He did, however, learn so much as showed him, that all the ordinary landmarks of party being lost, men were beginning to find themselves at liberty to adopt any leadership which pleased them, without suffering the stain of desertion. They thought themselves betrayed by each of the great political chiefs in turn, and began to fancy that the best course for them in future would be to make specific terms for any support they should accord. Suggestions to this end thrown out in all the bantering gayety of Irish manner might mean anything, or nothing, and so Linton well knew, as he listened to them.
He had taken his place at a whist-table, that he might, while seemingly preoccupied, hear what was said around him, and although no error of play, nor a single mistake in the game, marked the different direction of his attention, he contrived to learn much of the opinion prevalent in certain circles.
"That is the luckiest fellow in Europe," said one of his late antagonists; "as usual he rises the only winner."
"You can scarcely call it luck," said another; "he is a first-rate player, and always so cool."
Meanwhile, Linton, mounting his horse, rode slowly along the streets till he arrived at Bilton's Hotel, where a handsome britzska was standing, whose large up-standing horses and richly-mounted harnessing gave token of London rather than of Dublin taste.
"Is her Ladyship going out, Halpin?" said he to the footman.
"Her Ladyship ordered the carriage for four precisely, sir."
Linton mused for a second or two, and then asked if Lord Kilgoff were at home, and not waiting for a reply, passed on.
No sooner, however, had he reached the landing-place, and was beyond the observation of the servant, than he halted and appeared to reflect At last, as if having made his resolve, he turned to descend the stairs, when the drawing-room door opened and Lord Kilgoff appeared.
"The very man I wanted. Linton, come here," cried he, re-entering the room.
"I was just on my way to you, my Lord," said Linton, with well-affected eagerness.
"Are they out, Linton, are they 'out'?" said he, in breathless impatience.
"No, my Lord. I've seen Meek; they're safe for the present. A coalition has been formed with O'Morgan and his party, which secures a working majority of forty-five or fifty."