If the poor king had lived--"

"He would have sent these men to the right-abouts;" said
Egremont, a young politician, proud of his secret
intelligence.

"Ah! the poor king!" said Sir Vavasour, shaking his head.

"He was entirely with us," said Egremont.

"Poor man" said Sir Vavasour.

"You think it was too late, then?" said his companion.

"You are a young man entering political life," said the
baronet, taking Egremont kindly by the arm, and leading him to
a sofa; "everything depends on the first step. You have a
great opportunity. Nothing can be done by a mere individual.
The most powerful body in this country wants a champion."

"But you can depend on Peel?" said Egremont.

"He is one of us: we ought to he able to depend on him. But I
have spoken to him for an hour, and could get nothing out of
him."

"He is cautious; but depend upon it, he will stand or fall by
the land."

"I am not thinking of the land," said Sir Vavasour; "of