J. J. Bell

“ No one knew better than the Prime Minister how near was the Ministry to defeat. Defeat was inevitable. But Grantham prayed that it might be delayed yet a little while. Give him victory this night, and on the morrow he would take any beating cheerfully—would be well content to retire, to rest for a space. Give him full victory to-night! For he was convinced that defeat for the Government on to-night's measure would mean war for the Country ere a year had gone. The Opposition, on the contrary, foresaw and prophesied a great revival in trade, contentment among the masses, prosperity generally ”

“ It might end in the overthrow of the Government, which the Opposition press of the day had declared to be tottering to its doom, Grantham had taken office as leader of a satisfactory majority about three years ago, but, as has been said, the times were troublous. The Country was full of unrest, of discontent. More than once the party in power had been threatened with a split in its ranks; now the threat seemed likely to become a reality, extending to the Cabinet itself. And the Opposition was moving Heaven and Earth to hasten the downfall. ”

“ Half his life had Grantham spent in fighting his way up the political steep, crushing his opponents mercilessly, fierce with the single purpose of gaining that pinnacle whereon triumph and glory and wide mastery would be his. ”

“ A fine thing to be present at the downfall of a once popular ministry; a finer thing to assist in giving the death-blow! A fever was in the air. Notable politicians put forth their full strength in rhetoric; partisans grew hoarse with cheering and counter-cheering. The leader of the Opposition surpassed himself, and sat down, quivering, amid a storm of voices. ”

“ There is not time to explain, but I must tell you that an important matter is being dealt with to-night—so important that the world awaits the result; so serous that practically every man will be in his place. And though few understand it so, I believe that we are about to choose between peace and war—Isobel! ”

“ The longest-living author of this work died in 1934, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 89 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works. ”