"Then let me begin with myself. Personally I would not lift my littlest
finger to help this scheme. I might not go out of my way to hinder it,
but I am that far Irish in feeling, not to aid England so finely. For a
nation that will soon be without a friend in the world, an alliance with
us would be of immense benefit. No man of Irish blood, knowing what his
race has endured and still endures from the English, can keep his
self-respect and back the scheme."

Arthur was sorry for his lordship, who sat utterly astounded and cast
down wofully at this expression of feeling from such a man.

"The main question can be answered in this way," Birmingham continued.
"Were I willing to take part in this business, my influence with the
Irish and their descendants, whatever it may be, would not be able to
bring a corporal's guard into line in its behalf."

Lord Constantine opened his mouth, Everard snorted his contempt, but the
great man signaled silence. Birmingham paid no attention.

"In this country the Irish have learned much more than saving money and
acquiring power; they have learned the unredeemed blackness of the
injustice done them at home, just as I learned it. What would Grahame
here, Sullivan, Senator Dillon, or myself have been at this moment had
we remained in Ireland? Therefore the Irish in this country are more
bitter against the English government than their brethren at home. I am
certain that no man can rally even a minority of the Irish to the
support of the alliance. I am sure I could not. I am certain the formal
proposal of the scheme would rouse them to fiery opposition."

"Remember," Arthur whispered to Everard, raging to speak, "that the
Cabinet Minister doesn't care to hear anyone but Birmingham."

"I'm sorry for you, Conny," he whispered to his lordship, "but it's the
truth."

"Never enjoyed anything so much," said Grahame _sotto voce_, his eyes on
Everard.

"However, let us leave the Irish out of the question," the speaker went
on. "Or, better, let us suppose them favorable, and myself able to win
them over. What chance has the alliance of success? None."

"Fudge!" cried Everard, unabashed by the beautiful English stare of the
C. M.

"The measure is one-sided commercially. This country has nothing to gain
from a scheme, which would be a mine to England; therefore the moneyed
men will not touch it, will not listen to it. Their time is too
valuable. What remains? An appeal to the people on the sco