Page:Romance & Reality 2.pdf/309

Rh has most loved and reverenced. A mist rose to Lorraine's eyes, only to be dissipated by another gallop. Some twenty years after, it might be questioned whether he would have felt much. With regard to Lord Etheringhame, Edward made no allowance for domestic necessities. I remember once reading a somewhat unnecessary volume, in which a gentleman (single, I am sure,) remonstrated on the exclusion of females from power. He might have spared himself the trouble! Few women but have some lover, husband, brother, or son, over whom they contrive to exert a very fair portion of authority. As to Mr. Delawarr, another twenty years would have taught his youthful opponent, that political opinions are, like most others, subject to change. A century or two ago, the best blood in the kingdom was spent in defence of the right divine of kings—and it was called heroic conduct; now it is to be shed in defence of the rights of the people—and that is very heroic conduct too. I wonder what will be heroic conduct a century hence. Again: the Swiss guards of Louis XVI. were cut to pieces fighting under orders—every one talked of their bravery and their devotion; the Swiss guards