“I'll wager he's been offered Paris,” said Temple, gravely.
“Offered Paris?” cried Jack; “what do you mean?”
“I mean the embassy, of course,” replied he, contemptuously. “Without,” added he, “they want him in the Cabinet.”
“And is it really by men like this the country is governed?” said Nelly, with a boldness that seemed the impulse of indignation.
“I 'm afraid so,” said Marion, scornfully. “Mr. Canning and Lord Palmerston were men very like this,—were they not, Temple?”
“Precisely; Lord Culduff is exactly of the same order, however humble the estimate Ellen may form of such people.”
“I 'm all impatience for the news,” said Augustus. “I wish Cutbill would come down at once.”
“I 'll take the odds that he goes to F. O.,” said Temple.
“What the deuce could he do in China?” cried Jack, whose ear had led him into a cruel blunder.
Temple scarcely smiled at what savored of actual irreverence, and added, “If so, I 'll ask to be made private secretary.”