The Prime Minister (4)

Plantagenet has worries aplenty in the form of resignations and scandal. Phineas is named the First Lord of the Admiralty and his wife will accompany him on his tour of the Navy, taking away Glencora's most loyal confidant. She insists that she take the blame for the troubles over Mr Lopez, but Plantagenet refuses absolutely. In an attempt to extort 20,000 pounds from her father Lopez threatens to take Emily to Guatemala, and away from her family. Wharton agrees to settle all debts and set up Lopez in a new career on the condition that he leaves, alone, for Guatemala, and never returns. Lopez agrees. This leads to an exquisitely acted scene between Lopez and his wife, with delicious recriminations all round. Silverbridge returns from Italy and agrees to go into politics, as a Conservative! Glencora insists that he keep this a secret from his father. As the scandal deepens Plantagenet's friends and allies, including Phineas, return to London and rally round him. Indeed Phineas s