Sybil

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 edition. Excerpt: ...talent than other people, and if they had, they learn that power, patronage, and pay are reserved for us and our friends. Well then, like practical men, they look to some result, and they get it. They are asked out to dinner more than they would be; they move rigmarole resolutions at nonsensical public meetings; and they get invited with their women to assemblies at their leader's, where they see stars and blue ribbons, and above all, us, who, they little think, in appearing on such occasions, make the greatest conceivable sacrifice. Well then, of course such people are entirely in one's power, if one only had time and inclination to notice them. You can do anything with them. Ask them to a ball, and they will give you their votes; invite them to dinner, and, if necessary, they will rescind them; but cultivate them, remember their wives at assemblies, and call their daughters, if possible, by their right names; and they will not only change their principles or desert their party for you, but subscribe their fortunes, if necessary, and lay down their lives in your service." " You paint them to the life, my dear Lady St. Julians," said Lady Deloraine, laughing; "but, with such knowledge and such powers, why did you not save our boroughs? " "We had lost our heads, then, I must confess," said Lady St. Julians. "What with the dear King and the dear Duke, we really had brought ourselves to believe that we lived in the days of Versailles or nearly; and I must admit I think we had become a little too exclusive. Out of the cottage circle, there was really no world, and after all we were lost, not by insulting the people, but by snubbing the aristocracy." The servant announced Lady Firebrace. " Oh! my dear Lady Deloraine. Oh! my dear Lady St. Julians!" and...