ent. No one quite knew what the
statement was to be; but every politician in the House and out of
it thought that he knew that the statement would be a bid for
higher power on the part of Sir Timothy himself. If there had been
dissensions in the Cabinet, the secret of them had been well kept.
To Tregear who was not as yet familiar with the House there was no
special appearance of activity; but Silverbridge could see that
there was more than wonted animation. That the Treasury bench should
be full at this time was a thing of custom. A whole broadside of
questions would be fired off, one after another, like a rattle of
musketry down the ranks, when as nearly as possible the report of
each gun is made to follow close upon that of the gun before,--with
this exception, that in such case each little sound is intended to be
as like as possible to the preceding; whereas with the rattle of the
questions and answers, each question and each answer becomes a little
more authoritative and less courteous than the last. The Treasury
bench was ready for its usual responsive firing, as the questioners
were of course in their places. The opposition front bench was also
crowded, and those behind were nearly equally full. There were many
Peers in the gallery, and a general feeling of sensation prevailed.
All this Silverbridge had been long enough in the House to
appreciate;--but to Tregear the House was simply the House.

"It's odd enough we should have a row the very first day you come,"
said Silverbridge.

"You think there will be a row?"

"Beeswax has something special to say. He's not here yet, you see.
They've left about six inches for him there between Roper and Sir
Orlando. You'll have the privilege of looking just down on the top of
his head when he does come. I shan't stay much longer after that."

"Where are you going?"

"I don't mean to-day. But I should not have been here now,--in this
very place I mean,--but I want to stick to you just at first. I shall
move down below the gangway; and not improbably creep over to the
other side before long."

"You don't mean it?"

"I think I shall. I begin to feel I've made a mistake."

"In coming to this side at all?"

"I think I have. After all it is not very important."

"What is not important? I think it very important."

"Perhaps it may be to you, and perhaps you may be able to keep it
up. But the more I think of it the less excuse I seem to have for
deserting the old ways