d
Drummond, when he sat silent in the Cabinet, had realised those fears
which weighed upon him so strongly afterwards, or had then foreseen
that the adoption of a nearly similar franchise for the counties and
boroughs must inevitably lead to the American system of numerical
representation. But when time had been given him, and he and Sir
Timothy had talked it all over, the mind of no man was ever clearer
than that of Lord Drummond.

The Prime Minister, with the diligence which belonged to him, had
mastered all the details of Mr. Monk's Bill before it was discussed
in the Cabinet, and yet he found that his assistance was hardly
needed in the absolute preparation. Had they allowed him he would
have done it all himself. But it was assumed that he would not
trouble himself with such work, and he perceived that he was not
wanted. Nothing of moment was settled without a reference to him. He
required that everything should be explained as it went on, down to
the extension of every borough boundary; but he knew that he was not
doing it himself, and that Mr. Monk and Constitution Charlie had the
prize between them.

Nor did he dare to ask Mr. Monk what would be the fate of the Bill.
To devote all one's time and mind and industry to a measure which
one knows will fall to the ground must be sad. Work under such
circumstances must be very grievous. But such is often the fate of
statesmen. Whether Mr. Monk laboured under such a conviction the
Prime Minister did not know, though he saw his friend and colleague
almost daily. In truth no one dared to tell him exactly what he
thought. Even the old Duke had become partially reticent, and taken
himself off to his own woods at Long Royston. To Phineas Finn the
Prime Minister would sometimes say a word, but would say even
that timidly. On any abstract question, such as that which he had
discussed when they had been walking together, he could talk freely
enough. But on the matter of the day, those affairs which were of
infinite importance to himself, and on which one would suppose he
would take delight in speaking to a trusted colleague, he could not
bring himself to be open. "It must be a long Bill, I suppose?" he
said to Phineas one day.

"I'm afraid so, Duke. It will run, I fear, to over a hundred
clauses."

"It will take you the best part of the Session to get through it?"

"If we can have the second reading early in March, we hope to send it
up to you in the first week in June.