the English Church, the county suffrage, the income tax, and
further education questions,--all men knew who knew anything.
But for the moment, for the months even, perhaps for the session,
there was to be peace, with full latitude for the performance of
routine duties. There was so to say no opposition, and at first
it seemed that one special bench in the House of Commons would
remain unoccupied. But after a day or two,--on one which Mr
Daubney had been seen sitting just below the gangway,--that
gentleman returned to the place usually held by the Prime
Minister's rival, saying with a smile that it might be for the
convenience of the House that the seat should be utilized. Mr
Gresham, at this time, had with declared purpose, asked and
obtained the Speaker's leave of absence, and was abroad. Who
should lead the House? That had been a great question, caused by
the fact that the Prime Minister was in the House of Lords;--and
what office should the leader hold? Mr Monk had consented to
take the Exchequer, but the right to sit opposite to the Treasure
Box and to consider himself for the time the principal spirit in
that chamber was at last assigned to Sir Orlando Drought. 'It
will never do,' said Mr Rattler to Mr Roby. 'I don't mean to say
anything against Drought, who had always been a very useful man
to your party;--but he lacks something of the position.'

'The fact is,' said Roby, 'that we've trusted to two men so long
that we don't know how to suppose anyone else big enough to fill
their places. Monk wouldn't have done. The House doesn't care
about Monk.'

'I always thought it should have been Wilson, and so I told the
Duke. He had an idea that it should be one of your men.'