness
.
But
he
felt
their
existence
was
a
source
of
mortification
and
misery
to
him
.
With
these
feelings
,
sauntering
away
the
last
hours
at
Paris
,
disquieted
,
uneasy
;
no
present
,
no
future
;
no
enjoyment
,
no
hope
;
really
,
positively
,
undeniably
,
unhappy
;
unhappy
too
for
the
first
time
in
his
life
;
the
first
unhappiness
—
what
a
companion
piece
for
the
first
love
—
Coningsby
,
of
all
places
in
the
world
,
in
the
gardens
of
the
Luxembourg
,
encountered
Sir
Joseph
Wallinger
and
Edith
.
To
avoid
them
was
impossible
;
they
met
face
to
face
;
and
Sir
Joseph
stopped
,
and
immediately
reminded
him
that
it
was
three
days
since
they
had
seen
him
,
as
if
to
reproach
him
for
so
unprecedented
a
neglect
.
And
it
seemed
that
Edith
,
though
she
said
not
as
much
,
felt
the
same
.
And
Coningsby
turned
round
and
walked
with
them
.
He
told
them
he
was
going
to
leave
Paris
on
the
morrow
.
"
And
miss
Monsieur
de
Sidonia
's
fête
,
of
which
we
have
all
talked
so
much
!
"
said
Edith
with
unaffected
surprise
,
and
an
expression
of
disappointment
which
she
in
vain
attempted
to
conceal
.
"
The
festival
will
be
not
less
gay
for
my
absence
,
"
said
Coningsby
with
that
plaintive
moroseness
not
unusual
to
despairing
lovers
.
"
If
we
were
all
to
argue
from
the
same
premises
and
act
accordingly
,
"
said
Edith
,
"
the
saloons
would
be
empty
.
But
if
any
person
's
absence
would
be
remarked
,
I
should
really
have
thought
it
would
be
yours
.
I
thought
you
were
one
of
Monsieur
de
Sidonia
's
great
friends
!
"
"
He
has
no
friend
,
"
said
Coningsby
.
"
No
wise
man
has
.
What
are
friends
?
Traitors
.
"
Edith
looked
very
much
astonished
.
And
then
she
said
:
"
I
am
sure
you
have
not
quarrelled
with
Monsieur
de
Sidonia
,
for
we
have
just
parted
with
him
.
"
"
I
have
no
doubt
you
have
,
"
thought
Coningsby
.
"
And
it
is
impossible
to
speak
of
another
in
higher
terms
than
he
spoke
of
you
.
Sir
Joseph
observed
how
unusual
it
was
for
Monsieur
de
Sidonia
to
express
himself
so
warmly
.
"
"
Sidonia
is
a
great
man
,
and
carries
every
thing
before
him
,
"
said
Coningsby
.
"
I
am
nothing
;
I
cannot
cope
with
him
;
I
retire
from
the
field
.
"
"
What
field
?
"
inquired
Sir
Joseph
,
who
did
not
clearly
catch
the
drift
of
these
observations
.
"
It
appears
to
me
that
a
field
for
action
is
exactly
what
Sidonia
wants
.
There
is
no
vent
for
his
abilities
and
intelligence
.
He
wastes
his
energy
in
travelling
from
capital
to
capital
like
a
King
's
messenger
.
The
morning
after
his
fête
he
is
going
to
Madrid
.
"
This
brought
some
reference
to
their
mutual
movements
.
Edith
spoke
of
her
return
to
Lancashire
,
of
her
hope
that
Mr.
Coningsby
would
soon
see
Oswald
;
but
Mr.
Coningsby
informed
her
that
though
he
was
going
to
leave
Paris
,
he
had
no
intention
of
returning
to
England
;
that
he
had
not
yet
quite
made
up
his
mind
whither
he
should
go
;
but
thought
that
he
should
travel
direct
to
St.
Petersburg
.
He
wished
to
travel
overland
to
Astrachan
.
That
was
the
place
he
was
particularly
anxious
to
visit
.
After
this
incomprehensible
announcement
,
they
walked
on
for
some
minutes
in
silence
,
broken
only
by
occasional
monosyllables
with
which
Coningsby
responded
at
hazard
to
the
sound
remarks
of
Sir
Joseph
.
As
they
approached
the
Palace
,
a
party
of
English
who
were
visiting
the
Chamber
of
Peers
,
and
who
were
acquainted
with
the
companions
of
Coningsby
,
encountered
them
.
Amid
the
mutual
recognitions
,
Coningsby
was
about
to
take
his
leave
somewhat
ceremoniously
;
but
Edith
held
forth
her
hand
,
and
said
:
"
Is
this
indeed
farewell
?
"
His
heart
was
agitated
,
his
countenance
changed
;
he
retained
her
hand
amid
the
chattering
tourists
,
too
full
of
their
criticisms
and
their
egotistical
common
places
to
notice
what
was
passing
.
A
sentimental
ebullition
seemed
to
be
on
the
point
of
taking
place
.
Their
eyes
met
.
The
look
of
Edith
was
mournful
and
inquiring
.
"
We
will
say
farewell
at
the
ball
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
and
she
rewarded
him
with
a
radiant
smile
.
CHAPTER
VIII
.
Sidonia
lived
in
the
Faubourg
St.
Germain
in
a
large
hotel
,
that
,
in
old
days
,
had
belonged
to
the
Crillons
;
but
it
had
received
at
his
hands
such
extensive
alterations
,
that
nothing
of
the
original
decoration
,
and
little
of
its
arrangement
,
remained
.
A
flight
of
marble
steps
,
ascending
from
a
vast
court
,
led
into
a
hall
of
great
dimensions
,
which
was
at
the
same
time
an
orangery
,
and
a
gallery
of
sculpture
.
It
was
illumined
by
a
distinct
,
yet
soft
and
subdued
,
light
,
which
harmonised
with
the
beautiful
repose
of
the
surrounding
forms
,
and
with
the
exotic
perfume
that
was
wafted
about
.
A
gallery
led
from
this
hall
to
an
inner
hall
of
quite
a
different
character
;
fantastic
,
glittering
,
variegated
;
full
of
strange
shapes
and
dazzling
objects
.
The
roof
was
carved
and
gilt
in
that
honeycomb
style
prevalent
in
the
Saracenic
buildings
;
the
walls
were
hung
with
leather
stamped
in
rich
and
vivid
patterns
;
the
floor
was
a
flood
of
mosaic
;
about
were
statues
of
negroes
of
human
size
with
faces
of
wild
expression
,
and
holding
in
their
outstretched
hands
silver
torches
that
blazed
with
an
almost
painful
brilliancy
.
From
this
inner
hall
,
a
double
staircase
of
white
marble
,
led
to
the
grand
suite
of
apartments
.
These
saloons
,
lofty
,
spacious
,
and
numerous
,
had
been
decorated
principally
in
encaustic
by
the
most
celebrated
artists
of
Munich
.
The
three
principal
rooms
were
only
separated
from
each
other
by
columns
,
covered
with
rich
hangings
,
on
this
night
drawn
aside
.
The
decoration
of
each
chamber
was
appropriate
to
its
purpose
.
On
the
walls
of
the
ball-room
,
nymphs
and
heroes
moved
in
measure
in
Sicilian
landscapes
,
or
on
the
azure
shores
of
Ægean
waters
.
From
the
ceiling
beautiful
divinities
threw
garlands
on
the
guests
,
who
seemed
surprised
that
the
roses
,
unwilling
to
quit
Olympus
,
would
not
descend
on
earth
.
The
general
effect
of
this
fair
chamber
was
heightened
too
by
that
regulation
of
the
house
which
did
not
permit
any
benches
in
the
ball-room
.
That
dignified
assemblage
who
are
always
found
ranged
in
precise
discipline
against
the
wall
,
did
not
here
mar
the
flowing
grace
of
the
festivity
.
The
chaperons
had
no
cause
to
complain
.
A
large
saloon
abounded
in
ottomans
and
easy
chairs
at
their
service
,
where
their
delicate
charges
might
rest
when
weary
,
or
find
distraction
when
not
engaged
.
All
the
world
were
at
this
fête
of
Sidonia
.
It
exceeded
in
splendour
and
luxury
every
entertainment
that
had
yet
been
given
.
The
highest
rank
,
even
Princes
of
the
blood
,
beauty
,
fashion
,
fame
—
all
assembled
in
a
magnificent
and
illuminated
palace
,
resounding
with
exquisite
melody
.
Coningsby
though
somewhat
depressed
,
was
not
insensible
to
the
magic
of
the
scene
.
Since
the
passage
in
the
gardens
of
the
Luxembourg
—
that
tone
—
that
glance
—
he
had
certainly
felt
much
relieved
,
happier
.
And
yet
if
all
were
,
with
regard
to
Sidonia
,
as
unfounded
as
he
could
possibly
desire
,
where
was
he
then
?
Had
he
forgotten
his
grandfather
—
that
fell
look
,
that
voice
of
intense
detestation
?
What
was
Millbank
to
him
?
Where
,
what
was
the
mystery
,
for
of
some
he
could
not
doubt
.
The
Spanish
parentage
of
Edith
had
only
more
perplexed
Coningsby
.
It
offered
no
solution
.
There
could
be
no
connection
between
a
Catalan
family
and
his
mother
,
the
daughter
of
a
clergyman
in
a
midland
county
.
That
there
was
any
relationship
between
the
Millbank
family
and
his
mother
was
contradicted
by
the
conviction
in
which
he
had
been
brought
up
that
his
mother
had
no
relations
;
that
she
returned
to
England
utterly
friendless
;
without
a
relative
,
a
connection
,
an
acquaintance
to
whom
she
could
appeal
.
Her
complete
forlornness
was
stamped
upon
his
brain
.
Tender
as
were
his
years
,
when
he
was
separated
from
her
,
he
could
yet
recal
the
very
phrases
in
which
she
deplored
her
isolation
;
and
there
were
numerous
passages
in
her
letters
which
alluded
to
it
.
Coningsby
had
taken
occasion
to
sound
the
Wallingers
on
this
subject
;
but
he
felt
assured
from
the
manner
in
which
his
advances
were
met
,
that
they
knew
nothing
of
his
mother
,
and
attributed
the
hostility
of
Mr.
Millbank
to
his
grandfather
solely
to
political
emulation
and
local
rivalries
.
Still
there
was
the
portrait
and
the
miniature
.
That
was
a
fact
;
a
clue
which
ultimately
,
he
was
persuaded
,
must
lead
to
some
solution
.
Coningsby
had
met
with
great
social
success
at
Paris
.
He
was
at
once
a
favourite
.
The
Parisian
dames
decided
in
his
favour
.
He
was
a
specimen
of
the
highest
style
of
English
beauty
which
is
very
popular
in
France
.
His
air
was
acknowledged
as
distinguished
.
The
men
also
liked
him
;
he
had
not
quite
arrived
at
that
age
,
when
you
make
enemies
.
The
moment
therefore
that
he
found
himself
in
the
saloons
of
Sidonia
,
he
was
accosted
by
many
whose
notice
was
flattering
;
but
his
eye
wandered
,
while
he
tried
to
be
courteous
and
attempted
to
be
sprightly
.
Where
was
she
?
He
had
nearly
reached
the
ball-room
when
he
met
her
.
She
was
on
the
arm
of
Lord
Beaumanoir
,
who
had
made
her
acquaintance
at
Rome
,
and
originally
claimed
it
as
the
member
of
a
family
who
,
as
the
reader
may
perhaps
not
forget
,
had
experienced
some
kindnesses
from
the
Millbanks
.
There
were
mutual
and
hearty
recognitions
between
the
young
men
;
great
explanations
where
they
had
been
,
what
they
were
doing
,
where
they
were
going
.
Lord
Beaumanoir
told
Coningsby
he
had
introduced
steeple-chaces
at
Rome
,
and
had
parted
with
Sunbeam
to
the
nephew
of
a
Cardinal
.
Coningsby
securing
Edith
's
hand
for
the
next
dance
,
they
all
moved
on
together
to
her
aunt
.
Lady
Wallinger
was
indulging
in
some
Roman
reminiscences
with
the
Marquess
.
"
And
you
are
not
going
to
Astrachan
to-morrow
?
"
said
Edith
.
"
Not
to-morrow
,
"
said
Coningsby
.
"
You
know
that
you
said
once
that
life
was
too
stirring
in
these
days
to
permit
travel
to
a
man
?
"
"
I
wish
nothing
was
stirring
,
"
said
Coningsby
.
"
I
wish
nothing
to
change
.
All
that
I
wish
is
,
that
this
fête
should
never
end
"
"
Is
it
possible
,
that
you
can
be
capricious
!
You
perplex
me
very
much
.
"
"
Am
I
capricious
,
because
I
dislike
change
?
"
"
But
Astrachan
?
"
"
It
was
the
air
of
the
Luxembourg
that
reminded
me
of
the
desart
,
"
said
Coningsby
.
Soon
after
this
Coningsby
led
Edith
to
the
dance
.
It
was
at
a
ball
that
he
had
first
met
her
at
Paris
,
and
this
led
to
other
reminiscences
;
all
most
interesting
.
Coningsby
was
perfectly
happy
.
All
mysteries
,
all
difficulties
,
were
driven
from
his
recollection
;
he
lived
only
in
the
exciting
and
enjoyable
present
.
Twenty-one
and
in
love
!
Some
time
after
this
,
Coningsby
who
was
inevitably
separated
from
Edith
,
met
his
host
.
"
Where
have
you
been
,
child
,
"
said
Sidonia
,
"
that
I
have
not
seen
you
for
some
days
?
I
am
going
to
Madrid
to-morrow
.
"
"
And
I
must
think
,
I
suppose
,
of
Cambridge
.
"
"
Well
,
you
have
seen
something
;
you
will
find
it
more
profitable
when
you
have
digested
it
;
and
you
will
have
opportunity
.
That
's
the
true
spring
of
wisdom
:
meditate
over
the
past
.
Adventure
and
Contemplation
share
our
being
like
day
and
night
.
"
The
resolute
departure
for
England
on
the
morrow
,
had
already
changed
into
a
supposed
necessity
of
thinking
of
returning
to
Cambridge
.
In
fact
,
Coningsby
felt
that
to
quit
Paris
and
Edith
was
an
impossibility
.
He
silenced
the
remonstrance
of
his
conscience
by
the
expedient
of
keeping
a
half-term
;
and
had
no
difficulty
in
persuading
himself
that
a
short
delay
in
taking
his
degree
could
not
really
be
of
the
slightest
consequence
.
It
was
the
hour
of
supper
.
The
guests
at
a
French
ball
are
not
seen
to
advantage
at
this
period
.
The
custom
of
separating
the
sexes
for
this
refreshment
,
and
arranging
that
the
ladies
should
partake
of
it
by
themselves
,
though
originally
founded
in
a
feeling
of
consideration
and
gallantry
,
and
with
the
determination
to
secure
under
all
circumstances
the
convenience
and
comfort
of
the
fair
sex
,
is
really
,
in
its
appearance
and
its
consequences
,
anything
but
European
,
and
produces
a
scene
which
rather
reminds
one
of
the
harem
of
a
sultaun
,
than
a
hall
of
chivalry
.
To
judge
from
the
countenances
of
the
favoured
fair
,
they
are
not
themselves
particularly
pleased
;
and
when
their
repast
is
over
,
they
necessarily
return
to
empty
halls
,
and
are
deprived
of
the
dance
at
the
very
moment
when
they
may
feel
most
inclined
to
participate
in
its
graceful
excitement
.
These
somewhat
ungracious
circumstances
however
were
not
attendant
on
the
festival
of
this
night
.
There
was
opened
in
the
Hotel
of
Sidonia
for
the
first
time
a
banquetting
room
which
could
contain
with
convenience
all
the
guests
.
It
was
a
vast
chamber
of
white
marble
,
the
golden
pannels
of
the
walls
containing
festive
sculptures
by
Schwanthaler
,
relieved
by
encaustic
tinting
.
In
its
centre
was
a
fountain
,
a
group
of
Bacchantes
encircling
Dionysos
;
and
from
this
fountain
,
as
from
a
star
,
diverged
the
various
tables
from
which
sprang
orange
trees
in
fruit
and
flower
.
The
banquet
had
but
one
fault
;
Coningsby
was
separated
from
Edith
.
The
Duchess
of
Grand
Cairo
,
the
beautiful
wife
of
the
heir
of
one
of
the
Imperial
illustrations
,
had
determined
to
appropriate
Coningsby
as
her
cavalier
for
the
moment
.
Distracted
,
he
made
his
escape
;
but
his
wandering
eye
could
not
find
the
object
of
its
search
;
and
he
fell
prisoner
to
the
charming
Princess
De
Petitpoix
,
a
Carlist
chieftain
,
whose
witty
words
avenged
the
cause
of
fallen
dynasties
and
a
cashiered
nobility
.
Behold
a
scene
brilliant
in
fancy
,
magnificent
in
splendour
!
All
the
circumstances
of
his
life
at
this
moment
were
such
as
acted
forcibly
on
the
imagination
of
Coningsby
.
Separated
from
Edith
,
he
had
still
the
delight
of
seeing
her
,
the
paragon
of
that
bright
company
,
the
consummate
being
whom
he
adored
!
And
who
had
spoken
to
him
in
a
voice
sweeter
than
a
serenade
,
and
had
bestowed
on
him
a
glance
softer
than
moonlight
.
The
lord
of
the
palace
,
more
distinguished
even
for
his
capacity
than
his
boundless
treasure
,
was
his
chosen
friend
;
gained
under
circumstances
of
romantic
interest
,
when
the
reciprocal
influence
of
their
personal
qualities
was
affected
by
no
accessory
knowledge
of
their
worldly
positions
.
He
himself
was
in
the
very
bloom
of
youth
and
health
;
the
child
of
a
noble
house
,
rich
for
his
present
wants
,
and
with
a
future
of
considerable
fortunes
.
Entrancing
love
and
dazzling
friendship
,
a
high
ambition
and
the
pride
of
knowledge
,
the
consciousness
of
a
great
prosperity
,
the
vague
,
daring
energies
of
the
high
pulse
of
twenty-one
,
all
combined
to
stimulate
his
sense
of
existence
,
which
,
as
he
looked
around
him
at
the
beautiful
objects
and
listened
to
the
delicious
sounds
,
seemed
to
him
a
dispensation
of
almost
supernatural
ecstacy
.
About
an
hour
after
this
,
the
ball-room
still
full
,
but
the
other
saloons
gradually
emptying
,
Coningsby
entered
a
chamber
which
seemed
deserted
.
Yet
he
heard
sounds
as
it
were
of
earnest
conversation
.
It
was
a
voice
that
invited
his
progress
;
he
advanced
another
step
,
then
suddenly
stopped
.
There
were
two
individuals
in
the
room
,
by
whom
he
was
unnoticed
.
They
were
Sidonia
and
Miss
Millbank
.
They
were
sitting
on
a
sofa
,
Sidonia
holding
her
hand
and
endeavouring
,
as
it
seemed
,
to
soothe
her
.
Her
tones
were
tremulous
;
but
the
expression
of
her
face
was
fond
and
confiding
.
It
was
all
the
work
of
a
moment
.
Coningsby
instantly
withdrew
,
yet
could
not
escape
hearing
an
earnest
request
from
Edith
to
her
companion
that
he
would
write
to
her
.
In
a
few
seconds
Coningsby
had
quitted
the
hotel
of
Sidonia
,
and
the
next
day
found
him
on
his
road
to
England
.
BOOK
VII
.
CHAPTER
I
.
It
was
one
of
those
gorgeous
and
enduring
sunsets
that
seem
to
linger
as
if
they
wished
to
celebrate
the
mid
period
of
the
year
.
Perhaps
the
beautiful
hour
of
impending
twilight
never
exercises
a
more
effective
influence
on
the
soul
than
when
it
descends
on
the
aspect
of
some
distant
and
splendid
city
.
What
a
contrast
between
the
serenity
and
repose
of
our
own
bosoms
,
and
the
fierce
passions
and
destructive
cares
girt
in
the
walls
of
that
multitude
,
whose
domes
and
towers
rise
in
purple
lustre
against
the
resplendent
horizon
!
And
yet
the
disturbing
emotions
of
existence
and
the
bitter
inheritance
of
humanity
,
should
exercise
but
a
modified
sway
and
entail
but
a
light
burden
,
within
the
circle
of
the
city
in
which
the
next
scene
of
our
history
leads
us
.
For
it
is
the
sacred
city
of
Study
,
of
Learning
,
and
of
Faith
;
and
the
declining
beam
is
resting
on
the
dome
of
the
Radcliffe
,
lingering
on
the
towers
of
Christchurch
and
Magdalen
,
sanctifying
the
spires
and
pinnacles
of
holy
St.
Mary
's
.
A
young
Oxonian
,
who
had
been
watching
for
some
time
the
city
in
the
sunset
from
a
rising
ground
in
its
vicinity
,
lost
,
as
it
would
seem
,
in
meditation
,
suddenly
rose
and
looking
at
his
watch
as
if
remindful
of
some
engagement
,
hastened
his
return
at
a
rapid
pace
.
He
reached
the
High
Street
,
as
the
Blenheim
light
post
coach
dashed
up
to
the
Star
Hotel
,
with
that
brilliant
precision
which
even
the
New
Generation
can
remember
,
and
yet
which
already
ranks
among
the
traditions
of
English
manners
.
A
peculiar
and
most
animating
spectacle
used
to
be
the
arrival
of
a
first-rate
light
coach
in
a
country
town
!
The
small
machine
crowded
with
so
many
passengers
,
the
foaming
and
curvetting
leaders
,
the
wheelers
more
steady
,
and
glossy
as
if
they
had
not
done
their
ten
miles
in
the
hour
,
the
triumphant
bugle
of
the
guard
,
and
the
haughty
routine
with
which
the
driver
,
as
he
reached
his
goal
,
threw
his
whip
to
the
obedient
ostlers
in
attendance
;
and
not
least
the
staring
crowd
,
a
little
awe-struck
,
and
looking
for
the
moment
at
the
lowest
official
of
the
stable
with
considerable
respect
;
altogether
made
a
picture
which
one
recollects
with
cheerfulness
,
and
misses
now
in
many
a
dreary
market
town
.
Our
Oxonian
was
a
young
man
about
the
middle
height
,
and
naturally
of
a
very
thoughtful
expression
and
rather
reserved
mien
.
The
general
character
of
his
countenance
was
indeed
a
little
stern
,
but
it
broke
into
an
almost
bewitching
smile
,
and
a
blush
suffused
his
face
,
as
he
sprang
forward
and
welcomed
an
individual
about
the
same
age
,
who
had
jumped
off
the
Blenheim
.
"
Well
,
Coningsby
!
"
he
exclaimed
,
extending
both
his
hands
.
"
By
Jove
,
my
dear
Millbank
,
we
have
met
at
last
,
"
said
his
friend
.
And
here
we
must
for
a
moment
revert
to
what
had
occurred
to
Coningsby
since
he
so
suddenly
quitted
Paris
at
the
beginning
of
the
year
.
The
wound
he
had
received
was
deep
to
one
unused
to
wounds
.
Yet
after
all
,
none
had
outraged
his
feeling
,
no
one
had
betrayed
his
hopes
.
He
had
loved
one
who
had
loved
another
.
Misery
,
but
scarcely
humiliation
.
And
yet
'
tis
a
bitter
pang
under
any
circumstances
to
find
another
preferred
to
yourself
.
It
is
about
the
same
blow
as
one
would
probably
feel
if
falling
from
a
balloon
.
Your
Icarian
flight
melts
into
a
very
grovelling
existence
,
scarcely
superior
to
that
of
a
sponge
or
a
coral
,
or
redeemed
only
from
utter
insensibility
by
your
very
frank
detestation
of
your
rival
.
It
is
quite
impossible
to
conceal
that
Coningsby
had
imbibed
for
Sidonia
a
certain
degree
of
aversion
,
which
in
these
days
of
exaggerated
phrase
might
even
be
described
as
hatred
.
And
Edith
was
so
beautiful
!
And
there
had
seemed
between
them
a
sympathy
so
native
and
spontaneous
,
creating
at
once
the
charm
of
intimacy
without
any
of
the
disenchanting
attributes
,
that
are
occasionally
its
consequence
.
He
would
recall
the
tones
of
her
voice
,
the
expression
of
her
soft
dark
eye
,
the
airy
spirit
and
frank
graciousness
,
sometimes
even
the
flattering
blush
,
with
which
she
had
ever
welcomed
one
of
whom
she
had
heard
so
long
and
so
kindly
.
It
seemed
,
to
use
a
sweet
and
homely
phrase
,
that
they
were
made
for
each
other
;
the
circumstances
of
their
mutual
destinies
might
have
combined
into
one
enchanting
fate
.
And
yet
had
she
accorded
him
that
peerless
boon
,
her
heart
—
with
what
aspect
was
he
to
communicate
this
consummation
of
all
his
hopes
to
his
grandfather
,
ask
Lord
Monmouth
for
his
blessing
,
and
the
gracious
favour
of
an
establishment
for
the
daughter
of
his
foe
;
of
a
man
whose
name
was
never
mentioned
except
to
cloud
his
visage
.
Ah
!
what
was
that
mystery
that
connected
the
haughty
house
of
Coningsby
with
the
humble
blood
of
the
Lancashire
manufacturer
?
Why
was
the
portrait
of
his
mother
beneath
the
roof
of
Millbank
?
Coningsby
had
delicately
touched
upon
the
subject
both
with
Edith
and
the
Wallingers
,
but
the
result
of
his
inquiries
only
involved
the
question
in
deeper
gloom
.
Edith
had
none
but
maternal
relatives
;
more
than
once
she
had
mentioned
this
,
and
the
Wallingers
on
other
occasions
had
confirmed
the
remark
.
Coningsby
had
sometimes
drawn
the
conversation
to
pictures
,
and
he
would
remind
her
with
playfulness
of
their
first
unconscious
meeting
in
the
gallery
of
the
Rue
Tronchet
;
then
he
remembered
that
Mr.
Millbank
was
fond
of
pictures
;
then
he
recollected
some
specimens
of
Mr.
Millbank
's
collection
,
and
after
touching
on
several
which
could
not
excite
suspicion
,
he
came
to
"
a
portrait
,
a
portrait
of
a
lady
;
was
it
a
portrait
,
or
an
ideal
countenance
?
"
Edith
thought
she
had
heard
it
was
a
portrait
,
but
she
was
by
no
means
certain
;
and
most
assuredly
was
quite
unacquainted
with
the
name
of
the
original
,
if
there
were
an
original
.
Coningsby
addressed
himself
to
the
point
with
Sir
Joseph
.
He
inquired
of
the
uncle
explicity
,
whether
he
knew
anything
on
the
subject
.
Sir
Joseph
was
of
opinion
that
it
was
something
that
Millbank
had
somewhere
"
picked
up
.
"
Millbank
used
often
to
"
pick
up
"
pictures
.
Disappointed
in
his
love
,
Coningsby
sought
refuge
in
the
excitement
of
study
,
and
in
the
brooding
imagination
of
an
aspiring
spirit
.
The
softness
of
his
heart
seemed
to
have
quitted
him
for
ever
.
He
recurred
to
his
habitual
reveries
of
political
greatness
and
public
distinction
.
And
as
it
ever
seemed
to
him
,
that
no
preparation
could
be
complete
for
the
career
which
he
planned
for
himself
,
he
devoted
himself
with
increased
ardour
to
that
digestion
of
knowledge
which
converts
it
into
wisdom
.
His
life
at
Cambridge
was
now
a
life
of
seclusion
.
With
the
exception
of
a
very
few
Eton
friends
he
avoided
all
society
.
And
indeed
his
acquisitions
during
this
term
were
such
as
few
have
equalled
,
and
could
only
have
been
mastered
by
a
mental
discipline
of
a
severe
and
exalted
character
.
At
the
end
of
the
term
Coningsby
took
his
degree
,
and
in
a
few
days
was
about
to
quit
that
University
where
on
the
whole
he
had
passed
three
serene
and
happy
years
,
in
the
society
of
fond
and
faithful
friends
,
and
in
ennobling
pursuits
.
He
had
many
plans
for
his
impending
movements
,
yet
none
of
them
very
mature
ones
.
Lord
Vere
wished
Coningsby
to
visit
his
family
in
the
north
,
and
afterwards
to
go
to
Scotland
together
;
Coningsby
was
more
inclined
to
travel
for
a
year
.
Amid
this
hesitation
,
a
circumstance
occurred
which
decided
him
to
adopt
neither
of
these
courses
.
It
was
Commencement
,
and
coming
out
of
the
quadrangle
of
St.
John
's
,
Coningsby
came
suddenly
upon
Sir
Joseph
and
Lady
Wallinger
,
who
were
visiting
the
marvels
and
rarities
of
the
University
.
They
were
alone
.
Coningsby
was
a
little
embarrassed
,
for
he
could
not
forget
the
abrupt
manner
in
which
he
had
parted
from
them
;
but
they
greeted
him
with
so
much
cordiality
that
he
instantly
recovered
himself
,
and
turning
became
their
companion
.
He
hardly
ventured
to
ask
after
Edith
;
at
length
in
a
depressed
tone
and
a
hesitating
manner
he
inquired
whether
they
had
lately
seen
Miss
Millbank
.
He
was
himself
surprised
at
the
extreme
light-heartedness
which
came
over
him
the
moment
he
heard
she
was
in
England
,
at
Millbank
,
with
her
family
.
He
always
very
much
liked
Lady
Wallinger
;
but
this
morning
he
hung
over
her
like
a
lover
,
lavished
on
her
unceasing
and
the
most
delicate
attentions
,
seemed
to
exist
only
in
the
idea
of
making
the
Wallingers
enjoy
and
understand
Cambridge
;
no
one
else
was
to
be
their
guide
at
any
place
,
or
under
any
circumstances
.
He
told
them
exactly
what
they
were
to
see
;
how
they
were
to
see
it
;
when
they
were
to
see
it
.
He
told
them
of
things
which
nobody
did
see
;
but
which
they
should
.
He
insisted
that
Sir
Joseph
should
dine
with
him
in
Hall
;
Sir
Joseph
could
not
think
of
leaving
Lady
Wallinger
;
Lady
Wallinger
could
not
think
of
Sir
Joseph
missing
an
opportunity
that
might
never
offer
again
.
Besides
they
might
both
join
her
after
dinner
.
Except
to
give
her
husband
a
dinner
,
Coningsby
evidently
intended
never
to
leave
her
side
.
And
the
next
morning
,
the
occasion
favourable
,
being
alone
with
the
lady
,
Sir
Joseph
bustling
about
a
carriage
,
Coningsby
said
suddenly
with
a
countenance
a
little
disturbed
,
and
in
a
low
voice
,
"
I
was
pleased
,
I
mean
surprised
to
hear
that
there
was
still
a
Miss
Millbank
;
I
thought
by
this
time
she
might
have
borne
another
name
?
"
Lady
Wallinger
looked
at
him
with
an
expression
of
some
perplexity
,
and
then
said
,
"
Yes
,
Edith
was
very
much
admired
;
but
she
need
not
be
precipitate
in
marrying
.
Marriage
is
for
a
woman
the
event
.
Edith
is
too
precious
to
be
carelessly
bestowed
.
"
"
But
I
understood
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
"
when
I
left
Paris
,
"
and
here
he
became
very
confused
,
"
that
Miss
Millbank
was
engaged
,
on
the
point
of
marriage
.
"
"
With
whom
?
"
"
Our
friend
,
Sidonia
.
"
"
I
am
sure
that
Edith
would
never
marry
Monsieur
de
Sidonia
,
nor
Monsieur
de
Sidonia
,
Edith
.
'
Tis
a
preposterous
idea
,
"
said
Lady
Wallinger
.
"
But
he
very
much
admired
her
?
"
said
Coningsby
with
a
searching
eye
.
"
Possibly
,
"
said
Lady
Wallinger
,
"
but
he
never
even
intimated
his
admiration
.
"
"
But
he
was
very
attentive
to
Miss
Millbank
?
"
"
Not
more
than
our
intimate
friendship
authorised
,
and
might
expect
.
"
"
You
have
known
Sidonia
a
long
time
?
"
"
It
was
Monsieur
de
Sidonia
's
father
who
introduced
us
to
the
care
of
Mr.
Wallinger
,
"
said
Lady
Wallinger
,
"
and
therefore
I
have
ever
entertained
for
his
son
a
most
sincere
regard
.
Besides
I
look
upon
him
as
a
compatriot
.
Recently
he
has
been
even
more
than
usually
kind
to
us
,
—
especially
to
Edith
.
While
we
were
at
Paris
he
recovered
for
her
a
great
number
of
jewels
which
had
been
left
to
her
by
her
uncle
in
Spain
,
and
,
what
she
prized
infinitely
more
,
the
whole
of
her
mother
's
correspondence
which
she
maintained
with
this
relative
since
her
marriage
.
Nothing
but
the
influence
of
Sidonia
could
have
effected
this
.
Therefore
of
course
Edith
is
attached
to
him
,
almost
as
much
as
I
am
.
In
short
,
he
is
our
dearest
friend
;
our
counsellor
in
all
our
cares
.
But
as
for
marrying
him
,
the
idea
is
ridiculous
to
those
who
know
Monsieur
Sidonia
.
No
earthly
consideration
would
ever
induce
him
to
impair
that
purity
of
race
on
which
he
prides
himself
.
Besides
there
are
other
obvious
objections
,
which
would
render
an
alliance
between
him
and
my
niece
utterly
impossible
;
Edith
is
quite
as
devoted
to
her
religion
as
Monsieur
Sidonia
can
be
to
his
race
.
"
A
ray
of
light
flashed
on
the
brain
of
Coningsby
,
as
Lady
Wallinger
said
these
words
.
The
agitated
interview
,
which
never
could
be
explained
away
,
already
appeared
in
quite
a
different
point
of
view
.
He
became
pensive
,
remained
silent
,
was
relieved
when
Sir
Joseph
,
whose
return
he
had
hitherto
deprecated
,
reappeared
.
Coningsby
learnt
in
the
course
of
the
day
,
that
the
Wallingers
were
about
to
make
,
and
immediately
,
a
visit
to
Hellingsley
;
their
first
visit
;
indeed
this
was
the
first
year
that
Mr.
Millbank
had
taken
up
his
abode
there
.
He
did
not
much
like
the
change
of
life
Sir
Joseph
told
Coningsby
,
but
Edith
was
delighted
with
Hellingsley
,
which
Sir
Joseph
understood
was
a
very
distinguished
place
,
with
very
fine
gardens
of
which
his
niece
was
particularly
fond
.
When
Coningsby
returned
to
his
rooms
,
those
rooms
which
he
was
soon
about
to
quit
for
ever
,
in
arranging
some
papers
preparatory
to
his
removal
,
his
eye
lighted
on
a
too
long
unanswered
letter
of
Oswald
Millbank
.
Coningsby
had
often
projected
a
visit
to
Oxford
,
which
he
much
desired
to
make
,
but
hitherto
it
had
been
impossible
for
him
to
effect
it
except
in
the
absence
of
Millbank
;
and
he
had
frequently
postponed
it
,
that
he
might
combine
his
first
visit
to
that
famous
seat
of
learning
with
one
to
his
old
schoolfellow
and
friend
.
Now
that
was
practical
.
And
immediately
Coningsby
wrote
to
apprize
Millbank
that
he
had
taken
his
degree
,
was
free
,
and
prepared
to
pay
to
him
immediately
the
long
projected
visit
.
Three
years
and
more
had
elapsed
since
they
had
quitted
Eton
.
How
much
had
happened
in
the
interval
!
What
new
ideas
,
new
feelings
,
vast
and
novel
knowledge
!
Though
they
had
not
met
,
they
were
nevertheless
familiar
with
the
progress
and
movement
of
each
other
's
minds
.
Their
suggestive
correspondence
was
too
valuable
to
both
of
them
to
have
been
otherwise
than
cherished
.
And
now
they
were
to
meet
,
on
the
eve
of
entering
that
world
for
which
they
had
made
so
sedulous
a
preparation
.
CHAPTER
II
.
There
are
few
things
in
life
more
interesting
than
an
unrestrained
interchange
of
ideas
with
a
congenial
spirit
;
and
there
are
few
things
more
rare
.
How
very
seldom
do
you
encounter
in
the
world
a
man
of
great
abilities
,
acquirements
,
experience
,
who
will
unmask
his
mind
;
unbutton
his
brains
;
and
pour
forth
in
careless
and
picturesque
phrase
,
all
the
results
of
his
studies
and
observation
;
his
knowledge
of
men
,
books
and
nature
.
On
the
contrary
,
if
a
man
has
by
any
chance
what
he
conceives
an
original
idea
,
he
hoards
it
as
if
it
were
old
gold
;
and
rather
avoids
the
subject
with
which
he
is
most
conversant
,
from
fear
that
you
may
appropriate
his
best
thoughts
.
One
of
the
principal
causes
of
our
renowned
dullness
in
conversation
is
our
extreme
intellectual
jealousy
.
It
must
be
admitted
that
in
this
respect
authors
,
but
especially
poets
,
bear
the
palm
.
They
never
think
they
are
sufficiently
appreciated
,
and
live
in
tremour
lest
a
brother
should
distinguish
himself
.
Artists
have
the
repute
of
being
nearly
as
bad
.
And
as
for
a
small
rising
politician
,
a
clever
speech
by
a
supposed
rival
or
suspected
candidate
for
office
,
destroys
his
appetite
and
disturbs
his
slumbers
.
One
of
the
chief
delights
and
benefits
of
travel
is
that
one
is
perpetually
meeting
men
of
great
abilities
,
of
original
mind
,
and
rare
acquirements
,
who
will
converse
without
reserve
.
In
these
discourses
,
the
intellect
makes
daring
leaps
and
marvellous
advances
.
The
tone
that
colours
our
after
life
is
often
caught
in
these
chance
colloquies
,
and
the
bent
given
that
shapes
a
career
.
And
yet
perhaps
there
is
no
occasion
when
the
heart
is
more
open
,
the
brain
more
quick
,
the
memory
more
rich
and
happy
,
or
the
tongue
more
prompt
and
eloquent
,
than
when
two
school-day
friends
,
knit
by
every
sympathy
of
intelligence
and
affection
,
meet
at
the
close
of
their
college
careers
,
after
a
long
separation
,
hesitating
as
it
were
on
the
verge
of
active
life
,
and
compare
together
their
conclusions
of
the
interval
;
impart
to
each
other
all
their
thoughts
and
secret
plans
and
projects
;
high
fancies
and
noble
aspirations
;
glorious
visions
of
personal
fame
and
national
regeneration
.
Ah
!
why
should
such
enthusiasm
ever
die
!
Life
is
too
short
to
be
little
.
Man
is
never
so
manly
as
when
he
feels
deeply
,
acts
boldly
,
and
expresses
himself
with
frankness
and
with
fervour
.
Most
assuredly
there
never
was
a
Congress
of
Friendship
wherein
more
was
said
and
felt
than
in
this
meeting
so
long
projected
,
and
yet
perhaps
on
the
whole
so
happily
procrastinated
between
Coningsby
and
Millbank
.
In
a
moment
,
they
seemed
as
if
they
had
never
parted
.
Their
faithful
correspondence
indeed
had
maintained
the
chain
of
sentiment
unbroken
.
But
details
are
only
for
conversation
.
Each
poured
forth
his
mind
without
stint
.
Not
an
author
that
had
influenced
their
taste
or
judgment
,
but
was
canvassed
and
criticised
;
not
a
theory
they
had
framed
or
a
principle
they
had
adopted
that
was
not
confessed
.
Often
with
boyish
glee
still
lingering
with
their
earnest
purpose
,
they
shouted
as
they
discovered
that
they
had
formed
the
same
opinion
or
adopted
the
same
conclusion
.
They
talked
all
day
and
late
into
the
night
.
They
condensed
into
a
week
the
poignant
conclusions
of
three
years
of
almost
unbroken
study
.
And
one
night
as
they
sat
together
in
Millbank
's
rooms
at
Oriel
,
their
conversation
having
for
some
time
taken
a
political
colour
,
Millbank
said
:
"
Now
tell
me
,
Coningsby
,
exactly
what
you
conceive
to
be
the
state
of
parties
in
this
country
;
for
it
seems
to
me
that
if
we
penetrate
the
surface
,
the
classification
must
be
more
simple
than
their
many
names
would
intimate
.
"
"
The
principle
of
the
Exclusive
Constitution
of
England
having
been
conceded
by
the
acts
of
1827-8-32
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
"
a
party
has
arisen
in
the
State
,
who
demand
that
the
principle
of
political
liberalism
shall
consequently
be
carried
to
its
extent
;
which
it
appears
to
them
is
impossible
without
getting
rid
of
the
fragments
of
the
old
Constitution
that
remain
.
This
is
the
Destructive
party
;
a
party
with
distinct
and
intelligible
principles
.
They
seek
a
specific
for
the
evils
of
our
social
system
in
the
general
suffrage
of
the
population
.
"
They
are
resisted
by
another
party
,
who
having
given
up
Exclusion
,
would
only
embrace
as
much
Liberalism
as
is
necessary
for
the
moment
;
who
without
any
embarrassing
promulgation
of
principles
wish
to
keep
things
as
they
find
them
as
long
as
they
can
;
and
then
will
manage
them
as
they
find
them
as
well
as
they
can
;
but
as
a
party
must
have
the
semblance
of
principles
,
they
take
the
names
of
the
things
that
they
have
destroyed
.
Thus
they
are
devoted
to
the
prerogatives
of
the
Crown
,
although
in
truth
the
Crown
has
been
stripped
of
every
one
of
its
prerogatives
;
they
affect
a
great
veneration
for
the
Constitution
in
Church
and
State
,
though
every
one
knows
that
the
Constitution
in
Church
and
State
no
longer
exists
;
they
are
ready
to
stand
or
fall
with
the
"
independence
of
the
Upper
House
of
Parliament
,
"
though
,
in
practice
,
they
are
perfectly
aware
,
that
,
with
their
sanction
,
the
"
Upper
House
"
has
abdicated
its
initiatory
functions
,
and
now
serves
only
as
a
Court
of
Review
of
the
legislation
of
the
House
of
Commons
.
Whenever
public
opinion
which
this
party
never
attempts
to
form
,
to
educate
,
or
to
lead
,
falls
into
some
violent
perplexity
,
passion
,
or
caprice
,
this
party
yields
without
a
struggle
to
the
impulse
,
and
when
the
storm
has
past
,
attempts
to
obstruct
and
obviate
the
logical
,
and
ultimately
the
inevitable
,
results
of
the
very
measures
they
have
themselves
originated
,
or
to
which
they
have
consented
.
This
is
the
Conservative
party
.
"
I
care
not
whether
men
are
called
Whigs
or
Tories
,
Radicals
or
Chartists
,
or
by
what
nickname
a
bustling
and
thoughtless
race
may
designate
themselves
;
but
these
two
divisions
comprehend
at
present
the
English
nation
.
"
With
regard
to
the
first
school
,
I
for
one
have
no
faith
in
the
remedial
qualities
of
a
government
carried
on
by
a
neglected
democracy
,
who
,
for
three
centuries
,
have
received
no
education
.
What
prospect
does
it
offer
us
of
those
high
principles
of
conduct
with
which
we
have
fed
our
imaginations
and
strengthened
our
will
?
I
perceive
none
of
the
elements
of
government
that
should
secure
the
happiness
of
a
people
and
the
greatness
of
a
realm
.
But
in
my
opinion
if
Democracy
be
combated
only
by
Conservativism
,
Democracy
must
triumph
,
and
at
no
distant
date
.
This
then
is
our
position
.
The
man
who
enters
public
life
at
this
epoch
has
to
choose
between
Political
Infidelity
and
a
Destructive
Creed
.
"
"
This
then
,
"
said
Millbank
,
"
is
the
dilemma
to
which
we
are
brought
by
nearly
two
centuries
of
Parliamentary
Monarchy
and
Parliamentary
Church
?
"
"
'
Tis
true
,
"
said
Coningsby
.
"
We
cannot
conceal
it
from
ourselves
,
that
the
first
has
made
Government
detested
,
and
the
second
,
Religion
disbelieved
.
"
"
Many
men
in
this
country
,
"
said
Millbank
,
"
and
especially
in
the
class
to
which
I
belong
,
are
reconciled
to
the
contemplation
of
democracy
,
because
they
have
accustomed
themselves
to
believe
that
it
is
the
only
power
by
which
we
can
sweep
away
those
sectional
privileges
and
interests
that
impede
the
intelligence
and
industry
of
the
community
.
"
"
And
yet
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
"
the
only
way
to
terminate
what
in
the
language
of
the
present
day
is
called
Class
Legislation
is
not
to
intrust
power
to
classes
.
You
would
find
a
loco-foco
majority
as
much
addicted
to
Class
Legislation
as
a
factitious
aristocracy
.
The
only
power
,
that
has
no
class
sympathy
is
the
Sovereign
.
"
"
But
suppose
the
case
of
an
arbitrary
Sovereign
,
what
would
be
your
check
against
him
?
"
"
The
same
as
against
an
arbitrary
Parliament
.
"
"
But
a
Parliament
is
responsible
.
"
"
To
whom
?
"
"
To
their
constituent
body
.
"
"
Suppose
it
was
to
vote
itself
perpetual
?
"
"
But
public
opinion
would
prevent
that
.
"
"
And
is
public
opinion
of
less
influence
on
an
individual
than
on
a
body
?
"
"
But
public
opinion
may
be
indifferent
:
a
nation
may
be
misled
,
may
be
corrupt
.
"
"
If
the
nation
that
elects
the
Parliament
be
corrupt
,
the
elected
body
will
resemble
it
.
The
nation
that
is
corrupt
,
deserves
to
fall
.
But
this
only
shows
that
there
is
something
to
be
considered
beyond
forms
of
government
—
national
character
.
And
herein
mainly
should
we
repose
our
hopes
.
If
a
nation
be
led
to
aim
at
the
good
and
the
great
,
depend
upon
it
,
whatever
be
its
form
,
the
government
will
respond
to
its
convictions
and
its
sentiments
.
"
"
Do
you
then
declare
against
Parliamentary
government
?
"
"
Far
from
it
:
I
look
upon
political
change
as
the
greatest
of
evils
,
for
it
comprehends
all
.
But
if
we
have
no
faith
in
the
permanence
of
the
existing
settlement
,
if
the
very
individuals
who
established
it
year
after
year
are
proposing
their
modifications
or
their
reconstructions
,
so
also
,
while
we
uphold
what
exists
,
ought
we
to
prepare
ourselves
for
the
change
we
deem
impending
?
"
Now
I
would
not
that
either
ourselves
,
or
our
fellow
citizens
,
should
be
taken
unawares
as
in
1832
,
when
the
very
men
who
opposed
the
Reform
Bill
offered
contrary
objections
to
it
which
destroyed
each
other
,
so
ignorant
were
they
of
its
real
character
,
its
historical
causes
,
its
political
consequences
.
We
should
now
so
act
,
that
when
the
occasion
arrives
,
we
should
clearly
comprehend
what
we
want
,
and
have
formed
an
opinion
as
to
the
best
means
by
which
that
want
can
be
supplied
.
"
For
this
purpose
,
I
would
accustom
the
public
mind
to
the
contemplation
of
an
existing
though
torpid
power
in
the
constitution
;
capable
of
removing
our
social
grievances
were
we
to
transfer
to
it
those
prerogatives
which
the
Parliament
has
gradually
usurped
,
and
used
in
a
manner
which
has
produced
the
present
material
and
moral
disorganisation
.
The
House
of
Commons
is
the
house
of
a
few
;
the
Sovereign
is
the
Sovereign
of
all
.
The
proper
leader
of
the
people
is
the
individual
who
sits
upon
the
throne
.
"
"
Then
you
abjure
the
Representative
principle
?
"
"
Why
so
?
Representation
is
not
necessary
,
or
even
in
a
principal
sense
,
Parliamentary
.
Parliament
is
not
sitting
at
this
moment
,
and
yet
the
nation
is
represented
in
its
highest
as
well
as
in
its
most
minute
interests
.
Not
a
grievance
escapes
notice
and
redress
.
I
see
in
the
newspaper
this
morning
that
a
pedagogue
has
brutally
chastised
his
pupil
.
It
is
a
fact
known
over
all
England
.
We
must
not
forget
that
a
principle
of
government
is
reserved
for
our
days
,
that
we
shall
not
find
in
our
Aristotles
,
or
even
in
the
forests
of
Tacitus
,
nor
in
our
Saxon
Wittenagemotes
,
nor
in
our
Plantagenet
Parliaments
.
Opinion
now
is
supreme
,
and
opinion
speaks
in
print
.
The
representation
of
the
Press
is
far
more
complete
than
the
representation
of
Parliament
.
Parliamentary
representation
was
the
happy
device
of
a
ruder
age
,
to
which
it
was
admirably
adapted
;
an
age
of
semi-civilisation
,
when
there
was
a
leading
class
in
the
community
;
but
it
exhibits
many
symptoms
of
desuetude
.
It
is
controlled
by
a
system
of
representation
more
vigorous
and
comprehensive
;
which
absorbs
its
duties
and
fulfils
them
more
efficiently
;
and
in
which
discussion
is
pursued
on
fairer
terms
,
and
often
with
more
depth
and
information
.
"
"
And
to
what
power
would
you
intrust
the
function
of
Taxation
?
"
"
To
some
power
that
would
employ
it
more
discreetly
than
in
creating
our
present
amount
of
debt
,
and
in
establishing
our
present
system
of
imposts
.
"
In
a
word
,
true
wisdom
lies
in
the
policy
that
would
effect
its
ends
by
the
influence
of
opinion
,
and
yet
by
the
means
of
existing
forms
.
Nevertheless
if
we
are
forced
to
revolutions
,
let
us
propose
to
our
consideration
the
idea
of
a
free
monarchy
,
established
on
fundamental
laws
,
itself
the
apex
of
a
vast
pile
of
municipal
and
local
government
,
ruling
an
educated
people
,
represented
by
a
free
and
intellectual
press
,
Before
such
a
royal
authority
,
supported
by
such
a
national
opinion
,
the
sectional
anomalies
of
our
country
would
disappear
.
Under
such
a
system
,
where
qualification
would
not
be
parliamentary
,
but
personal
,
even
statesmen
would
be
educated
;
we
should
have
no
more
diplomatists
who
could
not
speak
French
;
no
more
bishops
ignorant
of
theology
;
no
more
generals-in-chief
who
never
saw
a
field
.
"
Now
there
is
a
polity
adapted
to
our
laws
,
our
institutions
,
our
feelings
,
our
manners
,
our
traditions
;
a
polity
capable
of
great
ends
,
and
appealing
to
high
sentiments
;
a
polity
which
in
my
opinion
would
render
government
an
object
of
national
affection
;
which
would
terminate
sectional
anomalies
,
assuage
religious
heats
,
and
extinguish
Chartism
.
"
"
You
said
to
me
yesterday
,
"
said
Millbank
,
after
a
pause
,
"
quoting
the
words
of
another
which
you
adopted
,
that
Man
was
made
to
adore
and
to
obey
.
Now
you
have
shown
to
me
the
means
by
which
you
deem
it
possible
that
government
might
become
no
longer
odious
to
the
subject
;
you
have
shown
how
man
may
be
induced
to
obey
.
But
there
are
duties
and
interests
for
man
beyond
political
obedience
,
and
social
comfort
,
and
national
greatness
;
higher
interests
and
greater
duties
.
How
would
you
deal
with
their
spiritual
necessities
?
You
think
you
can
combat
political
infidelity
in
a
nation
by
the
principle
of
enlightened
loyalty
,
how
would
you
encounter
religious
infidelity
in
a
state
?
By
what
means
is
the
principle
of
profound
reverence
to
be
revived
?
How
,
in
short
,
is
man
to
be
led
to
adore
?
"
"
Ah
!
that
is
a
subject
which
I
have
not
forgotten
,
"
replied
Coningsby
.
"
I
know
from
your
letters
,
how
deeply
it
has
engaged
your
thoughts
.
I
confess
to
you
that
it
has
often
filled
mine
with
perplexity
and
depression
.
When
we
were
at
Eton
,
and
both
of
us
impregnated
with
the
contrary
prejudices
in
which
we
had
been
brought
up
,
there
was
still
between
us
one
common
ground
of
sympathy
and
trust
;
we
reposed
with
confidence
and
affection
in
the
bosom
of
our
Church
.
Time
and
Thought
,
with
both
of
us
,
have
only
matured
the
spontaneous
veneration
of
our
boyhood
.
But
Time
and
Thought
have
also
shown
me
,
that
the
Church
of
our
heart
is
not
in
a
position
,
as
regards
the
community
,
consonant
with
its
original
and
essential
character
,
or
with
the
welfare
of
the
nation
.
"
"
The
character
of
a
Church
is
universality
,
"
replied
Millbank
.
"
Once
the
Church
in
this
country
was
universal
,
in
principle
and
practice
;
when
wedded
to
the
State
,
it
continued
at
least
universal
in
principle
,
if
not
in
practice
.
What
is
it
now
?
All
ties
between
the
State
and
the
Church
are
abolished
except
those
,
which
tend
to
its
danger
and
degradation
.
"
What
can
be
more
anomalous
than
the
present
connection
between
State
and
Church
?
Every
condition
on
which
it
was
originally
consented
to
has
been
cancelled
.
That
original
alliance
was
in
my
view
an
equal
calamity
for
the
Nation
and
the
Church
;
but
at
least
it
was
an
intelligible
compact
.
Parliament
,
then
consisting
only
of
members
of
the
established
Church
was
on
ecclesiastical
matters
,
a
lay
synod
,
and
might
in
some
points
of
view
be
esteemed
a
necessary
portion
of
Church
government
.
But
you
have
effaced
this
exclusive
character
of
parliament
;
you
have
determined
that
a
communion
with
the
established
Church
shall
no
longer
be
part
of
the
qualification
for
sitting
in
the
House
of
Commons
.
There
is
no
reason
,
as
far
as
the
constitution
avails
,
why
every
member
of
the
House
of
Commons
should
not
be
a
dissenter
.
But
the
whole
power
of
the
country
is
concentred
in
the
House
of
Commons
.
The
House
of
Lords
,
even
the
Monarch
himself
,
has
openly
announced
and
confessed
,
within
these
ten
years
that
the
will
of
the
House
of
Commons
is
supreme
.
A
single
vote
of
the
House
of
Commons
in
1832
made
the
Duke
of
Wellington
declare
in
the
House
of
Lords
that
he
was
obliged
to
abandon
his
sovereign
in
'
the
most
difficult
and
distressing
circumstances
.
'
The
House
of
Commons
is
absolute
.
It
is
the
state
.
'
L'Etat
,
c'est
moi
.
'
The
House
of
Commons
virtually
appoints
the
bishops
.
A
sectarian
assembly
appoints
the
bishops
of
the
established
Church
.
They
may
appoint
twenty
Hoadleys
.
James
II
.
was
expelled
the
throne
because
he
appointed
a
Roman
Catholic
to
an
Anglican
see
.
A
parliament
might
do
this
to-morrow
with
impunity
.
And
this
is
the
Constitution
in
Church
and
State
which
Conservative
dinners
toast
!
The
only
consequences
of
the
present
union
of
Church
and
State
are
,
that
,
on
the
side
of
the
State
there
is
perpetual
interference
in
ecclesiastical
government
,
and
on
the
side
of
the
Church
a
sedulous
avoidance
of
all
those
principles
on
which
alone
Church
government
can
be
established
,
and
by
the
influence
of
which
alone
can
the
Church
of
England
again
become
universal
.
"
"
But
it
is
urged
that
the
State
protects
its
revenues
?
"
"
No
ecclesiastical
revenues
should
be
safe
,
that
require
protection
.
Modern
history
is
a
history
of
Church
spoliation
.
And
by
whom
?
Not
by
the
people
;
not
by
the
democracy
.
No
,
it
is
the
Emperor
,
the
King
,
the
feudal
Baron
,
the
court
Minion
.
The
estate
of
the
Church
is
the
estate
of
the
People
,
as
long
as
the
Church
is
governed
on
its
real
principles
.
The
Church
is
the
medium
by
which
the
despised
and
degraded
classes
assert
the
native
equality
of
man
,
and
vindicate
the
rights
and
power
of
Intellect
.
It
made
in
the
darkest
hour
of
Norman
rule
,
the
son
of
a
Saxon
pedlar
Primate
of
England
;
and
placed
Nicholas
Breakspear
,
a
Hertfordshire
peasant
,
on
the
throne
of
the
Cæsars
.
It
would
do
as
great
things
now
,
if
it
were
divorced
from
the
degrading
and
tyrannical
connection
that
enchains
it
.
You
would
have
other
sons
of
peasants
Bishops
of
England
instead
of
men
appointed
to
that
sacred
office
solely
because
they
were
the
needy
scions
of
a
factitious
aristocracy
;
men
of
gross
ignorance
,
profligate
habits
,
and
grinding
extortion
;
who
have
disgraced
the
episcopal
throne
,
and
profaned
the
altar
.
"
"
But
surely
you
cannot
justly
extend
such
a
description
to
the
present
bench
.
"
"
Surely
not
:
I
speak
of
the
past
;
of
the
past
that
has
produced
so
much
present
evil
.
We
live
in
decent
times
;
frigid
,
latitudinarian
,
alarmed
,
decorous
.
A
priest
is
scarcely
deemed
in
our
days
a
fit
successor
of
the
authors
of
the
gospels
,
if
he
be
not
the
editor
of
a
Greek
play
;
and
he
who
follows
St.
Paul
must
now
at
least
have
been
private
tutor
of
some
young
nobleman
,
who
has
taken
a
good
degree
!
And
then
you
are
all
astonished
that
the
Church
is
not
universal
!
Why
!
nothing
but
the
indestructibleness
of
its
principles
,
however
feebly
pursued
,
could
have
maintained
even
the
disorganised
body
that
still
survives
.
"
And
yet
,
my
dear
Coningsby
,
with
all
its
past
errors
and
all
its
present
deficiencies
,
it
is
by
the
Church
,
I
would
have
said
until
I
listened
to
you
to-night
,
by
the
Church
alone
,
that
I
see
any
chance
of
regenerating
the
national
character
.
The
parochial
system
,
though
shaken
by
the
fatal
Poor
Law
,
is
still
the
most
ancient
,
the
most
comprehensive
,
and
the
most
popular
institution
of
the
country
;
the
younger
priests
are
,
in
