only. If it were one, absolutely marked and recognised, I might
avoid him. But my friends, real friends, are so few! Who is
there besides the Duke on whom I can lean with both confidence
and love?'

'Lord Cantrip.'

'Hardly so, Cora. But Lord Cantrip goes out with Mr Gresham.
They will always cling together.'

'You used to like Mr Mildmay.'

'Mr Mildmay,--yes! If there could be a Mr Mildmay in the
Cabinet this trouble would not come upon my shoulders.'

'Then I'm very glad that there can't be Mr Mildmay. Why
shouldn't there be as good fish in the sea as ever were caught
out of it?'

'When you've got a good fish you like to make as much of it as
you can.'

'I suppose Mr Monk will join you.'

'I think we shall ask him. But I am not prepared to discuss
men's names as yet.'

'You must discuss them with the Duke immediately.'

'Probably;--but I had better discuss them with him before I fix