But Sir Everard is a good man, and he'll be there if laudanum and bath-chair make it possible." The same kind of conversation went on during the whole of dinner, and became, if anything, more animated when the three ladies had left the room.

Mr.Kennedy made but one remark, and then he observed that as far as he could see a majority of nineteen would be as serviceable as a majority of twenty.

This he said in a very mild voice, and in a tone that was intended to be expressive of doubt; but in spite of his humility Barrington Erle flew at him almost savagely,--as though a liberal member of the House of Commons was disgraced by so mean a spirit; and Phineas found himself despising the man for his want of zeal.
"If we are to beat them, let us beat them well," said Phineas.
"Let there be no doubt about it," said Barrington Erle.
"I should like to see every man with a seat polled," said Bonteen.
"Poor Sir Everard!" said Lord Brentford.

"It will kill him, no doubt, but I suppose the seat is safe." "Oh, yes; Llanwrwsth is quite safe," said Barrington, in his eagerness omitting to catch Lord Brentford's grim joke.
Phineas went up into the drawing-room for a few minutes after dinner, and was eagerly desirous of saying a few more words,--he knew not what words,--to Lady Laura.

Mr.Kennedy and Mr.Bonteen had left the dining-room first, and Phineas again found Mr.Kennedy standing close to Lady Laura's shoulder.