scraps of paper. Granville playfully replied, "I should like
to treat them as old Lord Bessborough used to treat his playing-cards when
luck was adverse--tear them up into small bits and toss them in the fire."
Nothing shook him, not even Mrs. Gladstone's misgivings. To her he wrote
from Carlton House Terrace on the eve of the session of 1875:--

Now for the grave matter about the leadership. I have had much
conversation with Granville and Cardwell, and I am going to see
Hartington, also Goschen, to-morrow. My letter is rewritten and
improved, but I am obliged to stand to my conclusion, for many
reasons. Among them the church reason is one of the most serious,
and the other the undefined and prolonged character of the service
if now undertaken. This, while arguing and deprecating, they admit
I think to a great extent. Our old colleagues are inclined to come
up on Thursday if they can, and this will be rather to hear than
to debate. Hartington will succeed. I am indeed sorry that you and
I have not been able to take the same view of this important
subject, but you know that I am acting on convictions very long
entertained, and will I am sure believe that I have probed myself
deeply, and used all the means in my power to get at a right
conclusion. Nay, I think you will be more reconciled, when I tell
you that Granville did not really see his way either to a nominal
leadership, or to making any arrangement by which I could after a
short time with some certainty have escaped. I saw Clark last
night and this morning; he gives an excellent account of me and
makes it impossible for me to plead health as my reason.

The drama went rapidly forward:--

_Jan. 12._--I find that the agreement made yesterday that I should
meet my former colleagues on Monday will require me to remain
until this day, though after a pretty busy morning the pressure is
less. I have, however, to preside in the evening at the meeting of
the Metaphysical Society, and to listen, though I hope nothing
more, to a tough discussion. Manning, I am sorry to say, will be
there. His pamphlet is at length going to press, and will extend
he says to 150 pages. Newman is not out yet.

_11 Carlton House Terrace, Jan. 14, '75._--This great affair is
nearly arranged. My old colleagues all submit under protest; and I
shall be free. An article