Phineas Finn had been in the gallery of the House throughout the debate, and was greatly grieved at Mr Daubeny’s success, though he himself had so strongly advocated the disestablishment of the Church in canvassing¹ the electors of Tankerville. No doubt he had advocated the cause — but he had done so as an advanced member of the Liberal party, and he regarded the proposition when coming from Mr Daubeny as a horrible and abnormal birth. He, however, was only a looker-on — could be no more than a looker-on for the existing short session. It had already been decided² that the judge who was to try the case at Tankerville should visit that town early in January; and should it be decided on a scrutiny³ that the seat belonged to our hero, then he would enter upon his privilege in the following Session without any further trouble to himself at Tankerville. Should this not be the case — then the abyss of absolute vacuity⁴ would be open before him. He would have to make some disposition⁵ of himself, but he would be absolutely without an idea as to the how or where. He was in possession of funds to support himself for a year or two; but after that, and even during that time, all would be dark. If he should get his seat, then again the power of making an effort would at last be within his hands.

He had made up his mind to spend the Christmas with Lord Brentford and Lady Laura Kennedy at Dresden, and had already fixed⁶ the day of his arrival there. But this had been postponed⁷ by another invitation which had surprised him much, but which it had been impossible for him not to accept. It had come as follows:

“29th November, Loughlinter “ DEAR SIR,

“I am informed by letter from Dresden that you are in London on your way to that city with the view of spending some days with the Earl of Brentford. You will, of course, be once more thrown into the society of my wife, Lady Laura Kennedy.

“I have never understood, and certainly have never sanctioned, that

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