This art of speaking in Parliament, which had appeared to him to be so grand, seemed already to be a humdrum, homely, dull affair. No one seemed to listen much to what was said. To such as himself,--Members without an acquired name,--men did not seem to listen at all. Mr. Palliser had once, in his hearing, spoken for two hours together, and all the House had treated his speech with respect,--had declared that it was useful, solid, conscientious, and what not; but more than half the House had been asleep more than half the time that he was on his legs. Vavasor had not as yet commenced his career as an orator; but night after night, as he sat there, the chance of commencing it with brilliance seemed to be further from him, and still further. Two thousand pounds of his own money, and two thousand more of Alice's money,--or of Mr. Grey's,--he had already spent to make his way into that assembly. He must spend, at any rate, two thousand more if he intended that his career should be prolonged beyond a three months' sitting;--and how was he to get this further sum after what had taken place to-day?

This art of speaking in Parliament, which had appeared to him to be so grand, seemed already to be a humdrum, dull affair. No one seemed to listen much to what was said. Mr. Palliser had once spoken for two hours together, and all the House had treated his speech with respect - had declared that it was useful, solid, conscientious, and what not; but more than half the House had been asleep during it.
Vavasor's chance of brilliance seemed to be further from him, and still further. He had already spent two thousand pounds of his own money, and two thousand more of Alice's - or Mr. Grey's. He must spend two thousand more to prolong his career; and how was he to get that after what had taken place today?
