But this man had long been in a position in which he knew that no such prayers should ever prevail at all.

In the first place it was not his business.

If he did anything, it would only be by asking a favour when he knew that no favour should be granted;--and a favour which he of all men should not ask, because to him of all men it could not be refused.

And then the very altitude of the great statesman whom he was invited to befriend,--the position of this Duke who had been so powerful and might be powerful again, was against any such interference.

Of himself he might be sure that he would certainly have done this as readily for any Mr.Jones as for the Duke of Omnium; but were he to do it, it would be said of him that it had been done because the man was Duke of Omnium.