"What's the use of going back to that now, unless you want me to put my neck down to be trodden on? I am confessing my own sins as fast as I can."
"God knows I would not have you trodden on."
"I am willing,—if it be necessary. Then came the question;—as I had done this evil, how was it to be rectified? Any man with a particle of spirit would have taken his rubs and said nothing about it. But as this man asked for the money, it was right that he should have it. If it is all made public he won't get very well out of it."
"What does that matter to me?"
"Nor shall I;—only luckily I do not mind it."
"But I mind it for you."
"You must throw me to the whale. Let somebody say in so many words that the Duchess did so and so. It was very wicked no doubt; but they can't kill me,—nor yet dismiss me. And I won't resign. In point of fact I shan't be a penny the worse for it."
"But I should resign."
"If all the Ministers in England were to give up as soon as their wives do foolish things, that question about the Queen's Government would become very difficult."
"They may do foolish things, dear; and yet—"