On that morning at about noon a letter came to the
son saying that his father had returned and would be glad to see
him. Silverbridge was going to the House on that day and was not
without his own political anxieties. If Lord Drummond remained in,
he thought that he must for the present stand by the party which
he had adopted. If, however, Sir Timothy should become Prime
Minister there would be a loophole for escape. There were some
three or four besides himself who detested Sir Timothy, and in
such case he might perhaps have company in his desertions. All
this was on his mind; but through all this he was aware that there
was a matter of much deeper moment which required his energies.
When his father's message was brought to him he told himself at
once that now was the time for eloquence.
'Well, Silverbridge,' said the Duke, 'how are matters going on
with you?' There seemed to be something in his father's manner
more than ordinarily jocund and good-humoured.
'With me, sir?'
'I don't mean to ask any party secrets. If you and Sir Timothy
understand each other, of course you will be discreet.
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