* * * * *
Marsham pleaded fatigue, and dined in his room. In the course of the
meal he inquired of his servant if Mr. Barrington had arrived.
"Yes, sir; he arrived in time for dinner."
"Ask him to come up afterward and see me here."
As he awaited the new-comer, Marsham had time to ponder what this visit
of a self-invited guest might mean. The support of the _Herald_ and its
brilliant editor had been so far one of Ferrier's chief assets. But
there had been some signs of wavering in its columns lately, especially
on two important questions likely to occupy the new Ministry in its
first session--matters on which the opinion of the Darcy, or advanced
section, was understood to be in violent conflict with that of Ferrier
and the senior members of the late Front Opposition Bench in general.
Barrington, no doubt, wished to pump him--one of Ferrier's
intimates--with regard to the latest phase of Ferrier's views on these
two principal measures. The leader himself was rather stiff and
old-fashioned with regard to journalists--gave too little information
where other men gave too much.
Oliver glanced in some disquiet at the pile of Ferrier's letters lying
beside him.
Pages:
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537