The Paymaster had been induced by his friends to absent himself during part of the discussion.

But his anxiety had become insupportable.

He come down to the Speaker's chamber, heard part of the debate, withdrew, and, after hesitating for an hour or two between conscience and five thousand pounds a year, took a manly resolution and rushed into the House just in time to vote.

Two officers of the army, Colonel John Darcy, son of the Lord Conyers, and Captain James Kendall, withdrew to the lobby.

Middleton went down to the bar and expostulated warmly with them.