But what if Mr.Supplehouse himself were a puppet?
Some months afterwards, when the much-belaboured head of affairs was in very truth made to retire, when unkind shells were thrown in against him in great numbers, when he exclaimed, "_Et tu, Brute!_" till the words were stereotyped upon his lips, all men in all places talked much about the great Gatherum Castle confederation.

The Duke of Omnium, the world said, had taken into his high consideration the state of affairs, and seeing with his eagle's eye that the welfare of his countrymen at large required that some great step should be initiated, he had at once summoned to his mansion many members of the Lower House, and some also of the House of Lords,--mention was here especially made of the all-venerable and all-wise Lord Boanerges; and men went on to say that there, in deep conclave, he had made known to them his views.

It was thus agreed that the head of affairs, Whig as he was, must fall.

The country required it, and the duke did his duty.

This was the beginning, the world said, of that celebrated confederation, by which the ministry was overturned, and--as the _Goody Twoshoes_ added--the country saved.