The fact was faintly denied, and a pretence was still made that no pact: existed beyond a common patriotism.

But the pretence failed altogether; for it was evident that the leaders on either side, so far from leading in divergent directions, were much closer to each other than to their own followers.

The power of these leaders had enormously increased; but the distance between them had diminished, or, rather, disappeared.

It was said about 1800, in derision of the Foxite rump, that the Whig Party came down to Parliament in a four-wheeler.

It might literally be said in 1900 that the Whig Party and the Tory Party came to Parliament in a hansom cab.