nt I was preparing for myself when I
allowed you to come and live in your father's house."

CHAPTER LVI

What the Duchess Thought of Her Husband

When the Session began it was understood in the political world that
a very strong opposition was to be organised against the Government
under the guidance of Sir Orlando Drought, and that the great sin to
be imputed to the Cabinet was an utter indifference to the safety
and honour of Great Britain, as manifested by their neglect of the
navy. All the world knew that Sir Orlando had deserted the Coalition
because he was not allowed to build new ships, and of course Sir
Orlando would make the most of his grievance. With him was joined
Mr. Boffin, the patriotic Conservative who had never listened to
the voice of the seducer, and the staunch remainder of the old Tory
party. And with them the more violent of the Radicals were prepared
to act, not desirous, indeed, that new ships should be built, or that
a Conservative Government should be established,--or, indeed, that
anything should be done,--but animated by intense disgust that so
mild a politician as the Duke of Omnium should be Prime Minister.
The fight began at once, Sir Orlando objecting violently to certain
passages in the Queen's Speech. It was all very well to say that the
country was at present at peace with all the world; but how was peace
to be maintained without a fleet? Then Sir Orlando paid a great many
compliments to the Duke, and ended his speech by declaring him to be
the most absolutely faineant minister that had disgraced the country
since the days of the Duke of Newcastle. Mr. Monk defended the
Coalition, and assured the House that the navy was not only the most
powerful navy existing, but that it was the most powerful that ever
had existed in the possession of this or any other country, and was
probably in absolute efficiency superior to the combined navies of
all the world. The House was not shocked by statements so absolutely
at variance with each other, coming from two gentlemen who had lately
been members of the same Government, and who must be supposed to
know what they were talking about, but seemed to think that upon the
whole Sir Orlando had done his duty. For though there was complete
confidence in the navy as a navy, and though a very small minority
would have voted for any considerably increased expense, still it
was well that there should be an opposition. And how can there be an
oppos