CHAPTER IV

'Contarini Fleming'--The poetical life--Paternal advice--A poet, or not a poet?--'Revolutionary Epic'--Disraeli submits to an unfavourable verdict--Success of the novels--Disraeli a new star--London society--Political ambition--Mrs. Wyndham Lewis--Financial embarrassments--Portraits of Disraeli by N. P. Willis--Lady Dufferin and others--Stands for High Wycombe--Speech at the Red Lion--Tory Radicalism--Friendship with Lord Lyndhurst--Self-confidence--Vindication of the British Constitution--Conservative reaction--Taunton election--Crosses swords with O'Connell--The Runnymede Letters--Admitted into the Carlton Club--'Henrietta Temple' and 'Venetia' 45