第14章

ItsuddenlyoccurredtoVictoria，inthelightofanewdiscovery，thatinthepastherfather\'sirritabilityhadnotextendedtoher。Andthisdiscovery，sheknew，oughttohavesomesignificance，butshefeltunaccountablyindifferenttoit。Mr。Flintwalkedtoawindowatthefarendoftheroomandflungapartthetightlyclosedcurtainsbeforeit。

“Inevercangetusedtothisnew-fangledwayofshuttingeverythinguptight，“hedeclared。“WhenIlivedinCentreStreet，Iusedtoreadwiththecurtainsupeverynight，andnobodyevershotme。“Hestoodlookingoutatthestarlightforawhile，andturnedandfacedheragain。

“Ihaven\'tseenmuchofyouthissummer，Victoria，“heremarked。

“I\'msorry，father。YouknowIalwaysliketowalkwithyoueverydayyouarehere。“Hehadarousedhersufficientlytohaveadistinctsensethatthiswasnotthetimetorefertothewarningshehadgivenhimthathewasworkingtoohard。Buthewasevidentlybentonputtingthisconstructiononheranswer。

“SeveraltimesIhaveaskedforyou，andyouhavebeenaway，“hesaid。

“Ifyouhadonlyletmeknow，Ishouldhavemadeitapointtobeathome。“

“HowcanItellwhentheseidiotswillgivemeanyrest？“heasked。Hecrushedthetelegramsagain，andcamedowntheroomandstoppedinfrontofher。“Perhapstherehasbeenaparticularreasonwhyyouhavenotbeenathomeasmuchasusual。“

“Aparticularreason？“sherepeated，ingenuinesurprise。

“Yes，“hesaid；“Ihavebeenhearingthingswhich，toputitmildly，haveastonishedme。“

“Hearingthings？“

“Yes，“heexclaimed。“Imaybebusy，Imaybeharassedbytrickstersandbunglers，butIamnottoobusynottocaresomethingaboutmydaughter\'sdoings。Iexpectthemtodeceiveme，Victoria，butIpinnedmyfaithsomewhere。Ipinneditonyou。Onyou，doyouunderstand？“

Sheraisedherheadforthefirsttimeandlookedathim，withherlipsquivering。Butshedidnotspeak。

“Eversinceyouwereachildyouhavebeeneverythingtome，allIhadtoflyto。Iwasalwayssureofonegenuine，disinterestedlove——andthatwasyours。Iwasalwayssureofhearingthetruthfromyourlips。“

“Father！“shecried。

Heseemednottoheartheagonizedappealinhervoice。Althoughhespokeinhisusualtones，AugustusFlintwas，infact，besidehimself。

“Andnow，“hesaid，“andnowIlearnthatyouhavebeenholdingclandestinemeetingswithamanwhoismyenemy，withamanwhohasdonememoreharmthananyothersingleindividual，withamanwhomIwillnothaveinmyhouse——doyouunderstand？Icanonlysaythatbeforeto-

night，Igavehimcreditforhavingthedecencynottoenterit，nottositdownatmytable。“

Victoriaturnedawayfromhim，andseizedthehighoakshelfofthemantelwithbothhands。Hesawhershouldersrisingandfallingasherbreathcamedeeply，spasmodically——likesobbing。Butshewasnotsobbingassheturnedagainandlookedintohisface。Fearwasinhereye，andthehighcouragetolook:fearandcourage。Sheseemedtobelookingatanotherman，atamanwhowasnotherfather。AndMr。Flint，despitehisanger，vaguelyinterpretinghermeaning，wastakenaback。Hehadneverseenanybodywithsuchalook。Andtheunexpectedquietqualityofhervoiceintensifiedhisstrangesensation。

“AMr。Rangely，anEnglishman，whoisstayingattheLeithInn，washeretodinnerto-night。Hehasneverbeenherebefore。“

“AustenVanewasn\'thereto-night？“

“Mr。Vanehasneverbeeninthishousetomyknowledgebutonce，andyouknewmoreaboutthatmeetingthanIdo。“

AndstillVictoriaspokequietly，inexplicablysotoMr。Flint——andtoherself。Itseemedtoherthatsomeotherthanshewereansweringwithhervoice，andthatshealonefelt。Itwasallapartofthenightmare，allunreal，andthiswasnotherfather；nevertheless，shesufferednow，notfromangeralone，norsorrow，norshameforhimandforherself，nordisgust，norasenseofinjustice，norcruelty-butalloftheseplayeduponaheartresponsivetoeachwithadifferentpain。

AndMr。Flint，haltedforthemomentbyherlookandmanner，yetgoadedonbyafiendofprovocationwhichhadformonthsbeengatheringstrength，andwhichnowmasteredhimcompletely，persisted。Heknewnotwhathedidorsaid。

“Andyouhaven\'tseenhimto-day，Isuppose，“hecried。

“Yes，Ihaveseenhimto-day。“

“Ah，youhave！Ithoughtasmuch。Wheredidyoumeethimto-day？“

Victoriaturnedhalfawayfromhim，raisedahandtothemantel-shelfagain，andliftedafoottothelowbrassfenderasshelookeddownintothefire。Themovementwasnotpartofadesiretoevadehim，ashefanciedinhisanger，butratheroneofprofoundindifference，ofprofoundweariness——thesunlessdeepsofsorrow。Andhethoughthercapableofdeceivinghim！Hehadbeenherconstantcompanionfromchildhood，andknewonlythevisiblesemblanceofherface，herform，hersmile。Hersexwasthesexofsubterfuge。

“Iwenttotheplacewhereheisliving，andaskedforhim，“shesaid，“andhecameoutandspoketome。“

“You？“herepeatedincredulously。Therewassurelynosubterfugeinhertone，butanunreal，unbelievablenotewhichhissensesseized，andtowhichheclung。“You！Mydaughter！“

“Yes，“sheanswered，“I，yourdaughter。IsupposeyouthinkIamshameless。Itistrue——Iam。“

Mr。Flintwasutterlybaffled。Hewasatsea。Hehadgotbeyondtherangeofhisexperience；defence，denial，tears，hecouldhaveunderstoodandcopedwith。Hecrushedthetelegramsintoatighterball，soughtforafooting，andfoundaprecariousone。

“Andallthishasbeengoingonwithoutmyknowledge，whenyouknewmysentimentstowardstheman？“

“Yes，“shesaid。“Idonotknowwhatyouincludeinthatremark，butI

haveseenhimmanytimesasmanytimes，perhaps，asyouhaveheardabout。“

Hewheeled，andwalkedovertoacabinetbetweentwoofthegreatwindowsandstoodthereexaminingacollectionoffanswhichhiswifehadboughtatafamoussaleinParis。Hadhesuddenlybeenaskedthequestion，hecouldnothavesaidwhethertheywerefansorbeetles。AnditoccurredtoVictoria，ashereyesrestedonhisback，thatsheoughttobesorryforhim——butwasn\'t，somehow。Perhapsshewouldbeto-morrow。Mr。Flintlookedatthefans，andanobscureglimmeringofthetruthcametohimthatinsteadofadministeringasevererebuketothedaughterhebelievedhehadknownallhislife，hewasengagedinacontestwiththesoulofawomanhehadneverknown。Andthemoresheconfessed，themoresheapparentlyyielded，themoreimpotentheseemed，thetighterthedemongrippedhim。Obstacles，embarrassments，disappointments，hehadmetearlyinhislife，andhehadtakenthemastheycame。Therehadfollowedalongperiodwhenhiswordhadbeenlaw。Andnow，asagecameon，andhewasmeetingwithobstaclesagain，hehadlostthemagicgiftofsweepingthemaside；thegrowingcertaintythathewasbecomingpowerlesshauntedhimnightandday。Unbelievablystrange，however，itwasthattheraysofhisangerbysomesubconsciousprocesshadhoveredfromthefirstaboutthesonofHilaryVane，andwerenow，bythetrendofeventafterevent，firmlyfocussedthere。

HeleftthecabinetabruptlyandcamebacktoVictoria。

Shewasstandinginthesameposition。

“Youhavesparedmesomething，“hesaid。“Hehasapparentlyunderminedmewithmyowndaughter。Hehasevidentlygivenyouanopinionofmewhichishis。IthinkIcanunderstandwhyyouhavenotspokenofthese——meetings。“

“ItisaninferencethatIexpected，“saidVictoria。Thensheliftedherheadandlookedathim，andagainhecouldnotreadherexpression，foralightburnedinhereyesthatmadethemimpenetrabletohim，——alightthatseemedpitilesslytosearchoutandrevealthedarkplacesandtheweakplaceswithinhimwhichhehimselfhadnotknownwerethere。Couldtherebeanotherstandardbywhichmenandwomenweremeasuredandjudged？

Mr。Flintsnappedhisfingers，andturnedandbegantopacetheroom。

“It\'sallprettyclear，“hesaid；“there\'snousegoingintoitanyfarther。Youbelieve，withtherestofthem，thatI\'macriminalanddeservethepenitentiary。Idon\'tcareastrawabouttheothers，“hecried，snappinghisfingersagain。“AndIsuppose，ifI\'dhadanysense，Imighthaveexpecteditfromyou，too，Victoria——thoughyouaremydaughter。“

Hewasawarethathereyesfollowedhim。

“HowmanytimeshaveyouspokenwithAustenVane？“sheasked。

“Once，“heexclaimed；“thatwasenough。Once。“

“Andhegaveyoutheimpression，“shecontinuedslowly，“thathewasdeceitful，anddishonourable，andacoward？amanwhowouldsaythingsbehindyourbackthathedarednotsaytoyourface？whodesiredrewardforhimselfatanyprice，andinanymanner？amanwhowouldenteryourhouseandseekoutyourdaughterandsecretlyassailyourcharacter？“

Mr。Flintstoppedinthemiddleofthefloor。

“Andyoutellmehehasnotdonethesethings？“

“SupposeIdidtellyouso，“saidVictoria，“wouldyoubelieveme？I

havenoreasontothinkthatyouwould。Iamyourdaughter，Ihavebeenyourmostintimatecompanion，andIhadtherighttothinkthatyoushouldhaveformedsomeestimateofmycharacter。SupposeItoldyouthatAustenVanehasavoidedme，thathewouldnotutterawordagainstyouorinfavourofhimself？“SupposeItoldyouthatI，yourdaughter，thoughttheremightbetwosidestothepoliticalquestionthatisagitatingyou，andwishedinfairnesstoheartheotherside，asIintendedtotellyouwhenyouwerelessbusy？SupposeItoldyouthatAustenVanewasthesoulofhonour，thathesawyoursideandpresenteditasablyasyouhavepresentedit？thathehadrefrainedinmanymatterswhichmighthavebeenofadvantagetohim——althoughIdidnothearofthemfromhim——onaccountofhisfather？Wouldyoubelieveme？“

“AndsupposeItoldyou，“criedMr。Flint——sofirmlyfastenedonhimwasthelonghabitofyearsoftalkinganotherdown，“supposeItoldyouthatthiswasthemostastuteandthecraftiestcoursehecouldtake？I\'vealwayscreditedhimwithbrains。SupposeItoldyouthathewasintriguingnow，ashehasbeenallalong，toobtainthenominationforthegovernorship？Wouldyoubelieveme？“

“No，“answeredVictoria，quietly。

Mr。Flintwenttothelamp，unrolledtheballoftelegrams，seizedoneandcrossedtheroomquickly，andhelditouttoher。Hishandshookalittle。

“Readthat！“hesaid。

Shereadit:“EstimatethatmorethanhalfofdelegatesfromthissectionpledgedtoHendersonwillgotoAustenVanewhensignalisgiveninconvention。Amtoldoncredibleauthoritysameistrueofothersections，includingmanyofHunt\'smenandCrewe\'s。ThisistheresultofquietbutpersistentpoliticalworkIspokeabout。BILLINGS。“

Shehandedthetelegrambacktoherfatherinsilence。“Doyoubelieveitnow？“hedemandedexultantly。

“Whoisthemanwhosenameissignedtothatmessage？“sheasked。

Mr。Flinteyedhernarrowly。

“Whatdifferencedoesthatmake？“hedemanded。

“None，“saidVictoria。ButavisionofMr。Billingsrosebeforeher。

HehadbeenpointedouttoherasthemanwhohadopposedAustenintheMeadersuit。Ifthebishopofthediocesesignedit，IwouldnotbelievethatAustenVanehadanythingtodowiththematter。“

“Ah，youdefendhim！“criedMr。Flint。“Ithoughtso——Ithoughtso。

Itakeoffmyhattohim，heisacleverermaneventhanI。Hisownfather，whomhehasruined，comesuphereanddefendshim。“

“DoesHilaryVanedefendhim？“Victoriaaskedcuriously。

“Yes，“saidMr。Flint，besidehimself；“incredibleasitmayseem，hedoes。IhaveAustenVanetothankforstillanotherfavour——heisresponsibleforHilary\'sconditionto-day。Hehasbrokenhimdown——hehasmadehimanimbecile。Theconventionisscarcelythirty-sixhoursoff，andHilaryisaboutasfittohandleitas——asEbenFitch。Hilary，whoneverfailedmeinhislife！“

Victoriadidnotspeakforamoment，andthenshereachedoutherhandquicklyandlaiditonhisthatstillheldthetelegram。Aloungestoodononesideofthefireplace，andshedrewhimgentlytoit，andhesatdownatherside。Hisacquiescencetoherwasasecondnature，andhewasoncemorebewildered。Hisangernowseemedtohavehadnoeffectuponherwhatever。

“IwaiteduptotellyouaboutHilaryVane，father，“shesaidgently。

“Hehashadastroke，whichIamafraidisserious。“

“Astroke！“criedMr。Flint，“Whydidn\'tyoutellme？Howdoyouknow？“

VictoriarelatedhowshehadfoundHilarycomingawayfromFairview，andwhatshehaddone，andthewordDr。Tredwayhadsent。

“GoodGod！“criedMr。Flint，“hewon\'tbeabletogototheconvention！“

Andheroseandpressedtheelectricbutton。“Towers，“hesaid，whenthebutlerappeared，“isMr。Freemanstillinmyroom？TellhimtotelephonetoRiptonatonceandfindouthowMr。HilaryVaneis。They\'llhavetosendamessenger。Thataccountsforit，“hewenton，rathertohimselfthantoVictoria，andhebegantopacetheroomoncemore；“helookedlikeasickmanwhenhewashere。Andwhohavewegottoputinhisplace？Notasoul！“

Hepacedawhileinsilence。HeappearedtohaveforgottenVictoria。

“PoorHilary！“hesaidagain，“poorHilary！I\'llgodowntherethefirstthinginthemorning。“

Anothersilence，andthenMr。Freeman，thesecretary，entered。

“ItelephonedtoDr。Tredway\'s，Mr。Flint。Ithoughtthatwouldbequickest。Mr。Vanehaslefthome。Theydon\'tknowwherehe\'sgone。“

“Lefthome！It\'simpossible！“andheglancedatVictoria，whohadrisentoherfeet。“Theremustbesomemistake。“

“No，sir。FirstIgotthedoctor，whosaidthatMr。Vanewasgone——attheriskofhislife。AndthenItalkedtoMr。AustenVanehimself，whowasthereconsultingwiththedoctor。ItappearsthatMr。HilaryVanehadlefthomebyeighto\'clock，whenMr。AustenVanegotthere。“

“Hilary\'sgoneoutofhishead，“exclaimedMr。Flint。“Thisthinghasunhingedhim。Here，takethesetelegrams。No，waitaminute，I\'llgooutthere。CallupBillings，andseeifyoucangetSenatorWhitredge。“

Hestartedoutoftheroom，halted，andturnedhisheadandhesitated。

“Father，“saidVictoria，“Idon\'tthinkHilaryVaneisoutofhismind。“

“Youdon\'t？“hesaidquickly。“Why？“

Bysomeunaccountablechangeintheatmosphere，ofwhichMr。Flintwasunconscious，hisnormalrelationtohisdaughterhadbeensuddenlyreestablished。Hewasgivingear，asusual，toherjudgment。

“DidHilaryVanetellyouhewouldgototheconvention？“sheasked。

“Yes。“Inspiteofhimself，hehadgiventhewordanapologeticinflection。

“Thenhehasgonealready，“shesaid。“Ithink，ifyouwilltelephonealittlelatertotheStatecapital，youwillfindthatheisinhisroomatthePelicanHotel。“

“Bythunder，Victoria！“heejaculated，“youmayberight。Itwouldbelikehim。“

CHAPTERXXVII

THEARENAANDTHEDUST

Alas！thatthegreatgeniuswhodescribedthebattleofWaterlooisnotaliveto-dayandonthissideoftheAtlantic，forasubjectworthyofhispenisathand，——nothinglessthanthatconventionofconventionsatwhichtheHonourableHumphreyCreweofLeithisoneofthecandidates。

Oneofthecandidates，indeed！Willitnotbeknown，aslongastherearepensions，andagovernorandastate-houseandasealandStatesovereigntyandastaff，astheCreweConvention？Howchargeafterchargewasmadeduringthelong，hotdayandintothenight；howthedelegateswerecarriedoutlimpandspeechlessandstarvedandwetthrough，andcarriedintovoteagain，——willallbetoldintime。Butletusbeginatthebeginning，whichisthedaybefore。

Butlook！itisafternoon，andthecandidatesarearrivingatthePelican。TheHonourableAdamB。Huntisthefirst，andwalksupthehillfromthestationescortedbysuchprominentfiguresastheHonourablesBrushBascomandJacobBotcher，andsurroundedbyenthusiasticsupporterswhowearbuttonswiththeimageoftheirleader——goateeandall——andthesingularlypropheticsuperscription，\'TotheLastDitch！\'OnlyveteransandexpertslikeMr。BascomandMr。

Botchercanrecognizethelastditchwhentheyseeit。

Anotherstirinthestreet——occasionedbytheappearanceoftheHonourableGilesHenderson，——oftheblamelesslife。Utterasyllableagainsthimifyoucan！Thesewordsshouldbeinscribedonhisbuttonsifhehadany——buthehasnone。Theyseemtobe，unuttered，onthetonguesofthegentlemenwhoescorttheHonourableGiles，UnitedStatesSenatorGreeneandtheHonourableElishaJane，whohasobtainedleaveofabsencefromhisconsularposttoattendtheconvention，——andincidentallytohelpprepareforit。

Butwhoandwhatisthis？Thewarlikeblastofasirenhornisheard，thecrowdinthelobbyrushestothedoors，peopleup-stairsflytothewindows，andtheHonourableAdamB。Huntleansoutandnearlyfallsout，butisrescuedbyDivisionSuperintendentManningoftheNortheasternRailroads，whohassteppedinfromNumberSeventogivealittleprivatetugofapersuasivenaturetotheHonourableAdam\'scoat-tails。AredLeviathancomesscreamingdownMainStreetwithawhitetrailofdustbehindit，smotheringtheoccupantsofvehicleswhichhavebarelysucceededingettingoutoftheway，andmakesaspectacularfinishbeforethePelicanbyslidingthelastfiftyfeetonlockedrearwheels。

Agroupinthestreetraisesacheer。ItisthePeople\'sChampion！Dustcoat，gauntlets，goggles，cannothidehim；andiftheydid，someonewouldrecognizethatvoice，familiarnowandendearedtomany，andsosuitedtocommand:——

“Getthatbaggageoff，anddon\'twasteanytime！Jumpout，Watling——thathandleturnstheotherway。Well，Tooting，aretheheadquartersready？

WhatwasthematterthatIcouldn\'tgetyouonthetelephone？“(Tothecrowd。)“Don\'tpushinandscratchthepaint。He\'sgoingtobackoutinaminute，andsomebody\'llgethurt。“

Mr。HamiltonTooting(ColonelHamiltonTootingthatistobe——itbeinganopensecretthatheisdestinedforthestaff)isstandinghatlessonthesidewalkreadytoreceivethegreatman。Thecrowdintherotundamakesalane，andMr。Crewe，glancingneithertotherightnorleft，walksupstairs；andscarceisheinstalledinthebridalsuite，surroundedbyhisfaithfulworkersforreform，thanthatamazingreceptionbegins。Mr。

HamiltonTooting，lookingtheverysoulofhospitality，standsbythedoorwaywithanopenboxofcigarsinhislefthand，pressingthemuponthevisitorswithhisright。Reform，contrarytothepreconceivedopinionofmany，isnotmadeoficicles，noranswerswithastonearequestforbread。Asthehoursrunon，thevisitorsgrowmoreandmorenumerous，andaftersuppertheroomispackedtosuffocation，andalonglineiswaitinginthecorridor，marshalledandkeptingoodhumourbyablelieutenants；whileMr。Creweisdimlytobeperceivedthroughcloudsofincenseburninginhishonour——andincidentallyathisexpense——withawelcomingsmileandanappropriatewordforeachcaller，whosewaistcoatpockets，whentheyemerge，resemblecartridge-beltsofcigars。

Morecigarswerehastilysentfor，andmore。Therearetobebutathousanddelegatestotheconvention，andatleasttwothousandmenhavealreadypassedthroughtheroom——andthosewhodon\'tsmokehavefriends。

ItiswellthatMr。Crewehasstucktohisconservativehabitofnotsqueezinghandstoohard。

“Isn\'tthatMr。Putter，whokeepsalivery-stablehere？“inquiredMr。

Crewe，aboutnineo\'clock——ourcandidatehavingapiercingeyeofhisown。Mr。Putter\'scoat，beingbrushedback，hasrevealedsixcigars。

“Why，yes——yes，“saysMr。Watling。

“Isheadelegate？“Mr。Crewedemanded。

“Why，Iguesshemustbe，“saysMr。Watling。

ButMr。Putterisnotadelegate。

“You\'vestoodupandmadeagrandfight，Mr。Crewe，“saysanothergentleman，alittlelater，withabland，smoothshavenfaceandstrongteethtoclinchMr。Crewe\'scigars。“IwishIwasfixedsoasIcouldvoteforyou。“

Mr。Crewelooksathimnarrowly。

“YoulookverymuchlikeatravellingmanfromNewYork，whotriedtosellmefarmmachinery，“heanswers。

“Whereareyoufrom？“

“Youain\'texactlywhattheycallatyro，areyou？“saysthebland-facedman；“butIguessyou\'vemissedthemarkthisshot。Well，solong。“

“Holdon！“saysMr。Crewe，“Watlingwilltalktoyou。“

And，asthegentlemanfollowsMr。Wailingthroughthepress，apamphletdropsfromhispockettothefloor。Itismarked\'CatalogueoftheRainesFarmImplementCompany。\'Mr。Watlingpicksitupandhandsittothegentleman，whowinksagain。

“Tim，“hesays，“wherecanwesitdown？Howmuchareyougettingoutofthis？BrushandJakeBotcherarebiddinghighdown-stairs，andthequotationondelegateshasgoneuptenpointsintenminutes。It\'smightygoodofyoutorememberoldfriends，Tim，evenifthey\'renotdelegates。“

MeanwhileMr。Creweisgraciouslyreceivingotherswhoarecrowdingtohim。

“Howareyou，Mr。Giddings？Howarethecows？Icarrysomestockthat\'llmakeyousitup——IbelieveItoldyouwhenIwasdownyourway。

Ofcourse，minecostalittlemoney，butthat\'soneofmyhobbies。Comeandsee\'emsomeday。There\'sagoodhotelinRipton，andI\'llhaveyoumetthereanddriveyouback。“

Thus，withagenialandkindlyremarktoeach，hepassesfromonetotheother，andwhenthemembersofthepresscometohimforhisestimateoftheoutcomeonthemorrow，hetreatsthemwiththesamecourtlyconsideration。

“Estimate！“criesMr。Crewe。“Wherehaveyoureyesbeento-night，myfriends？Haveyouseenthepeoplecomingintotheseheadquarters？Haveyouseen\'empouringintoanyotherheadquarters？AlltheStateandfederaloffice-holdersinthecountrycouldn\'tstopmenow。Estimate！

I\'llbenominatedonthefirstballot。“

Theywroteitdown。

“Thankyou，Mr。Crewe，“theysaid；“that\'sthekindoftalkweliketohear。“

“Anddon\'tforget，“saidMr。Crewe，“tomentionthisreceptionintheaccounts。“

Mr。Tooting，whomakesitapointfromtimetotimetoreconnoitre，sauntershalfwaydown-stairsandsurveysthecrowdedrotundafromthelanding。Throughthebluemediumproducedbytheburningofmanycigars(mostlyMr。Crewe\'s)hetakesnoteoftheburlyformofMr。ThomasGaylordbesidethatofMr。Redbrookandotherruralfigures；hetakesnoteofaquietcornerwitharingofchairssurroundedbyscoutsandoutposts，althoughitrequiresatrainedeyesuchasMr。Tooting\'storecognizethemassuch——fortheywearnouniforms。Theyare，intruth，minorcaptainsofthefeudalsystem，andtheirpresentdutiesconsist(asMr。Tootingseesclearly)inpreventingtheinnocentandinquisitivefromunprofitablespeechwiththeHonourableJacobBotcher，whositsintheinnerangleconversingcordiallywiththosewhoaresingledoutforthishonour。StillotherscoutsconductsomeofthegentlemenwhohavetalkedwithMr。Botcherupthestairstoamysteriousroomonthesecondfloor。

Mr。TootingdiscoversthattheroomisoccupiedbytheHonourableBrushBascom；Mr。TootinglearnswithindignationthatcertainoftheseguestsofMr。Bascom\'saredelegatespledgedtoMr。Crewe，whereuponherushesbacktothebridalsuitetoreporttohischief。Thecigarsaregivingoutagain，andtherushhasslackened，andhedetachesthePeople\'sChampionfromthelineanddrawshimtotheinnerroom。

BrushBascom\'sconductingabourseonthesecondfloorandisrunningthepriceuprightalong，“criedthehonestandindignantMr。Tooting。He\'sstringin\'AdamHuntallright。Theysayhe\'sgotAdamtocoughupsixthousandextrasincefiveo\'clock，butthequestionis——ain\'thestringin\'us？Hepaidsixhundredforablockoftennotquarterofanhourago——andnineof\'emwereourdelegates。“

ItmustberememberedthattheseareMr。Tooting\'swords，andMr。Creweevidentlytreatedthemastheproductofthatgentleman\'svividimagination。Translated，theymeantthattheHonourableAdamB。Hunthasnochanceforthenomination，butthatthecraftyMessrs。BotcherandBascomareinducinghimtothinkthathehas——bymakingasupremeeffort。

Thesupremeeffortisrepresentedbysixthousanddollars。

“Areyougoingtoliedownunderthat？“Mr。Tootingdemanded，forgettinghimselfinhiszealforreformandMr。Crewe。ButMr。Tooting，insomealarm，perceivedtheeyeofhischiefgrowingvirtuousandglassy。

“IguessIknowwhenI\'mstrung，asyoucallit，Mr。Tooting，“herepliedseverely。Thiscigarbillaloneisenoughtosupportalargefamilyforseveralmonths。“

Andwiththismeritedreproofheturnedonhisheelandwentbacktohisadmirerswithout，leavingMr。Tootingaghast，butstillresourceful。Tenminuteslaterthatgentlemanwasengagedinaprivateconversationwithhiscolleague，theHonourableTimothyWading。

“He\'suponhishindlegsatlast，“saidMr。Tooting；“itlooksasifhewascatchingon。“

Mr。Wadingevidentlygraspedthesemysteriouswords，forhelookedgrave。

“Hethinkshe\'sgotthenominationcinched，don\'the？“

“That\'stheworstofit，“criedMr。Tooting。

“I\'llseewhatIcando，“saidtheHonourableTim。“He\'salwaystalkingaboutthorough，lethimdoitthorough。“AndMr。Watlingwinked。

“Thorough，“repeatedMr。Tooting，delightedly。

“That\'sit——Colonel，“saidMr。Watling。“Haveyouorderedyouruniformyet，Ham？“

Mr。Tootingplainlyappreciatedthisjoke，forhegrinned。

“Iguessyouwon\'tstarveifyoudon\'tgetthatcommissionership，Tim，“

heretorted。

“AndIguess，“returnedMr。Watling，“thatyouwon\'tgonakedifyoudon\'thaveauniform。“

Victoria\'ssurmisewastrue。Atteno\'clockatnight，twodaysbeforetheconvention，atallfigurehadappearedintheemptyrotundaofthePelican，startlingtheclerkoutofadoze。Herubbedhiseyesandstared，recognizedHilaryVane，andyetfailedtorecognizehim。ItwasanextraordinaryoccasionindeedwhichwouldcauseMr。McAvoytolosehisaplomb；toneglecttoseizethepenanddipit，withaflourish，intotheink，andextenditshandletowardstheimportantguest；toomitafewfittingwordsofwelcome。ItwasHilarywhogotthepenfirst，andwrotehisnameinsilence，andbythistimeMr。McAvoyhadrecoveredhispresenceofmindsufficientlytowieldtheblotter。

“Wedidn\'texpectyouto-night，Mr。Vane，“hesaid，inavoicethatsoundedstrangetohim，“butwe\'vekeptNumberSeven，asusual。Front！“

“Theoldman\'sseenhisday，Iguess，“Mr。McAvoyremarked，ashestudiedtheregisterwithalonereporter。“ThisCrewemusthavegotinon\'emhard，fromwhattheytellme，andAdamHunthashisdanderup。“

Thenextmorningatteno\'clock，whiletheworkmenwerestilltackingdownthefireproofcarpetsinheadquartersupstairs，andbeforeeventheadvanceguardofthearmieshadbeguntoarrive，theeyeoftheclerkwascaughtbyatallyoungmanrapidlyapproachingthedesk。

“IsMr。HilaryVanehere？“

“He\'sinNumberSeven，“saidMr。McAvoy，whowascudgellinghisbrains。

“Givemeyourcard，andI\'llsenditup。“

“I\'llgoup，“saidthecaller，turningonhisheelandsuitingtheactiontotheword，leavingMr。McAvoytomakeactivebutfutileinquiriesamongthefewtravellingmenandreportersseatedabout。

“Well，ifyoufellersdon\'tknowhim，Igiveup，“saidtheclerk，irritably，“buthelooksasifheoughttobesomebody。Heknowshisbusiness，anyway。“

InthemeantimeMr。Vane\'scallerhadreachedthefirstfloor；hehesitatedjustamomentbeforeknockingatthedoorofNumberSeven，andtheHonourableHilary\'svoiceresponded。Thedooropened。

Hilarywasseated，asusual，besidethemarble-toppedtable，whichwascoveredwithnewspapersandmemoranda。IntheroomwereMr。Ridout，thecapitallawyer，andMr。Manning，thedivisionsuperintendent。Therewasaninstantofsurprisedsilenceonthepartofthethree，buttheHonourableHilarywastheonlyonewhoremainedexpressionless。

“Ifyoudon\'tmind，gentlemen，“saidthevisitor，“Ishouldliketotalktomyfatherforafewminutes。“

“Why，certainly，Austen，“Mr。Ridoutreplied，withanattemptatheartiness。Furtherwordsseemedtofailhim，andhelefttheroomsomewhatawkwardly，followedbyMr。Manning；buttheHonourableHilaryappearedtotakenonoticeofthisproceeding。

“Judge，“saidAusten，whenthedoorhadclosedbehindthem，“Iwon\'tkeepyoulong。Ididn\'tcomedownheretopleadwithyoutoabandonwhatyoubelievetobeyourduty，becauseIknowthatwouldbeuseless。IhavehadatalkwithDr。Tredway，“headdedgently，“andIrealizethatyouareriskingyourlife。IfIcouldtakeyoubacktoRiptonIwould，butI

knowthatIcannot。Iseeyourpointofview，andifIwereinyourplaceIshoulddothesamething。Ionlywantedtotellyouthis——“

Austen\'svoicecaughtalittle，“if——anythingshouldhappen，IshallbeatMrs。Peasley\'sonMapleStreet，oppositetheDuncanhouse。“Helaidhishandforaninstant，intheoldfamiliarway，onHilary\'sshoulder，andlookeddownintotheolderman\'sface。ItmayhavebeenthatHilary\'slipstrembledalittle。“I——I\'llseeyoulater，Judge，whenit\'sallover。Goodlucktoyou。“

Heturnedslowly，wenttothedoorandopenedit，gaveoneglanceatthemotionlessfigureinthechair，andwentout。Hedidnothearthevoicethatcalledhisname，forthedoorhadshut。

Mr。RidoutandMr。Manningweretalkingtogetherinlowtonesattheheadofthestairs。ItwasthelawyerwhoaccostedAusten。

“Theoldgentlemandon\'tseemtobequitehimself，Austen。Don\'tseemwell。Yououghttoholdhiminhecan\'tworkashardasheusedto。“

“Ithinkyou\'llfind，Mr。Ridout，“answeredAusten，deliberately，“thathe\'llperformwhat\'srequiredofhimwithhisusualefficiency。“

Mr。RidoutfollowedAusten\'sfigurewithhiseyesuntilhewashiddenbyaturnofthestairs。Thenhewhistled。

“Ican\'tmakethatfellowout，“heexclaimed。“Nevercould。AllIknowisthatifHilaryVanepullsusthroughthismess，intheshapehe\'sin，it\'llbeamiracle。

“Hismindseemssoundenoughto-day——buthe\'slosthisgrip，Itellyou。

Idon\'twonderFlint\'sbesidehimself。Here\'sAdamHuntwithbothfeetinthetrough，andnomorechanceofthenominationthanIhave，andBascomandBotcherteasinghimon，andhe\'sgotenoughvoteswithCrewetolockupthatconventionforadarkhorse。Andwho\'sthedarkhorse？“

Mr。Manning，whowasasilentman，pointedwithhisthumbinthedirectionAustenhadtaken。

“HilaryVane\'sownson，“saidMr。Ridout，voicingthegesture；“theytellmethatTomGaylord\'sdonesomeprettyslickwork。NowIleaveittoyou，Manning，ifthatisn\'tamess！“

AtthismomenttheconversationwasinterruptedbytheappearanceonthestairwayoftheimpressiveformofUnitedStatesSenatorWhitredge，followedbyahallboycarryingthesenatorialgripsack。Thesenator\'sfaceworealookofconcernwhichcouldnotpossiblybemisinterpreted。

“How\'sHilary？“werehisfirstwords。

Mr。RidoutandMr。Manningglancedateachother。

“He\'sinNumberSeven；you\'dbettertakealookathim，Senator。“

Thesenatordrewbreath，directedthathisgripbeputintheroomwherehewastoreposethatnight，producedanambercigar-holderfromacase，andacigarfromhiswaistcoatpocket。

“IthoughtI\'dbettercomedownearly，“hesaid，“thingsaren\'tgoingjustastheyshould，andthat\'sthetruth。Infact，“headded，significantlytappinghispocket，“I\'vegotaletterfromMr。FlinttoHilarywhichImayhavetouse。Youunderstandme。“

“Iguessedasmuch，“saidMr。Ridout。

“Ahem！IsawyoungVanegoingoutofthehoteljustnow，“thesenatorremarked。“Iamtold，onprettygoodauthority，thatundercertaincircumstances，whichImustconfessseemnotunlikelyatpresent，hemaybeacandidateforthenomination。Thefactthatheisintowntendstomakethecircumstancemoreprobable。“

“He\'sjustbeenintoseeHilary，“saidMr。Ridout。

“Youdon\'ttellme！“saidthesenator，pausingashelightedhiscigar；

“Iwasundertheimpressionthattheywerenotonspeakingterms。“

“They\'veevidentlygottogethernow，that——“saidMr。Ridout。“IwonderhowoldHilarywouldfeelaboutit。Wecouldn\'tdomuchwithAustenVaneifhewasgovernor——that\'sasurething。“

Thesenatorponderedamoment。

“It\'sbeenbadlymanaged，“hemuttered；“there\'snodoubtofthat。Huntmustbegotoutoftheway。WhenBascomandBotchercome，tellthemI

wanttoseetheminmyroom，notinNumberSeven。“

Andwiththisimpressivecommand，receivedwithnodsofunderstanding，SenatorWhitredgeadvancedslowlytowardsNumberSeven，knocked，andentered。BeitknownthatMr。Flint，withcharacteristiccaution，hadnotconfidedeventothesenatorthattheHonourableHilaryhadhadastroke。

“Ah，Vane，“hesaid，inhismostaffabletones，“howareyou？“

TheHonourableHilary，whowaslookingoversomepapers，shotathimaglancefromunderhisshaggyeyebrows。

“Cameinheretofindout——didn\'tyou，Whitredge？“hereplied。

“What？“saidthesenator，takenaback；andforonceatalossforwords。

TheHonourableHilaryroseandstoodstraighterthanusual，andlookedthesenatorintheeye。

“What\'syourdiagnosis？“heasked。“Superannuated——unfitforduty——

unabletocopewiththesituationreadytobesuperseded？Isthataboutit？“

TosaythatSenatorWhitredgewasstartledanduncomfortablewouldbetoputhiscasemildly。HehadneverbeforeseenMr。Vaneinthismood。

“Ha-ha！“helaughed；“theyearsarecomingoverusalittle，aren\'tthey？

ButIguessitisn\'tquitetimefortheyoungsterstostepinyet。“

“No，Whitredge，“saidMr。Vane，slowly，withouttakinghiseyefromthesenator\'s，“anditwon\'tbeuntilthisconventionisover。Doyouunderstand？“

“That\'sthefirstgoodnewsI\'veheardthismorning，“saidthesenator，withtheuneasyfeelingthat，insomemiraculousway，theHonourableHilaryhadreadthesupersedingordersfromhighestauthoritythroughhispocket。

“Youmaytakeitasgoodnewsorbadnews，asyouplease，butit\'safact。AndnowIwant\'YOU\'totellRidoutthatIwishtoseehimagain，andtobringinDoby，whoistobechairmanoftheconvention。“

“Certainly，“assentedthesenator，withalacrity，ashestartedforthedoor。Thenheturned。“I\'mgladtoseeyou\'reallright，Vane，“headded；“I\'dheardthatyouwerealittleundertheweather——abiliousattackonaccountoftheheat——that\'sallImeant。“Hedidnotwaitforananswer，norwouldhehavegotone。AndhefoundMr。Ridoutinthehall。

“Well？“saidthelawyer，expectantly，andlookingwithsomecuriosityatthesenator\'sface。

“Well，“saidMr。Whitredge，withmarkedimpatience，“hewantstoseeyourightaway。“

AlldaylongHilaryVaneheldconferenceinNumberSeven，andatsixo\'clocksentarequestthattheHonourableAdamvisithim。TheHonourableAdamwouldnotcome；andthefactleakedout——throughtheHonourableAdam。

“He\'smadcleanthrough，“reportedtheHonourableElishaJane，towhosetactanddiplomacythemissionhadbeenconfided。“HesaidhewouldteachFlintalesson。He\'dshowhimhecouldn\'tthrowawayamanasusefulandefficientashe\'dbeen，likeasuckedorange。“

“Humph！Asuckedorange。That\'swhathesaid，isit？Asuckedorange，“

Hilaryrepeated。

“That\'swhathesaid，“declaredMr。Jane，andrememberedafterwardshowHilaryhadbeenstruckbythesimile。

Atteno\'clockatnight，attheveryheightofthetumult，SenatorWhitredgehadreceivedaninterrogatorytelegramfromFairview，andhadcalledaprivateconference(inwhichHilarywasnotincluded)inabackroomonthesecondfloor(wheretheconflictingbandsofMr。CreweandMr。Huntcouldnotbeheard)，whichMr。ManningandMr。JaneandStateSenatorBillingsandMr。Ridoutattended。Query:theHonourableHilaryhadquarrelledwithMr。Flint，thatwasanopensecret；didnotMr。Vanethinkhimselfjustified，fromhisownpointofview，intakingasingularrevengeinnotover-exertinghimselftopulltheHonourableAdamout，therebyleavingthefieldopenforhisson，AustenVane，withwhomhewasapparentlyreconciled？NotthatMr。Flinthadhintedofsuchathing！

Hehad，inthetelegram，merelyurgedthesenatorhimselftoseeMr。

Hunt，andtomakeonemoreattempttorestraintheloyaltytothatcandidateofMessrs。BascomandBotcher。

Thesenatormadetheattempt，andfailedsignally。

Itwashalf-pastmidnightbytheshiningfaceoftheclockonthetowerofthestate-house，andhopeflamedhighinthebosomoftheHonourableAdamB。Huntatributetothebellows-likeskillofMessrs。BascomandBotcher。Thebandsinthestreethadblownthemselvesout，thedelegateswereatlastseekingrest，thehallboysinthecorridorswereturningdownthelights，andtheHonourableAdam，inacomplacentandevenjubilantframeofmind，hadputonhiscarpetslippersandtakenoffhiscoat，whentherecameaknockathisdoor。Hewasnotalittleamazedandembarrassed，uponopeningit，toseetheHonourableHilary。Butthesefeelingsgaveplacealmostimmediatelytoasenseoftriumph；gonewerethedayswhenhehadtoreporttoNumberSeven。NumberSeven，inthepersonofHilary(whowasNumberSeven)，hadbeenforcedtocometohim！

“Well，uponmysoul！“heexclaimedheartily。“Comein，Hilary。“

Heturnedupthejetsofthechandelier，andgazedathisfriend，andwassilent。

“Haveaseat，Hilary，“hesaid，pushingupanarmchair。

Mr。Vanesatdown。Mr。Hunttookaseatopposite，andwaitedforhisvisitortospeak。Hehimselfseemedtofindnowords。

“Adam，“saidMr。Vane，atlength，“we\'veknowneachotherforagoodmanyyears。“

“That\'sso，Hilary。That\'sso，“Mr。Hunteagerlyassented。Whatwascoming？

“AndwhateverharmI\'vedoneinmylife，“Hilarycontinued，“I\'vealwaystriedtokeepmyword。Itoldyou，whenwemetuptherebythemillthissummer，thatifMr。Flinthadconsultedmeaboutyourcandidacy，beforeseeingyouinNewYork，Ishouldn\'thaveadvisedit——thistime。“

TheHonourableAdam\'sfacestiffened。

“That\'swhatyousaid。But——“

“AndImeantit，“Mr。Vaneinterrupted。“Iwasneverpledgedtoyourcandidacy，asacitizen。I\'vebeenthinkingovermysituationsome，thissummer，andI\'lltellyouinsomanyplainwordswhatitis。Iguessyouknow——Iguesseverybodyknowswho\'sthoughtaboutit。IdeceivedmyselfforalongtimebybelievingthatIearnedmylivingastheattorneyfortheNortheasternRailroads。I\'vedrawnupsomeprettygoodpapersforthem，andI\'vewonsomeprettydifficultsuits。I\'mnotproudof\'emall，butletthatgo。DoyouknowwhatIam？“

TheHonourableAdamwascapableonlyofastartledejaculation。WasHilaryVaneinhisrightsenses？

“I\'mmerelytheirpaidpoliticaltool，“Mr。Vanecontinued，inthesametone。“I\'vesoldthemmybrain，andmyrightofopinionasacitizen。I

wantedtomakethiscleartoyoufirstofall。Notthatyoudidn\'tknowit，butIwishedyoutoknowthatIknowit。WhenMr。FlintsaidthatyouweretobetheRepublicannominee，mybusinesswastoworktogetyouelected，whichIdid。Andwhenitbecameapparentthatyoucouldn\'tbenominated——“

“Holdon！“criedtheHonourableAdam。

“PleasewaituntilIhavefinished。Whenitbecameapparentthatyoucouldn\'tbenominated，Mr。Flintsentmetotrytogetyoutowithdraw，andhedecreedthatthenewcandidateshouldpayyourexpensesuptodate。Ifailedinthatmission。“

“Idon\'tblameyou，Hilary，“exclaimedMr。Hunt。“Itoldyousoatthetime。ButIguessI\'llsoonbeinapositionwhereIcanmakeFlintwalkthetracks——hisowntracks。“

“Adam，“saidMr。Vane，“itisbecauseIdeserveasmuchoftheblameasMr。FlintthatIamhere。“

AgainMr。Huntwasspeechless。TheHonourableHilaryVaneinanapologeticmood！AsurmiseflashedintothebrainoftheHonourableAdam，andsparkledthere。TheHonourableGilesHendersonwaspreparedtowithdraw，andHilaryhadcome，byauthority，toseeifhewouldpaytheHonourableGiles\'campaignexpenses。Well，hecouldsnaphisfingersatthat。

“Flinthastreatedmelikeadog，“hedeclared。

“Mr。Flintneverpretended，“answeredMr。Vane，coldly，“thatthenominationandelectionofagovernorwasanythingbutabusinesstransaction。Hisregardforyouisprobablyunchanged，buttheinterestshehasatstakearetoolargetoadmitofsentimentasafactor。“

“Exactly，“exclaimedMr。Hunt。“AndIhearhehasn\'ttreatedyoujustright，Hilary。Iunderstand——“

Hilary\'seyesflashedforthefirsttime。

“Nevermindthat，Adam，“hesaidquietly；“I\'vebeentreatedasI

deserve。IhavenothingwhatevertocomplainoffromMr。Flint。IwilltellyouwhyIcamehereto-night。Ihaven\'tfeltrightaboutyousincethatinterview，andthesituationto-nightispracticallywhatitwasthen。Youcan\'tbenominated。“

“Can\'tbenominated！“gaspedMr:Hunt。Andhereachedtothetableforhisfigures。“I\'llhavefourhundredonthefirstballot，andI\'vegottwohundredandfiftymorepledgedtomeassecondchoice。Ifyou\'vecomeuphereatthistimeofnighttotrytodeceivemeonthat，youmightaswellgobackandwireFlintit\'snouse。Why，Icannamethedelegates，ifyou\'lllisten。“

Mr。Vaneshookhisheadsadly。And，confidentashewas，themovementsentacoldchilldowntheHonourableAdam\'sspine，forfaithinMr。

Vane\'sjudgmenthadbecomealmostasecondnature。HehadtoforcehimselftorememberthatthiswasnottheoldHilary。

“Youwon\'thavethreehundred，Adam，atanytime，“answeredMr。Vane。

“OnceyouusedtobelievewhatIsaid，andifyouwon\'tnow，youwon\'t。

ButIcan\'tgoawaywithouttellingyouwhatIcamefor。“

“What\'sthat？“demandedMr。Hunt，wonderingly。

“It\'sthis，“repliedHilary，withmoreforcethanhehadyetshown。“Youcan\'tgetthatnomination。Ifyou\'llletmeknowwhatyourcampaignexpenseshavebeenuptodate，——allof\'em，youunderstand，to-nighttoo，——I\'llgiveyouacheckforthemwithinthenexttwoweeks。“

“Whomakesthisoffer？“demandedMr。Hunt，withmorecuriositythanalarm；“Mr。Flint？“

“No，“saidHilary；“Mr。Flintdoesnotusetheroad\'sfundsforsuchpurposes。“

“Henderson？“

“No，“saidHilary；“Ican\'tseewhatdifferenceitmakestoyou。“

TheHonourableAdamhadaneminentlyhumanside，andhelaidhishandonMr。Vane\'sknee。

“IthinkI\'vegotanotionastowherethatmoneywouldcomefrom，Hilary，“hesaid。“I\'mmuchobligedtoyou，myfriend。Iwouldn\'ttakeitevenifIthoughtyou\'dsizedupthesituationright。But——Idon\'tagreewithyouthistime。IknowI\'vegotthenomination。AndIwanttosayoncemore，thatIthinkyou\'reasquareman，andIdon\'tholdanythingagainstyou。“

Mr。Vanerose。

“I\'msorry，Adam，“hesaid；myofferholdsgoodafterto-morrow。“

“Afterto-morrow！“

“Yes，“saidtheHonourableHilary。“Idon\'tfeelrightaboutthisthing。

Er——goodnight，Adam。“

“Holdon！“criedMr。Hunt，asanewphaseofthematterstruckhim。

“Why，ifIgotout——“

“Whatthen？“saidMr。Vane，turningaround。

“Oh，Iwon\'tgetout，“saidMr。Hunt，“butifIdid，——why，therewouldn\'t，accordingtoyourwayofthinking，beanychanceforadarkhorse。“

“Whatdoyoumean？“demandedMr。Vane。

“Nowdon\'tgetmad，Hilary。Iguess，andyouknow，thatFlinthasn\'ttreatedyoudecentlythissummerafterallyou\'vedoneforhim，andI

admirethewayyou\'restandingbyhim。Iwouldn\'tdoit。Ijustwantedtosay，“Mr。Huntaddedslowly，“thatIrespectyouallthemorefortryingtogetmeout。If——alwaysaccordingtoyournotionoftheconvention——ifIdon\'tgetout，andhaven\'tanychance，theytellmeonprettygoodauthorityAustenVanewillgetthenomination。“

HilaryVanewalkedtothedoor，openeditandwentout，andslammeditbehindhim。

Itismorning，——ahotmorning，assomanyrecall，——andthepartisansofthethreeleadersareearlyastir，andatseven-thirtyMr。Tootingdiscoverssomethinggoingonbrisklywhichheterms“dealinginfutures。“

Myvoteisyoursaslongasyouareintherace，butafterthatIhavesomethingnegotiable。TheHonourableAdamHuntstrollsintotherotundaafteranearlybreakfast，withatoothpickinhismouth，andispointedoutbythesophisticatedtonewarrivalsasthemanwhospentseventhousanddollarsovernight，muchofwhichissaidtohavestuckinthepocketsoftwofeudalchiefswhocouldbenamed。Isitpossiblethatthereisasplitinthefeudalsystematlast？thatthetwofeudalchiefs(whocouldbenamed)arerebelsagainsthighestauthority？A

smilefromthesophisticatedone。Thisdukeandbaronhavemerelystoppedtopluckabird；itmattersnotwhetherornotthebirdisanerstwhilefriend——hehasbeenoutlawedbyhighestauthority，andisfairgame。Thebird(withthetoothpickinhismouth)createsasmilefromotherchiefsofthesystemingoodstandingwhoarenottoobusytolookathim。Theyhaveceasedallattemptstobuttonholehim，forheisunapproachable。

Theotherbird，therebelofLeith，whohasneverbeeninthefeudalsystematall，theyhavestoppedlaughingat。ItishewhohasbroughttheEmpiretoitsmostprecariousstate。

Andnow，whilestrangersfromnearandfarthrongintotown，drawnbythesensationalstrugglewhichistoculminateinbattleto-day，Mr。Creweismarshallinghisforces。Allthedelegateswhocanbecollected，andwhowearthebuttonwiththelikenessandsuperscriptionofHumphreyCrewe，aredrawnupbesidethemonumentinthepark，wheretheRiptonBandisstationed；andpresentlytheyareseenbycheeringcrowdsmarchingtomartialmusictowardstheconventionhall，wheretheycollectinabody，withsignsandstreamersinpraiseofthePeople\'sChampionwelltothefrontandcentre。Thisisgenerallyregardedasapieceofconsummategeneralshiponthepartoftheirleader。Theyareapplaudedfromthegalleries，——alreadypacked，——especiallyfromoneconspicuousendwheresitthatcompanyofladies(nowsofamed)whoseeffortshavesomateriallyaidedthecauseofthePeople\'sChampion。Gaystreamersviewithgayergowns，andmorningpapersonthemorrowwillhavesomethingtosayaboutthefashionableelementandthespecialcarwhichbroughtthemfromLeith。

“My，butitishot！“

Thehallisfillednow，withthethousanddelegates，ortheirrepresentativeswhoarefortunateenoughtopossesstheircredentials。

Somethingofthismatterlater。GeneralDoby，chairmanoftheconvention，animpressivebutmournfulfigure，couldnotcallarollifhewantedto。Notthathewillwantto！Impossibletotell，bytheconvenientlawsoftheState，whetherthedulyelecteddelegatesofHullorMercerorTruroarehereornot，sincetheircredentialsmaybeboughtorsoldorconferred。Somepoliticalgiants，whohavenotnegotiatedtheircredentials，arerecognizedastheywalkdowntheaisle:thestatesmanlikefigureofSenatorWhitredge(acheer)；thatofSenatorGreen(notsostatesmanlike，butacheer)；CongressmanFairplay(cheers)；

and——HilaryVane！Hisafigurethatdoesnotinspirecheers，——leastofallto-day，——themanuponwhoseshouldersreststhepoliticalfutureoftheNortheastern。TheconservativeMr。TredwaysandotherLincolnradicalsoflongagowhorelyonhisstrengthandjudgmentarenotthesorttocheer。Andyet——andyetHilaryinspiressomefeelingwhen，withstoopinggait，hetraversesthehall，andthereisahushinmanyquartersasdelegatesandspectatorswatchhisprogresstothelittleroomofftheplatform:thegeneral\'sroom，astheinitiatedknow。

Ah，butfewknowwhatahatefulplaceitistoHilaryVaneto-day，thiskeyboardatwhichhehassatsocomplacentlyinyearsgoneby，theenviedofconventions。Hesitsdownwearilyatthebasswoodtable，andscarcelyhearsthefamiliarsoundswithout，whichindicatethattheconventionofconventionshasbegun。Extraordinaryphenomenonatsuchatime，scenesoflongagoandlittlecherishedthen，arestealingintohismind。

TheReverendMr。Crane(sooftenchaplainoftheLegislature，andknowntotheirreverentasthechaplainoftheNortheastern)isprayingnowforguidanceinthecounselsofthisgreatgatheringofthepeople\'srepresentatives。GodwillhearMr。Botcherbetterifhecloseshiseyes；

whichhedoes。NowtheplatformisbeingreadbyStateSenatorBillings；

closedeyeswouldbestsuitthisproceeding，too。Asaparalleltothatplatform，onecanthinkonlyoftheTenCommandments。TheRepublicanParty(chosenchildrenofIsrael)mustbekeptfreefromthedominationofcorporations。(Cheersandbannerwavingforafullminute。)Somebettermethodofchoosingdelegateswhichwillmoretrulyreflectthewillofthepeople。(PlankoftheHonourableJacobBotcher，whoseconscienceisawakening。)Nevermindtherest。ItisatriumphforMr。

Crewe，andisallprintedinthatorthodox(reform)newspaper，theStateTribune，withurgenteditorialsthatitmustbecarriedouttotheletter。

Andwhatnow？Delegates，credentialholders，audience，andtheReverendMr。Cranedrawlongbreathsofheatedcarbondioxide。PostmasterBurrowsofEdmundton，inroundedperiods，isputtinginnominationhisdistinguishedneighbourandfellow-citizen，theHonourableAdamB。Hunt，whocansubscribeandsayamentoeveryplankinthatplatform。Hebelievesit，hehasproclaimeditinpublic，andheembodiesit。Mr。

Burrowsindulgesinslightbuteffectivesarcasmofshamreformersandso-calledbusinessmenwhoperformthearduoustaskofcuttingcouponsandliveinrarefiedregionswheretheycanonlybeseenbythecommonpeoplewhenthelightisturnedon。(Cheersfromtwopartisanbodiesandgroansandhissesfromanother。GeneralDoby，withapainedface，poundingwiththegavel。Thisisn\'tacircumstancetowhat\'scoming，General。)

AfterGeneralDobyhassucceededinabatingthenoiseinhonour-oftheHonourableAdam，thereisahushofexpectancy。HumphreyCrewe，whohasmadeallthistroubleandenthusiasm，istobenominatednext，andtheHonourableTimothyWailingofNewcastlearisestomakethatcelebratedorationwhichthecynicalhavecalledthe“thousand-dollarspeech。“Andeveniftheyhadnameditwell(whichisnotforamomenttobeadmitted！)，itischeapfortheprice。HowMr。Crewe\'searsmusttingleashepaceshisheadquartersinthePelican！Almostwoulditbesacrilegetosetdowncold，onpaper，thewordsthatcome，burning，outoftheHonourableTimothy\'sloyalheart。Here，gentlemen，isamanatlast，notamerepuppetwhosignshisnamewhenacitizenofNewYorkpullsthestring；onewhoispreparedtomakeanysacrifice，——tospendhislife，ifneedbe，intheirservice。(Abarelyaudiblevoice，beforethecheeringcommences，“Iguessthat\'sso。“)HumphreyCreweneedsnodefence——theHonourableTimothyavers——athishands，oranyone\'s。Notmerelyanidealist，butapracticalmanwhohasstudiedtheneedsoftheState；unselfishtothecore；longing，likeWashington，theFatherofhisCountry，toremaininabeautifulcountryhome，wherehedispenseshospitalitywithaflowinghandtopoorandrichalike，yetharkingtothecallofduty。Leaving，likethenobleRomanofold，hisploughinthefurrow——(Samevoiceasbefore，“Iwishhe\'dlefthisautomobil\'

thar！“Hissesandlaughter。)TheHonourableTimothy，undaunted，snatcheshishandfromthebreastofhisPrinceAlbertandflingsit，withasuperbgesture，towardsthePelican。“Gentlemen，Ihavethehonourtonominatetothisconventionthatpeerlessleaderfortheright，theHonourableHumphreyCreweofLeith——ournextgovernor。“

GeneralAndrewJacksonhimself，hadhebeenaliveandonthishistoricgroundandchairmanofthatconvention，couldscarcehavequelledthetumultarousedbythisnameandthisspeech——muchlessGeneralDoby。

Althoughamanofpresence，measurablebyscaleswithweightsenough，ourgeneralhasnomoreponderositynowthanaleafinamountainstormatHale——andnomorecontroloverthehurricane。Beholdhimnow，poundingwithhisgavelonsomethingwhichshouldgiveforthasound，butdoesn\'t。

Whoishe(tochangethespeech\'sfigure——notthegeneral\'s)，whoishetodriveawildeight-horseteam，whoisfitonlytoconductMr。Flint\'soxeninyearsgoneby？

Itisamemorablescene，sketchedtolifeforthemetropolitanpress。

Themanonthechair，hisfacelightedbyafanaticenthusiasm，istheHonourableHamiltonTooting，coatlessandcollarless，leadingthecheersthatshakethebuilding，thatmusthavestruckterrortothesoulofAugustusP。Flinthimself——fiftymilesaway。Buttheenduranceofthehumanthroatislimited。

Why，inthenameofpoliticalstrategy，hasUnitedStatesSenatorGreenebeenchosentonominatetheHonourableGilesHendersonofKingston？Somesaythatitisthewillofhighestauthority，othersthatthesenatorisaclosefriendoftheHonourableGiles——buyshiscoalfromhim，wholesale。Bothsurmisesaretrue。Thesenator\'sfigureisnotimpressive，hisvoicelessso，andhereadsfrommanuscript，totheaccompanimentofcontinualcriesof“Louder！“AhookforLeviathan！“A

greatdealofdribble，“saidthesenator，forlittlerockssometimesstrikefire，“hasbeenheardaboutthe\'willofthepeople。\'“

TheHonourableGilesHendersonisbeholdentonomanandtonocorporation，andwillgointoofficepreparedtodojusticeimpartiallytoall。“

“Bu——copiaverborum——letustothemainbusiness！“

Toanhundrednewspapers，toMr。FlintatFairview，andotherimportantpersonagesticksoutthemomentousnewsthattheballotinghasbegun。Nousetryingtoholdyourbreathuntilthefirstballotisannounced；ittakestimetoobtainthevotesofonethousandmen——especiallywhenneitherGeneralDobynoranyoneelseknowswhotheyare！Theonlywayistomarchuponthestagebycountiesandfilepasttheballot-box。

Putnam，withtheirglitter-eyedduke，Mr。Bascom，attheirhead——

presumablysolidforAdamB。Hunt；BaronBurrows，whofarmsoutthepost-

officeatEdmundton，leadsEdmundsCounty；EarlElishaJane，consulatsomehotplacewherehespendstheinclementmonthsdropsthefirstticketforHainesCounty，ostensiblysolidforhome-madevirtueandtheHonourableGiles。

Anhourandaquarterofsuspenseandtorturepasses，whilecollarswiltandcoatscomeoff，andfansinthegallerywaveincessantly，andexcitedconversationbuzzesineveryquarter。Andnow，see！thereiswhisperingonthestageamongthebig-bugs。Mr。ChairmanDobyriseswithapaperinhishand，andthebuzzingdiesdowntosilence。

TheHonourableGilesHendersonofKingstonhas……398

TheHonourableHumphreyCreweofLeithhas……353

TheHonourableAdamB。HuntofEdmundtonhas……249

Andamajoritybeingrequired，thereisnochoice！

ArethesupportersofthePeople\'sChampioncrest-fallen，thinkyou？Mr。

Tootingisnotleadingthemforthemoment，butispressingthroughthecrowdoutsidethehallandflyingupthestreettothePelicanandthebridalsuite，whereheisfirstwiththenews。Noteforanunabridgedbiography:thegreatmanisdiscoveredsittingquietlybythewindow，poringoverabookonthemodernscienceofroad-building，somenotesfromwhichheismakingforhisfirstmessage。Andinsteadofthereekoftobaccosmoke，theroomisfilledwiththescentofthefloraltributesbroughtdownbytheLadies\'AuxiliaryfromLeith。InMr。

Crewe\'sright-handpocket，neatlytypewritten，ishisspeechofacceptance。Heisnevercaughtunprepared。Unkind，now，toremindhimofthatpredictionmadelastnightaboutthefirstballottothenewspapers——anduseless。

“Itoldyoulastnighttheywerebuyin\'\'emrightunderournoses，“criedMr。Tooting，inaparoxysmofindignation，“andyouwouldn\'tbelieveme。

Theygotoveronehundredandsixtyawayfromus。“

“Itstrikesme，Mr。Tooting，“saidMr。Crewe，“thatitwasyourbusinesstopreventthat。“

Therewillnodoubtbeadiscussion，whenthebiographerreachesthisjuncture，concerningthecongruityofreformdelegateswhocanbebought。

Itistooknottyapointofethicstobedweltuponhere。

“Preventit！“echoedMr。Tooting，andinthestronglightoftherighteousnessofthateyereproachesfailedhim。“Butthere\'sawholelotof\'emcanbeseen，rightnow，whiletheballotsarebeingtaken。Itwon\'tbedecidedonthenextballot。“

“Mr。Tooting，“saidMr。Crewe，indubitablyprovingthathehadthequalitiesofaleader——ifsuchproofwerenecessary，“gobacktotheconvention。Ihavenodoubtoftheoutcome，butthatdoesn\'tmeanyouaretorelaxyourefforts。Doyouunderstand？“

“IguessIdo，“repliedMr。Tooting，andwasgone。“Hestillhashisflagup，“hewhisperedintotheHonourableTimothyWatling\'sear，whenhereachedthehall。“He\'llstandalittlemoreyet。“

Mr。Tooting，attimes，speaksalanguageunknowntous——andthesecondballotisgoingon。AndduringitsprogressthetwoprincipallieutenantsofthePeople\'sChampionwereobservedgoingaboutthehallapparentlyexchangingthetimeofdaywithvariousholdersofcredentials。Mr。Jane，too，isgoingaboutthehall，andPostmasterBurrows，andPostmasterBillFleetingofBrampton，andtheHonourableNatBillings，andMessrs。BascomandBotcher，andMr。Manning，divisionsuperintendent，andtheHonourableOrrinYoung，railroadcommissionerandcandidateforreappointment——allareembracingtheopportunitytogreethumblefriendsortomakenewacquaintances。Anotherhourandaquarter，withthetemperaturesteadilyrisingandthecarbondioxideincreasing——

andthesecondballotisannounced。

TheHonourableGilesHendersonofKingstonhas……440

TheHonourableHumphreyCreweofLeithhas……336

TheHonourableAdamB。HuntofEdmundtonhas……255

Andtherearethreevotesbesidesimproperlymadeout！