Arthur went on, "First of all, my relationship with Lord Brougham belongs to the realm of private friendship; it has no institutional connection either with his position in the House of Lords, or with your literary views."
"Second…" Arthur raised a finger. "In my capacity as a Civil Servant, I strictly observe the principle of political neutrality. It is not my responsibility to sift the speeches of any Your Excellency's friends, nor to hunt out arguments in defence of any particular bill."
Dickens stared at him for two seconds, as though trying to determine whether there were any hidden clauses concealed in that statement.
"Thirdly." Arthur lowered his finger, and his tone suddenly grew a shade more casual. "Everyone has his own political position; nothing could be more normal. If differences of opinion over certain trifling details were enough to damage private friendships, the London clubs ought to have shut their doors long ago."
