In such a situation it was just possible that Mr.Chamberlain would escape from his position with flying colours; would have the _Daily News_ censured for falsehood by a House of Commons that believed in its truth; and have himself declared chivalrous by a Parliament that knows him to be malignant, unscrupulous, and merciless.

To prevent such a catastrophe it was a painful but necessary duty to bring out the realities of the case; and not only a painful but also a thankless duty in face of what everybody knew would be the attitude of Mr.Gladstone himself.
[Sidenote: Mr.Gladstone shakes his head.] For Mr.Gladstone did not delay long in indicating to the House what his attitude would be.

When I was speaking and denouncing the rude interruptions of the eventful Thursday night, he shook his head ominously and in contradiction--though manifestations which came from Liberal and Irish Benches showed that he stood alone in his view of the events of that night.

And it was no surprise to the House, therefore, when he stood up and said that he entirely disclaimed any feeling of resentment for anything that had been done to him, and that he confessed he had not perceived the interruptions to which the report of the _Daily News_ had called attention.

After this, there seemed no more to be said; but the battle was not yet over.