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。HamiltonTootingColonelHamiltonTootingthatistobe——itbeinganopensecretthatheisdestinedforthestaffisstandinghatlessonthesidewalkreadytoreceivethegreatman。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。ThroughthebluemediumproducedbytheburningofmanycigarsmostlyMr。Crewe\'shetakesnoteoftheburlyformofMr。ThomasGaylordbesidethatofMr。Redbrookandotherruralfigures；hetakesnoteofaquietcornerwitharingofchairssurroundedbyscoutsandoutposts，althoughitrequiresatrainedeyesuchasMr。Tooting\'storecognizethemassuch——fortheywearnouniforms。Theyare，intruth，minorcaptainsofthefeudalsystem，andtheirpresentdutiesconsistasMr。TootingseesclearlyinpreventingtheinnocentandinquisitivefromunprofitablespeechwiththeHonourableJacobBotcher，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，andhadcalledaprivateconferenceinwhichHilarywasnotincludedinabackroomonthesecondfloorwheretheconflictingbandsofMr。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，inthepersonofHilarywhowasNumberSeven，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？thatthetwofeudalchiefswhocouldbenamedarerebelsagainsthighestauthority？A
smilefromthesophisticatedone。Thisdukeandbaronhavemerelystoppedtopluckabird；itmattersnotwhetherornotthebirdisanerstwhilefriend——hehasbeenoutlawedbyhighestauthority，andisfairgame。Thebirdwiththetoothpickinhismouthcreatesasmilefromotherchiefsofthesystemingoodstandingwhoarenottoobusytolookathim。Theyhaveceasedallattemptstobuttonholehim，forheisunapproachable。
Theotherbird，therebelofLeith，whohasneverbeeninthefeudalsystematall，theyhavestoppedlaughingat。ItishewhohasbroughttheEmpiretoitsmostprecariousstate。
Andnow，whilestrangersfromnearandfarthrongintotown，drawnbythesensationalstrugglewhichistoculminateinbattleto-day，Mr。Creweismarshallinghisforces。Allthedelegateswhocanbecollected，andwhowearthebuttonwiththelikenessandsuperscriptionofHumphreyCrewe，aredrawnupbesidethemonumentinthepark，wheretheRiptonBandisstationed；andpresentlytheyareseenbycheeringcrowdsmarchingtomartialmusictowardstheconventionhall，wheretheycollectinabody，withsignsandstreamersinpraiseofthePeople\'sChampionwelltothefrontandcentre。Thisisgenerallyregardedasapieceofconsummategeneralshiponthepartoftheirleader。Theyareapplaudedfromthegalleries，——alreadypacked，——especiallyfromoneconspicuousendwheresitthatcompanyofladiesnowsofamedwhoseeffortshavesomateriallyaidedthecauseofthePeople\'sChampion。Gaystreamersviewithgayergowns，andmorningpapersonthemorrowwillhavesomethingtosayaboutthefashionableelementandthespecialcarwhichbroughtthemfromLeith。
“My，butitishot！“
Thehallisfillednow，withthethousanddelegates，ortheirrepresentativeswhoarefortunateenoughtopossesstheircredentials。
Somethingofthismatterlater。GeneralDoby，chairmanoftheconvention，animpressivebutmournfulfigure，couldnotcallarollifhewantedto。Notthathewillwantto！Impossibletotell，bytheconvenientlawsoftheState，whetherthedulyelecteddelegatesofHullorMercerorTruroarehereornot，sincetheircredentialsmaybeboughtorsoldorconferred。Somepoliticalgiants，whohavenotnegotiatedtheircredentials，arerecognizedastheywalkdowntheaisle:thestatesmanlikefigureofSenatorWhitredgeacheer；thatofSenatorGreennotsostatesmanlike，butacheer；CongressmanFairplaycheers；
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。CranesooftenchaplainoftheLegislature，andknowntotheirreverentasthechaplainoftheNortheasternisprayingnowforguidanceinthecounselsofthisgreatgatheringofthepeople\'srepresentatives。GodwillhearMr。Botcherbetterifhecloseshiseyes；
whichhedoes。NowtheplatformisbeingreadbyStateSenatorBillings；
closedeyeswouldbestsuitthisproceeding，too。Asaparalleltothatplatform，onecanthinkonlyoftheTenCommandments。TheRepublicanPartychosenchildrenofIsraelmustbekeptfreefromthedominationofcorporations。Cheersandbannerwavingforafullminute。Somebettermethodofchoosingdelegateswhichwillmoretrulyreflectthewillofthepeople。PlankoftheHonourableJacobBotcher，whoseconscienceisawakening。Nevermindtherest。ItisatriumphforMr。
Crewe，andisallprintedinthatorthodoxreformnewspaper，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。“Andeveniftheyhadnameditwellwhichisnotforamomenttobeadmitted！，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。
Whoishetochangethespeech\'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！