e. That is all."

"How did you ever get into the Cabinet?" inquired the King, in a tone
that betrayed a sort of puzzled respect.

"Merely to fill a gap in a ministry whose days were numbered. Then an
unexpected turn of the wheel kept us in power, and I remained. It was an
inglorious arrival, but I found I could be of use: a sort of connecting
line between incompatibles. I am not unpopular with my colleagues, and
left alone in my department, I go my own way."

"And what is your way?" inquired the King, still searching for guidance.

"I do nearly everything as my permanent officials tell me, recognizing
that while ministers come and go permanent officials remain and acquire
experience from both sides. On the other hand, I use my own discretion
in the hastening or suspension of the superannuation clause; I promote
by results and not by seniority. My department, in consequence, is the
most efficient in the whole Civil Service, and I have less work to do
than any other minister. Thus I am left with more leisure and energy to
devote to the consideration of policy, and affairs in general."

"And do you approve," inquired the King, "of the present policy?"

The minister paused. "I think the pace is about right," he said
reflectively.

"The pace?"

"Yes; government to-day, sir, is largely a matter of pace, the actual
measures do not so much matter. Modern democracy is making for something
of which we are all really--the governing classes I mean--profoundly
apprehensive: and the problem now is to let it come about without actual
catastrophe. When I used the word 'pace,' I had a certain graphic
illustration in my mind--an incident I once heard from the manager of a
railway--the recountal of which will show your Majesty what I mean.

"A passenger train, before arriving at the head of a long, evenly
graded declivity, had taken on three or four good trucks heavily laden.
Owing to some carelessness in the coupling these wagons became detached
on the very crest of the descent, and falling to the rear came almost to
a halt. Not quite: sluggishly at first they began to move, and gathering
impetus from sheer weight followed in the track of the proceeding train.
Halfway down the declivity, the engine-driver discovered his loss and
the danger that threatened him. Looking back, he saw in the distance the
wagons weighted by the labor of men's hands drawing nearer with a speed
that grew ever more formidable. His one chance, therefore,