Adverse members of both Houses had
arrayed themselves in a pure panoply of morality, and thundered forth
their sarcasms with the indignant virtue and keen discontent of
political Juvenals; and even his own friends had held up their hands
in dismay. Under those circumstances he had thought himself obliged
in the present instance to select a man who would not be especially
objectionable to any party. Now Harold Smith lived with his wife, and
his circumstances were not more than ordinarily embarrassed. He kept
no race-horses; and, as Lord Brock now heard for the first time,
gave lectures in provincial towns on popular subjects. He had a seat
which was tolerably secure, and could talk to the House by the yard
if required to do so. Moreover, Lord Brock had a great idea that
the whole machinery of his own ministry would break to pieces very
speedily. His own reputation was not bad, but it was insufficient
for himself and that lately selected friend of his. Under all these
circumstances combined, he chose Harold Smith to fill the vacant
office of Lord Petty Bag. And very proud the Lord Petty Bag was.
For the last three or four months, he and Mr. Supplehouse had been
agreeing to consign the ministry to speedy perdition. "This sort
of dictatorship will never do," Harold Smith had himself said,
justifying that future vote of his as to want of confidence in the
Queen's Government.
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