I, riding alongside, caught fragments of their conversation.
"What you say is all true, Mr.Halifax; and you say it well.

But what can we do?
Our English constitution is perfect--that is, as perfect as anything human can be.

Yet corruptions will arise; we regret, we even blame--but we cannot remove them.

It is impossible." "Do you think, Sir Ralph, that the Maker of this world--which, so far as we can see, He means like all other of His creations gradually to advance toward perfection--do you think He would justify us in pronouncing any good work therein 'impossible' ?" "You talk like a young man," said the baronet, half sadly.

"Coming years will show you the world and the ways of it in a clearer light." "I earnestly hope so." Sir Ralph glanced sideways at him--perhaps with a sort of envy of the very youth which he thus charitably excused as a thing to be allowed for till riper wisdom came.