He perceived in dismay and secret rage that many of those most loud in his favour while he was with the Government would desert him the soonest if thrown out.

Liked as a subordinate minister, he was viewed with very different eyes the moment it was a question whether, instead of cheering his sentiments, men should trust themselves to his guidance.

Some did not wish to displease the Government; others did not seek to weaken but to correct them.

One of his stanchest allies in the Commons was a candidate for a peerage; another suddenly remembered that he was second cousin to the premier.

Some laughed at the idea of a puppet premier in Lord Saxingham; others insinuated to Vargrave that he himself was not precisely of that standing in the country which would command respect to a new party, of which, if not the head, he would be the mouthpiece.