“A poor thing,” he said, in effect, and did not add, “but mine own.”

If it was not his, certainly no one else would own it.  Irish Members received it with jeers.  JOHN MORLEY denounced it as a monstrous imposture.  SQUIRE OF MALWOOD benignantly affected to regard it as a little joke with which Ministers designed to vary a dull Session.  But a joke may be carried too far; better drop this now, and go to business.

Oddly enough, the storm of contumely had effect of inspiring Prince ARTHUR with new affection for his unwelcomed offspring, adding to the strength of his evidently new conviction that the proposed expedient was sound, and, if accepted, would prove efficacious.

“And what do you think of the Tory scheme of Home Rule,” I asked JUSTIN MCCARTHY, when it was all over.

“Timeo Danaos, et dona ferentes,” he said, dropping into his native Celtic speech.  “But in this case there is no room for apprehension.  BALFOUR may leave this wooden horse outside the gates for a month, and the Trojans wouldn’t touch it with a pair of tongs.”

Prince ARTHUR grew more confident as the clouds gathered.

“I see very well,” he said, “if I’m to stable this horse in the Home Rule Troy, I must drag it all the way myself.  I shall get no help from either section of the garrison.  But it’s got to be done, and I’ll buckle-to.  Once through, it will settle the more than ten years’ siege.”

Business done.—­Prince ARTHUR left tugging away at his wooden horse.

Friday Night.—­House of Lords almost deserted.  HALSBURY punctual in his place, making most of opportunities on Woolsack whilst they yet remain.

“Here to-day and gone to-morrow, TOBY,” he remarked, with forced gaiety; “but, when I hand in the Seals of Office, I shall at least have the serene assurance to cheer me in my retirement that the whole of my family, including collateral branches, have been provided for.”

Amongst the prevailing dolour, the MARKISS in high spirits.

“Things not looking well in the Commons or the country, I admit,” he says; “but all is not lost yet.  I have still a card to play, and I believe it will score the trick.  We shall presently have to go to the country, and fight a confident Opposition.  Successful Foreign Policy is played out.  Free Education has brought us no support; trifling with Home Rule in Ireland will bring us enemies.  Am convinced that the thing to go to the country on is the fog.  MIDDLETON’s our man.  Been thinking over it for a week.  See it now; shall take up question of London fog; devise some means of battling with it; and then let the worst come.  A Government that has fought the fog will at least carry London, and, London ours, we shall be able to stem the tide of anarchy.”

Business done.—­The MARKISS takes a great resolution.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  “THE HUNTING OF THE HARCOURT.”