[Sidenote: Revolution or resolution.]
He spoke not of the resolution, but of the revolution. He corrected the
slip with great rapidity, but he was not quick enough for his watchful
enemies, and loudly--discordantly--triumphantly--they repeated the word
after him--Revolution--Revolution. However, Mr. Gladstone, after his
Socratic fashion, lowered his eyes for a moment and went off into one of
those abstract reveries whither he always allows his fancy to wend its
way whenever his opponents are particularly rancorous. Then he described
the resolution--not the revolution--as in the interest of the
convenience and liberty of the House. But he immediately added--with the
sweetest smile--that Mr. Balfour would doubtless form his own judgment
on that point; and then, still calm, sweet, with the tendency to the
reverie of the good man grossly misjudged by sinful opponents, he sat
him down.
[Sidenote: An awkward moment.]
In the midst of the exultation which the announcement of the Government
had produced in the Liberal ranks, there came a difficulty and a
humiliation. An amendment had been proposed, Mr. Gladstone had twice
opposed it, everything pointed to its ignominious rejection, and, in
view of the coming closure, everybody seemed to want rapid despatch.
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