No doubt the grey hairs were getting the better of the black hairs, both on his head and face, and marks of coming crows' feet were to be seen if you looked close at him, and he had become careful about his great-coat and umbrella.

He was in truth much nearer fifty than forty;--nevertheless he was felt in the House and among Cabinet Ministers, and among the wives of members and Cabinet Ministers, to be a young man still.

And when he was invited to become Secretary for Ireland it was generally felt that he was too young for the place.

He declined it, however; and when he went to the Post-office, the gentlemen there all felt that they had had a boy put over them.

Phineas Finn, who had become Secretary for Ireland, was in truth ten years his junior.