The Master Spirit was incapable1 of hesitation2. In uniforms of a Cromwellian cut, designed after the most careful consideration of the proper wear for expelling legislative3 assemblies and made under pressure at remarkable4 speed, the chiefs of the Duty Paramount5 movement and a special bodyguard6 armed with revolvers and swords, marched under his leadership to Westminster at the head of a great popular demonstration7. The Houses of Parliament were surrounded. The police offered a half-hearted resistance, for the Metropolitan8 Police Commissioner9 was himself a strong man and could understand what was happening to the world. An attempt, essentially10 formal, was made to treat this historical March upon Westminster as ordinary traffic and divert it towards Chelsea; this failing, the police, in accordance with a prearranged scheme, evacuated11 the building, paraded in good order in Parliament Square, and marched off in Indian file, leaving the League in possession. For some minutes Miss Ellen Wilkerson offered a formidable resistance in one of the corridors, but reinforcements arrived, and she was overpowered. The “Talking Shop” had fallen.
The House of Commons was in session and did not seem to know how to get out of it. The Master Spirit, supported by the staff he had gathered about him — except Sir Bussy, who was again unaccountably missing — entered by the Strangers’ entrance and came through the division lobby onto the floor of the House. At the significant brown band across the green carpet he stopped short.
The atmosphere of the place was tensely emotional as this tall and slender and yet most portentous12 figure, supported by the devoted13 lieutenants14 his magic had inspired, stood facing the Speaker and his two bewigged satellites. Someone had set the division bells ringing, and the House was crowded, the Labour party clustered thickly to his left, Commander Benworthy bulky and outstanding. There was little talk or noise. The great majority of the members present were silently agape. Some were indignant, but many upon the right were manifestly sympathetic. Above, the attendants were attempting, but not very successfully, to clear the Strangers’ and Distinguished17 Strangers’ galleries. The reporters stared or scribbled18 convulsively and there was a luminous19 abundance of ladies in their particular gallery.
Methodical and precise as ever, the tapes in the dining and smoking rooms had announced, “Dictator enters House with armed force. Business in suspense,” and had then ceased their useful function. From behind the Speaker’s chair a couple of score of the bodyguard, with swords drawn20, had spread out to the left and right and stood now at the salute21.
It would have needed a soul entirely22 devoid23 of imagination to ignore the profound historical significance of this occasion, and the Master was of imagination all compact. His stern determination was mellowed24 but not weakened by a certain element of awe25 at his own immense achievement. To this House, if not to this particular chamber26, Charles the First had come in pursuit of the tragic27 destiny that was to bring him to Whitehall, and after him, to better effect had come Cromwell, the great precursor28 of the present event. Here, through a thousand scenes of storm and conflict, the mighty29 fabric30 of the greatest empire the world had ever seen had been welded and reshaped. Here had spoken such mighty rulers and gladiators as Walpole and Pelham, Pitt and Burke, Peel and Palmerston, Gladstone and Disraeli. And now this once so potent31 assembly had waxed vulgar, senile, labourist, garrulous32 and ineffective, and the day of rejuvenescence, the restoration of the Phoenix33, was at hand. The eyes of the Master Spirit, grave and a little sorrowful, were lifted as if for guidance to the fretted34 roof and then fell thoughtfully upon the mace35, “that bauble,” which lay athwart the table before him. He seemed to muse36 for a moment upon the mighty task he had undertaken, before he addressed himself to the wigged15 and robed figure at the head of the assembly.
“Mr. Speaker,” he said, “I must ask you to leave the chair.” He turned half-face to the government benches. “Gentlemen, the Ministers of the Crown, I would advise you to yield your portfolios37 without demur38 to my secretaries. For the good of His Majesty’s realm and the needs of our mighty Empire I must for a time take these things over from you. When England has found her soul again, when her health has been restored, then all her ancient liberties of speech and counsel will return to her again.”
For a perceptible interval39 everyone present might have been a wax-work image, so still and intent did they all stand. It might have been some great historical tableau40 set out at Madame Tussaud’s. It seemed already history, and for all the length of that pause it was as if the Lord Paramount were rather witnessing what he had done than actually doing it. It became flattened41 but bright like a coloured picture in a child’s book of history. . . .
The action of the piece was resumed by a little significant detail. Two bodyguards42 came forward and placed themselves at either elbow of the Speaker.
“I protest in the name of the Commons of England,” said the Speaker, standing16 and holding his robes ready to descend43.
“Your protest is duly noted,” said the Master Spirit, and turning slowly, ordered and motioned his guards to clear the House.
They did their duty without haste or violence.
On the left hand herding44 thickly, was this new labour government, this association of vague idealists and socialist45 adventurers and its supporters. Mr. Ramsy McDougal stood against the table, as ever a little apart from his colleagues, an image of unreadiness. Mr. Parham had only seen him on one or two occasions before and looking at him now through the Lord Paramount’s eyes, he seemed more gaunt and angular than ever, more like a lonely wind-stripped tree upon some blasted heath, more haggard and inaccurate46 in his questionable47 handsomeness. He was evidently looking about him for support. His eyes wandered appealingly to the reporters’ gallery, to the opposition48 benches, to the ladies’ gallery and to the roof that presumably veiled his God from him, and then they came back to the knots and masses of his own followers49. It was clear above the general murmur50 that he was speaking. He made noises like a cow barking or like a dog which moos. The Lord Paramount heard himself denounced as “the spirit of unrighteousness.” Then there was an appeal to “fair play.” Finally something about going to “raise the fiery51 cross.” As two of the League guards approached him guided by the Lord Paramount’s signal, his gestures which indicated a rallying place elsewhere became more emphatic52. For a moment he posed tall and commanding, arm lifted, finger pointing heavenward, before he folded himself up and retired53.
Behind him Sir Osbert Moses had seemed to be pleading in vain with a sheepish crowd of government supporters for some collective act of protest. Mr. Coope, the extremist, was plainly an advocate for violence, but managed nothing. For the most part these labour people seemed as usual only anxious to find out what was considered the right thing to do and to do it as precipitately54 as possible. The attendants gave them no help, but the League guards herded55 them like sheep. But Mr. Philip Snowfield, very pale and angry, remained in his place, uttering what appeared to be inaudible imprecations. As the guards approached him he moved away from them towards the exit but still turned at intervals56 to say what were visibly disagreeable things and to thump57 the floor with his stick. “Mark my words,” he could be heard hissing58, “you fellows will be sorry for this foolery.” Commander Benworthy hovered59 huge and protective above him. The only actual scuffle was with that left-wing desperado, Waxton, who was dealt with in accordance with the peculiar60 ju-jitsu of the Lord Paramount’s guards. He was carried out face downwards61, his hair dragging on the floor.
The other occupants of the government benches decided62 not to share his fate and remained vertical63 and unhandled in their slow retreat. Most of them sought a certain dignity of pose, and folded arms, a sideways carriage, and a certain scornfulness were popular. There was a good deal of bumping against liberals who were doing exactly the same thing at a slightly different angle. Mr. St. George went out stoutly64 and as if inadvertently, his hands behind his back. It was as if he had been called away by some private concern and had failed to observe what was going on. His daughter who was also a member followed him briskly. Sir Simon John and Mr. Harold Samuel remained whispering together and taking notes, until the advancing shadows of physical expulsion were close at hand. Their gestures made it clear to everyone that they considered the Lord Paramount was acting65 illegally and that they were greatly pleased to score that point against him.
Many of the conservatives were frankly66 sympathetic with the Lord Paramount. Mr. Baldmin was not in the house, but Sir Austin Chamberland stood talking, smiling and looking on, at the side of Lady Asper, who exulted67 brightly and clapped her pretty hands when Waxton was tackled and overpowered. She seemed eager that more labour members should join in the fray68 and get similar treatment, and disappointed when they did not do so. Mr. Emery the great fiscal69 imperialist stood on a seat the better to watch proceedings70 and smiled broadly at the whole affair, making movements of benediction71. He knew already that he was marked for the Lord Paramount’s Council. The Lord Paramount, intent on such particulars, realized suddenly that he was being cheered from the opposition benches. He drew himself up to his full height and bowed gravely.
“WHO GOES HOME?” a voice cried and the cry was echoed in the corridors without. It was the time-honoured cry of parliamentary dissolution, that has closed the drama of five hundred parliaments.
The Lord Paramount found himself in the handsome passage that leads from the Commons to the Lords. A solitary72 figure sat there, sobbing73 quietly. It looked up and revealed the face of that Lord Cato, who was formerly74 Sir Wilfred Jameson Jicks. “I ought to have done it,” he whispered, “I ought to have done it months ago.” Then his natural generosity75 reasserted itself and, dashing away a tear, he stood up and held out his hand frankly and brotherly to the Lord Paramount.
“You must help ME now, for England’s sake,” said the Lord Paramount.
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1
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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legislative
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| n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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paramount
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| a.最重要的，最高权力的 | |
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bodyguard
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| n.护卫，保镖 | |
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demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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metropolitan
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| adj.大城市的，大都会的 | |
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commissioner
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| n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员 | |
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essentially
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| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
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evacuated
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| 撤退者的 | |
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portentous
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| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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lieutenants
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| n.陆军中尉( lieutenant的名词复数 )；副职官员；空军；仅低于…官阶的官员 | |
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wigged
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| adj.戴假发的 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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scribbled
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| v.潦草的书写( scribble的过去式和过去分词 )；乱画；草草地写；匆匆记下 | |
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luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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22
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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mellowed
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| （使）成熟( mellow的过去式和过去分词 )； 使色彩更加柔和，使酒更加醇香 | |
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25
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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precursor
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| n.先驱者；前辈；前任；预兆；先兆 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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garrulous
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| adj.唠叨的，多话的 | |
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phoenix
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| n.凤凰，长生(不死)鸟；引申为重生 | |
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fretted
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| 焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的 | |
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mace
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| n.狼牙棒，豆蔻干皮 | |
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muse
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| n.缪斯（希腊神话中的女神），创作灵感 | |
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portfolios
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| n.投资组合( portfolio的名词复数 )；（保险）业务量；（公司或机构提供的）系列产品；纸夹 | |
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demur
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| v．表示异议，反对 | |
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interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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tableau
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| n.画面，活人画（舞台上活人扮的静态画面） | |
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flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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42
bodyguards
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| n.保镖，卫士，警卫员( bodyguard的名词复数 ) | |
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descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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herding
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| 中畜群 | |
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socialist
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| n.社会主义者；adj.社会主义的 | |
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46
inaccurate
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| adj.错误的，不正确的，不准确的 | |
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questionable
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| adj.可疑的，有问题的 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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50
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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51
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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52
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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53
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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54
precipitately
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| adv.猛进地 | |
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55
herded
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| 群集，纠结( herd的过去式和过去分词 )； 放牧； （使）向…移动 | |
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56
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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57
thump
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| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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58
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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59
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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60
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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61
downwards
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| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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63
vertical
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| adj.垂直的，顶点的，纵向的；n.垂直物，垂直的位置 | |
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stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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65
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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67
exulted
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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68
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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69
fiscal
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| adj.财政的，会计的，国库的，国库岁入的 | |
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70
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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71
benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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72
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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73
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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74
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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75
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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