“It was bad enough,” said Mr. Mildmay, laughing.

“Bad enough indeed,” said Sir Marmaduke Morecombe, without any laughter.

“And such a good bill lost,” said Lord Plinlimmon.  “The worst of these failures is, that the same identical bill can never be brought in again.”

“So that if the lost bill was best, the bill that will not be lost can only be second best,” said the Lord Chancellor.

“I certainly did think that after the debate before Easter we should not have come to shipwreck about the ballot,” said Mr. Mildmay.

“It was brewing for us all along,” said Mr. Gresham, who then with a gesture of his hand and a pressure of his lips withheld words which he was nearly uttering, and which would not, probably, have been complimentary to Mr. Turnbull.  As it was, he turned half round and said something to Lord Cantrip which was not audible to any one else in the room.  It was worthy of note, however, that Mr. Turnbull’s name was not once mentioned aloud at that meeting.

“I am afraid it was brewing all along,” said Sir Marmaduke Morecombe gravely.

“Well, gentlemen, we must take it as we get it,” said Mr. Mildmay, still smiling.  “And now we must consider what we shall do at once.”  Then he paused as though expecting that counsel would come to him first from one colleague and then from another.  But no such counsel came, and probably Mr. Mildmay did not in the least expect that it would come.

“We cannot stay where we are, of course,” said the Duke.  The Duke was privileged to say as much as that.  But though every man in the room knew that it must be so, no one but the Duke would have said it, before Mr. Mildmay had spoken plainly himself.

“No,” said Mr. Mildmay; “I suppose that we can hardly stay where we are.  Probably none of us wish it, gentlemen.”  Then he looked round upon his colleagues, and there came a sort of an assent, though there were no spoken words.  The sound from Sir Marmaduke Morecombe was louder than that from the others;—­but yet from him it was no more than an attesting grunt.  “We have two things to consider,” continued Mr. Mildmay,—­and though he spoke in a very low voice, every word was heard by all present,—­“two things chiefly, that is; the work of the country and the Queen’s comfort.  I propose to see her Majesty this afternoon at five,—­that is, in something less than two hours’ time, and I hope to be able to tell the House by seven what has taken place between her Majesty and me.  My friend, his Grace, will do as much in the House of Lords.  If you agree with me, gentlemen, I will explain to the Queen that it is not for the welfare of the country that we should retain our places, and I will place your resignations and my own in her Majesty’s hands.”

“You will advise her Majesty to send for Lord de Terrier,” said Mr. Gresham.

“Certainly;—­there will be no other course open to me.”