He fastened on the picturesque aspects of Disraeli's career, and touched them with an artist's hand.

As to what it all meant, or whether it meant anything, he left his readers as much, in the dark as they were before.

My own theory, if one must have a theory, is that one word explains Disraeli, and that that word is "ambition." If so, he was one of the most marvellously successful men that ever lived.

If not, and if a different standard should be applied, other consequences would ensue.

Froude gives no help in the solution of the problem.