ry into dismay. It
is astonishing to me that a man like Lord Brock should allow himself
to be so timid." And nevertheless it was not yet a month since Harold
Smith had been counselling with Supplehouse how a series of strong
articles in the _Jupiter_, together with the expected support of the
Manchester men, might probably be effective in hurling the minister
from his seat. But at that time the minister had not revigorated
himself with young blood. "How the Queen's Government is to be
carried on, that is the question now," Harold Smith repeated. A
difficulty which had not caused him much dismay at that period, about
a mouth since, to which we have alluded. At this moment Sowerby and
Supplehouse together joined them, having come out of the House,
in which some unimportant business had been completed after the
minister's notice of adjournment.

"Well, Harold," said Sowerby, "what do you say to your governor's
statement?"

"I have nothing to say to it," said Harold Smith, looking up very
solemnly from under the penthouse of his hat, and, perhaps, rather
savagely. Sowerby had supported the Government at the late crisis;
but why was he now seen herding with such a one as Supplehouse?

"He did it pretty well, I think," said Sowerby.

"Very well, indeed," said Supplehouse; "as he always does those sort
of things. No man makes so good an explanation of circumstances, or
comes out with so telling a personal statement. He ought to keep
himself in reserve for those sort of things."

"And who in the meantime is to carry on the Queen's Government?" said
Harold Smith, looking very stern.

"That should be left to men of lesser mark," said he of the
_Jupiter_. "The points as to which one really listens to a minister,
the subjects about which men really care, are always personal. How
many of us are truly interested as to the best mode of governing
India? But in a question touching the character of a prime minister
we all muster together like bees round a sounding cymbal."

"That arises from envy, malice, and all uncharitableness," said
Harold Smith.

"Yes; and from picking and stealing, evil speaking, lying, and
slandering," said Mr. Sowerby.

"We are so prone to desire and covet other men's places," said
Supplehouse.

"Some men are so," said Sowerby; "but it is the evil speaking, lying,
and slandering, which does the mischief. Is it not, Harold?"

"And in the meantime how is the Queen's Government to be carried on?"
sai