Her first impression on the overthrow of
her hero was, astonishment at the impertinence of his
adversaries, mingled with some lofty pity for their silly
ambition and short-lived career. She existed for a week in
the delightful expectation of his grace being sent for again,
and informed every one in confidence, that "these people could
not form a cabinet." When the tocsin of peace, reform, and
retrenchment sounded, she smiled bitterly; was sorry for poor
Lord Grey of whom she had thought better, and gave them a
year, adding with consoling malice, "that it would be another
Canning affair." At length came the Reform Bill itself, and no
one laughed more heartily than Lady Marney; not even the House
of Commons to whom it was presented.
The bill was thrown out, and Lady Marney gave a grand ball to
celebrate the event, and to compensate the London shopkeepers
for the loss of their projected franchise. Lady Marney was
preparing to resume her duties at court when to her great
surprise the firing of cannon announced the dissolution of
Parliament. She turned pale; she was too much in the secrets
of Tadpole and Taper to be deceived as to the consequences;
she sank into her chair, and denounced Lord Grey as a traitor
to his order.
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