This is one of the curiosities of Parliamentary and British nature--that the moments of tensest feeling are so often those which, to a stranger, would appear listless, indifferent, impassive.

Mr.
Asquith spoke in tones suitable to the temper of the assembly.

This was a very grave matter, he said; but it was for the moment before the courts of law, and his lips were sealed.

And so the subject dropped.
[Sidenote: Mr.Gladstone.] The people were asking themselves what would happen, when Mr.Gladstone entered the House; but if there had been any desire to mark the occasion, he himself prevented it.

He dropped more quietly into his seat than usual, and at the moment when, to a thin House, Sir William was giving one of those gentle and beatific answers to which I have already alluded.