Lord Reckage was announced.
“Beauclerk!” she exclaimed.
His lordship, self-absorbed, did not perceive her confusion—which she was too young to dissemble perfectly.
“The man told me that you were here,” he said, addressing Orange and seating himself by Sara. “I call this luck—finding you both together. I have just been with my Committee. They always expect the worst of me now, and they are always cheerful in the expectation.”
Sara began to disentangle some silk fringe on her skirt; she did not look up, and she offered no comment.
“What is the matter now?” asked Robert.
“They want to get rid of me. You see, one might practise very considerably on the credulity of the members if one chose, and these fellows on the Executive wish me to take a cautious line with regard to Dr. Temple's nomination.[Mr. Gladstone's nomination of Dr. Temple to the See of Exeter.] It is all very well for Pusey to write, ‘Do you prefer your party to Almighty God and to the souls of men?’ But, as Aumerle says, Pusey is not in the House of Commons. An attack on Temple will be highly unpopular. We have sounded opinion in various quarters, and we receive the unanimous reply—‘Have nothing to do with it.’ There is a feeling in the clubs, too, that vapid, colourless orthodoxy is not wanted in England. Healthy disagreement within limits suits us. The question is, then: Ought I to go against this strong tide and get myself disliked?”
“Yes,” said Sara at once.
“You think so?”
“Beyond a doubt.”