If he intended to commence operations as a barrister, it would be necessary that he should have chambers and a clerk; and before he had left Mr.Low's house on Sunday evening he had almost given that gentleman authority to secure for him these rooms at No.9.

"Whether you remain in Parliament or no, you must make a beginning," Mr.Low had said; "and how are you even to pretend to begin if you don't have chambers ?" Mr.Low hoped that he might be able to wean Phineas away from his Parliament bauble;--that he might induce the young barrister to give up his madness, if not this session or the next, at any rate before a third year had commenced.

Mr.Low was a persistent man, liking very much when he did like, and loving very strongly when he did love.

He would have many a tug for Phineas Finn before he would allow that false Westminster Satan to carry off the prey as altogether his own.

If he could only get Phineas into the dingy chambers he might do much! But Phineas had now become so imbued with the atmosphere of politics, had been so breathed upon by Lady Laura and Barrington Erle, that he could no longer endure the thought of any other life than that of a life spent among the lobbies.