"Why do I run on thus!--you--you love another, yet you are not less the
ideal that I could love--if ever I loved any one. You love--and
yet--well--no matter."



CHAPTER II.

"Well, but this is being only an official nobleman. No matter,
'tis still being a nobleman, and that's his aim."
/Anonymous writer of 1772/.

"La musique est le seul des talens qui jouissent de lui-meme;
tons les autres veulent des temoins."*--MARMONTEL.

* Music is the sole talent which gives pleasure of itself; all the
others require witnesses.

"Thus the slow ox would gaudy trappings claim."--HORACE.

MR. TEMPLETON had not obtained his peerage, and, though he had met with
no direct refusal, nor made even a direct application to headquarters,
he was growing sullen. He had great parliamentary influence, not close
borough, illegitimate influence, but very proper orthodox influence of
character, wealth, and so forth. He could return one member at least
for a city--he could almost return one member for a county, and in three
boroughs any activity on his part could turn the scale in a close
contest. The ministers were strong, but still they could not afford to
lose supporters hitherto zealous--the example of desertion is
contagious. In the town which Templeton had formerly represented, and