But he had been
Prime Minister,--and he was sure he could never be Prime Minister
again. There are in all matters certain little, almost hidden,
signs, by which we can measure within our own bosoms the extent of
our successes and our failures. Our Duke's friends had told him
that his Ministry had been serviceable to the country; but no one
had ever suggested to him that he would again be asked to fill the
place which he had filled. He had stopped a gap. He would
beforehand have declared himself willing to serve his country even
in this way; but having done so,--having done that and no more than
that,--he felt that he had failed. He had in soreness declared to
himself that he would never more take office. He had much to do to
overcome this promise to himself;--but when he had brought himself
to submit he was certainly a happier man.
There was no going to see the Queen. That on the present occasion
was done simply by Mr Monk. But on the Wednesday morning his name
appeared in the list of the new Cabinet as President of the
Council. He was perhaps a little fidgety, a little too anxious to
employ himself and to be employed, a little too desirous of
immediate work;--but still he was happy and gracious to all those
around him.
Pages:
1034
1035
1036
1037
1038
1039
1040
1041
1042
1043
1044
1045
1046
1047
1048
1049
1050
1051
1052
1053
1054
1055
1056
1057
1058