The Duchess was assured that the country could not be governed by the support of such men as these, and was very glad to get back to Gatherum,--whither also came Phineas Finn with his wife, and the St.Bungay people, and Barrington Erle, and Mr.Monk, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with Lord and Lady Cantrip, and Lord and Lady Drummond,--Lord Drummond being the only representative of the other or coalesced party.

And Major Pountney was there, having been urgent with the Duchess,--and having fully explained to his friend Captain Gunner that he had acceded to the wishes of his hostess only on the assurance of her Grace that the house would not be again troubled by the presence of Ferdinand Lopez.

Such assurances were common between the two friends, but were innocent, as, of course, neither believed the other.

And Lady Rosina was again there,--with many others.

The melancholy poverty of Lady Rosina had captivated the Duke.