y
estimates. He regarded the four ships as altogether unnecessary,--and
when reminded that he might in this way consolidate the Coalition,
said that he would rather do without the Coalition and the four
ships than have to do with both of them together,--an opinion which
was thought by some to be almost traitorous to the party as now
organised. The secrets of Cabinets are not to be disclosed lightly,
but it came to be understood,--as what is done at Cabinet meetings
generally does come to be understood,--that there was something like
a disagreement. The Prime Minister, the Duke of St. Bungay, and
Mr. Monk were altogether against the four ships. Sir Orlando was
supported by Lord Drummond and another of his old friends. At the
advice of the elder Duke, a paragraph was hatched, in which it was
declared that her Majesty, "having regard to the safety of the nation
and the possible, though happily not probable, chances of war,
thought that the present strength of the navy should be considered."
"It will give him scope for a new gun-boat on an altered principle,"
said the Duke of St. Bungay. But the Prime Minister, could he have
had his own way, would have given Sir Orlando no scope whatever. He
would have let the Coalition have gone to the dogs and have fallen
himself into infinite political ruin, but that he did not dare that
men should hereafter say of him that this attempt at government had
failed because he was stubborn, imperious, and self-confident. He had
known when he took his present place that he must yield to others;
but he had not known how terrible it is to have to yield when a
principle is in question,--how great is the suffering when a man
finds himself compelled to do that which he thinks should not be
done! Therefore, though he had been strangely loving to his wife, the
time had not gone smoothly with him.

In direct disobedience to her husband the Duchess did speak a word to
Mr. Sprugeon. When at the Castle she was frequently driven through
Silverbridge, and on one occasion had her carriage stopped at the
ironmonger's door. Out came Mr. Sprugeon, and there were at first
half-a-dozen standing by who could hear what she said. Millepois,
the cook, wanted to have some new kind of iron plate erected in the
kitchen. Of course she had provided herself beforehand with her
excuse. As a rule, when the cook wanted anything done, he did not
send word to the tradesman by the Duchess. But on this occasion the
Duchess was