About noon
That evening , when she discussed the matter with her daughter , Lady Baldock spoke of Violet and Lord Chiltern , as though their intended marriage were the one thing in the world which she most deplored . The Beginning of the End The day of the debate had come , and Phineas Finn was still sitting in his room at the Colonial Office . But his resignation had been sent in and accepted , and he was simply awaiting the coming of his successor . About noon his successor came , and he had the gratification of resigning his arm-chair to Mr. Bonteen . It is generally understood that gentlemen leaving offices give up either seals or a portfolio . Phineas had been put in possession of no seal and no portfolio ; but there was in the room which he had occupied a special arm-chair , and this with much regret he surrendered to the use and comfort of Mr. Bonteen . There was a glance of triumph in his enemy 's eyes , and an exultation in the tone of his enemy 's voice , which were very bitter to him .