There had been a coalition. They who are well read in the
political literature of their country will remember all about
that. It had perhaps succeeded in doing that for which it had been
intended. The Queen's government had been carried on for two or
three years. The Duke of Omnium had been the head of that
Ministry; but, during those years had suffered so much as to have
become utterly ashamed of the coalition,--so much as to have said
often to himself that under no circumstances would he again join
any Ministry. At this time there was no idea of another coalition.
That is a state of things which cannot come about frequently,--
which can only be reproduced by men who have never hitherto felt
the mean insipidity of such a condition. But they who had served
on the Liberal side in that coalition must again put their
shoulders to the wheel. Of course it was in every man's mouth that
the Duke must be induced to forget his miseries and once more to
take upon himself the duties of an active servant of the State.
But they who were most anxious on the subject, such men as Lord
Cantrip, Mr Monk, our old friend Phineas Finn, and a few others,
were almost afraid to approach him.
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