It is Mr Tadpole's list; nobody has seen it but me;
not even Sir Robert. Lord Grubminster has had a stroke: they
are concealing it, but Mr Tadpole has found it out. They
wanted to pair him off with Colonel Fantomme, who they think
is dying: but Mr Tadpole has got a Mesmerist who has done
wonders for him, and who has guaranteed that he shall vote.
Well, that makes a difference of one."
"And then Sir Henry Churton--"
"Oh! you know it," said Lady St Julians, looking slightly
mortified. "Yes: he votes with us."
Lady Deloraine shook her head. "I think," she said, "I know
the origin of that report. Quite a mistake. He is in a had
humour, has been so the whole session, and he was at Lady
Alice Fermyne's, and did say all sorts of things. All that is
true. But he told Charles this morning on a committee, that
he should vote with the Government."
"Stupid man!" exclaimed Lady St Julians; "I never could bear
him. And I have sent his vulgar wife and great staring
daughter a card for next Wednesday! Well, I hope affairs will
soon be brought to a crisis, for I do not think I can bear
much longer this life of perpetual sacrifice," added Lady St
Julians a little out of temper, both because she had lost a
vote and found her friend and rival better informed than
herself.
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