But fifteen--! Mr.Whip Vigil thought that the committee would be the most safe.

So would the outer world be brought to confess that the interests of Limehouse and Poplar, Rotherhithe and Deptford, had not been overlooked by a careful Government.
But of whom was the committee to be made up?
That was now the question which to Mr.Nogo, in his hour of temporary greatness, was truly momentous.

He of course was to be the chairman, and to him appertained the duty of naming the other members; of naming them indeed--so much he could undoubtedly do by the strength of his own privilege.

But of what use to name a string of men to whom Mr.Vigil would not consent?
Mr.Nogo, did he do so, would have to divide on every name, and be beaten at every division.
There would be no triumph in that.

No; Mr.Nogo fully understood that his triumph must be achieved--if he were destined to a triumph--by an astute skill in his selection, not by an open choice of friends.