’When you don’t trust the leader, you can’t believe very firmly in the followers,’ said Silverbridge doggedly.  ’I won’t say, sir, what I may do.  Though I daresay that what I think is not of much account, I do think a good deal about it.’

‘I am glad of that.’

’And as I think it not at all improbable that I may go back again, if you don’t mind it, I will refuse.’  Of course after that the Duke had no further arguments to use in favour of Sir Timothy’s proposition.

CHAPTER 68

Brook Street

Silverbridge had now a week on his hands which he felt he might devote to the lady of his love.  It was a comfort to him that he need having nothing to do with the address.  To have to go, day after day, to the Treasury in order that he might learn his lesson, would have been disagreeable to him.  He did not quite know how the lesson would have been communicated, but fancied it would have come from ‘Old Roby’, whom he did not love much better than Sir Timothy.  Then the speech must have been composed, and afterwards submitted to someone,—­probably to old Roby again, by whom no doubt it would be cut and slashed, and made quite a different speech than he had intended.  If he had not praised Sir Timothy himself, Roby,—­or whatever other tutor might have been assigned to him,—­would have put the praise in.  And then how many hours it would have taken to learn ‘the horrid thing’ by heart.  He proudly felt that he had not been prompted by idleness to decline the task; but not the less was he glad to have shuffled the burden from off his shoulders.

Early the next morning he was in Brook Street, having sent a note to say he would call, and having named the hour.  And yet when he knocked at the door, he was told with the utmost indifference by a London footman, that Miss Boncassen was not at home,—­also that Mrs Boncassen was not at home,—­also that Mr Boncassen was not at home.  When he asked at what hour Miss Boncassen was expected home, the man answered him, just as though he had been anyone else, that he knew nothing about it.  He turned away in disgust, and had himself driven to the Beargarden.  In his misery he had recourse to game-pie and a pint of champagne for his lunch.  ’Halloa, old fellow, what is this I hear about you?’ said Nidderdale, coming in, and sitting opposite to him.

‘I don’t know what you have heard.’

’You are going to second the address.  What made them pick you out from the lot of us?’

‘It is just what I am not going to do.’

‘I saw it all in the papers.’

’I daresay;—­and yet it isn’t true.  I shouldn’t wonder if they ask you.’

At this moment a waiter handed a large official letter to Lord Nidderdable, saying that the messenger who had brought it was waiting for an answer in the hall.  The letter bore the important signature of T. Beeswax on the corner of the envelope, and so disturbed Lord Nidderdale that he called at once for a glass of soda-and-brandy.  When opened it was found to be very nearly a counterpart of that which Silverbridge had received down in the country.  There was, however, added a little prayer that Lord Nidderdale would at once come down to the Treasury Chambers.