Bishops, who had become less pure by contact with the world at clubs, shrugged their shoulders and wagged their heads, and remembered comfortably the sanctity of vested interests.
Statesmen listened to them with politeness, and did not deny that they were true.

In the free intercourse of closest friendships the matter was discussed between ex-Secretaries of State.

The Press teemed with the assertion that it was only a question of time.

Some fervent, credulous friends predicted another century of life;--some hard-hearted logical opponents thought that twenty years would put an end to the anomaly:--a few stout enemies had sworn on the hustings with an anathema that the present Session should see the deposition from her high place of this eldest daughter of the woman of Babylon.
But none had expected the blow so soon as this; and none certainly had expected it from this hand.
But what should the Liberal party do?
Ratler was for opposing Mr.
Daubeny with all their force, without touching the merits of the case.

It was no fitting work for Mr.Daubeny, and the suddenness of the proposition coming from such a quarter would justify them now and for ever, even though they themselves should disestablish everything before the Session were over.