Mr.Howard is too wise to trouble himself with politics." And I thought some of them had a queer way of looking at me.
"A deceiver or a dupe ?" I heard one ask another, trusting too far the proverbial dulness of British ears.
The topic of the evening was, of course, the fall of the ministry--a matter of great moment at that time, and, it may be, through all the ages--though a recital of its possible effects would be but dull reading to-day.

When a chain is riven, the casual on-looker takes but small interest in the history of each link.

This event of December, 1869, was in truth an important link in the chain of strange events that go to make up the history of the shortest and most marvellous of the great dynasties of the world.
I stood among those politicians and wondered what the greatest of their race at that time living thought of these matters in the Tuileries Palace hard by.

I could picture him sitting, as was his wont--a grave man with a keen sense of humour--with his head a little on one side, his large, still face drawn and pale--the evidence of his malady around his dull eyes.

Was the game played out?
The greatest since that so gloriously won--so miserably lost at length--by his uncle.