r mother's milk have
been nourished on codes of thought altogether opposed to each other,
cannot work together with confidence even though they may desire the
same thing. The very ideas which are sweet as honey to the one are
bitter as gall to the other."

"You think, then, that we made a great mistake?"

"I will not say that," said Mr. Monk. "There was a difficulty at the
time, and that difficulty was overcome. The Government was carried
on, and was on the whole respected. History will give you credit for
patriotism, patience, and courage. No man could have done it better
than you did;--probably no other man of the day so well."

"But it was not a great part to play?" The Duke in his nervousness,
as he said this, could not avoid the use of that questioning tone
which requires an answer.

"Great enough to satisfy the heart of a man who has fortified himself
against the evil side of ambition. After all, what is it that the
Prime Minister of such a country as this should chiefly regard? Is it
not the prosperity of the country? It is not often that we want great
measures, or new arrangements that shall be vital to the country.
Politicians now look for grievances, not because the grievances are
heavy, but trusting that the honour of abolishing them may be great.
It is the old story of the needy knife-grinder who, if left to
himself, would have no grievance of which to complain."

"But there are grievances," said the Duke. "Look at monetary
denominations. Look at our weights and measures."

"Well; yes. I will not say that everything has as yet been reduced to
divine order. But when we took office three years ago we certainly
did not intend to settle those difficulties."

"No, indeed," said the Duke, sadly.

"But we did do all that we meant to do. For my own part, there is
only one thing in it that I regret, and one only which you should
regret also till you have resolved to remedy it."

"What thing is that?"

"Your own retirement from official life. If the country is to lose
your services for the long course of years during which you will
probably sit in Parliament, then I shall think that the country has
lost more than it has gained by the Coalition."

The Duke sat for a while silent, looking at the view, and, before
answering Mr. Monk,--while arranging his answer,--once or twice in a
half-absent way, called his companion's attention to the scene before
him. But during this time he was going through an act of