It is as much a matter of course that a Minister should dislike Parliament now as that a Stuart King should have done so two hundred and fifty years ago.

To get a Session over and done with is an achievement and a delight." "No Ministry can go on long on that far niente principle, and no minister who accedes to it will remain long in any ministry." Sir Timothy in saying this might be alluding to the Duke, or the reference might be to Sir Orlando himself.

"Of course, I'm not in the Cabinet, and am not entitled to say a word; but I think that if I were in the Cabinet, and if I were anxious,--which I confess I'm not,--for a continuation of the present state of things, I should endeavour to obtain from the Duke some idea of his policy for the next Session." Sir Orlando was a man of certain parts.

He could speak volubly,--and yet slowly,--so that reporters and others could hear him.

He was patient, both in the House and in his office, and had the great gift of doing what he was told by men who understood things better than he did himself.