"I knew he was in error; because I had happened to
see Lord Melbourne's own list, made up to the last hour; and
which gave the government a majority of sixty. It was only
shown to three members of the cabinet," she added in a tone of
triumphant mystery.
Lady Firebrace, a great stateswoman among the tories, was
proud of an admirer who was a member of the whig cabinet. She
was rather an agreeable guest in a country-house, with her
extensive correspondence, and her bulletins from both sides.
Tadpole flattered by her notice, and charmed with female
society that talked his own slang, and entered with affected
enthusiasm into all his dirty plots and barren machinations,
was vigilant in his communications; while her whig cavalier,
an easy individual who always made love by talking or writing
politics, abandoned himself without reserve, and instructed
Lady Firebrace regularly after every council. Taper looked
grave at this connection between Tadpole and Lady Firebrace;
and whenever an election was lost, or a division stuck in the
mud, he gave the cue with a nod and a monosyllable, and the
conservative pack that infests clubs, chattering on subjects
of which it is impossible they can know anything, instantly
began barking and yelping, denouncing traitors, and wondering
how the leaders could be so led by the nose, and not see that
which was flagrant to the whole world.
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