He would make Lady Laura understand this, and then he would ask his question.

It was true that at present his political opponents had possession of the Treasury Bench;--but all governments are mortal, and Conservative governments in this country are especially prone to die.

It was true that he could not hold even a Treasury lordship with a poor thousand a year for his salary without having to face the electors of Loughshane again before he entered upon the enjoyment of his place;--but if he could only do something to give a grace to his name, to show that he was a rising man, the electors of Loughshane, who had once been so easy with him, would surely not be cruel to him when he showed himself a second time among them.

Lord Tulla was his friend, and he had those points of law in his favour which possession bestows.

And then he remembered that Lady Laura was related to almost everybody who was anybody among the high Whigs.