Everett Wharton On that same day Lopez dined with his friend Everett Wharton at a new club called the Progress, of which they were both members.

The Progress was certainly a new club, having as yet been open hardly more than three years; but still it was old enough to have seen many of the hopes of its early youth become dim with age and inaction.
For the Progress had intended to do great things for the Liberal party,--or rather for political liberality in general,--and had in truth done little or nothing.

It had been got up with considerable enthusiasm, and for a while certain fiery politicians had believed that through the instrumentality of this institution men of genius, and spirit, and natural power, but without wealth,--meaning always themselves,--would be supplied with sure seats in Parliament and a probable share in the Government.

But no such results had been achieved.

There had been a want of something,--some deficiency felt but not yet defined,--which had hitherto been fatal.