All the high expectations of December at Princedown were doomed1 to disappointment; they were a further illustration of Lord Roehampton’s saying, that there was no gambling2 like politics. The leader of the opposition3 came up to town, but he found nothing but difficulties, and a few days before Christmas he had resigned the proffered4 trust. The protectionist ministry5 were to remain in office, and to repeal6 the corn laws. The individual who was most baulked by this unexpected result was perhaps Lord Roehampton. He was a man who really cared for nothing but office and affairs, and being advanced in life, he naturally regretted a lost opportunity. But he never showed his annoyance7. Always playful, and even taking refuge in a bantering8 spirit, the world seemed to go light with him when everything was dark and everybody despondent9.
The discontent or indignation which the contemplated10 revolution in policy was calculated to excite in the Conservative party generally were to a certain degree neutralised for the moment by mysterious and confidential11 communications, circulated by Mr. Tadpole12 and the managers of the party, that the change was to be accompanied by “immense compensations.” As parliament was to meet as soon as convenient after Christmas, and the statement of the regenerated13 ministry was then to be made immediately, every one held his hand, as they all felt the blow must be more efficient when the scheme of the government was known.
The Montforts were obliged to go to their castle, a visit the sad necessity of which the formation of a new government, at one time, they had hoped might have prevented. The Roehamptons passed their Christmas with Mr. Sidney Wilton at Gaydene, where Endymion also and many of the opposition were guests. Waldershare took refuge with his friends the Beaumaris’, full of revenge and unceasing combinations. He took down St. Barbe with him, whose services in the session might be useful. There had been a little misunderstanding between these two eminent14 personages during the late season. St. Barbe was not satisfied with his position in the new journal which Waldershare had established. He affected15 to have been ill-treated and deceived, and this with a mysterious shake of the head which seemed to intimate state secrets that might hereafter be revealed. The fact is, St. Barbe’s political articles were so absurd that it was impossible to print them; but as his name stood high as a clever writer on matters with which he was acquainted, they permitted him, particularly as they were bound to pay him a high salary, to contribute essays on the social habits and opinions of the day, which he treated in a happy and taking manner. St. Barbe himself had such quick perception of peculiarities16, so fine a power of observation, and so keen a sense of the absurd, that when he revealed in confidence the causes of his discontent, it was almost impossible to believe that he was entirely17 serious. It seems that he expected this connection with the journal in question to have been, to use his own phrase, “a closet affair,” and that he was habitually18 to have been introduced by the backstairs of the palace to the presence of Royalty19 to receive encouragement and inspiration. “I do not complain of the pay,” he added, “though I could get more by writing for Shuffle20 and Screw, but I expected a decoration. However, I shall probably stand for next parliament on the principles of the Mountain, so perhaps it is just as well.”
Parliament soon met, and that session began which will long be memorable21. The “immense compensations” were nowhere. Waldershare, who had only waited for this, resigned his office as Under–Secretary of State. This was a bad example and a blow, but nothing compared to the resignation of his great office in the Household by the Earl of Beaumaris. This involved unhappily the withdrawal22 of Lady Beaumaris, under whose bright, inspiring roof the Tory party had long assembled, sanguine23 and bold. Other considerable peers followed the precedent24 of Lord Beaumaris, and withdrew their support from the ministry. Waldershare moved the amendment25 to the first reading of the obnoxious26 bill; but although defeated by a considerable majority, the majority was mainly formed by members of the opposition. Among these was Mr. Ferrars, who it was observed never opened his lips during the whole session.
This was not the case with Mr. Bertie Tremaine and the school of Pythagoras. The opportunity long waited for had at length arrived. There was a great parliamentary connection deserted27 by their leaders. This distinguished28 rank and file required officers. The cabinet of Mr. Bertie Tremaine was ready, and at their service. Mr. Bertie Tremaine seconded the amendment of Waldershare, and took the occasion of expounding29 the new philosophy, which seemed to combine the principles of Bentham with the practice of Lord Liverpool. “I offered to you this,” he said reproachfully to Endymion; “you might have been my secretary of state. Mr. Tremaine Bertie will now take it. He would rather have had an embassy, but he must make the sacrifice.”
The debates during the session were much carried on by the Pythagoreans, who never ceased chattering30. They had men ready for every branch of the subject, and the debate was often closed by their chief in mystical sentences, which they cheered like awestruck zealots.
The great bill was carried, but the dark hour of retribution at length arrived. The ministry, though sanguine to the last of success, and not without cause, were completely and ignominiously31 defeated. The new government, long prepared, was at once formed. Lord Roehampton again became secretary of state, and he appointed Endymion to the post under him. “I shall not press you unfairly,” said Mr. Bertie Tremaine to Endymion, with encouraging condescension32. “I wish my men for a season to comprehend what is a responsible opposition. I am sorry Hortensius is your solicitor-general, for I had intended him always for my chancellor33.”
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doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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gambling
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| n.赌博；投机 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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repeal
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| n.废止，撤消；v.废止，撤消 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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bantering
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| adj.嘲弄的v.开玩笑，说笑，逗乐( banter的现在分词 )；（善意地）取笑，逗弄 | |
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despondent
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| adj.失望的，沮丧的，泄气的 | |
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contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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tadpole
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| n.[动]蝌蚪 | |
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regenerated
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| v.新生，再生( regenerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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habitually
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| ad.习惯地，通常地 | |
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royalty
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| n.皇家，皇族 | |
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shuffle
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| n.拖著脚走，洗纸牌；v.拖曳，慢吞吞地走 | |
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memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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withdrawal
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| n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销 | |
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sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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precedent
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| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
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amendment
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| n.改正，修正，改善，修正案 | |
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obnoxious
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| adj.极恼人的，讨人厌的，可憎的 | |
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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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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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expounding
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| 论述，详细讲解( expound的现在分词 ) | |
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chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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ignominiously
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| adv.耻辱地，屈辱地，丢脸地 | |
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condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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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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