“Don't believe it, Culduff. Every party that is in power inherits its share of obligations. We have never disowned those we owe to you.”
“And why am I refused this, then?”
“If you wanted other reasons than those I have given you, I might be able to adduce them—not willingly indeed—but under pressure, and especially in strict confidence.” “Reasons against my having the mission?”
“Reasons against your having the mission.”
“You amaze me, my Lord. I almost doubt that I have heard you aright I must, however, insist on your explaining yourself. Am I to understand that there are personal grounds of unfitness?”
The other bowed in assent.
“Have the kindness to let me know them.”
“First of all, Culduff, this is to be a family mission—the duchess is a connection of our own royal house—and a certain degree of display and consequent expense will be required. Your fortune does not admit of this.”
“Push on to the more cogent reason, my Lord,” said Culduff, stiffly.
“Here, then, is the more cogent reason. The court has not forgotten—what possibly the world may have forgotten—some of those passages in your life for which you, perhaps, have no other remorse than that they are not likely to recur; and as you have given no hostages for good behavior, in the shape of a wife, the court, I say, is sure to veto your appointment. You see it all as clearly as I do.”