‘Our rule?’ Stoper repeated the phrase thoughtfully. ‘You already speak as if we were two different peoples and not one.’

‘Yes,’ Arthur replied sadly. ‘That is so. It strikes at my heart to say it, Stoper, but we need to be cruel and heartless long before we can afford to make any kind of move towards relieving the burdens of the people of Ireland. We can only make concessions from a position of strength, or else open the doors to a flood of cries for reform. That would be a flood we could not control. So, for now, there is nothing I can do, save encourage the security of the state by whatever means are necessary.’

Stoper stared at his superior for a while before he pursed his lips. ‘If you say so, sir.’

It was long after dark when the carriage returned to the lodge at Phoenix Park. The driver wearily unloaded Arthur’s baggage as the Chief Secretary stepped down from the carriage and dismissed the dragoon escort before turning to his senior clerk.

‘You have the notes, Stoper. I want a report on our findings before the end of the week so that I can present them to his grace.’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Now then, you may take my carriage to convey you home. I expect to see you in my office before eight in the morning. Clear?’

‘Yes, sir.’

As the carriage rattled off, Arthur climbed the steps to the house and rapped on the door. For a moment there was silence, then he heard the rapid patter of approaching feet and an instant later the door was opened. A footman peered cautiously round the jamb, holding a lantern up to inspect the late-night caller. He relaxed when he recognised Arthur.

‘Thank God it’s you, sir.’

‘Why, who else were you expecting? Now see to my baggage.’

‘Yes, sir.’

The footman’s face resumed its fretful expression and he glanced past Arthur into the drive until Arthur snapped at him. ‘Well? What are you waiting for?’

‘My apologies, sir, but we are expecting the physician at any moment.’

‘What?’ Arthur felt a stab of fear and anxiety. ‘What has happened, man? Tell me.’

‘It’s young Arthur, sir. He’s fallen ill.’

‘Ill?’ Arthur felt his stomach clench. ‘Out of my way.’

He ran up the steps and into the house. Taking the stairs two at a time, he raced to the first floor and along the corridor towards the bedrooms, the sound of his boots echoing off the walls. A door opened at the end of the corridor and Kitty emerged from the baby’s room. By the dim light of the candle burning in a bracket outside the door Arthur could see that she had been crying and even in the warm glow of the flame she looked ashen. Arthur’s footsteps faltered as he approached and a sick certainty that their son was dying struck him like a blow to the whole body.