The Lords gathered round him, and many personally
congratulated him upon his distinguished success. The debate took
its course. At three o'clock the pro-Catholics found themselves in
a minority, but a minority in which the prescient might have well
discovered the herald of future justice. The speech of the Duke of St.
James was the speech of the night.
The Duke walked into White's. It was crowded. The first man who welcomed
him was Annesley. He congratulated the Duke with a warmth for which the
world did not give him credit.
'I assure you, my dear St. James, that I am one of the few people whom
this display has not surprised. I have long observed that you were
formed for something better than mere frivolity. And between ourselves
I am sick of it. Don't be surprised if you hear that I go to Algiers.
Depend upon it that I am on the point of doing something dreadful.'
'Sup with me, St. James,' said Lord Squib; 'I will ask O'Connell to meet
you.'
Lord Fitz-pompey and Lord Darrell were profuse in congratulations; but
he broke away from them to welcome the man who now advanced. He was one
of whom he never thought without a shudder, but whom, for all that, he
greatly liked.
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