When he entered Parliament Street, Audley Egerton was joined by one of his colleagues, also on his way to the cares of office.
After a few observations on the last debate this gentleman said,-- "By the way, can you dine with me next Saturday, to meet Lansmere?
He comes up to town to vote for us on Monday." "I had asked some people to dine with me," answered Egerton, "but I will put them off.

I see Lord Lansmere too seldom to miss any occasion to meet a man whom I respect so much." "So seldom! True, he is very little in town; but why don't you go and see him in the country?
Good shooting,--pleasant, old-fashioned house." "My dear Westbourne, his house is 'nimium vicina Cremonae,' close to a borough in which I have been burned in effigy." "Ha! ha! yes, I remember you first came into parliament for that snug little place; but Lansmere himself never found fault with your votes, did he ?" "He behaved very handsomely, and said he had not presumed to consider me his mouthpiece; and then, too, I am so intimate with L'Estrange." "Is that queer fellow ever coming back to England ?" "He comes, generally, every year, for a few days, just to see his father and mother, and then returns to the Continent." "I never meet him." "He comes in September or October, when you, of course, are not in town, and it is in town that the Lansmeres meet him." "Why does he not go to them ?" "A man in England but once a year, and for a few days, has so much to do in London, I suppose." "Is he as amusing as ever ?" Egerton nodded.
"So distinguished as he might be!" remarked Lord Westbourne.
"So distinguished as he is!" said Egerton, formally; "an officer selected for praise, even in such fields as Quatre Bras and Waterloo; a scholar, too, of the finest taste; and as an accomplished gentleman matchless!" "I like to hear one man praise another so warmly in these ill-natured days," answered Lord Westbourne.

"But still, though L'Estrange is doubtless all you say, don't you think he rather wastes his life living abroad ?" "And trying to be happy, Westbourne?
Are you sure it is not we who waste our lives?
But I can't stay to hear your answer.

Here we are at the door of my prison." "On Saturday, then ?" "On Saturday.

Good day." For the next hour or more, Mr.Egerton was engaged on the affairs of the State.