'What makes you fancy that?' said the Duke, striving to conceal by
his manner, but not altogether successful in concealing, the
gratification he certainly felt.
'Well, sir, I am not sure that I can explain it. Of course it is
putting you in a different boat from me.'
'You have already chosen your boat.'
'Perhaps he thinks I may get out again. I dislike the skipper so
much, that I am not sure that I shall not.'
'Oh, Silverbridge,--that is such a fault! So much is included in
that which is unstatesmanlike, unpatriotic, almost dishonest! Do
you mean to say that you would be this or that in politics
according to your personal liking for an individual?'
'When you don't trust the leader, you can't believe very firmly in
the followers,' said Silverbridge doggedly. 'I won't say, sir,
what I may do. Though I daresay that what I think is not of much
account, I do think a good deal about it.'
'I am glad of that.'
'And as I think it not at all improbable that I may go back again,
if you don't mind it, I will refuse.' Of course after that the
Duke had no further arguments to use in favour of Sir Timothy's
proposition.
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