Burke, in
the House of Commons, openly announced this result. He was most
earnestly inveighing against France, when he said, "It may be indiscreet
in me at my time of life to provoke enemies, and give occasion to
friends to desert me." Fox whispered, "There is no loss of friends."
Burke for a moment paused, and then exclaimed, "Yes, there is a loss of
friends; I know the price of my conduct. I have done my duty at the
expense of my friend. Our friendship is at an end." As he finished,
Burke walked across the floor of the House, and squeezed himself between
Pitt and Dundas on the Treasury Bench. Fox rose to reply, while tears
streamed down his face. In the course of his remarks he intimated that
Burke had heaped upon him the most ignominious terms. Burke at once said
that he did not recollect having used any; when Fox replied, "My right
honorable friend does not recollect the epithets. They are out of his
mind. Then they are completely and forever out of mine. I cannot cherish
a recollection so painful; and from this moment they are obliterated and
forgotten.
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