The Government Whips were fairly caught napping and were beaten by twelve votes." Dartrey's eyes flashed.
"Tallente is a most wonderful tactician," he said.

"This is the second time he's forced the Government into a hole.

Horlock will never last the session, at this rate." "There are rumours of a resignation, of course," Miller went on, "but they aren't likely to go out on a snatched division like this." "We don't want them to," Dartrey agreed.

"All the time, though, this sort of thing is weakening their prestige.

We shall be ready to give them their coup de grace in about four months." The two men were silent for a moment.