text: If the election were to occur now , the result would be extremely doubtful , and although most of our discreet friends are sanguine of the result , my impression is , the chances would be against us .
simplified: If the election were to occur now , the result would be extremely doubtful ( not sure ) , and although most of our discreet friends are sanguine of the result , my impression is , the chances would be against us .