For the moment he sits silent and expectant.

He has even refused to take his rightful place among the leaders of the party on the Front Opposition Bench.

Still he sits in the corner immediately behind, which is the spectral throne of exiled rulers.

He has the power of all strong natures of creating around him an atmosphere of uncertainty, apprehension, and fear.

Of all the many problems of this Session of probably fierce personal conflict, this was the most unreadable sphinx.
[Sidenote: Reaction.] There came upon the House at the beginning of the following week a deadly calm, very much in contrast with the storm and stress of its predecessor.