Still he wanted to have a word in, and more than once he showed signs of rising to his feet.

But he stopped half-way, and, when he did finally get up, Mr.Balfour was before him, and he had to sit down again.

Then his opportunity was lost, for Mr.Balfour had declared that he was perfectly satisfied with what Sir William Harcourt had done, and that prevented Joe from entering on the filibustering tactics which apparently he contemplated.

This appeared to the whole House to be a very distinct and unpleasant snub for Joseph.

A short time afterwards he and Mr.Balfour were seen in the lobby, engaged in a conversation that was apparently vehement, and everybody jumped to the conclusion that they were having it out, and that Joseph was resenting the rejection of his advice with that haughtiness of temper which is so well-known a characteristic of the Radical whom wealth has converted into a leader of the aristocracy.
The papers afterwards contained an announcement that the two conspirators against Mr.Gladstone's Government were in the heartiest accord.