those men who breakfast out or who
give breakfasts are generally dangerous characters; at least, I would
not trust them. The whigs are very fond of that sort of thing. If Mr
Egremont joins them, I really do not see what shadow of a claim Lady
Deloraine can urge to have anything."

"She only wants one thing," said Lady Firebrace, "and we know she cannot
have that."

"Why?"

"Because Lady St Julians will have it."

"You are too kind," with many smiles.

"No, I assure you Lord Masque told me that her Majesty--" and here Lady
Firehrace whispered.

"Well," said Lady St Julians evidently much gratified, "I do not think I
am one who am likely to forget my friends."

"That I am sure you are not!" said Lady Firebrace.

Book 5 Chapter 8

Behind the printing office in the alley at the door of which we left
Sybil, was a yard which led to some premises that had once been used
as a work-shop, but were now generally unoccupied. In a rather spacious
chamber over which was a loft, five men, one of whom was Gerard, were
busily engaged. There was no furniture in the room except a few chairs
and a deal table, on which was a solitary light and a variety of papers.

"Depend upon it," said Gerard, "we must stick to the National Holiday:
we can do nothing effectively, unless the movement is simultaneous. They
have not troops to cope with a simultaneous movement, and the Holiday is
the only machinery to secure unity of action. No work for six weeks, and
the rights of Labour will be acknowledged!"

"We shall never be able to make the people unanimous in a cessation
of labour," said a pale young man, very thin but with a countenance of
remarkable energy. "The selfish instincts will come into play and will
baulk our political object, while a great increase of physical suffering
must be inevitable."

"It might be done," said a middle-aged, thickset man, in a thoughtful
tone. "If the Unions were really to put their shoulder to the wheel, it
might be done."

"And if it is not done," said Gerard, "what do you propose? The people
ask you to guide them. Shrink at such a conjuncture, and our influence
over them is forfeited and justly forfeited."

"I am for partial but extensive insurrections," said the young man.
"Sufficient in extent and number to demand all the troops and yet to
distract the military movements. We can count on Birmingham again, if we
act at once before their new Police Act is in force; Manchester is
ripe;