Demonstration of personal esteem and political approval repeated when, a few moments later, he walked out behind Speaker's Chair. Again the Liberals, now joined by Irish Nationalists, uprose, madly cheering.
Following upon this unprecedented scene, Seely's personal statement inevitably partook of character of anticlimax. Entering while Questions were going forward, he passed the Treasury bench, where he had no longer right to sit, and turned up the Gangway, to find every seat occupied. He stood for a moment irresolute. Cuthbert Wason, who has permanently appropriated third corner seat above Gangway (and portion of one adjoining), courteously made room for the ex-Minister.
Seely's brief statement, dignified in its simplicity, unexceptional in its good taste, listened to by both sides with evident sympathy. During two years' administration of War Office affairs, he has by straightforwardness, urbanity, and display of perfect command of his subject, increased the personal popularity enjoyed whilst he was yet a private Member.
Business done.—Resignation by Colonel Seely of War Office portfolio announced. Prime Minister takes it in personal charge.
House of Lords, Tuesday.—During last two days noble Lords been delighted with little by-play provided by Lord Curzon. Yesterday, he by severe cross-examination extracted from Lord Morley admission of personal knowledge of what are known as the peccant paragraphs in document handed on behalf of War Office to General Gough.
What troubled Curzon was apprehension that such admission must necessarily be followed by resignation. Regretted this for dual reason. First, House would be deprived of presence of esteemed Viscount on Ministerial bench. Secondly, and to the generous mind this consideration even more poignant, the secession of a Minister so highly prized would in present circumstances strike heavy blow at Government. Might even lead to break up of Ministry, dissolution of Parliament, destruction of Home Rule and Welsh Church Bills.
Under cross-examination Morley, whilst making clean breast of his share in incident that led to resignation of War Minister, said never a word about possibility, or otherwise, of his own retirement. Curzon's generous alarm deepened. Better know the worst if it were lurking in the background.
"How comes it," he asked, "if the Government felt compelled to withdraw these paragraphs, and if the Secretary for War resigned, that we still have the good fortune to see the noble Viscount in charge of the Government bench?"
"The latter point," said Morley, "will be answered more or less satisfactorily to-morrow."
Curzon went home in state of profound depression. Morley, regardless of the comfort, even the safety, of his colleagues in the Cabinet, evidently meant resignation. Came down to-day, his ingenuous countenance exhibiting signs of passage through an unrestful night.