"The Cabinet," he said, "will be happier as they are."
"You say that bitterly."
"It's bitter truth," he answered. "I'm in the wrong set."
There was a short silence, and Lady Mary found it intolerable.
"Have you come just to grumble and go?" she inquired at last.
Wenderby paused a moment, as if looking for a way to open his mind; then he said abruptly:
"I'm going to rat."
"To leave the Cabinet?" Lady Mary exclaimed. She was now sincerely astonished.
"Perhaps," said Wenderby, looking at her intently. "It's in my mind. Politics are going to be very violent during these next years. All my friends are with the Opposition. My position will be dreary and difficult."
Lady Mary began to see his drift, and was dismayed at the sudden sinking of her spirit.