'There is a good deal to be said on both sides of the question, my
boy.' At this particular moment Tregear felt that the Duke ought
to be propitiated.

'You wouldn't have me give up my convictions!'

'A seat in Parliament is a great thing.'

'I can probably secure that, whichever side I take. I thought you
were so devilish hot against the Radicals.'

'So I am. But then you are, as it were, bound by family
allegiance.'

'I'll be shot if I am. One never knows how to understand you
nowadays. It used to be a great doctrine with you that nothing
should induce a man to vote against his political opinion.'

'So it is,--if he has really got any. However, as your father is
coming to London, I need not go down to Matching.'

'You don't mean that you were going to Matching?'

'I had intended to beard the lion in his country den; but now the
lion will find me in his own town den, and I must beard him here.'

Then Tregear wrote a most chilling note to Mrs Finn, informing her
with great precision, that, as the Duke of Omnium intended to be
in town one day next week, he would postpone the performance of
his promise for a day or two beyond the allotted time.