hunger--and the Chamber was left empty, silent, and dim, with a
suddenness that was startling, disconcerting, and a little
disillusioning. And then it was that the strongest proof was given of
the effect of the speech.

[Sidenote: The outburst.]

The House, I say, became empty--but not altogether. The Irish Benches,
which had become crowded as the great apology for Ireland was being
pronounced, remained still full--full, but silent. There was something
strange, weird, startling in those benches, full and yet silent, amid
all this emptiness and almost audible stillness; and some of the Liberal
members, who had left the House in the mad rush to dinner, quietly stole
back to see what was going to happen. The explanation of the mystery
soon came. After he sat down, ghastly pale, almost painfully panting
after this tremendous effort, Mr. Gladstone tarried a little to recover
himself--to say a few words to Mr. John Morley--to scribble a note. At
last he rose, and then came the moment for which those silent Irish
Benches had been waiting. With one accord, with one quick and
simultaneous spring, the Irish members were on their feet--hats and
handkerchiefs were waved; there was the suggestion of tears under the
swelling cheers. Nor were the Irish left alone. The Liberals who had
slipped back joined in. The effectiveness of their cheers was heightened
by the fact that they were not in their places, but standing on the
floor. From out their cheering ranks stood the splendid figure--the
broad shoulders, the massive head, the shaggy beard and hair, all the
virility and sensitiveness that are found in the splendid form of Mr.
Allen--manufacturer and workman, poet and Radical. The Old Man,
splendidly composed, and yet profoundly moved, looked back, gave a
courtly bow, and then went out. And here it was that a little scene took
place of which the public prints have hitherto contained no mention. In
her corner place in the gallery had sat throughout this dazzling speech
that best of friends and truest of wives, who has been the guardian
angel of Mr. Gladstone's life; and with outstretched hands and dim eyes,
she received her triumphant husband in the corridor, where she had been
waiting for him.

[Sidenote: Deeper and deeper.]

Friday, May 12th, I may dismiss in a few words. As the closure had been
refused on Thursday night, the Obstructives started again on the first
clause on Friday afternoon--Mr. T.W. Russell leading the van. He