"And Lord Drummond has already as good as said that unless we will abandon the same clauses, he must oppose the Bill in the Lords."
"And resign, of course."
"He meant that, I presume. Lord Ramsden has not spoken to me."
"The clauses will not stick in his throat. Nor ought they. If the lawyers have their own way about law they should be contented."
"The question is, whether in these circumstances we should postpone the second reading?" asked the Prime Minister.
"Certainly not," said the other Duke. "As to the Solicitor-General you will have no difficulty. Sir Timothy was only placed there as a concession to his party. Drummond will no doubt continue to hold his office till we see what is done in the Lower House. If the second reading be lost there,—why then his lordship can go with the rest of us."
"Rattler says we shall have a majority. He and Roby are quite agreed about it. Between them they must know," said the Prime Minister, unintentionally pleading for himself.
"They ought to know, if any men do;—but the crisis is exceptional. I suppose you think that if the second reading is lost we should resign?"
"Oh,—certainly."
"Or, after that, if the Bill be much mutilated in Committee? I don't know that I shall personally break my own heart about the Bill. The existing difference in the suffrages is rather in accordance with my prejudices. But the country desires the measure, and I suppose we cannot consent to any such material alteration as these men suggest." As he spoke he laid his hand on Sir Timothy's letter.