"Tell me what has been done, Plantagenet," ejaculated the Duchess.
"Don't you be as unreasonable as Mrs. Finn, Cora. The House has voted against Sir Orlando's amendment by a majority of nine."
"Only nine!"
"And I shall cease to be Prime Minister to-morrow."
"You don't mean to say that it's settled?"
"Quite settled. The play has been played, and the curtain has fallen, and the lights are being put out, and the poor weary actors may go home to bed."
"But on such an amendment surely any majority would have done."
"No, my dear. I will not name a number, but nine certainly would not do."
"And it is all over?"
"My Ministry is all over, if you mean that."