But, amid all the palpable terror, the Cecil insolence was still there, and Lord Cranborne declared that, though he had used the phrase, he had not intended it for the House, and that it was true.
Since his relative, Lord Wolmer, made the lamest and meanest apology the House of Commons had ever heard, there never had been anything to equal this.

The House groaned aloud in disgust and contempt; even his own side was as abashed as when Brookfield sought to interrupt Mr.Davitt.

The Speaker, quietly, but visibly moved and disgusted, at once told the insolent young creature that this was not sufficient, and that an apology was due--to which the Cecil hopeling proceeded to do with as bad a grace and in as odious a style as it was possible for it to be done.
Mr.Asquith's splendid self-control and mastery of the House bore the ordeal of even this odious incident, and he wound up the speech with one of the finest and most remarkable perorations which has ever been heard in that great assembly.

Calm, self-restrained, almost frigid in delivery, chaste and sternly simple in language, Mr.Asquith's peroration reached a height that few men could ever attain.

The still House sate with its members raised to their highest point of endurance, and it was almost a relief when the stately flow came to an end, and men were able to relieve their pent-up tide of feeling..