Events had followed each other too rapidly, decisive action
had been too much thrust upon him, to allow of hesitation; and
it was in this spirit, under this vigorous pressure, that he
made his attack upon the government on the day that followed
Fraide's luncheon party.
That indefinable attentiveness, that alert sensation of
impending storm. that is so strong an index of the
parliamentary atmosphere was very keen on that memorable first
of April. It was obvious in the crowded benches on both sides
of the House--in the oneness of purpose that insensibly made
itself felt through the ranks of the Opposition, and found
definite expression in Fraide's stiff figure and tightly shut
lips--in the unmistakable uneasiness that lay upon the
ministerial benches.
But notwithstanding these indications of battle, the early
portion of the proceedings was unmarked by excitement, being
tinged with the purposeless lack of vitality that had of late
marked all affairs of the Sefborough Ministry; and it was not
until the adjournment of the House for the Easter recess had
at last been moved that the spirit of activity hovering in the
air descended and galvanized the assembly into life.
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