ontented with the
existing state of things, and had thought that the Liberal party,
with such assistance as such a club could give it, would be strong
enough to rule alone. That the great Liberal party should be impeded
in its work and its triumph by such men as Sir Orlando Drought and
Sir Timothy Beeswax was odious to the club. All the Pallisers had,
from time immemorial, run straight as Liberals, and therefore the
club had been unwilling to oppose the Duke personally, though he was
the chief of the Coalition. And certain members of the Government,
Phineas Finn, for instance, Barrington Erle, and Mr. Rattler were on
the committee of the club. But the club, as a club, was not averse
to a discontinuance of the present state of things. Mr. Gresham
might again become Prime Minister, if he would condescend so far,
or Mr. Monk. It might be possible that the great Liberal triumph
contemplated by the club might not be achieved by the present
House;--but the present House must go shortly, and then, with
that assistance from a well-organised club, which had lately been
so terribly wanting,--the lack of which had made the Coalition
necessary,--no doubt the British constituencies would do their duty,
and a Liberal Prime Minister, pure and simple, might reign,--almost
for ever. With this great future before it, the club was very
lukewarm in its support of the present Bill. "I shall go down and
vote for them of course," said Mr. O'Mahony, "just for the look of
the thing." In saying this Mr. O'Mahony expressed the feeling of
the club, and the feeling of the Liberal party generally. There was
something due to the Duke, but not enough to make it incumbent on his
friends to maintain him in his position as Prime Minister.

It was a great day for Sir Orlando. At half-past four the House was
full,--not from any desire to hear Sir Orlando's arguments against
the Bill, but because it was felt that a good deal of personal
interest would be attached to the debate. If one were asked in these
days what gift should a Prime Minister ask first from the fairies,
one would name the power of attracting personal friends. Eloquence,
if it be too easy, may become almost a curse. Patriotism is
suspected, and sometimes sinks almost to pedantry. A Jove-born
intellect is hardly wanted, and clashes with the inferiorities.
Industry is exacting. Honesty is unpractical. Truth is easily
offended. Dignity will not bend. But the man who can be all things to
all m