o say that he could not give it a conscientious support. It was a
matter of sincerest sorrow to him that relations so pleasant should
be broken, but he must resign his place, unless, indeed, the clauses
as to redistribution could be withdrawn. Of course he did not say
this as expecting that any such concession would be made to his
opinion, but merely as indicating the matter on which his objection
was so strong as to over-rule all other considerations. All this he
explained at great length.

"The pleasantness of the relations must have been on one side," said
the veteran. "He ought to have gone long since."

"And Lord Drummond has already as good as said that unless we will
abandon the same clauses, he must oppose the Bill in the Lords."

"And resign, of course."

"He meant that, I presume. Lord Ramsden has not spoken to me."

"The clauses will not stick in his throat. Nor ought they. If the
lawyers have their own way about law they should be contented."

"The question is, whether in these circumstances we should postpone
the second reading?" asked the Prime Minister.

"Certainly not," said the other Duke. "As to the Solicitor-General
you will have no difficulty. Sir Timothy was only placed there as a
concession to his party. Drummond will no doubt continue to hold his
office till we see what is done in the Lower House. If the second
reading be lost there,--why then his lordship can go with the rest of
us."

"Rattler says we shall have a majority. He and Roby are quite agreed
about it. Between them they must know," said the Prime Minister,
unintentionally pleading for himself.

"They ought to know, if any men do;--but the crisis is exceptional.
I suppose you think that if the second reading is lost we should
resign?"

"Oh,--certainly."

"Or, after that, if the Bill be much mutilated in Committee? I don't
know that I shall personally break my own heart about the Bill. The
existing difference in the suffrages is rather in accordance with my
prejudices. But the country desires the measure, and I suppose we
cannot consent to any such material alteration as these men suggest."
As he spoke he laid his hand on Sir Timothy's letter.

"Mr. Monk would not hear of it," said the Prime Minister.

"Of course not. And you and I in this measure must stick to Mr. Monk.
My great, indeed my only strong desire in the matter, is to act in
strict unison with you."

"You are always good and true, Duke."

"For my own part I