It was the Countess who broke the silence, and her words were what she might have chosen could she have read Mr. Sidney's thoughts.
"My lord, who is the greatest man in the kingdom, hath more to stake and lose than you Whigs who are already in disgrace with His Majesty."
"I know that very well," he answered; "but if the government fell, remember there are some who would fall with it beyond the hope of ever climbing again. One is my Lord Jefferies, another my Lord Sunderland."
She looked at him calmly.
"They are both well hated by the people," she said. "I do admit it." She leant forward in her chair. "Do you think it would be worth while for my lord to stake the great post he holdeth for the chance of safety if..."
She hesitated, and he supplied the words.
—"if there was a revolution," he said.
"Do you talk of revolutions!" she exclaimed.
His fair face flushed.
"Listen," he answered briefly.