Phineas, as he journeyed down to Saulsby, knew that he had in truth made up his mind. He was going thither¹ nominally² that he might listen to the advice of almost his oldest political friend before he resolved on a matter of vital importance to himself; but in truth be was making the visit because he felt that he could not excuse himself from it without unkindness and ingratitude³. She had implored⁴ him to come, and he was bound to go, and there were tidings to be told which he must tell. It was not only that he might give her his reasons for not becoming an Under-Secretary of State that he went to Saulsby. He felt himself bound to inform her that he intended to ask Marie Goesler to be his wife. He might omit to do so till he had asked the question — and then say nothing of what he had done should his petition be refused; but it seemed to him that there would be cowardice⁵ in this. He was bound to treat Lady Laura as his friend in a special degree, as something more than his sister — and he was bound above all things to make her understand in some plainest manner that she could be nothing more to him than such a friend. In his dealings with her he had endeavoured always to be honest — gentle as well as honest; but now it was specially⁶ his duty to be honest to her. When he was young he had loved her, and had told her so — and she had refused him. As a friend he had been true to her ever since, but that offer could never be repeated. And the other offer — to the woman whom she was now accustomed to abuse — must be made. Should Lady Laura choose to quarrel with him it must be so; but the quarrel should not be of his seeking.

He was quite sure that he would refuse Mr Gresham’s offer, although by doing so he would himself throw away the very thing which he had devoted⁷ his life to acquire. In a foolish, soft moment — as he now confessed to himself — he had endeavoured to obtain for his own position the sympathy of the Minister. He had spoken of the

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