The Premier sat, head cocked, with an ironical smile at the cheering, but he was wondering whether, after all, his man was sure; whether he could stand this fire, and reverse his engine quite as he intended.

One of the previous speakers was furious, came over and appealed to Lord Faramond, who merely said, "Wait." Gaston kept on.

The flippant amusement of the Opposition continued.
Something, however, in his grim steadiness began to impress his own party as the other, while from more than one quarter of the House there came a murmur of sympathy.

His courage, his stone-cold strength, the disdain which was coming into his voice, impressed them, apart from his argument or its bearing on the previous debate.

Lord Faramond heard the occasional murmurs of approval and smiled.