"
The new Secretary of State threw himself back in his garden chair, his
hands behind his head. Cowley wrote well; but the old fellow did not,
after all, know much about it, in spite of his boasted experiences at
that sham and musty court of St.-Germain's. Is it true that men who have
climbed high are always thirsty to climb higher? No! "What is my feeling
now? Simply a sense of _opportunity_. A man may be glad to have the
chance of leaving his mark on England."
Thoughts rose in him which were not those of a pessimist--thoughts,
however, which the wise man will express as little as possible, since
talk profanes them. The concluding words of Peel's great Corn Law speech
ran through his memory, and thrilled it. He was accused of indifference
to the lot of the poor. It was not true. It never had been true.
"Hullo! who comes?"
Mrs. Colwood was running over the lawn, bringing apparently a letter,
and a newspaper.
She came up, a little breathless.
"This letter has just come for you, Mr. Ferrier, by special messenger.
And Miss Mallory asked me to bring you the newspaper."
Ferrier took the letter, which was bulky and addressed in the Premier's
handwriting.
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