When any body of statesmen make public asseverations by one or
various voices, that there is no discord among them, not a
dissentient voice on any subject, people are apt to suppose that
they cannot hang together much longer. It is the man who has not
peace at home declares abroad that his wife is an angel. He who
lives on comfortable terms with the partner of his troubles can
afford to acknowledge the ordinary rubs of life. Old Mr Mildmay,
who was Prime Minister for so many years, and whom his party
worshipped, used to say that he had never found a gentleman who
had quite agreed with him all round; but Sir Timothy has always
been in exact accord with all his colleagues,--till he has left
them, or they him. Never had there been such concord as of late,--
and men, clubs, and newspapers now protested that as a natural
consequence there would soon be a break-up.
But not on that account would it perhaps be necessary that Sir
Timothy should resign,--or not necessary that his resignation
should be permanent. The Conservative majority had dwindled,--but
still there was a majority.
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