第40章

Another old friend, of whom former chronicles were not silent, was at the Duchess's that night, and there came across Mrs Finn.

This was Barrington Erle, a politician of long standing, who was still looked upon by many as a young man, because he had always been known as a young man, and because he had never done anything to compromise his position in that respect.He had not married, or settled himself down in a house of his own, or become subject to gout, or given up being careful about the fitting of his clothes.No doubt the grey hairs were getting the better of the black hairs, both on his head and face, and marks of coming crows' feet were to be seen if you looked close at him, and he had become careful about his great-coat and umbrella.He was in truth much nearer fifty than forty;--nevertheless he was felt in the House and among Cabinet Ministers and among the wives of members and Cabinet Ministers, to be a young man still.And when he was invited to become Secretary for Ireland it was generally felt that he was too young for the place.He declined it, however, and when he went to the Post-office, the gentlemen there all felt that they had had a boy put over them.Phineas Finn, who had become Secretary for Ireland, was in truth ten years the junior.But Phineas Finn had been twice married, and had gone through other phases of life, such as make a man old.'How does Phineas like it?' Erle asked.Phineas Finn and Barrington Erle had gone through some political struggles together, and had been very intimate.

'I hope not very much,' said the lady.

'Why so? Because he's away so much?'

No;--not that.I should not grudge his absence if the work satisfied him.But I know him so well.The more he takes to it now,--the more sanguine he is as to some special thing to be done,--the more bitter will be the disappointment when he is disappointed.For there never really is anything special to be done;--is there, Mr Erle?'

'I thing there is always a little too much zeal about Finn.'

'Of course there is.And then with zeal there always goes a thin skin,--and unjustifiable expectations, and biting despair, and contempt of others, and all the elements of unhappiness.'

'That is a sad programme for your husband.'

'He has recuperative faculties which bring him round at last:--but I really doubt whether he was made for a politician in this country.You remember Lord Brock?'

'Dear old Brock;--of course I do.How should I not, if you remember him?'

'Young men are boys at college, rowing in boats, when women have been ever so long out in the world.He was the very model of an English statesman.He loved his country dearly, and wished her to be, as he believed her to be, first among nations.But he had no belief in perpetuating her greatness by any grand improvements.Let things take their way naturally--with a slight direction hither or thither as thing might required.That was his method of ruling.He believed in men rather than measures.As long as he had the loyalty around him, he could be personally happy, and quite confident as to the country.He never broke his heart because he could not carry this or that reform.What would have hurt him would have been to be worsted in personal conflict.But he could always hold his own, and he was always happy.Your man with a thin skin, a vehement ambition, a scrupulous conscience, and a sanguine desire for rapid improvement, is never happy, and seldom a fortunate politician.'

'Mrs Finn, you understand it all better than anyone else that Iever knew.'

'I have been watching it a long time, and of course very closely since I have been married.'

'But you have an eye trained to see it all.What a useful member you would have made in government!'

'But I should never have had the patience to sit all night upon that bench in the House of Commons.How men can do it! They mustn't read.They can't think because of the speaking.It doesn't do for them to talk.I don't believe they ever listen.