Phineas Finn had at any rate his ideas about Ireland.

But with the Prime Minister,--so at least the Duke told himself,--it was all a blank.

The policy confided to him and expected at his hands was that of keeping together a Coalition Ministry.

That was a task that did not satisfy him.

And now, gradually,--very slowly indeed at first, but still with a sure step,--there was creeping upon him the idea that his power of cohesion was sought for, and perhaps found, not in his political capacity, but in his rank and wealth.