"Poor G.!" whispered Ernest to his cousin. "I hope she won't let that be generally known; it might give him a shake in public estimation."
"And then, Helen," continued Lady Portmore, "when Teviot is in office, you and I must set about being popular, for the good of our friends. We must keep open house for the supporters of government. I will send you my list, and with a little of my help, you may make Teviot House of real importance to our party."
"I am sure," said Helen, laughing, "I should be puzzled to say what my party is, for at this moment I am very ignorant of all political matters; but if Lord Teviot comes into office, I suppose I shall grow as eager as most people are."
"Would you like me to take office, dear?" said Lord Teviot, who was pleased with this avowal.
"Yes, I think so! and yet"
"Oh yes, to be sure you would," interrupted Lady Portmore; "everybody likes distinction; and you as well as the rest, Helen: and then you could be of use to all the Beauforts and Pelhams in creation, which would delight you."
"I need not begin to think of them yet. Lord Teviot is still unprovided for."
"No, Helen; and as you seem so well disposed for a political life, I am sorry to say that the whole thing is a vision of Lady Portmore's, and that G. has no more idea of giving me an office than I have of asking for one."
"I am thinking," said Lady Portmore, "if nothing else is available, which of the foreign embassies you could have?"
"Oh no! not an embassy," said Helen eagerly; "I could not bear to live abroad,—and to leave papa and mamma," she was about to add, but from some undefined feellng she stopped and said, "and to leave England and my own home."
