Part 22 (2/2)
That little touch of covert insolence was sufficient; by a sort of instinct the incalculable values of heredity, training, and position a.s.serted themselves. The King's lips parted in the shy nervous smile which charmed every one. ”Mr. Prime Minister,” he said, ”I am perfectly willing to meet you at any future time you may like to name.” He took up the agenda paper as he spoke and turned to the Minister of the Interior.
”The Home Secretary,” said his Majesty, ”will now read his report.”
Before they knew where they were the Council had pa.s.sed on to its accustomed routine.
III
n.o.body looked at the Prime Minister's face just then; for the moment he had been beaten, though the person who appeared least aware of it was the King.
But, of course, it was for the moment only. And when at a later hour of the day, with mind made resolute, the Prime Minister sought his promised interview, the monarch was no longer at an advantage. Dialectically he could not meet and match his opponent, and he had no longer that subtle advantage which presidency at a board of ministers confers. Speaking as man to man the head of the Government did not feel bound to observe that tradition of half-servile approach which in the hearing of others fetters the mouths of ministers.
The Jubilee celebrations were now over, the Parliamentary vacation approached; and what before had been mere talk and threat could now be put into instant action. And so when he had given the King his run, and listened to the royal obstinacy in all its varying phrases of repet.i.tion, contradiction, reproach, till it reached its final stage of blank immobility, he formally tendered the Ministry's resignation.
The King sat and thought for a while, for now it was clear that one way or the other he must make up his mind. All those strings of red tape, which he had meant to tie with such dilatory cunning hung loose in his grasp; to a Cabinet really set on resignation he could not apply them.
Just as his hands had seemed full of power they became empty again. He knew that at the present moment no other ministry was possible, and that a general election was more likely to accentuate than to solve his difficulties; and so in sober chagrin he sat and thought, and the Prime Minister (as he noticed) was so sure of his power that he did not even trouble to watch the process of the royal hesitation resolving itself.
When after an appreciable time the King spoke he seemed to have arrived nowhere.
”This is the fifth time,” he said, ”that you have offered me resignation: and you know that I am still unable to accept it.”
The Prime Minister bowed his head; he knew it very well, there was no need for words.
”And you know that I am still entirely unconvinced.”
”For that,” said the minister, ”I must take blame; since it shows that my advocacy in so strong a case has been very imperfect.”
”Oh, not at all,” said the King. ”I think you have shown even more than your accustomed ability.”
”That is a compliment which--if it may be permitted--I can certainly return to your Majesty.”
”I have felt very strongly upon this matter,” said the King.
”We all do, sir--one way or the other. With great questions that is inevitable.”
”You admit it is a great question?”
”I should never have so troubled your Majesty were it a small one.”
The King's thoughts s.h.i.+fted.
”What a pity it is,” said he, ”that I and my ministers have never been friends.”
”Have not loyal service and humble duty some claim to be so regarded?”
inquired the Prime Minister. But the King let this official veneer of the facts pa.s.s unregarded.
”It would have helped things,” he went on. ”As it is, when I differ from my ministers I am all alone. It is in moments of difficulty like this that the head of the State realizes his weakness.”
<script>