But this speech was not made till after that dinner at Lord Brentford's, of which a short account must be given.
Had it not been for the overwhelming interest of the doings in Parliament at the commencement of the session, Phineas might have perhaps abstained from attending, in spite of the charm of novelty.
For, in truth, Mr.Low's words had moved him much.

But if it was to be his fate to be a member of Parliament only for ten days, surely it would be well that he should take advantage of the time to hear such a debate as this.

It would be a thing to talk of to his children in twenty years' time, or to his grandchildren in fifty;--and it would be essentially necessary that he should be able to talk of it to Lady Laura Standish.

He did, therefore, sit in the House till one on the Monday night, and till two on the Tuesday night, and heard the debate adjourned till the Thursday.

On the Thursday Mr.Daubeny was to make his great speech, and then the division would come.
When Phineas entered Lady Laura's drawing-room on the Wednesday before dinner, he found the other guests all assembled.