“You never saw him?”
“No.”
“Nor I, but once; but I confess to have some curiosity to know him. They tell me he can do anything he pleases with each House of Parliament, and has no inconsiderable influence in a sphere yet higher. It is quite certain that the old Duke of Wycombe's affairs were all set to rights by his agency, and Lady Muddleton's divorce bill was passed by his means.”
The word “divorce” seemed to rally Lady Grace from her fit of musing, and she said, “Is that certain?”
“Julia herself says so, that's all. He got a bill, or an act, or clause, or whatever you call it, inserted, by which she succeeded in her suit, and she is now as free—as free——”
“As I am not!” broke in Lady Grace, with a sad effort at a smile.
“To be sure, there is a little scandal in the matter, too. They say that old Lord Brookdale was very 'soft' himself in that quarter.”
“The Chancellor!” exclaimed Lady Grace.
“And why not, dear? You remember the old refrain, 'No age, no station'—what is it?—and the next line goes—'To sovereign beauty mankind bends the knee.' Julia is rather proud of the triumph herself; she says it is like a victory in China, where the danger is very little and the spoils considerable!”
“Mr. Spicer, my Lady,” said a servant, entering, “wishes to know if your Ladyship will receive him.”