think it's all settled at last?' said the Duchess. It will
probably be felt that the new Prime Minister's wife was
indiscreet, and hardly worthy of the confidence placed in her by
her husband. But surely we all have some one friend to whom we
tell everything, and with the Duchess Mrs Finn was that one
friend.

'Is the Duke to be Prime Minister?'

'How on earth should you have guessed that?'

'What else could make you so excited? Besides, it is by no means
strange. I understand that they have gone on trying the two old
stages till it is useless to try them any longer; and if there is
to be a fresh man, no one would be more likely than the Duke.'

'Do you think so?'

'Certainly. Why not?'

'He has frittered away his political position by such meaningless
concessions. And then he had never done anything to put himself
forward,--at any rate since he left the House of Commons.
Perhaps I haven't read things right--but I was surprised, very
much surprised.'

'And gratified?'

'Oh yes. I can tell you everything, because you will neither
misunderstand me nor tell tales of me. Yes,--I shall like him