In the course of the evening Phineas found a letter addressed to himself from Mr Bonteen. It was as follows:
“ House of Commons, 5th April, 18 — “ DEAR MR FINN,
“I never accused you of dishonesty. You must have misheard or misunderstood me if you thought so. I did say that you had scuttled4 the ship — and as you most undoubtedly6 did scuttle5 it — you and Mr Monk between you — I cannot retract7 my words.
“I do not want to go to anyone for testimony8 as to your merits on the occasion. I accused you of having done nothing dishonourable or disgraceful. I think I said that there was danger in the practice of scuttling11. I think so still, though I know that many fancy that those who scuttle do a fine thing. I don’t deny that it’s fine, and therefore you can have no cause of complaint against me.
“Yours truly, J . BONTEEN .”
He had brought a copy of his own letter in his pocket to the House, and he showed the correspondence to Mr Monk. “I would not have noticed it, had I been you,” said he.
“You can have no idea of the offensive nature of the remark when it was made.”
“It’s as offensive to me as to you, but I should not think of moving in such a matter. When a man annoys you, keep out of his way. It is generally the best thing you can do.”
“If a man were to call you a liar12?”
“But men don’t call each other liars13. Bonteen understands the world much too well to commit himself by using any word which common opinion would force him to retract. He says we scuttled the ship. Well — we did. Of all the political acts of my life it is the one of which I am most proud. The manner in which you helped me has entitled you to my affectionate esteem14. But we did scuttle the ship. Before you can quarrel with Bonteen you must be able to show that a metaphorical15 scuttling of a ship must necessarily be a disgraceful act. You see how he at once retreats behind the fact that it need not be so.”
“You wouldn’t answer his letter.”
“I think not. You can do yourself no good by a correspondence in which you cannot get a hold of him. And if you did get a hold of him you would injure yourself much more than him. Just drop it.” This added much to our friend’s misery16, and made him feel that the weight of it was almost more than he could bear. His enemy had got the better of him at every turn. He had now rushed into a correspondence as to which he would have to own by his silence that he had been confuted. And yet he was sure that Mr Bonteen had at the club insulted him most unjustifiably, and that if the actual truth were known, no man, certainly not Mr Monk, would hesitate to say that reparation was due to him. And yet what could he do? He thought that he would consult Lord Cantrip, and endeavour to get from his late Chief some advice more palatable17 than that which had been tendered to him by Mr Monk.
In the meantime animosities in the House were waxing very furious; and, as it happened, the debate took a turn that was peculiarly injurious to Phineas Finn in his present state of mind. The rumour19 as to the future promotion20 of Mr Bonteen, which had been conveyed by Laurence Fitzgibbon to Phineas at the Universe, had, as was natural, spread far and wide, and had reached the ears of those who still sat on the Ministerial benches. Now it is quite understood among politicians in this country that no man should presume that he will have imposed upon him the task of forming a Ministry until he has been called upon by the Crown to undertake that great duty. Let the Gresham or the Daubeny of the day be ever so sure that the reins21 of the State chariot must come into his hands, he should not visibly prepare himself for the seat on the box till he has actually been summoned to place himself there. At this moment it was alleged22 that Mr Gresham had departed from the reticence23 and modesty24 usual in such a position as his, by taking steps towards the formation of a Cabinet, while it was as yet quite possible that he might never be called upon to form any Cabinet. Late on this Monday night, when the House was quite full, one of Mr Daubeny’s leading lieutenants25, a Secretary of State, Sir Orlando Drought by name — a gentleman who if he had any heart in the matter must have hated this Church Bill from the very bottom of his heart, and who on that account was the more bitter against opponents who had not ceased to throw in his teeth his own political tergiversation — fell foul27 of Mr Gresham as to this rumoured28 appointment to the Chancellorship29 of the Exchequer31. The reader will easily imagine the things that were said. Sir Orlando had heard, and had been much surprised at hearing, that a certain honourable9 member of that House, who had long been known to them as a tenant26 of the Ministerial bench, had already been appointed to a high office. He, Sir Orlando, had not been aware that the office had been vacant, or that if vacant it would have been at the disposal of the right honourable gentleman; but he believed that there was no doubt that the place in question, with a seat in the Cabinet, had been tendered to, and accepted by, the honourable member to whom he alluded32. Such was the rabid haste with which the right honourable gentleman opposite, and his colleagues, were attempting, he would not say to climb, but to rush into office, by opposing a great measure of Reform, the wisdom of which, as was notorious to all the world, they themselves did not dare to deny. Much more of the same kind was said, during which Mr Gresham pulled about his hat, shuffled33 his feet, showed his annoyance34 to all the House, and at last jumped upon his legs.
“If,” said Sir Orlando Drought — “if the right honourable gentleman wishes to deny the accuracy of any statements that I have made, I will give way to him for the moment, that he may do so.”
“I deny utterly35, not only the accuracy, but every detail of the statement made by the right honourable gentleman opposite,” said Mr Gresham, still standing36 and holding his hat in his hand as he completed his denial.
“Does the right honourable gentleman mean to assure me that he has not selected his future Chancellor30 of the Exchequer?”
“The right honourable gentleman is too acute not to be aware that we on this side of the House may have made such selection, and that yet every detail of the statement which he has been rash enough to make to the House may be — unfounded. The word, sir, is weak; but I would fain avoid the use of any words which, justifiable37 though they might be, would offend the feelings of the House. I will explain to the House exactly what has been done.”
Then there was a great hubbub38 — cries of “Order”, “Gresham”, “Spoke”, Hear, hear, and the like — during which Sir Orlando Drought and Mr Gresham both stood on their legs. So powerful was Mr Gresham’s voice that, through it all, every word that he said was audible to the reporters. His opponent hardly attempted to speak, but stood relying upon his right. Mr Gresham said he understood that it was the desire of the House that he should explain the circumstances in reference to the charge that had been made against him, and it would certainly be for the convenience of the House that this should be done at the moment. The Speaker of course ruled that Sir Orlando was in possession of the floor, but suggested that it might be convenient that he should yield to the right honourable gentleman on the other side for a few minutes. Mr Gresham, as a matter of course, succeeded. Rights and rules, which are bonds of iron to a little man, are packthread to a giant. No one in all that assembly knew the House better than did Mr Gresham, was better able to take it by storm, or more obdurate39 in perseverance40. He did make his speech, though clearly he had no right to do so. The House, he said, was aware, that by the most unfortunate demise41 of the late Duke of Omnium, a gentleman had been removed from this House to another place, whose absence from their counsels would long be felt as a very grievous loss. Then he pronounced a eulogy42 on Plantagenet Palliser, so graceful10 and well arranged, that even the bitterness of the existing opposition43 was unable to demur44 to it. The House was well aware of the nature of the labours which now for some years past had occupied the mind of the noble Duke; and the paramount45 importance which the country attached to their conclusion. The noble Duke no doubt was not absolutely debarred from a continuance of his work by the change which had fallen upon him; but it was essential that some gentleman, belonging to the same party with the noble Duke, versed46 in office; and having a seat in that House, should endeavour to devote himself to the great measure which had occupied so much of the attention of the late Chancellor of the Exchequer. No doubt it must be fitting that the gentleman so selected should be at the Exchequer, in the event of their party coming into office. The honourable gentleman to whom allusion47 had been made had acted throughout with the present noble Duke in arranging the details of the measure in question; and the probability of his being able to fill the shoes left vacant by the accession to the peerage of the noble Duke had, indeed, been discussed — but the discussion had been made in reference to the measure, and only incidentally in regard to the office. He, Mr Gresham, held that he had done nothing that was indiscreet — nothing that his duty did not demand. If right honourable gentlemen opposite were of a different opinion, he thought that that difference came from the fact that they were less intimately acquainted than he unfortunately had been with the burdens and responsibilities of legislation.
There was very little in the dispute which seemed to be worthy48 of the place in which it occurred, or of the vigour49 with which it was conducted; but it served to show the temper of the parties, and to express the bitterness of the political feelings of the day. It was said at the time, that never within the memory of living politicians had so violent an animosity displayed itself in the House as had been witnessed on this night. While Mr Gresham was giving his explanation, Mr Daubeny had arisen, and with a mock solemnity that was peculiar18 to him on occasions such as these, had appealed to the Speaker whether the right honourable gentleman opposite should not be called upon to resume his seat. Mr Gresham had put him down with a wave of his hand. An affected50 stateliness cannot support itself but for a moment; and Mr Daubeny had been forced to sit down when the Speaker did not at once support his appeal. But he did not forget that wave of the hand, nor did he forgive it. He was a man who in public life rarely forgot, and never forgave. They used to say of him that “at home” he was kindly51 and forbearing, simple and unostentatious. It may be so. Who does not remember that horrible Turk, Jacob Asdrubal, the Old Bailey barrister, the terror of witnesses, the bane of judges — who was gall52 and wormwood to all opponents. It was said of him that “at home” his docile53 amiability54 was the marvel55 of his friends, and delight of his wife and daughters. “At home”, perhaps, Mr Daubeny might have been waved at, and have forgiven it; but men who saw the scene in the House of Commons knew that he would never forgive Mr Gresham. As for Mr Gresham himself, he triumphed at the moment, and exulted56 in his triumph.
Phineas Finn heard it all, and was disgusted to find that his enemy thus became the hero of the hour. It was, indeed, the opinion generally of the Liberal party that Mr Gresham had not said much to flatter his new Chancellor of the Exchequer. In praise of Plantagenet Palliser he had been very loud, and he had no doubt said that which implied the capability57 of Mr Bonteen, who, as it happened, was sitting next to him at the time; but he had implied also that the mantle58 which was to be transferred from Mr Palliser to Mr Bonteen would be carried by its new wearer with grace very inferior to that which had marked all the steps of his predecessor59. Ratler, and Erle, and Fitzgibbon, and others had laughed in their sleeves at the expression, understood by them, of Mr Gresham’s doubt as to the qualifications of his new assistant, and Sir Orlando Drought, in continuing his speech, remarked that the warmth of the right honourable gentleman had been so completely expended60 in abusing his enemies that he had had none left for the defence of his friend. But to Phineas it seemed that this Bonteen, who had so grievously injured him, and whom he so thoroughly61 despised, was carrying off all the glories of the fight. A certain amount of consolation62 was, however, afforded to him. Between one and two o’clock he was told by Mr Ratler that he might enjoy the privilege of adjourning63 the debate — by which would accrue64 to him the right of commencing on the morrow — and this he did at a few minutes before three.
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1
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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2
monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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3
ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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4
scuttled
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| v.使船沉没( scuttle的过去式和过去分词 )；快跑，急走 | |
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5
scuttle
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| v.急赶，疾走，逃避；n.天窗；舷窗 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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7
retract
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| vt.缩回，撤回收回，取消 | |
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8
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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9
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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11
scuttling
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| n.船底穿孔，打开通海阀（沉船用）v.使船沉没( scuttle的现在分词 )；快跑，急走 | |
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12
liar
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| n.说谎的人 | |
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13
liars
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| 说谎者( liar的名词复数 ) | |
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14
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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15
metaphorical
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| a.隐喻的，比喻的 | |
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16
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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17
palatable
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| adj.可口的，美味的；惬意的 | |
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18
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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19
rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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20
promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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21
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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22
alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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23
reticence
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| n.沉默，含蓄 | |
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24
modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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25
lieutenants
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| n.陆军中尉( lieutenant的名词复数 )；副职官员；空军；仅低于…官阶的官员 | |
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26
tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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27
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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28
rumoured
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| adj.谣传的；传说的；风 | |
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chancellorship
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| 长官的职位或任期 | |
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chancellor
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| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
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exchequer
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| n.财政部；国库 | |
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32
alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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33
shuffled
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| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
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34
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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35
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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justifiable
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| adj.有理由的，无可非议的 | |
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38
hubbub
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| n.嘈杂；骚乱 | |
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39
obdurate
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| adj.固执的，顽固的 | |
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40
perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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41
demise
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| n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让 | |
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42
eulogy
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| n.颂词；颂扬 | |
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43
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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44
demur
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| v．表示异议，反对 | |
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45
paramount
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| a.最重要的，最高权力的 | |
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46
versed
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| adj. 精通，熟练 | |
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47
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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48
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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49
vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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50
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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51
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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52
gall
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| v.使烦恼，使焦躁，难堪；n.磨难 | |
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53
docile
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| adj.驯服的，易控制的，容易教的 | |
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54
amiability
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| n.和蔼可亲的，亲切的，友善的 | |
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55
marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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56
exulted
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
capability
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| n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等 | |
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58
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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59
predecessor
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| n.前辈，前任 | |
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60
expended
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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61
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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62
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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63
adjourning
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的现在分词 ) | |
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64
accrue
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| v.(利息等)增大，增多 | |
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