By the time Mr.Gladstone has given his answers, Mr.Balfour has managed to slightly recover himself, and has framed a question to the Old Man.
[Sidenote: The precedent of 1887.] When at last the question does come, it is of a very innocent character.
The Old Man has declared that he had not the terms of the resolution ready, but that they would be announced to the House before its rising in the evening.

All Mr.Balfour wishes to know is, what time it will be when these terms are given.

Such is the simple question; but the reply is of a very different character.

It was delivered in studiously moderate terms; the voice of Mr.Gladstone never rises above a sweet coo; but there is fire, defiance, inflexible determination in every syllable, and the first blow is struck when the wily Old Man announces--as though it were the merest business affair--that the closure resolution which the Government will introduce, is founded upon the principle of the resolution of 1887.

He can go no further for several seconds.