"
It was just at this moment that a servant entered with a card,
which the duke looking at said "It is Tadpole; shall we have
him in? I dare say he will tell us something." And
notwithstanding the important character of their conference,
political curiosity and perhaps some private feeling which not
one of them cared to acknowledge, made them unanimously agree
that Mr Tadpole should be admitted.
"Lord Marney and Lord de Mowbray with the Duke of Fitz-
Aquitaine," thought Mr Tadpole, as he was ushered into the
library and his eye, practised in machinations and prophetic
in manoeuvres surveyed the three nobles. "This looks like
business and perhaps means mischief. Very lucky I called!"
With an honest smile he saluted them all.
"What news from the palace, Tadpole?" inquired the duke.
"Sir Robert is there," replied Tadpole.
"That's good news," exclaimed his grace, echoed by Lord de
Mowbray, and backed up with a faint bravo from Lord Marney.
Then arose a conversation in which all affected much interest
respecting the Jamaica debate; whether the whigs had
originally intended to resign; whether it were Lord Melbourne
or Lord John who had insisted on the step; whether if
postponed they could have tided over the session; and so on.
Pages:
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456