“The present men will not better their majority,” said Egremont.
“I hope not,” said Lady Marney.
“Why you always said, that with another general election we must come in, whoever dissolved.”
“But that was with the court in our favour,” rejoined Lady Marney mournfully.
“What, has the king changed?” said Egremont. “I thought it was all right.”
“All was right,” said Lady Marney. “These men would have been turned out again, had he only lived three months more.”
“Lived!” exclaimed Egremont.
“Yes,” said Lady Marney; “the king is dying.”
Slowly delivering himself of an ejaculation, Egremont leant back in his chair.
“He may live a month,” said Lady Marney; “he cannot live two. It is the greatest of secrets; known at this moment only to four individuals, and I communicate it to you, my dear Charles, in that absolute confidence which I hope will always subsist between us, because it is an event that may greatly affect your career.”