Or it is possible that funds were supplied by a new political club of which we have lately heard much, and with the action of such body we of course have nothing to do.If an assurance can be given to us by Mr Lopez or his friends that such was the case we shall be satisfied.
"But a report has reached us, and we may say more than a report, which makes it our duty to ask this question.Were those expenses paid out of the private pocket of the present Prime Minister? If so, we maintain that we have discovered a blot in that nobleman's character which it is our duty to the public to expose.We will go farther and say that if it be so,--if these expenses were paid out of the private pocket of the Duke of Omnium, it is not fit that that nobleman should any longer hold the high office which he now fills.
"We know that a peer should not interfere in elections for the House of Commons.We certainly know that a Minister of the Crown should not attempt to purchase parliamentary support.We happen to know also the almost more than public manner,--are we not justified in saying the ostentation?--with which at the last election the Duke repudiated all that influence with the borough which his predecessors, and we believe he himself, had so long exercised.He came forward telling us that he, at least, meant to have clean hands,--that he would not do as his forefathers had done,--that he would not even do as he himself had done in former years.What are we to think of the Duke of Omnium as a Minister of this country, if, after such assurances, he has out of is own pocket paid the electioneering expenses of a candidate at Silverbridge?" There was much more in the article, but the passages quoted will suffice to give the reader a sufficient idea of the accusation made, and which the Duke read in the retirement of his own chamber.
He read it twice before he allowed himself to think of the matter.The statement made was at any rate true to the letter.
He had paid the man's electioneering expenses.That he had done so from the purest motives he knew and the reader knows,--but he could even explain those motives without exposing his wife.
Since the cheque was sent he had never spoken of the occurrence to any human being,--but he had thought of it very often.At the time his private Secretary, with much hesitation, almost with trepidation, had counselled him not to send the money.The Duke was a man with whom it was very easy to work, whose courtesy to all dependent on him was almost exaggerated, who never found fault, and was anxious as far as possible to do everything for himself.The comfort of those around him was always a matter of interest to him.Everything he held, he held as it were in trust for the enjoyment of others.But he was a man whom it was difficult to advise.He did not like advice.He was so thin-skinned that any counsel offered him took the form of criticism.
When cautioned what shoes he should wear,--as had been done by Lady Rosina, or what wine or what horses he should buy, as was done by his butler and coachman, he was thankful, taking no pride to himself for knowledge as to shoes, wine, or horses.But as to his own conduct, private or public, as to any question of politics, as to his opinions and resolutions, he was jealous of interference.Mr Warburton therefore had almost trembled when asking the Duke whether he was quite sure about sending the money to Lopez.'Quite sure,' the Duke had answered, having at that time made up his mind.Mr Warburton had not dared to express a further doubt, and the money had been sent.But from the moment of sending it doubts had repeated themselves in the Prime Minister's mind.
Now he sat with the newspaper in his hand thinking of it.Of course it was open to him to take no notice of the matter,--to go on as though he had never seen the article, and to let the thing die if it would die.But he knew Mr Quintus Slide and his paper well enough to be sure that it would not die.The charge would be repeated in the "People's Banner" till it was copied into other papers, and then the further question would be asked, --why had the Prime Minister allowed such an accusation to remain unanswered? But if he did notice it, what notice should he take of it? It was true.And surely he disobeyed no law.He had bribed no one.He had spent his money with no corrupt purpose.
His sense of honour had taught him to think the man had received injury through his wife's imprudence, and that he therefore was responsible as far as the pecuniary loss was concerned.He was not ashamed that it should be discussed in public.
Why had he allowed himself to be put into a position in which he was subject to such grievous annoyance? Since he had held his office he had not had a happy day, nor,--or so he told himself,--had he received from it any slightest gratification, nor could he buoy himself up with the idea that he was doing good service for his country.After a while he walked into the next room and showed the paper to Mr Warburton.'Perhaps you were right,' he said, 'when you told me not to send the money.'
'It will matter nothing,' said the private Secretary when he had read it,--thinking, however, that it might matter much, but wishing to spare the Duke.
'I was obliged to repay the man as the Duchess had,--had encouraged him.The Duchess had not quite,--quite understood my wishes.' Mr Warburton knew the whole history, having discussed it all with the Duchess more than once.
'I think your Grace should take no notice of the article.'
No notice was taken of it, but three days afterwards there appeared a short paragraph in large type,--beginning with a question."Does the Duke of Omnium intend to answer the question asked by us last Friday? Is it true that paid the expenses of Mr Lopez when that gentleman stood for Silverbridge? The Duke may be assured that the question will be repeated till it is answered." This the Duke also saw and took to his private Secretary.