"The Lords did, as I told thee they would,--that is, the Lords and the bishops together." "The bishops ought to be unfrocked," cried Edgar, with considerable temper. "Only one in all their number voted for Reform." "I'll never go to church again," said Mrs. Atheling, in her unreasonable anger. "Tell us about it, Father," urged Kate. "Well, you see, Mr. Peel and Mr. Croker led our party against the Bill; and Croker _is_ clever, there is no doubt of that." "Not to be compared to Lord Althorp, our leader,--so calm, so courageous, so upright," said Edgar. "Nobody denies it; but Croker's practical, vigorous views--" "You mean his 'sanguine despondency,' his delight in describing England as bankrupt and ruined by Reform." "I mean nothing of the kind, Edgar; but--" "Did the Bill pass the Commons, Father?" asked Kate. "It did; although in fifteen days Peel spoke forty-eight times against it, and Croker fifty-seven times, and Wetherell fifty-eight times. But all they could say was just so many lost words." "Think of such men disputing the right of Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham to be represented in the House of Commons! What do you say to that, Mother?" "I only hope father wasn't in such a stupid bit of business, Edgar." And the Squire drank a glass of ale, and pretended not to hear. "But," continued Edgar, "we never lost heart; for all over the country, and in every quarter of London, they were holding meetings urging us not to give way,--not to give way an inch. We were fighting for all England; and, as Lord Althorp said, we were ready to keep Parliament sitting till next December, or even to next December twelvemonth." "I'll warrant you!" interrupted the Squire. "Well, Edgar, you passed your Bill in a fine uproar of triumph; all London in the street, shouting thanks to Althorp and the others--Edgar Atheling among them." Then the Squire paused and looked at his son, and Mrs. Atheling asked, impatiently,-- "What then, John?" "Why, then, Lord John Russell and Lord Althorp carried the Bill to the House of Lords. It was a great scene. The Duke told me about it. He said nearly every peer was in his seat; and a large number of peeresses had been admitted at the bar, and every inch of space in the House was crowded. The Lord Chancellor took his seat at the Woolsack; and the Deputy Usher of the Black Rod threw open the doors, crying, 'A Message from the Commons.' Then Lord John Russell and Lord Althorp, at the head of one hundred Members of the House of Commons, entered, and delivered the Bill to the Lord Chancellor." "Oh, how I should have liked to have been present!" said Kate.