But I was out of the game now.

How could it be otherwise?
It was not likely that Cabinet Ministers and Admiralty Lords and Generals would admit me to their councils.
I actually began to wish that I could run up against one of my three enemies.

That would lead to developments.

I felt that I wanted enormously to have a vulgar scrap with those gentry, where I could hit out and flatten something.

I was rapidly getting into a very bad temper.
I didn't feel like going back to my flat.