Speaking of them as a set, the chief offender was Mr.Harold Smith, or perhaps his wife.

He also was a member of Parliament, and, as many thought, a rising man.

His father had been for many years a debater in the House, and had held high office.
Harold, in early life, had intended himself for the Cabinet; and if working hard at his trade could ensure success, he ought to obtain it sooner or later.

He had already filled more than one subordinate station, had been at the Treasury, and for a month or two at the Admiralty, astonishing official mankind by his diligence.

Those last-named few months had been under Lord Aberdeen, with whom he had been forced to retire.