Some spoke briefly and haltingly, some laboriously attempted to adapt the phraseology of the Prayer-Book to the sentiment of the moment, a few had the gift of rapid and even eloquent supplication.

These last were the hardest to endure.

They prefaced their requests with fantastic eulogies of England's righteousness, designed apparently for the edification of the audience present in the flesh, for they invariably began by assuring the Almighty that He was well aware of the facts, and generally apologized to Him for recapitulating them.

Hyacinth's anger increased as he heard the fervent groans which expressed the unanimous conviction of the justice of the petitions.

No one seemed to think it possible that the right could be on the other side.
When the meeting was over, the secretary, whose name, it appeared, was Mackenzie, greeted Hyacinth warmly.
'Glad to have you with us,' he said.