The very men who had discussed with him the question of the division,--who had discussed it with him because his vote was then as good as that of any other member,--did not care to talk to him about the distribution of places.

He, at any rate, could not be one of them.

He, at any rate, could not be a rival.

He could neither mar nor assist.

He could not be either a successful or a disappointed sympathiser,--because he could not himself be a candidate.