Perhaps the bitterest feeling of all was that her love should have been so much stronger, so much more enduring than his own. He could not but remember how in his first agony he had blamed her because she had declared that they should be severed16. He had then told himself that such severing17 would be to him impossible, and that had her nature been as high as his, it would have been as impossible to her. Which nature must he now regard as the higher? She had done her best to rid herself of the load of her passion and had failed. But he had freed himself with convenient haste. All that he had said as to the manliness18 of conquering grief had been wise enough. But still he could not quit himself of some feeling of disgrace in that he had changed and she had not. He tried to comfort himself with reflecting that Mary was all his own,—that in that matter he had been victorious19 and happy;—but for an hour or two he thought more of Mabel than of Mary.
When the time came in which he could employ himself he called for Silverbridge, and they walked together across the park to Westminster. Silverbridge was gay and full of eagerness as to the coming ministerial statement, but Tregear could not turn his mind from the work of the morning. "I don't seem to care very much about it," he said at last.
"I do care very much," said Silverbridge.
"What difference will it make?"
"I breakfasted with the governor this morning, and I have not seen him in such good spirits since—, well, for a long time." The date to which Silverbridge would have referred, had he not checked himself, was that of the evening on which it had been agreed between him and his father that Mabel Grex should be promoted to the seat of highest honour in the house of Palliser,—but that was a matter which must henceforward be buried in silence. "He did not say as much, but I feel perfectly20 sure that he and Mr. Monk21 have arranged a new government."
"I don't see any matter for joy in that to Conservatives like you and me."
"He is my father,—and as he is going to be your father-in-law I should have thought that you might have been pleased."
"Oh, yes;—if he likes it. But I have heard so often of the crushing cares of office, and I had thought that of all living men he had been the most crushed by them."
All that had to be done in the House of Commons on that afternoon was finished before five o'clock. By half-past five the House, and all the purlieus of the House, were deserted22. And yet at four, immediately after prayers, there had been such a crowd that members had been unable to find seats! Tregear and Silverbridge having been early had succeeded, but those who had been less careful were obliged to listen as best they could in the galleries. The stretching out of necks and the holding of hands behind the ears did not last long. Sir Timothy had not had much to say, but what he did say was spoken with a dignity which seemed to anticipate future exaltation rather than present downfall. There had arisen a question in regard to revenue,—he need hardly tell them that it was that question in reference to brewers' licences to which the honourable24 gentleman opposite had alluded25 on the previous day,—as to which unfortunately he was not in accord with his noble friend the Prime Minister. Under the circumstances it was hardly possible that they should at once proceed to business, and he therefore moved that the House should stand adjourned26 till Tuesday next. That was the whole statement.
Not very long afterwards the Prime Minister made another statement in the House of Lords. As the Chancellor27 of the Exchequer28 had very suddenly resigned and had thereby29 broken up the Ministry30, he had found himself compelled to place his resignation in the hands of her Majesty31. Then that House was also adjourned. On that afternoon all the clubs were alive with admiration32 at the great cleverness displayed by Sir Timothy in this transaction. It was not only that he had succeeded in breaking up the Ministry, and that he had done this without incurring33 violent disgrace; but he had so done it as to throw all the reproach upon his late unfortunate colleague. It was thus that Mr. Lupton explained it. Sir Timothy had been at the pains to ascertain34 on what matters connected with the Revenue, Lord Drummond,—or Lord Drummond's closest advisers,—had opinions of their own, opinions strong enough not to be abandoned; and having discovered that, he also discovered arguments on which to found an exactly contrary opinion. But as the Revenue had been entrusted35 specially36 to his unworthy hands, he was entitled to his own opinion on this matter. "The majority of the House," said Mr. Lupton, "and the entire public, will no doubt give him credit for great self-abnegation."
All this happened on the Friday. During the Saturday it was considered probable that the Cabinet would come to terms with itself, and that internal wounds would be healed. The general opinion was that Lord Drummond would give way. But on the Sunday morning it was understood that Lord Drummond would not yield. It was reported that Lord Drummond was willing to purchase his separation from Sir Timothy even at the expense of his office. That Sir Timothy should give way seemed to be impossible. Had he done so it would have been impossible for him to recover the respect of the House. Then it was rumoured37 that two or three others had gone with Sir Timothy. And on Monday morning it was proclaimed that the Prime Minister was not in a condition to withdraw his resignation. On the Tuesday the House met and Mr. Monk announced, still from the Opposition38 benches, that he had that morning been with the Queen. Then there was another adjournment39, and all the Liberals knew that the gates of Paradise were again about to be opened to them.
This is only interesting to us as affecting the happiness and character of our Duke. He had consented to assist Mr. Monk in forming a government, and to take office under Mr. Monk's leadership. He had had many contests with himself before he could bring himself to this submission40. He knew that if anything could once again make him contented41 it would be work; he knew that if he could serve his country it was his duty to serve it; and he knew also that it was only by the adhesion of such men as himself that the traditions of his party could be maintained. But he had been Prime Minister,—and he was sure he could never be Prime Minister again. There are in all matters certain little, almost hidden, signs, by which we can measure within our own bosoms42 the extent of our successes and our failures. Our Duke's friends had told him that his Ministry had been serviceable to the country; but no one had ever suggested to him that he would again be asked to fill the place which he had filled. He had stopped a gap. He would beforehand have declared himself willing to serve his country even in this way; but having done so,—having done that and no more than that,—he felt that he had failed. He had in his soreness declared to himself that he would never more take office. He had much to do to overcome this promise to himself;—but when he had brought himself to submit, he was certainly a happier man.
There was no going to see the Queen. That on the present occasion was done simply by Mr. Monk. But on the Wednesday morning his name appeared in the list of the new Cabinet as President of the Council. He was perhaps a little fidgety, a little too anxious to employ himself and to be employed, a little too desirous of immediate23 work;—but still he was happy and gracious to those around him. "I suppose you like that particular office," Silverbridge said to him.
"Well; yes;—not best of all, you know," and he smiled as he made this admission.
"You mean Prime Minister?"
"No, indeed I don't. I am inclined to think that the Premier43 should always sit in your House. No, Silverbridge. If I could have my way,—which is of course impossible, for I cannot put off my honours,—I would return to my old place. I would return to the Exchequer where the work is hard and certain, where a man can do, or at any rate attempt to do, some special thing. A man there if he sticks to that and does not travel beyond it, need not be popular, need not be a partisan44, need not be eloquent45, need not be a courtier. He should understand his profession, as should a lawyer or a doctor. If he does that thoroughly46 he can serve his country without recourse to that parliamentary strategy for which I know that I am unfit."
"You can't do that in the House of Lords, sir."
"No; no. I wish the title could have passed over my head, Silverbridge, and gone to you at once. I think we both should have been suited better. But there are things which one should not consider. Even in this place I may perhaps do something. Shall you attack us very bitterly?"
"I am the only man who does not mean to make any change."
"How so?"
"I shall stay where I am,—on the Government side of the House."
"Are you clear about that, my boy?"
"Quite clear."
"Such changes should not be made without very much consideration."
"I have already written to them at Silverbridge and have had three or four answers. Mr. De Boung says that the borough47 is more than grateful. Mr. Sprout48 regrets it much, and suggests a few months' consideration. Mr. Sprugeon seems to think it does not signify."
"That is hardly complimentary49."
"No,—not to me. But he is very civil to the family. As long as a Palliser represents the borough, Mr. Sprugeon thinks that it does not matter much on which side he may sit. I have had my little vagary50, and I don't think that I shall change again."
"I suppose it is your republican bride-elect that has done that," said the Duke, laughing.
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1
shipwreck
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| n.船舶失事，海难 | |
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2
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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halcyon
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| n.平静的，愉快的 | |
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intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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6
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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7
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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8
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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9
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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belongings
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| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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12
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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13
sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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petulance
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| n.发脾气，生气，易怒，暴躁，性急 | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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severing
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的现在分词 )；断，裂 | |
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18
manliness
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| 刚毅 | |
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victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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adjourned
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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chancellor
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| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
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exchequer
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| n.财政部；国库 | |
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thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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32
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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33
incurring
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| 遭受，招致，引起( incur的现在分词 ) | |
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34
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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35
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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rumoured
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| adj.谣传的；传说的；风 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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39
adjournment
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| 休会； 延期； 休会期； 休庭期 | |
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40
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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41
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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42
bosoms
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| 胸部( bosom的名词复数 )； 胸怀； 女衣胸部（或胸襟）； 和爱护自己的人在一起的情形 | |
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43
premier
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| adj.首要的；n.总理，首相 | |
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44
partisan
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| adj.党派性的；游击队的；n.游击队员；党徒 | |
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45
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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46
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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47
borough
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| n.享有自治权的市镇；(英)自治市镇 | |
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48
sprout
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| n.芽，萌芽；vt.使发芽，摘去芽；vi.长芽，抽条 | |
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49
complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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50
vagary
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| n.妄想，不可测之事，异想天开 | |
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