The matter was discussed in quite a different spirit between two other politicians. "So Sir Gregory has failed at Durham," said Lord Cantrip to his friend, Mr. Gresham.
"I was sure he would."
"And why?"
"Ah;—why? How am I to answer such a question? Did you think that Mr. Browborough would be convicted of bribery by a jury?"
"No, indeed," answered Lord Cantrip.
"And can you tell me why?"
"Because there was no earnestness in the matter,—either with the Attorney-General or with any one else."
"And yet," said Mr. Gresham, "Grogram is a very earnest man when he believes in his case. No member of Parliament will ever be punished for bribery as for a crime till members of Parliament generally look upon bribery as a crime. We are very far from that as yet. I should have thought a conviction to be a great misfortune."
"Why so?"
"Because it would have created ill blood, and our own hands in this matter are not a bit cleaner than those of our adversaries. We can't afford to pull their houses to pieces before we have put our own in order. The thing will be done; but it must, I fear, be done slowly,—as is the case with all reforms from within."