ay I thought here you could do
anything."

"We have not hitherto had the advantage of your worldly knowledge; in
future we shall be wiser."

"Well then," said Hatton, "we must now think of Gerard's defence. He
shall have the best counsel. I shall retain Kelly specially. I shall
return to town to-morrow morning. You will keep me alive to the state
of feeling here, and if things get more mature drop me a line and I will
come down."

"This conversation had better not be mentioned to Gerard."

"That is obvious; it would only disturb him. I did not preface it by a
stipulation of confidence because that is idle. Of course you will keep
the secret; it is your interest; it is a great possession. I know very
well you will be most jealous of sharing it. I know it is as safe with
you as with myself."

And with these words Hatton wished him a hearty farewell and withdrew.

"He is right," thought Morley; "he knows human nature well. The secret
is safe. I will not breathe it to Gerard. I will treasure it up. It is
knowledge; it is power: great knowledge, great power. And what shall I
do with it? Time will teach me."

END OF THE FIFTH BOOK

BOOK VI

Book 6 Chapter 1

"Another week," exclaimed a gentleman in Downing Street on the 5th
of August, 1842, "and we shall be prorogued. You can surely keep the
country quiet for another week."

"I cannot answer for the public peace for another four-and-twenty
hours," replied his companion.

"This business at Manchester must be stopped at once; you have a good
force there?"

"Manchester is nothing; these are movements merely to distract. The
serious work is not now to be apprehended in the cotton towns. The state
of Staffordshire and Warwickshire is infinitely more menacing. Cheshire
and Yorkshire alarm me. The accounts from Scotland are as bad as can be.
And though I think the sufferings of '39 will keep Birmingham and the
Welch collieries in check, we cannot venture to move any of our force
from those districts."

"You must summon a council for four o'clock. I have some deputations to
receive which I will throw over; but to Windsor I must go. Nothing has
yet occurred to render any notice of the state of the country necessary
in the speech from the Throne."

"Not yet," said his companion; "but what will to-morrow bring forth?"

"After all it is only a turn-out. I cannot recast her Majesty's speech
and bring in rebellion and closed mills, instead of loyalty