“Caution is the badge of all our tribe,” said Balfour, with a burlesque gravity. “By the way, Pemberton, his Excellency is greatly disappointed at the issue of these Cork trials; why did n't you hang these fellows?” “Juries can no more be coerced here than in England; they brought them in not guilty.” “We know all that, and we ask you why? There certainly was little room for doubt in the evidence.” “When you have lived longer in Ireland, Mr. Balfour, you will learn that there are other considerations in a trial than the testimony of the witnesses.” “That's exactly what I said to his Excellency; and I remarked, 'If Pemberton comes into the House, he must prepare for a sharp attack about these trials.'” “And it is exactly to ascertain if I am to enter Parliament that I have come here to-day,” said the other, angrily. “Bring me the grateful tidings that the Lord Chief Baron has joined his illustrious predecessors in that distinguished court, I 'll answer you in five minutes.” “Beattie declares he is better this morning. He says that he has in all probability years of life before him.” “There 's nothing so hard to kill as a judge, except it be an archbishop. I believe a sedentary life does it; they say if a fellow will sit still and never move he may live to any age.” Pemberton took an impatient turn up and down the room, and then wheeling about directly in front of Balfour, said, “If his Excellency knew, perhaps, that I do not want the House of Commons--” “Not want the House,--not wish to be in Parliament?” “Certainly not. If I enter the House, it is as a law-officer of the Crown; personally it is no object to me.” “I'll not tell him that, Pem. I'll keep your secret safe, for I tell you frankly it would ruin you to reveal it.” “It's no secret, sir; you may proclaim it,--you may publish it in the 'Gazette,' But really we are wasting much valuable time here. It is now two o'clock, and I must go down to Court. I have only to say that if no arrangement be come to before this time to-morrow--” He stopped short. Another word might have committed him, but he pulled up in time. “Well, what then?” asked Balfour, with a half smile. “I have heard you pride yourself, Mr. Balfour,” said the other, recovering, “on your skill in nice negotiation; why not try what you could do with the Chief Baron?” “Are there women in the family?” said Balfour, caressing his moustache. “No; only his wife.” “I 've seen her,” said he, contemptuously. “He quarrelled with his only son, and has not spoken to him, I believe, for nigh thirty years, and the poor fellow is struggling on as a country doctor somewhere in the west.” “What if we were to propose to do something for him? Men are often not averse to see those assisted whom their own pride refuses to help.” “I scarcely suspect you 'll acquire his gratitude that way.”