The pity was so great that the lad should be so stubborn and so foolish! He would never ask his son to be a slave to the Liberal party, as he had been.
But that a Palliser should not be a Liberal,--and his son, as the first recreant Palliser,--was wormwood to him! As he stood there he more than once clenched his fist in eager desire to turn upon the young man; but he restrained himself, telling himself that in justice he should not be angry for such offence as this.

To become a Conservative, when the path to Liberalism was so fairly open, might be the part of a fool, but could not fairly be imputed as a crime.

To endeavour to be just was the study of his life, and in no condition of life can justice be more imperatively due than from a father to his son.
"You mean to stand for Silverbridge ?" he said at last.
"Not if you object, sir." This made it worse.

It became now still more difficult for him to scold the young man.
"You are aware that I should not meddle in any way." "That was what I supposed.

They will return a Conservative at any rate." "It is not that I care about," said the Duke sadly.
"Upon my word, sir, I am very sorry to vex you; but what would you have me do?
I will give up Parliament altogether, if you say that you wish it." "No; I do not wish that." "You wouldn't have me tell a lie ?" "No." "What can I do then ?" "Learn what there is to learn from some master fit to teach you." "There are so many masters." "I believe it to be that most arrogant ill-behaved young man who was with me yesterday who has done this evil." "You mean Frank Tregear ?" "I do mean Mr.Tregear." "He's a Conservative, of course; and of course he and I have been much together.