The Life Of Charles Stewart Parnell - Ii

/Ex. 43] EXTRACTS PROM A DIARY 219
1 Sunday, 19th of March.
* A most exciting evening. Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone dined here, and Mr. Parnell. After dinner Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Parnell had a long talk. Mr. Gladstone of course assumed that Mr. Parnell knew all about the ancient history of Ireland, and when he said : " That occurred, you will remember, in "41," Mr. Parnell looked as if he didn't know what century, and didn't the least care.
'I thought Mr. Parnell most fascinating. He is very tall, grave, and quiet; rather amusing, in a serious, dry way, and—though he gives one the impression of being very reserved and perfectly impassive— perfectly willing to talk over everybody and everything. 1 had thought it would be uphill work finding subjects of conversation, an I imagined we could not discuss the Commission or mention " Parnellism and Crime/' and 1 thought I should run dry over the Avondalemino. But before I knew where 1 was we wore deep in Pigott, and ha was tolling mo all about the interview at Labouchero's, where Panioll, Labouchere, and Lewis mot rigott. <f Labouchero said to Pigott: * I suppose you wanted to take the "Times1' in1?' and Pigott to But all of a sudden, turning to
Parnell, he said, * What should you say if 1 brought out a man who would swear to having had the letters in his possession and having sold them to me ?' Parnell answered : * Mr. Pigott, you will hardly find another such a scoundrel as yourself in the world.' "
* Mr. Pamoll told me that all through Pigott's oxamination-in-chiof he almost despaired of being able to prove the forgeries—Pigott's story seemed so well composed, and lie himself so calm and collected. We talked a little about Homo Itulo and the future of Ire- A full Mr,