Gladstone. Almost
shouting out the word, "Betrayed!" he pointed a threatening and scornful
finger at the head of Mr. Gladstone, and the Tories and Unionists
frantically cheered.
It was more than ten o'clock when Mr. Balfour rose. The assembly was
brilliant in its density, its character, its pent-up emotion, and in
many respects the speech was worthy of the occasion. He was wise enough
not to entangle himself in the inextricable network of clauses and
sub-sections. In broad, general lines he assailed the policy of the Bill
and of the Government, and now and then worked up his party to almost
frenzied excitement. The cheers of the Tories were taken up by the
Unionists, who thronged their benches with unusual density of
attendance. Now and then there were fierce protests from the Irish
Benches; but, on the whole, they were patient, self-restrained, and
silent.
[Sidenote: Gladstone.]
Mr. Gladstone, meantime, was down early, after but a short stay for
dinner. His face had that rapt look of reverie which it wears on all
these solemn and great occasions, and there was a slightly deadlier
pallor on the cheek. Mr. Balfour persisted with his speech to the bitter
end, and now and then Mr.
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