stung by curiosity to know what Jermyn had found out:
that he had found something in relation to a possible Bycliffe, Johnson felt
pretty sure. And he thought with satisfaction that Jermyn could not hinder him
from knowing what he already knew about Thomas Transome's issue. Many things
might occur to alter his policy and give a new value to facts. Was it certain
that Jermyn would always be fortunate?
    When greed and unscrupulousness exhibit themselves on a grand historical
scale, and there is question of peace or war or amicable partition, it often
occurs that gentlemen of high diplomatic talents have their minds bent on the
same object from different points of view. Each, perhaps, is thinking of a
certain duchy or province, with a view to arranging the ownership in such a way
as shall best serve the purposes of the gentleman with high diplomatic talents
in whom each is more especially interested. But these select minds in high
office can never miss their aims from ignorance of each other's existence or
whereabouts. Their high titles may be learned even by common people from every
pocket almanac.
    But with meaner diplomatists, who might be mutually useful, such ignorance
is often obstructive. Mr John Johnson and Mr Christian, otherwise Henry Scaddon,
might have had a concentration of purpose and an ingenuity of device fitting
them to make a figure in the parcelling of Europe, and yet they might never have
met, simply because Johnson knew nothing of Christian, and because Christian did
not know where to find Johnson.
 

                                   Chapter 30

 »His nature is too noble for the world:
 He would not flatter Neptune for his trident,
 Or Jove for his power to thunder. His heart's
 his mouth:
 What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent;
 And, being angry, doth forget that ever
 He heard the name of death.« -
                                                                     Coriolanus.
 
Christian and Johnson did meet, however, by means that were quite incalculable.
The incident which brought them into communication was due to Felix Holt, who of
all men in the world had the least affinity either for the industrious or the
idle parasite.
    Mr Lyon had urged Felix to go to Duffield on the 15th of December, to
witness the nomination of the candidates for North Loamshire. The minister
wished to hear what took place; and the pleasure of gratifying him helped to
outweigh some opposing reasons.
    »I shall get into a rage at something or other,« Felix had said. »I've told
you one of my weak points. Where I have any particular business, I must incur
the risks my nature brings. But I've no