Lord Saxingham was moved; bright visions flashed across him,--the premiership, a dukedom.

Yet he was old and childless, and his honours would die with the last lord of Saxingham! "See," continued Lumley, "I have calculated our resources as accurately as an electioneering agent would cast up the list of voters.

In the Press, I have secured -- --- and -- ---, and in the Commons we have the subtle -- ---, and the vigour of -- ---, and the popular name of -- ---, and all the boroughs of -- ---; in the Cabinet we have -- ---, and at Court you know our strength.

Let us choose our moment; a sudden _coup_, an interview with the king, statement of our conscientious scruples to this atrocious measure.

I know the vain, stiff mind of the premier; _he_ will lose temper, he will tender his resignation; to his astonishment, it will be accepted.