He put the paper away from him and went down and
eat his dinner.
It was a Saturday, and there was no House in the evening. He had
remained in Portman Square with Lady Laura till near seven o'clock,
and was engaged to go out in the evening to a gathering at Mrs.
Gresham's house. Everybody in London would be there, and Phineas
was resolved that as long as he remained in London he would be seen
at places where everybody was seen. He would certainly be at Mrs.
Gresham's gathering; but there was an hour or two before he need
go home to dress, and as he had nothing to do, he went down to the
smoking-room of his club. The seats were crowded, but there was
one vacant; and before he had looked about him to scrutinise his
neighbourhood, he found that he had placed himself with Bonteen on
his right hand and Ratler on his left. There were no two men in all
London whom he more thoroughly disliked; but it was too late for him
to avoid them now.
They instantly attacked him, first on one side and then on the other.
"So I am told you are going to leave us," said Bonteen.
"Who can have been ill-natured enough to whisper such a thing?"
replied Phineas.
"The whispers are very loud, I can tell you," said Ratler. "I think I
know already pretty nearly how every man in the House will vote, and
I have not got your name down on the right side.
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