‘Religion be damned. There is no such thing as an Irishman any more, Stoper. We are all subjects of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland now.’ Even as he spoke Arthur could not help wincing at the clumsiness of the official title.

Stoper shrugged.‘Very well, sir. I just thought it would be best if you were aware of the situation you, and his grace, are inheriting.’

‘Well, I thank you for your briefing. I can assure you that it is my intention to carry out my duties for the good of all Ireland’s people. But I will not brook any disloyalty, especially not from those who work directly for the government. Do I make myself clear?’

‘Admirably, sir.’

‘Very well then, we’ll speak no more of this, Stoper.’ Arthur eased himself back in his chair with a deep sigh.‘And now, I’m afraid we must deal with the first item of business. Namely answering all this correspondence.’

He reached for his letter opener. Slitting the first missive open he unfolded it and quickly read through the contents. Lady Ellesmere humbly requested that her sister’s daughter’s husband be found a minor office at the castle in order that he might earn an income to befit his newly married status.Young Henry was a gracious young man and not without some ability and charm. Arthur put the letter to one side and opened the next as Stoper sat and waited patiently.This time it was from a former army officer whose leg had been crushed under a supply wagon, who as a consequence had been discharged from his regiment. Knowing that the new Chief Secretary was a soldier, this former comrade in arms wondered if Arthur might be prevailed upon to find a position for a brother officer down on his luck.

Arthur looked at the pile of letters. ‘All these arrived today?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘And am I likely to receive more in the days to come?’

‘I’m afraid these are only the first of many, sir.’

Arthur glared at the pile with undisguised malevolence. ‘Is there any procedure for dealing with such correspondence?’

Stoper coughed. ‘If you refer it to me I can prioritise these for you, sir.’

‘On what basis?’ Arthur asked as he reached for the next letter.

‘Political expediency, sir. The letters will be arranged according to the rank of the sender. Those from titled persons I will place on your desk and those from commoners I will answer on your behalf, declining their services in suitably apologetic tones.’

Arthur looked at his chief clerk for a moment. ‘Can’t say I care for such a system’

‘It worked well enough for your predecessors, sir.’