Kitty insisted petulantly that of course all would be
well; William's services were far too great to be ignored; though Lord
Parham would no doubt slight him if he dared. But the party and the
public would see to that. The days were gone by when vulgar old women
like Lady Parham could have any real influence on political
appointments. Otherwise, who would condescend to politics?
Ashe brought her amusing reports from the House or the clubs of the
various intrigues going on, and, as to his own chances, refused to
discuss them seriously. Once or twice when Kitty, in his presence,
insisted on speaking of them to some political intimate, only to provoke
an evident embarrassment, Ashe suffered the tortures which proud men
know. But he never lost his tone of light detachment, and the conclusion
of his friends was that, as usual, "Ashe didn't care a button."
The hours passed, however, and no sign came from the Prime Minister.
Everything was still uncertain; but Ashe had realized that at least he
was not to be taken into the inner counsels of the party. The hopes and
fears, the heartburnings and rivalries of such a state of things are
proverbial.
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