“Idon\'tthinkherealizeshowdangerousyouare，“shereplied，avoidingtheissue。“ThelasttimeIsawyou，youwereactuallytryingtothrowafatmanoutofyourwindow。Whataviolentlifeyoulead，Mr。Vane。I
hopeyouhaven\'tshotanymorepeople——“
“Isawyou，“hesaid。
“Isthatthewayyouspendyourtimeinofficehours，——throwingpeopleoutofthewindows？“
“ItwasonlyTomGaylord。“
“He\'sthemanMr。Jenneysaidwantedyoutobeasenator，isn\'the？“sheasked。
“Youhaveagoodmemory，“heansweredher。“Yes。That\'sthereasonI
triedtothrowhimoutofthewindow。“
“Whydidn\'tyoubeasenator？“sheaskedabruptly。“Ialwaysthinkofyouinpubliclife。Whywasteyouropportunities？“
“I\'mnotatallsurethatwasanopportunity。ItwasonlysomeofTom\'snonsense。Ishouldhavehadallthepoliticiansinthedistrictagainstme。“
“Butyouaren\'tthekindofmanwhowouldcareaboutthepoliticians，surely。IfHumphreyCrewecangetelectedbythepeople，Ishouldthinkyoumight。“
“Ican\'taffordtogivegarden-partiesandbuylemonade，“saidAusten，andtheybothlaughed。HedidnotthinkitworthwhilementioningMr。
Braden。
“SometimesIthinkyouhaven\'taparticleofambition，“shesaid。“I
likemenwithambition。“
“Ishalltrytocultivateit，“saidAusten。
“Youseemtobepopularenough。“
“Mostworthlesspeoplearepopular，becausetheydon\'ttreadonanybody\'stoes。“
“Worthlesspeopledon\'ttakeuppoorpeople\'ssuits，andwinthem，“shesaid。“IsawZebMeadertheotherday，andhesaidyoucouldbePresidentoftheUnitedStates。“
“ZebmeantthatIwaseligible——havingbeenborninthiscountry，“saidAusten。“Butwheredidyouseehim？“
“I——Iwenttoseehim。“
“AllthewaytoMercer？“
“Itisn\'tsofarinanautomobile，“shereplied，asthoughinexcuse，andadded，stillmorelamely，“ZebandIbecamegreatfriends，youknow，inthehospital。“
Hedidnotanswer，butwonderedthemoreatthesimplicityandkindnessinonebroughtupasshehadbeenwhichpromptedhertotakethetroubletoseethehumblestofherfriends:nay，totakethetroubletohavehumblefriends。
Theroadwoundalongaridge，andatintervalswasspreadbeforethemthefullgloryoftheSeptembersunset，——themountainsofthewestinblue-
blacksilhouetteagainstthesaffronsky，themyriaddappledclouds，thecrimsonfadingfromthestillreachesoftheriver，andthewine-colourfromtheeasternhills。Bothweresilentunderthespell，butayearningarosewithinhimwhenheglancedatthesunsetglowonherface:wouldsunsetshereafterbringsadness？
Histhoughtsranriotasthelightfadedinthewest。Herswerenotrevealed。Andthesilencebetweenthemseemedgraduallytogrowintoapact，tobecomeasubtlerandmoreintimateelementthanspeech。Afainttangofautumnsmokewasintheair，awhitemistcreptalongtherunningwaters，asilvermoonlikeanew-stampedcoinrodetriumphantinthesky，impatienttoproclaimherglory；andtheshadowsundertheghost-likesentineltreesinthepasturesgrewblacker。AtlastVictorialookedathim。
“YouaretheonlymanIknowwhodoesn\'tinsistontalking，“shesaid。
Therearetimeswhen——“
“Whenthereisnothingtosay，“hesuggested。
Shelaughedsoftly。Hetriedtorememberthesoundofitafterwards，whenherehearsedthisphaseoftheconversation，butcouldn\'t。
“It\'sbecauseyoulikethehills，isn\'tit？“sheasked。“Youseemsuchanout-of-doorperson，andMr。Jenneysaidyouwerealwayswanderingaboutthecountry-side。“
“Mr。Jenneyalsomadeotherreflectionsaboutmyyouth，“saidAusten。
Shelaughedagain，acquiescinginhishumour，secretlythankfulnottofindhimsentimental。
“Mr。Jenneysaidsomethingelsethat——thatIwantedtoaskyouabout，“
shewenton，breathingmoredeeply。“Itwasabouttherailroad。“
“Iamafraidyouhavenotcometoanauthority，“hereplied。
“YousaidthepoliticianswouldbeagainstyouifyoutriedtobecomeaStatesenator。Doyoubelievethatthepoliticiansareownedbytherailroad？“
“HasJenneybeenputtingsuchthingsintoyourhead？“
“NotonlyMr。Jenney，but——Ihaveheardotherpeoplesaythat。AndHumphreyCrewesaidthatyouhadn\'tachancepolitically，becauseyouhadopposedtherailroadandhadgoneagainstyourowninterests。“
Austenwasamazedatthisnewexhibitionofcourageonherpart，thoughhewassorelypressed。
“HumphreyCreweisn\'tmuchofanauthority，either，“hesaidbriefly。
“Thenyouwon\'ttellme？“saidVictoria。“Oh，Mr。Vane，“shecried，withsuddenvehemence，“ifsuchthingsaregoingonhere，I\'msuremyfatherdoesn\'tknowaboutthem。ThisisonlyoneState，andtherailroadrunsthroughsomany。Hecan\'tknoweverything，andIhaveheardhimsaythathewasn\'tresponsibleforwhatthepoliticiansdidinhisname。Iftheyarebad，whydon\'tyougotohimandtellhimso？I\'msurehe\'dlistentoyou。“
“I\'msurehe\'dthinkmeapresumptuousidiot，“saidAusten。“Politiciansarenotidealistsanywhere——theverywordhasbecomeatermofreproach。
Undoubtedlyyourfatherdesirestosetthingsrightasmuchasanyoneelse——probablymorethananyone。“
“Oh，Iknowhedoes，“exclaimedVictoria。
“Ifpoliticsarenotallthattheyshouldbe，“hewenton，somewhatgrimly，withanunpleasantfeelingofhypocrisy，“wemustrememberthattheyarenobody\'sfaultinparticular，andcan\'tbesetrightinaninstantbyanyoneman，nomatterhowpowerful。“
Sheturnedherfacetohimgratefully，buthedidnotmeetherlook。
TheywereonthedrivewayofFairview。
“Isupposeyouthinkmeverysillyforaskingsuchquestions，“shesaid。
“No，“heansweredgravely，“butpoliticsaresointricateasubjectthattheyareoftennotunderstoodbythosewhoareinthemidstofthem。I
admire——Ithinkitisveryfineinyoutowanttoknow。“
“Youarenotoneofthemenwhowouldnotwishawomantoknow，areyou？“
“No，“hesaid，“no，I\'mnot。“
Thenoteofpaininhisvoicesurprisedandtroubledher。Theywerealmostinsightofthehouse。
“IaskedyoutocometoFairview，“shesaid，assumingalightnessoftone，“andyouneverappeared。Ithoughtitwashorridofyoutoforget，afterwe\'dbeensuchfriends。“
“Ididn\'tforget，“repliedAusten。
“Thenyoudidn\'twanttocome。“
Helookedintohereyes，andshedroppedthem。
“Youwillhavetobethebestjudgeofthat，“hesaid。
“ButwhatamItothink？“shepersisted。
“Thinkthebestofmeyoucan，“heanswered，astheydrewuponthegravelbeforetheopendoorofFairviewhouse。Amanwasstandinginthemoonlightontheporch。
“Isthatyou，Victoria？“
“Yes，father。“
“Iwasgettingworried，“saidMr。Flint，comingdownonthedriveway。
“I\'mallright，“shesaid，leapingoutofthebuggy，“Mr。Vanebroughtmehome。“
“Howareyou，Hilary？“saidMr。Flint。
“I\'mAustenVane，Mr。Flint，“saidAusten。
“Howareyou？“saidMr。Flint，ascurtlyasthebarestpolitenessallowed。“Whatwasthematterwithyourownhorse，Victoria？“
“Nothing，“shereplied，afteraninstant\'spause。Austenwonderedmanytimeswhetherherlipshadtrembled。“Mr。Vaneaskedmetodrivewithhim，andIcame。Won\'t——won\'tyoucomein，Mr。Vane？“
“No，thanks，“saidAusten，“I\'mafraidIhavetogobacktoRipton。“
“Good-by，andthankyou，“shesaid，andgavehimherhand。Ashepressedit，hethoughthefelttheslightestpressureinreturn，andthenshefledupthesteps。Ashedroveaway，heturnedoncetolookatthegreathouse，withitsshadescloselydrawn，asitstoodamidstitssettingofshrubberysilentunderthemoon。
AnhourlaterhesatinHanoverStreetbeforethesupperEuphrasiahadsavedforhim。Butthoughhetriednobly，hisheartwasnotintherelation，forherbenefit，ofMr。Crewe\'sgarden-party。
CHAPTERIX
Mr。CREWEASSAULTSTHECAPITAL
Thoseportionsofthebiographiesofgreatmenwhichdealwiththesmallbeginningsofcareersarealwayseagerlydevoured，andforthisreasonthehumbleentryofMr。Creweintopoliticsmaybeofinterest。Greatrevolutionshavehadtheiroriginsinbackcellars；greatbuildersofrailroadshavebegunlifewithpacksontheirshoulders，trudgingoverthewildernesswhichtheyweretotraverseinafteryearsinprivatecars。ThehistoryofNapoleonBonapartehasnotaSunday-schoolmoral，butwecantracethereintheresultsofindustryafterthefutureemperorgotstarted。Industry，andthemotto“nildesperandum“livedupto，andthewatchword“thorough，“andatorchofunsuspectedgenius，and“l\'audace，toujoursl\'audace，“andamanmaygofarinlife。
Mr。HumphreyCrewepossessed，asmayhavebeensurmised，adashofallthesegifts。Forasummaryofhischaracteronewouldnothaveusedthephraseasacontemporaryofhisremarkedof“ashrinkingviolet。“Thephrase，afterall，wouldhavefittedveryfewgreatmen；geniusissureofitself，andseeksitspeers。
TheStatecapitalisanoldandbeautifulandsomewhatconservativetown。
Lifetherehasitsjoysandsorrowsandpassions，itsambitions，andheart-burnings，tobesure；amostabsorbingnovelcouldbewrittenaboutit，andtheauthorneednotgobeyondthecitylimitsorapproachthestate-houseorthePelicanHotel。Thecasualvisitorinthatcapitalleavesitwithasenseofpeace，theechoofchurchbellsinhisear，andifinwintertheimpressionofdazzlingsnow。Comediesdonotnecessarilyrequireawidestage，nortragediesanamphitheatrefortheirenactment。
Nocasualvisitor，forinstance，wouldhavesuspectedfromthefacesorremarksoftheinhabitantswhomhechancedtomeetthattherewasexcitementinthecapitalovertheprospectivearrivalofMr。HumphreyCreweforthelegislativesessionthatwinter。Legislativesessions，beitknown，nolongertookplaceinthesummer，agreatrelieftoMr。Creweandtofarmersingeneral，whowishedtobeathomeinhayingtime。
Thecapitalaboundedincomfortablehomesandboastednotadwellingsoflargerpretensions。ChiefamongthesewastheDuncanhouse——stillsocalled，althoughMr。Duncan，whobuiltit，hadbeendeadthesefifteenyears，andhisdaughterandheiress，Janet，hadmarriedanItalianMarquisandlivedinaRomanpalace，rehabilitatedbytheDuncanmoney。
Mr。Duncan，itmayberecalledbysomereadersof“Coniston，“hadbeenanotablemaninhisday，whohadmarriedtheheiressoftheState，andwaspresidentoftheCentralRailroad，nowabsorbedintheUnitedNortheastern。Thehousewasagreatsquareofbrick，withawidecornice，surroundedbyashadedlawn；solidlybuilt，inthefashionofthedayswhenrichpeoplestayedathome，withaconservatoryandalibrarythathadoncebeenMr。Duncan\'spride。TheMarchesacaredverylittleaboutthelibrary，oraboutthehouse，forthatmatter；agreatauntanduncle，spinsterandbachelor，werelivinginitthatwinter，andtheyvacatedforMr。Crewe。HetravelledtothecapitalonthelegislativepasstheNortheasternRailroadshadsokindlygivenhim，andbroughtdownhishorsesandhissecretaryandservantsfromLeithafewdaysbeforethefirstofJanuary，whenthesessionwastoopen，andlaidouthisbillsforthebettermentoftheStateonthatlibrarytablewhereMr。Duncanhadlovinglythumbedhisfolios。Mr。Crewe，withcharacteristicpromptitude，sethissecretarytoworktomakealistofthepersonsofinfluenceinthetown，preparatorytoaseriesofdinner-
parties；hedroppedintotheofficeofMr。Ridout，thecounseloftheNortheasternandoftheWinonaCorporationinthecapital，topayhisrespectsasamanofaffairs，andincidentallytoleavecopiesofhisbillsfortheimprovementoftheState。Mr。Ridoutwaspolitelyinterested，andpromisedtoreadthebills，andagreedthattheyoughttopass。
Mr。CrewealsoexaminedthePelicanHotel，sosoontobeahive，andstoodbetweenthesnow-banksinthecapitalparkcontemplatingthestatueofthegreatstatesmanthere，andrepeatingtohimselfthequotationinscribedbeneath。“ThePeople\'sGovernment，madeforthePeople，madebythePeople，andanswerabletothePeople。“Andhewondered，idly，——
forthedaywasnotcold，——howhewouldlookuponapedestalwiththeGladstonecollarandtheroughwoollencoatthatwouldlendthemselvessoreadilytoreproductioninmarble。Strangerthingshadhappened，andgratefulStateshadbeenknowntorewardbenefactors。
Atlengthcomesthegalanightofnights，——thelastoftheoldyear，——andtheassemblingofthefivehundredlegislatorsandofthearmythatiswonttoattendthem。Theafternoontrains，steaminghot，arecrowdedtothedoors，thestationasceneofanimation，andMainStreet，dazzlinginsnow，isalivewithastreamofmen，witheddieshereandthereatthecurbsandintheentries。Whathandshaking，andlookingoverofnewfaces，andwalkingroundandround！Whatsightseeingbythecountrymembersandtheirwiveswhohavecometoattendtheinaugurationofthenewgovernor，theHonourableAsaP。Gray！Thereheis，withthewhiskersandthetallhatandthecomfortableface，whichwearsalreadyalookofgubernatorialdignityandpower。HestandsforamomentinthelobbyofthePelicanHotel，——throngednowtosuffocation，——toshakehandsgeniallywithnewfriends，whoareledupbyoldfriendswithtwofingersontheelbow。Theoldfriendscrackjokesandwhisperintheearofthegovernor-to-be，whopresentlygoesupstairs，accompaniedbytheHonourableHilaryVane，tothebridalsuite，whichisreservedforhim，andwhichhasfire-proofcarpetonthefloor。TheHonourableHilaryhasaroomnextdoor，connectingwiththenewgovernor\'sbyfoldingdoors，butthisfactisnotgenerallyknowntocountrymembers。Onlyoldtimers，likeBijahBixbyandJobBraden，knowthattheHonourableHilary\'sroomcorrespondstoonewhichintheoldPelicanwascalledtheThroneRoom，NumberSeven，whereJethroBasssatintheolddaysandwatchedunceasinglythegroupsinthestreetfromthewindow。
ButJethroBasshasbeendeadthesetwentyyears，andhislieutenantsshornofpower。Anempirehasarisenoutoftheashesoftheancientkingdoms。BijahandJobareold，all-powerfulstillinClovellyandLeith——influentialstillintheirownestimations；stillkickinguptheirheelsbehind，stillstutteringandwhisperingintoears，still“goingalongbywhentheyaretalkingsly。“Buttherearenoguerrillasnow，nocondottieriwhocanbehired:theempirehasapaidandstandingarmy，asanempireshould。TheNorthCountrychiefs，sopowerfulintheclanwarfareofbygonedays，aregeneralsnow，——chiefsofstaff。Thecaptain-
general，withaminutepieceofHoneyDewunderhistongue，sitsinNumberSeven。AnewNumberSeven，——withelectriclightsandabathroomandabrassbed。Temporamutantur。Thereisanempireandafeudalsystem，didonebutknowit。Theclansarepartoftheempire，andeachchiefisresponsibleforhisclan——didonebutknowit。Onedoesn\'tknowit。
TheHonourableBrushBascom，DukeofPutnam，memberoftheHouse，hasarrivedunostentatiously——asishiscustom——andisseatedinhisownheadquarters，numbertenwithabathroom。NumberninebelongsfromyeartoyeartoMr。Manning，divisionsuperintendentofthatpartoftheNortheasternwhichwastheoldCentral，——athingentlemanwithside-
whiskers。Heloveslifeinthecapitalsomuchthathetakeshisvacationsthereinthewinter，——duringthesessionsoftheLegislature，——
presumablybecauseitisgay。Thereareotherrooms，higherup，ofimportantmen，tobesure，buttoenterwhichitisnotsomuchofanhonour。TheHonourableBillFleming，postmasterofBramptoninTruroEphraimPrescottbeinglongsincedeadandBramptonalargeplacenow，hashisvacationduringthesessioninroomthirty-sixnobathroom；andtheHonourableElishaJane，EarlofHainesCountyintheNorthCountry，andUnitedStatesconsulsomewhere，ishomeonhisannualvacationinroomfifty-ninenobath。SenatorWhitredgehasaroom，andSenatorGreen，andCongressmenEldridgeandFairplaynobaths，andonlytemporary。
Thefivehundredwhoduringthenextthreemonthsaretoregisterthelawsfindquartersasbesttheycan。NotallofthemareasluxuriousasMr。CreweintheDuncanhouse，ortheHonourableBrushBascominnumbertenofthePelican，therentofeitherofwhichwouldswallowthelegislativesalaryinnotime。TheHonourableNatBillings，senatorfromthePutnamCountydistrict，iscomfortablyinstalled，tobesure。Bygradualandunexplaineddegrees，theconstitutionoftheStatehasbeenchangeduntilthereareonlytwentysenators。Noblefivehundred！
Steadfasttwenty！
Acarefulperusalofthebiographiesofgreatmenofthedynamictypeleadsonetotheconclusionthatmuchoftheirsuccessisduetoanassiduousimprovementofeveryopportunity，——andMr。HumphreyCrewecertainlypossessedthisquality，also。HeisinthePelicanHotelthisevening，meetingthementhatcount。Mr。JobBraden，whohadcomedownwiththeideathathemightbeofuseinintroducingthenewmemberfromLeithtothenotables，wasmetbythisremark:——
“Youcan\'tintroducemetoanyof\'em——theyallknowwhoIam。Justpointanyof\'emoutyouthinkIoughttoknow，andI\'llgoupandtalkto\'em。What？Comeuptomyhouseafterawhileandsmokeacigar。TheDuncanhouse，youknow——thebigonewiththeconservatory。“
Mr。Crewewasright——theyallknewhim。TheLeithmillionaire，thesummerresident，wasanewfactorinpolitics，andtherumoursofthesizeofhisfortunehadreachedahigh-watermarkinthePelicanHotelthatevening。Pushingthroughthecrowdinthecorridoroutsidethebridalsuitewaitingtoshakehandswiththenewgovernor，Mr。Crewegainedanentranceinnotime，anddidnothesitatetointerruptthesomewhatprotractedfelicitationsofanIrishmemberoftheNewcastledelegation。
“Howareyou，Governor？“hesaid，withthebonhomieofamanoftheworld。“I\'mHumphreyCrewe，fromLeith。Yougotaletterfromme，didn\'tyou，congratulatingyouuponyourelection？Wedidn\'tdobadlyforyouupthere。What？“
“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Crewe？“saidMr。Gray，withdignifiedhospitality，whiletheirfingersslidovereachother\'s；“I\'mgladtowelcomeyouhere。I\'venoticedtheinterestyou\'vetakenintheState，andthenumberofahem——veryusefulsocietiestowhichyoubelong。“
“Good，“saidMr。Crewe，“IdowhatIcan。Ijustdroppedintoshakeyourhand，andtosaythatIhopewe\'llpulltogether。“
Thegovernorliftedhiseyebrowsalittle。
“Why，Ihopeso，I\'msere，Mr。Crewe，“saidhe。
“I\'velookedoverthepolicyoftheStateforthelasttwentyyearsinregardtopublicimprovementsandtheintroductionofmodernmethodsasconcernshusbandry，andIfinditdeplorable。YouandI，Governor，liveinaprogressiveage，andwecan\'taffordnottoseesomethingdone。
What？ItismydesiretodowhatIcantohelpmakeyouradministrationanotableadvanceuponthoseofyourpredecessors。“
“Why——Igreatlyappreciateit，Mr。Crewe，“saidMr。Gray。
“I\'msureyoudo。I\'velookedoveryourrecord，andIfindyou\'vehadexperienceinStateaffairs，andthatyouareasuccessfulandconservativebusinessman。Thatisthetypewewant——eh？Businessmen。
You\'vereadoverthebillsIsentyoubyregisteredmail？“
“Ahem，“saidMr。Gray，“I\'vebeenagooddealoccupiedsinceelectionday，Mr。Crewe。“
“Read\'em，“saidMr。Crewe，“andI\'llcallinonyouatthestate-housedayafterto-morrowatfiveo\'clockpromptly。We\'lldiscuss\'em，Governor，andif，bythelightofyourlegislativeexperience，youhaveanysuggestionstomake，Ishallbegladtohear\'em。BeforeputtingthebillsintheirfinalshapeI\'vetakenthetroubletogooverthemwithmyfriend，Mr。Flint——ourmutualfriend，letussay。“
“I\'vehadthepleasureofmeetingMr。Flint，“saidMr。Gray。“I——ahem——
can\'tsaythatIknowhimintimately。“
Mr。CrewelookedatMr。Grayinamannerwhichplainlyindicatedthathewasnotaninfant。
“MyrelationswithMr。FlintandtheNortheasternhavebeenverypleasant，“saidMr。Crewe。“ImaysaythatIamsomewhatofapracticalrailroadandbusinessmanmyself。“
“Weneedsuchmen，“saidMr。Gray。“Why，howdoyoudo，Cary？HowaretheboysupinWheeler？“
“Well，good-by，Governor。Seeyoudayafterto-morrowatfiveprecisely，“saidMr。Crewe。
ThenextofficialcallofMr。CrewewasontheSpeaker-to-be，Mr。DobyofHaleforsuchmattersarecutanddried，butanyamountofpoundingonMr。Doby\'sdoornumberseventy-fivebroughtnoresponse。OtherruralmembersbesidesMr。Crewecameandpoundedonthatdoor，andwentawayagain；butMr。JobBradensuddenlyappearedfromanotherpartofthecorridor，smilingbenignly，andapparentlynotresentingtherefusalofhispreviousoffersofhelp。
“W——wanttheSpeaker？“heinquired。
Mr。Creweacknowledgedthathedid。
“Edonlysleepsthere，“saidMr。Braden。“Guessyou\'llfindhimintheRailroad-Room。“
“RailroadRoom？“
“HilaryVane\'s，NumberSeven。“Mr。Bradentookholdofthelapelofhisfellow-townsman\'scoat。“Callatedyoudidn\'tknowitall，“hesaid；
“that\'sthereasonIcomedown——so\'stohelpyousome。\'
Mr。Crewe，althoughhewasnotwonttotakeasecondplace，followedMr。
Bradendownthestairstothedoornexttothegovernor\'s，wherehepushedaheadofhisguide，throughthegroupaboutthedoorway，——noneofwhom，however，wereattemptingtoenter。TheystaredinsomesurpriseatMr。Creweasheflungopenthedoorwithoutknocking，andslammeditbehindhiminMr。Braden\'sface。Butthebewildermentcausedbythisactofthosewithoutwasasnothingtotheastonishmentofthosewithin——hadMr。Crewebutknownit。Anoilpaintingoftheprominentmengatheredaboutthemarble-toppedtableinthecentreoftheroom，withanoutlinekeybeneathit，wouldhavebeenanappropriateworkofarttohanginthestate-house，asemblematicofthestatesmanshipofthepasttwentyyears。
TheHonourableHilaryVanesatatoneendinapaddedchair；Mr。Manning，thedivisionsuperintendent，startledoutofameditation，wasuprightontheendofthebed；Mr。Ridout，theNortheastern\'scapitallawyer，wasfiguringattheotherendofthetable；theHonourableBrushBascomwasbendingoverawide，sad-facedgentlemanofsometwohundredandfiftypoundswhosatatthecentreinhisshirt-sleeves，poringovernumeroussheetsinfrontofhimwhichwerecoveredwithnamesofthefivehundred。
ThisgentlemanwastheHonourableEdwardDobyofHale，who，withthekindassistanceoftheothergentlemenabove-named，wasinthissecludedspotmakingupalistofhiscommittees，undisturbedbyeagercountrymembers。
AtMr。Crewe\'sentranceMr。Bascom，withgreatpresenceofmind，laiddownhishatovertheprincipallist，whileMr。Ridout，takingthehint，puttheRevisedStatutesontheother。Therewasashortsilence；andtheSpeaker-to-be，whosepencilhadbeenknockedoutofhishand；
recoveredhimselfsufficientlytorelightanextremelyfrayedcigar。
NotthatMr。Crewewasintheleastabashed。Hechosethisopportunitytomakeasurveyofthesituation，noddedtoMr。Ridout，andwalkeduptothepaddedarmchair。
“Howareyou，Mr。Vane？“hesaid。“IthoughtI\'ddropintoshakehandswithyou，especiallyasIhavebusinesswiththeSpeaker，andheardhewashere。ButI\'mgladtohavemetyouformanyreasons。Iwantyoutobeoneofthevice-presidentsoftheStateEconomicLeague——itwon\'tcostyouanything。Ridouthasagreedtolethisnamegoon。“
TheHonourableHilary，notbeinganemotionalman，merelygruntedashestartedtorisetohisfeet。Whathewasabouttosaywasinterruptedbyatimidknock，andtherefollowedanotherbriefperiodofsilence。
“Itain\'tanybody，“saidMr。Bascom，andcrossingtheroom，turnedthekeyinthelock。Thetimidknockwasrepeated。
“Isupposeyou\'reconstantlyinterruptedherebyunimportantpeople，“Mr。
Creweremarked。
“Well，“saidMr。Vane，slowly，boringintoMr。Crewewithhiseye，“thatstatementisn\'tfaroutoftheway。“
“Idon\'tbelieveyou\'veevermetme，Mr。Vane。I\'mHumphreyCrewe。WehaveagoodfriendincommoninMr。Flint。“
TheHonourableHilary\'shandpassedoverMr。Crewe\'slightly。
“Gladtomeetyou，Mr。Crewe，“hesaid，andafainttwinkleappearedinhiseye。“Jobhastoldeverybodyyouwerecomingdown。Gladtowelcomeamanofyourahem——stampintopolitics。“
“I\'maplainbusinessman，“answeredMr。Crewe，modestly；“andalthoughI
haveconsiderableoccupation，Ibelievethatoneinmypositionhasdutiestoperform。I\'vecertainbills——“
“Yes，yes，“agreedtheHonourableHilary；“doyouknowMr。BrushBascomandMr。Manning？Allowmetointroduceyou，——andGeneralDoby。“
“Howareyou，General？“saidMr。CrewetotheSpeaker-to-be，“I\'malwaysgladtoshakethehandofaveteran。Indeed，Ihavethoughtthatasociety——“
“Iearnedmytitle，“saidGeneralDoby，somewhatsheepishly，“fightingonGovernorBrown\'sstaff。Thereweretwentyofus，andwewereresistless，weren\'twe，Brush？“
“Twentyonastaff！“exclaimedMr。Crewe。
“Oh，wefurnishedourownuniformsandpaidourownway——exceptthoseofuswhohadpasses，“declaredtheGeneral，asthoughthememoryofhismilitarycareerdidnotgivehimunalloyedpleasure。“What\'stheuseofStatesovereigntyifyoucan\'thaveaglitteringarmytofollowthegovernorround？“
Mr。Crewehadneverconsideredthisquestion，andhewasnotthemantowastetimeinspeculation。
“Doubtlessyougotaletterfromme，GeneralDoby，“hesaid。“WedidwhatwecouldupourwaytoputyouintheSpeaker\'schair。“
GeneralDobycreasedalittleinthemiddle，tosignifythathewasbowing。
“Itrustitwillbeinmypowertoreciprocate，Mr。Crewe，“hereplied。
“WewanttotreatMr。Creweright，“Mr。Bascomputin。
“Youhaveprobablymadeanoteofmyrequests，“Mr。Crewecontinued。“I
shouldliketobeontheJudiciaryCommittee，foronething。AlthoughI
amnotalawyer，Iknowsomethingoftheprinciplesoflaw，andI
understandthatthisandtheAppropriationsCommitteearethemostimportant。ImaysaywithtruththatIshouldbeausefulmemberofthat，asIamaccustomedtosittingonfinancialboards。Asmybillsareofsomeconsiderableimportanceanddealwithpracticalprogressivemeasures，IhavenohesitationinaskingforthechairmanshipofPublicImprovements，——andofcourseamembershipintheAgriculturalisessential，asIhavebillsforthem。Gentlemen，“headdedtotheroomatlarge，“IhavetypewrittenmanifoldsofthosebillswhichIshallbehappytoleavehere——atheadquarters。“Andsuitingtheactiontotheword，heputdownapacketonthetable。
TheHonourableBrushBascom，accompaniedbyMr。Ridout，walkedtothewindowandstoodstaringattheglitteroftheelectriclightonthesnow。TheHonourableHilarygazedsteadilyatthetable，whileGeneralDobyblewhisnosewithpainfulviolence。
“I\'lldowhatIcanforyou，certainly，Mr。Crewe，“hesaid。“But——whatistobecomeoftheotherfourhundredandninety-nine？ThewaysofaSpeakerarehard，Mr。Crewe，andIhavetodojusticetoall。“
“Well，“answeredMr。Crewe，ofcourseIdon\'twanttobeunreasonable，andIrealizethepressurethat\'sputuponyou。ButwhenyouconsidertheimportanceoftheworkIcamedownheretodo——“
“Idoconsiderit，“saidtheSpeaker，politely。“It\'salittleearlytotalkaboutthemake-upofcommittees。IhopetobeabletogetatthembySunday。YoumaybesureI\'lldomybestforyou。“
“We\'dbettermakeanoteofit，“saidMr。Crewe；“givemesomepaper，“
andhewasreachingaroundbehindGeneralDobyforoneoftheprecioussheetsunderMr。Bascom\'shat，whenthegeneral，withgreatpresenceofmind，satonit。Wehaveit，fromamaliciousanduntrustworthysource，thattheNortheasternRailroadspaidforanewone。
“Here，here，“criedtheSpeaker，“makethememorandumhere。“
Atthiscriticaljunctureafortunatediversionoccurred。Arap——threetimes——ofnouncertainqualitywasheardatthedoor，andMr。BrushBascomhastenedtoopenit。Avoicecriedout:——
“IsManninghere？Theboysareholleringforthosepasses，“andawiry，sallowgentlemanburstin，noneotherthantheHonourableElishaJane，whowastakinghisconsularvacation。WhenhiseyesfelluponMr。Crewehehaltedabruptly，lookedalittlefoolish，andgaveaquestioningglanceattheHonourableHilary。
“Mountainpasses，Lish？Sitdown。DidIevertellyouthatstoryabouttheslideinRicketsGulch？“askedtheHonourableBrushBascom。ButfirstletmemakeyouacquaintedwithMr。HumphreyCreweofLeith。Mr。
Crewehascomedownherewiththefinestlotofbillsyoueversaw，andwe\'reallgoingtotakeholdandput\'emthrough。Here，Lish，I\'llgiveyouaset。“
“Read\'em，Mr。Jane，“urgedMr。Crewe。“Idon\'tclaimmuchfor\'em，butperhapstheywillhelptosetafewlittlemattersright——Ihopeso。“
Mr。Janeopenedthebillswithdeliberation，andcasthiseyesovertheheadings。
I\'llread\'emthisverynight，Mr。Crewe，“hesaidsolemnly；“thismeetingyouisaparticularpleasure，andIhaveheardinmanyquartersofthesemeasures。“
“Well，“admittedMr。Crewe，“theymayhelpsome。Ihaveafewothermatterstoattendtothisevening，soImustsaygood-night，gentlemen。
Don\'tletmeinterferewiththoseImountainpasses，Mr。Manning。“
Withthispartingremark，whichprovedhimtobenotmerelyanidealistinpolitics，butapracticalman，Mr。Crewetookhisleave。Andhewastoomuchoccupiedwithhisownthoughtstopayanyattentiontotheclickofthekeyasitturnedinthelock，ortohearUnitedStatesSenatorWhitredgerapthreetimesonthedoorafterhehadturnedthecorner，ortoknowthatpresentlytheslidingdoorsintothegovernor\'sbridalsuite——weretoopenatrifle，largeenoughfortheadmissionofthebodyoftheHonourableAsaP。Gray。
NumberSevenstillkeepsupitsreputationastheseatofbenevolence，andgreatpublicbenefactorsstillmeettheretodiscussthewelfareoftheirfellow-men:thehallowedcouncilchambernowofanempire，seatoftheGovernor-generaloftheState，theHonourableHilaryVane，andhisadvisers。Foryearsabenightedpeople，withafondbeliefintheirparticipationofRepublicaninstitutions，hadelectedthenoblefivehundredoftheHouseandthestanchtwentyoftheSenate。NoblefivehundredsbiggestLegislatureintheworldhavecomeandgone；debated，applauded，foughtandonoccasionsdenounced，kickedoverthetraces，andevenwept——tonoavail。Beholdthatpoliticalinstitutionofman，representativegovernmentThereitisonthestage，curtainup，asublimespectacleforallmentosee，andthrilloverspeechesabouttheRightsofMan，andtheForefathersintheRevolution；aboutConstituentswhodonotconstitute。TheHighHeavensallowitandsmile，anditiswellfortheatomsthattheythinkthemselvesfreeAmericanrepresentatives，thattheydonotfeelthestringofpredestinationaroundtheirankles。Thesenatorialtwenty，fromtheirhighcarvedseats，seethestringsandsmile，too；yes，andseetheirownstrings，andsmile。Wisdomdoesnotwishforflight。“Thepeople“havingchangedtheconstitution，theblackbirdsarereducedfromfourandfortytoascore。Thisischeaper——forthepeople。
Democracyonthefrontofthestagebeforeanapplaudingaudience；
performersabsorbedintheirparts，forgettingthatthelandlordhastobepaidinmoneyyettobeearned。Behindthestage，therealplay，theabsorbinginterest，thehighstakes——occasionaldiscreetlaughterthroughthepeep-holewhenanactormakesanimpassionedappealtothegods。
Democracyinfront，theFeudalSystem，theDukesandEarlsbehind——butinplainclothes；Democracyinstarsandspanglesandtrappingsandinsignia。Or，abetterfigure，theFatesweavingthewebinthatmysticchamber，NumberSeven，pausingnowandagaintosmileasanewthreadisputin。Proclamations，constitutions，andcreedscrumblebeforeconditions；theLawofDividendsisthehighlaw，andtheForumanopenventthroughwhichthewhitesteammayriseheavenwardandberesolvedagainintowater。
Mr。Crewetookhisseatinthepopularassemblagenextday，althoughmostofthefivehundredgaveuptheirstotheladieswhohadcometohearhisExcellencydeliverhisinaugural。TheHonourableAsamadeasplendidfigure，allagreed，andreadhisspeechinafirmandmanlyvoice。A
largepartofitwasaboutthepeople；someofitaboutthesacredgovernmenttheyhadinheritedfromtheirforefathers；stillanotherconcernedthehighcharacterandachievementsoftheinhabitantswithintheStatelines；thenameofAbrahamLincolnwasmentioned，and，withevengreaterreverenceandfervour，theRepublicanpartywhichhadennobledandenrichedthepeople——andincidentallyelectedthegovernor。
Therewasanoblefinancialpolicy，acurtailmentofexpense。Theforestsshouldbeprotected，roadsshouldbebuilt，and，aboveall，corporationsshouldbeheldtoastrictaccounting。
Needlesstosay，thespeechgavegreatsatisfactiontoall，andmanyoldfriendsleftthehallexclaimingthattheydidn\'tbelieveAsahaditinhim。Asamatteroffactknownonlytotheinitiated，Asadidn\'thaveitinhimuntillastnight，beforehesqueezedthroughthecrackinthefoldingdoorsfromroomnumbersixtoroomNumberSeven。Theinspirationcametohimthen，whenhewasennobledbytheGovernor-general，whorepresentstheEmpire。PerpetualGovernor-general，whoquickensintolifepuppetgovernorsofhisownchoosingAsahasagreed，forthehonourofthetitleofgovernorofhisState，toactthepart，openthefairs，lendhismagnificentvoicetothosephraseswhichitroundssowell。Itisfortunate，whenwesmokeafinecigarfromHavana，thatwecannotlookintothefactory。Thesightwoulddisturbus。Itwaswellfortheapplauding，deep-breathingaudienceinthestate-housethatfirstofJanuarythattheydidnothaveaglimpseinroomNumberSeventhenightbefore，underthesheetsthatcontainedthelistoftheSpeaker\'scommittees；itwaswellthattheycouldnotgobacktoRiptonintotheofficesonthesquare，earlierinDecember，whereMr。HamiltonTootingwaswritingthenoblepartofthatinauguralfrommemorandagivenhimbytheHonourableHilaryVane。Yes，theversatileMr。Tooting，andnoneother，doomedforevertohidethelightofhisgeniusunderabushel！
ThefinancialpartwaswrittenbytheGovernor-generalhimself——theHonourableHilaryVane。Andwhenitwasallfinishedandrevised，itwasputintoalongenvelopewhichborethisprintedaddress:AugustusP。
Flint，Pres\'tUnitedNortheasternRailroads，NewYork。Andcamebackwithcertainannotationsonthemargin，whichweredulyincorporatedintoit。ThisistheprivatehistorywhichmustneverbetoldofthedocumentwhichonJanuaryfirstbecame，asfarasfameandposterityisconcerned，theHonourableAsaP。Gray\'s——foreverandforever。
Mr。Crewelikedtheinaugural，andwasoneofthefirsttotellMr。Grayso，andtoexpresshispleasureandappreciationofthefactthathisrequestmailedinNovemberhadbeencompliedwith，thatthesubstanceofhisbillshadbeenrecommendedinthegovernor\'sprogramme。
Hedidnotpausetoreflectonthemaxim，thatplatformsaremadetogetinbyandinauguralstogetstartedby。
Althoughannualeffortshavebeenmadebyvariouspublic-spiritedcitizenstobuildanewstate-house，economy——withassistancefromroomNumberSevenhastriumphed。Itisthesamestate-housefromthegalleryofwhichpoorWilliamWetherellwitnessedthedramaoftheWoodchuckSession，althoughtherearemoremembersnow，forthepopulationoftheStatehasincreasedtofivehundredthousand。ItiswellforGeneralDoby，withhistwohundredandfiftypounds，thatheisintheSpeaker\'schair；fivehundredseatsareagoodmanyforthathall，andpainfulinalongsession。TheHonourableBrushBascomcanstretchhislegs，becauseheisfortunateenoughtohaveafrontseat。Uponinquiry，itturnsoutthatMr。Bascomhashadafrontseatforthelasttwentyyears——hehasbeenuniformlyluckyindrawing。TheHonourableJacobBotchertenyears\'serviceisequallyfortunate；theHonourableJakeisamanoflargepresence，andavoicethatsoundsasifitcame，oracularly，fromthecavernsoftheearth。Heiseasilyheardbythemembersonthebackseats，whileMr。Bascomisnot。Mr。Ridout，thecapitallawyer，isintheHousethisyear，andsingularlyenoughhasafrontseatlikewise。ItwasMr。Crewe\'smisfortunetodrawnumber415，intheextremecorneroftheroom，andnextthesteamradiator。ButhewasnotofthemetaltoaccepttamelysuchaticketingfromthehatofdestinyviatheClerkoftheHouse。Hecomplained，asanymanofspiritwould，andMr。Utter，thepoliteclerk，isprofoundlysorry，——andsaysitmaybemanaged。
Curiouslyenough，theHonourableBrushBascomandtheHonourableJacobBotcherjoinMr。Creweinhiscomplaint，andreiteratethatitisanoutragethatamanofsuchabilityanddeservingprominenceshouldbeamongthesubmergedfourhundredandseventy。Itismanagedinamysteriousmannerwedon\'tpretendtofathom，andbeholdMr。CreweinthefrontoftheForum，intheseatsofthemighty，wherehecaneasilybepointedoutfromthegalleryattheheadofthefivehundred，betweenthoseshiningleadersandparliamentarians，theHonourablesBrushBascomandJakeBotcher。
ForMr。CrewehasnotcometotheLegislature，likethecountrymembersintherear，toacquireasmatteringofparliamentaryprocedurebythedaytheSpeakerispresentedwithagoldwatch，attheendofthesession。Nothe！Notthepracticalbusinessman，thememberofboards，thechairmanandpresidentofsocieties。HehasstudiedtheRulesoftheHouseandparliamentarylaw，youmaybesure。Geniusdoesnotcomeunprepared，andisrarelycaughtnapping。AftertheLegislatureadjournedthatweekthefollowingtelegramwassentoverthewires:——
AugustusP。Flint，NewYork。
KindlyuseyourinfluencewithDobytosecuremycommitteeappointments。Importantaspermyconversationwithyou。
HumphreyCrewe。
NorwasMr。CreweidlefromSaturdaytoMondaynight，whenthecommitteesweretobeannounced。HesenttotheStateTribuneofficeforfiftycopiesofthatvaluablepaper，whichcontainedatwo-column-and-a-halfarticleonMr。Creweasalegislatorandfinancierandcitizen，withasummaryofhisbillsandanargumentastohowtheStatewouldbenefitbytheiradoption；anaccuratelistofMr。Crewe\'ssocietieswasinserted，andanaccountofhislife\'shistory，andofthoseancestorsofhiswhohadbeenbornorlivedwithintheState。Indeed，theaccuracyofthisarticleasawholedidgreatcredittotheeditoroftheStateTribune，whomusthavespentatremendousamountofpainstakingresearchuponit；
andthearticlewassogoodthatMr。Creweregrettedundoubtedlyfortheeditor\'ssakethatarequestcouldnotbeappendedtoitsuchasisuseduponmarriageandfuneralnotices:“NewYork，Boston，andPhiladelphiapaperspleasecopy。“
Mr。Crewethoughtithisdutytoremedyasmuchaspossibletheunfortunatelimitedcirculationofthearticle，andhespentasmuchasawholedaymakingoutalistoffriendsandacquaintanceswhomhethoughtworthytoreceiveacopyoftheTribune——markedpersonal。VictoriaFlintgotone，andreadittoherfatheratthebreakfasttable。Mr。Flintdidnotopenhis。AustenVanewonderedwhyanymaninhisobscureandhelplesspositionshouldhavebeenhonoured，buthonouredhewas。HesenthistoVictoria，too，andwassurprisedtofindthatsheknewhishandwritingandwrotehimalettertothankhimforit:aletterwhichprovokedonhispartmuchlaughter，andelementsofothersensationswhich，accordingtoCharlesReade，shouldformtheingredientsofagoodnovel。Butofthismatterlater。
Mrs。PomfretandAliceeachgotone，andeachwroteMr。Creweappropriatecongratulations。Alice\'sanswersupervised。Mrs。Chillinghamgotone；
theHonourableHilaryVanegotone——markedinredink，lestheshouldhaveskippeditinhisdailyperusalofthepaper。Mr。Brush，Bascomgotonelikewise。ButthelistofMr。Crewe\'sacquaintancesistoolongandtoobroadtodwelluponfurtherinthesepages。
TheMonday-nightsessioncameatlast，thatsensationalhourwhentheSpeakermakesthosedecisionstowhichheissupposedtohavegivenbirthoverSundayintheseclusionofhiscountryhomeatHale。Monday-nightsessionsare，asarule，confinedinattendancetotheHonourableBrushBascomandMr。RidoutandafewotherconscientiousmemberswhodonotbelieveincheatingtheState，butto-nightallisbustleandconfusion，andatleastfourhundredmembersarepushingdowntheaislesandsqueezingpasteachotherintothenarrowseats，andreadingtheStateTribuneortheringingwordsofthegovernor\'sinauguralwhichtheyfindintheracksonthebackoftheseatsbeforethem。SpeakerDoby，whohasbeenapparentlydeepinconferencewiththemostimportantmembersamongthemMr。Crewe，towhomhehaswhisperedthataviolentsnow-stormisraginginHale，rapsfororder；andafterafewpreliminarieshandstoMr。Utter，theclerk，amidstabreathlesssilence，thepaperonwhichtheparliamentarycareerofsomanyambitiousstatesmendepends。
Itisnotapleasuretorecordtheperfidyofman，northelackofjudgmentwhichpreventshim，inhiscircumscribedlights，fromrecognizingundoubtedgeniuseswhenheseesthem。PerhapsitwasjealousyonGeneralDoby\'spart，andaselfishdesiretooccupythecentreofthestagehimself，butatanyratewewillpasshastilyoverthedisagreeableportionsofthisnarrative。Mr。Crewesettledhimselfwithhisfeetextended，andwithacomplacencywhichhehadrightlyearnedbyleavingnostoneunturned，tolisten。HesatupalittlewhentheAppropriationsCommittee，headedbytheHonourableJakeBotcher，didnotcontainhisname——butitmighthavebeenanoversightofMr。Utters；
whentheJudiciaryMr。Ridout\'scommitteewasreaditbegantolooklikemalice；committeeaftercommitteewasrevealed，andthenameofHumphreyCrewemightnothavebeencontainedinthefivehundredexceptasthetwelfthmemberofforestry，untilitappearedatthetopofNationalAffairs。Herewasabroadenoughfield，certainly，——theTrusts，theTariff，theGoldStandard，theForeignPossessions，——andMr。Crewe\'smindbegantosoarinspiteofhimself。PublicImprovementswasreached，andhestraightened。Mr。Beck，arailroadlawyerfromBelfast，ledit。
Mr。Crewearose，asanymanofspiritwould，andwalkedwithdignityuptheaisleandoutofthehouse。Thisdeliberateattempttocrushgeniuswouldinevitablyreactonitself。TheHonourableHilaryVaneandMr。
Flintshouldbeinformedofitatonce。
CHAPTERX
“FORBILLSMAYCOME，ANDBILLSMAYGO“
Amanwithasenseofhumouroncewenttothecapitalasamemberofthefivehundredfromhistown，andheneverwentbackagain。Onereasonforthiswasthathediedthefollowingyear，literally，thedoctorssaid，fromlaughingtoomuch。Iknowthatthisstatementwillbereceivedincredulously，anddisputedbythosewhoclaimthatlaughterisagoodthing；thehonourablegentlemandiedfromtoomuchofagoodthing。Hewasoverpoweredbyhavingtoomuchtolaughat，andtheundiscerningthoughthimafool，andtheEmpirehadnoneedofacourtjester。Butmanyofhissayingshavelived，nevertheless。Hewroteapoem，saidtobeaplagiarism，whichcontainsthequotationatthebeginningofthischapter:“Forbillsmaycome，andbillsmaygo，butIgoonforever。“
ThefirstpersonsingularissupposedtorelatetotheUnitedNortheasternRailroads。Itwasapoorjokeatbest。
Itisneedlesstosaythatthegentlemanreferredtohadabackseatamongthesubmergedfourhundredandseventy，——andthathekeptit。Nodiscerningandpowerfulwell-wisherscameforwardandsaidtohim，“Friend，gouphigher。“Hesat，doubledup，innumber，andthegodsgavehimcompensationinlaughter；hedisturbedtheSolonsaroundhim，whowereinterestedinwhatwasgoingoninfront，andtryingtodotheirdutytotheirconstituentsbylearningparliamentaryprocedurebeforetheSpeakergothisgoldwatchandshedtearsoverit。
Thegentlemanwholaughedanddiedisforgotten，ashedeservestobe，anditneveroccurredtoanybodythathemighthavebeenaphilosopher，afterall。Thereissomethingirresistiblyfunnyaboutpredestination；
aboutmenwhoarestrivingandlearningandsoberlyvotinguponmeasureswithwhichtheyhaveaslittletodoasguinea-pigs。Therewerecertainwiseandcynicalatheistswhodidnotattendthesessionsatallexceptwhentheyreceivedmysterioushintstodoso。ThesewerechieflyfromNewcastle。Andtherewereotherswhoplayedpokerinthestate-housecellarwaitingfortheWordtocometothem，whentheywentupandvotedprudentlycountingtheirchipsbeforetheydidso，anddescendedagain。
Themanwithasenseofhumourlaughedatthese，too，andatthetwentyblackbirdsintheSenate，——butnotsoheartily。Helaughedattheirgravity，fornogravitycanequalthatofgentlemenwhoplaywithstackedcards。
Therisiblegentlemanlaughedattheproposedlegislation，aboutwhichhemadethesong，andhelikenedittoastreamthatriseshopefullyinthemountains，andtakesitswaysingingattheprospectofreachingtheocean，butpresentlyflowsintoaholeinthegroundtofilltheforgottencavernsoftheearth，andislosttotheknowledgeandsightofman。ThecavernshelabelledrespectivelyAppropriations，Railroad，Judiciary，andtheirguardianswereunmistakablytheHonourablesMessrs。
Bascom，Botcher，andRidout。Thegreatestcavernofallhecalled“TheSenate。“
Ifyoulisten，youcanhearthemusicofthestreamofbillsasitisrisinghopefullyandflowingnow:“Mr。CreweofLeithgivesnoticethatonto-morroworsomesubsequentdayhewillintroduceabillentitled，\'AnactfortheImprovementoftheStateHighways。\'Mr。CreweofLeithgivesnotice，etc。“AnactfortheImprovementofthePracticeofAgriculture。\'\'AnactrelatingtotheStateIndebtedness。\'\'AnacttoincreasetheStateForestArea。\'\'AnacttoincorporatetheStateEconomicLeague。\'\'AnacttoincorporatetheStateChildren\'sCharitiesAssociation。\'\'AnactinrelationtoAbandonedFarms。\'“Theseweresomeofthemostimportant，andtheyweredulyintroducedonthemorrow，andgravelyreferredbytheSpeakertovariouscommittees。Asmightbeexpected，amanwhosewatchwordis，“thorough“immediatelygotalistofthosecommittees，andlostnotimeinhuntingupthechairmenandthevariousavailablemembersthereof。
Asamanofspirit，also，Mr。CrewewrotetoMr。Flint，protestingastothemannerinwhichhehadbeentreatedconcerningcommittees。InthecourseofaweekhereceivedakindbutnecessarilybriefletterfromtheNortheastern\'spresidenttoremindhimthathepersistedinafallacy；asaneighbour，Mr。Flintwouldhelphimtotheextentofhispower，buttheNortheasternRailroadscouldnotinterfereinlegislativeorpoliticalmatters。Mr。Crewewasnaturallypainedbythelackofconfidenceofhisfriend；itseemsuselesstoreiteratethathewasfarfrombeingafool，andnomancouldbeinthecapitaladayduringthesessionwithoutbeingtoldoftheexistenceofNumberSeven，nomatterhowlittletheinformantmightknowofwhatmightbegoingonthere。Mr。Crewehadbeenfortunateenoughtoseetheinsideofthatmysteriousroom，and，beingasufficientlyclevermantorealizetheimportanceandnecessityofgovernmentbycorporations，hadbeenshockedatnothinghehadseenorheard。However，hadhehadaglimpseoftheSpeaker\'slistsunderthehopelesslycrushedhatofMr。Bascom，perhapshemighthavebeenshocked，afterall。
Itwasaboutthistimethatatouchingfriendshipbeganwhichought，injustice，tobebrieflychronicled。ItwasimpossiblefortheHonourableBrushBascomandtheHonourableJacobBotchertohaveMr。Crewesittingbetweenthemandnotconceiveastrongaffectionforhim。TheHonourableBrush，thoughnotgiventoexpressinghisfeelings，betrayedsomesurpriseatthevolumesMr。Crewehadcontributedtothestreamofbills；
andMr。Botcher，inaDelphicwhisper，invitedMr。Crewetovisithiminroomforty-eightofthePelicanthatevening。Totellthetruth，Mr。
Crewereturnedthefeelingofhiscompanionswarmly，andhehadevenentertainedtheideaofaskingthembothtodinewithhimthatevening。
Numberforty-eighttheHonourableJake\'swasafree-and-easydemocraticresort。Nothreeknocksandapasswordbeforeyouturnthekeyhere。
AlmostbeforeyourknuckleshitthepanelyouheardMr。Botcher\'sheartyvoiceshouting“Comein，“inspiteoftheclosedtransom。TheHonourableJake，beingatee-totaller，hadnobathroom，andnonebuthisintimatefriendseverlookedinthethirdfromthetopbureaudrawer。
TheproprietorofthePelican，whoincommonwiththerestofhumanityhadfallenavictimtotheroughandhonestcharmsandheartygoodfellowshipoftheHonourableJake，alwaysplacedalargepaddedarm-chairinnumberforty-eightbeforethesessions，knowingthattheHonourableJake\'sconstituencywouldbeuniformlykindtohim。ThereMr。Botcherwaswonttositwhenhewasnotdepressingoneofthetilesintherotunda，surroundedbyhisfriendsandtheirtobaccosmoke，discussinginhisfrankandmanlyfashionthepublicquestionsoftheday。
Mr。Crewethoughtitalittlestrangethat，wheneverheenteredaroominthePelican，asilenceshouldsucceedthebuzzoftalkwhichhehadheardthroughtheclosedtransom；butheverynaturallyattributedthistotheconstraintwhichordinarymenwouldbelikelytofeelinhispresence。
Inthemouthofonepresumptuousmembertheword“railroad“wascutintwobyanagateglancefromtheHonourableBrush，andMr。CrewenotedwithsomesurprisethattheDemocraticleaderoftheHouse，Mr。Painter，wasseatedonMr。Botcher\'smattress，withanexpressionthatwasinsingularcontrasttothelookofbolddefiancewhichhehadsweptovertheHousethatafternooninannouncinghisoppositionpolicy。ThevulgarpoliticalsuggestionmighthavecreptintoamoretrivialmindthanMr。
Crewe\'sthatMr。Painterwasbeing，“puttobed，“thebedbeingverysimilartothatofProcrustes。Mr。Botcherextractedhimselffromthenooksandcranniesofhisarmchair。
“Howareyou，Crewe？“hesaidhospitably；“we\'reallfriendshere——eh，Painter？Wedon\'tcarryourquarrelsoutsidetheswingingdoors。YouknowMr。Crewe——bysight，ofcourse。Doyouknowtheseothergentlemen，Crewe？Ididn\'texpectyousoearly。“
The“othergentlemen“saidthattheywerehappytomaketheacquaintanceoftheirfellow-memberfromLeith，andseeminglywithoneconsentbegantoedgetowardsthedoor。
“Don\'tgo，boys，“Mr。Bascomprotested。“Letmefinishthatstory。“
Someof“theboys“seemedtoregardthisstatementashumorous，——morehumorous，indeed，thanthestoryitself。Andwhenitwasfinishedtheytooktheirdeparture，atrifleawkwardly，ledbyMr。Painter。
“They\'realittlemitebashful，“saidMr。Botcher，apologetically。
“Howmanymoreofthosebillshaveyougot？“demandedMr。Bascom，fromthesteamradiator，withcharacteristicdirectness。
“Iput\'emallinthismorning，“saidMr。Crewe，“butIhavethoughtsinceoftwoorthreeotherconditionswhichmightbebenefitedbylegislation。“
“Well，“saidMr。Bascom，kindly，“ifyouhaveanymoreIwasgoingtosuggestthatyoudistribute\'emroundamongtheboys。That\'sthewayI
do，andmostfolksdon\'tguessthey\'reyourbills。See？“
“Whatharmisthereinthat？“demandedMr。Crewe。“I\'mnotashamedof\'em。“
“Brushwasonlylookin\'atitfromthepointofviewofgettin\'\'emthrough，“honestMr。Botcherputin，instentoriantones。“Itdoesn\'tdoforanewmembertobethoughtahogaboutlegislation。“
NowtheHonourableJacobonlymeantthisinthekindestmanner，asweknow，andtogiveinexperienceahintfromwell-intentionedexperience。
Ontheotherhand，Mr。Crewehadadignityandapositiontouphold。Hewasapersonality。Peoplewhowenttoofarwithhimwereapttoberebukedbyacertainglassyqualityinhiseye，andthisnowcausedtheHonourableJaketodrawbackperceptibly。
“Iseenoreasonwhyapublic-spiritedmanshouldbeopentosuchanimputation，“saidMr。Crewe。
“Certainlynot，certainlynot，“saidMr。Botcher，instentoriantonesofapology，“Iwasonlytryingtogiveyoualittlefriendlyadvice，butI
mayhaveputittoostrong。BrushandI——Imayaswellbeplainaboutit，Mr。Crewe——havetakenalikingtoyou。Couldn\'thelpit，sir，sittingnexttoyouaswedo。Wetakeaninterestinyourcareer，andwedon\'twantyoutomakeanymistakes。Ain\'tthataboutit，Brush？“
“That\'saboutit，“saidMr。Bascom。
Mr。Crewewastobigamannottoperceiveandappreciatethesterlingphilanthropywhichlaybeneaththeexteriorsofhisnewfriends，whoscornedtoflatterhim。
“Iunderstandthespiritinwhichyouradviceisgiven，gentlemen，“herepliedmagnanimously，“andIappreciateit。Weareallworkingforthesamethings，andweallbelievethattheymustbebroughtaboutinthesamepracticalway。Forinstance，weknowaspracticalmenthattherailroadpaysalargetaxinthisState，andthatpropertymusttakeahand——averyconsiderablehand——inlegislation。Yougentlemen，asimportantfactorsintheRepublicanorganization，areloyalto——er——thatproperty，andperhapsforwhollydesirablereasonscannotbringforwardtoomanybillsunderyourownnames。WhereasI——“
AtthispointinMr。Crewe\'sremarkstheHonourableJacobBotcherwasseizedbyanappallingcoughingfitwhichthreatenedtobreakhisarm-
chair，probablyowingtothefactthathehadswallowedsomethingwhichhehadinhismouththewrongway。Mr。Bascom，assistedbyMr。Crewe，poundedhimrelentlesslyontheback。
“Ireadthatarticleinthe\'Tribune\'aboutyouwithgreatinterest，“
saidMr。Bascom，whenMr。Botcher\'scoughinghadsubsided。“Ihadnoideayouwereso——ahem——wellequippedforapoliticalcareer。Butwhatwewantedtospeaktoyouaboutwasthis，“hecontinued，asMr。Creweshowedsignsofbreakingin，“thosecommitteeappointmentsyoudesired。“
“Yes，“saidMr。Crewe，withsomepardonableheat，“theSpeakerdoesn\'tseemtoknowwhichsidehisbread\'sbutteredon。“
“WhatIwasgoingtosay，“proceededMr。Bascom，“wasthatGeneralDobyisaprettygoodfellow。Personally，Ihappentoknowthatthegeneralfeelsverybadlythathecouldn\'tgiveyouwhatyouwanted。Hetookashinetoyouthatnightyousawhim。“
“Yes，“Mr。Botcheragreed，forhehadquiterecovered，thegeneralfeltbad——feelsbad，Ishouldsay。Heperceivedthatyouwereamanofability，sir——“
“Andthatwasjustthereason，“saidtheHonourableBrush，“thathecouldn\'tmakeyoumoreusefuljustnow。“
“There\'sagooddealofjealousy，mydearsir，againstyoungmembersofability，“saidMr。Botcher，inhismostoracularandimpressivetones。
“Thecompetitionamongstthose——er——whohaveservedthepartyisverykeenforthepositionsyoudesired。IpersonallyhappentoknowthatthegeneralhadyouontheJudiciaryandAppropriations，andthatsomeofyour——er——well-wisherspersuadedhimtotakeyouoffforyourowngood。“
“Itwouldn\'tdoforthepartyleaderstomakeyoutooprominentallatonce，“saidMr。Bascom。“Youareboundtotakeanactivepartinwhatpasseshere。Thegeneralsaid，\'AtalleventsIwillgiveMr。Creweonechairmanshipbywhichhecanmakeanameforhimselfsuitedtohistalents，\'andheinsistedongivingyou，inspiteofsomeremonstrancesfromyourfriends，NationalAffairs。Thegeneralurged，rightly，thatwithyourbroadviewandknowledgeofnationalpolicy，itwashisdutytoputyouinthatplacewhateverpeoplemightsay。“
Mr。Crewelistenedtotheseexplanationsinsomesurprise；andbeingarationalman，hadtoconfessthattheywere——moreorlessreasonable。
“Scarcelyanybillscomebeforethatcommittee，“heobjected。
“Ah，“repliedMr。Bascom，“thatistrue。Butthechairmanofthatcommitteeisgenerallysupposedtobeinlinefor——er——nationalhonours。
Ithasnotalwayshappenedinthepast，becausethemenhavenotprovedworthy。Buttheopportunityisalwaysgiventothatchairmantomakeaspeechuponnationalaffairswhichislistenedtowiththedeepestinterest。
“Isthatso？“saidMr。Crewe。Hewantedtobeofservice，asweknow。
Hewasamanofideas，andtheopeningsentencesofthespeechwerealreadyoccurringtohim。
“Let\'sgoupstairsandseethegeneralnow，“suggestedMr。Botcher，smilingthatsuchahappythoughtshouldhaveoccurredtohim。
“Why，Iguesswecouldn\'tdoanybetter，“Mr。Bascomagreed。
“Well，“saidMr。Crewe，“I\'mwillingtohearwhathe\'sgottosay，anyway。“
Takingadvantageofthisgenerousconcession，Mr。Botcherhastilylockedthedoor，andledthewayupthestairwaytonumberseventy-five。Afteraknockortwohere，thedooropenedacrack，disclosing，insteadofGeneralDoby\'scherubiccountenance，asallowfacewithanexceedinglypointednose。Theownerofthesefeatures，havingonlyMr。Botcherinhislineofvision，madewhatwasperhapsanunguardedremark。
“Hello，Jake，thegeneral\'sinnumbernine——Manningsentforhimabouthalfanhourago。“
ItwasMr。Botcherhimselfwhoalmostclosedthedooronthegentleman\'ssharpnose，andtookMr。Crewe\'sarmconfidingly。
“We\'llgouptothedeskandseeDobyinthemorning，——he\'sbusy，“saidtheHonourableJake。
“What\'sthematterwithseeinghimnow？“Mr。Crewedemanded。“IknowManning。He\'sthedivisionsuperintendent，isn\'the？“
Mr。BotcherandMr。Bascomexchangedglances。
“Why，yes——“saidMr。Bascom，“yes，heis。He\'sagreatfriendofGeneralDoby\'s，andtheirwivesaregreatfriends。“
“Intimatefriends，sir，“saidtheHonourableJake“Well，“saidMr。Crewe，“wewon\'tbother\'embutamoment。“
Itwashewholedthewaynow，briskly，theHonourableBrushandtheHonourableJakepressingcloselyafterhim。ItwasMr。Crewewho，withoutpausingtoknock，pushedopenthedoorofnumbernine，whichwasnotquiteclosed；anditwasMr。Crewewhomadetheimportantdiscoverythatthelugubriousdivisionsuperintendenthadasenseofhumour。Mr。
Manningwasseatedatamarble-toppedtablewritingonasalmon-colouredcard，intheactofpronouncingthesewords:——
“ForMr。SpeakerandMrs。SpeakerandallthelittleSpeakers，toNewYorkandreturn。“
Mr。SpeakerDoby，standingbeforethemarble-toppedtablewithhishandsinhispockets，heardthenoisebehindhimandturned，andamournfulexpressionspreadoverhiscountenance。
“Don\'tmindme，“saidMr。Crewe，wavingahandinthedirectionofthesalmon-colouredtickets；“Ihopeyouhaveagoodtime，General。Whendoyougo？“
“Why，“exclaimedtheSpeaker，“howareyou，Mr。Crewe，howareyou？It\'sonlyoneofManning\'slittlejokes。“
“That\'sallright，General，“saidMr。Crewe，“Ihaven\'tbeenadirectorinrailroadsfornothing。I\'mnotasgreenashethinks。AmI，Mr。
Manning？“
“Itneverstruckmethatgreenwasyourcolour，Mr。Crewe，“answeredthedivisionsuperintendent，smilingalittleashetoretheticketsintobitsandputtheminthewaste-basket。
“Well，“saidMr。Crewe，“youneedn\'thavetorn\'emuponmyaccount。I
travelonthepasswhichtheNortheasterngivesmeasalegislator，andI\'mthinkingseriouslyofgettingMr。Flinttosendmeanannual，nowthatI\'minpoliticsandhavetocovertheState。“
“Wethoughtyouwereareformer，Mr。Crewe，“theHonourableBrushBascomremarked。
“Iamapracticalman，“saidMr。Crewe；“arailroadman，abusinessmarkandassuchItrytoseethingsastheyare。“
“Well，“saidGeneralDoby，whobythistimehadregainedhisusualgenialairofcomposure，I\'mgladyousaidthat，Mr。Crewe。Asthesegentlemenwilltellyou，ifI\'dhadmywishI\'dhavehadyouoneveryimportantcommitteeintheHouse。“
“Chairmanofeveryimportantcommittee，General，“correctedtheHonourableJacobBotcher。
“Yes，chairmanof\'em，“assentedthegeneral，afteraglanceatMr。
Crewe\'scountenancetoseehowthisstatementfared。“Butthefactis，theboysarealljealousofyou——onthequiet。Isupposeyoususpectedsomethingofthekind。“
“Ishouldhaveimaginedtheremightbesomelittlefeeling，“Mr。Creweassentedmodestly。
“Exactly，“criedthegeneral，“andIhadtocombatthatfeelingwhenI
insisteduponputtingyouattheheadofNationalAffairs。Itdoesnotdoforanewmember，whateverhisprominenceinthefinancialworld，tobepushedforwardtooquickly。AndunlessIammightymistaken，Mr。
Crewe，“headded，withhishandonthenewmember\'sshoulder，“youwillmakeyourselffeltwithoutanyboostingfromme。“
“Ididnotcomeheretoremainidle，General，“answeredMr。Crewe，considerablymollified。
“Certainlynot，“saidthegeneral，“andIsaytosomeofthosemen，\'KeepyoureyeonthegentlemanwhoisChairmanofNationalAffairs。\'“
Afteralittlemoreofthisdesultoryandpleasanttalk，duringwhichrecoursewas，hadtothebathroomforseveraltallandthinglassesrangedontheshelfthere，Mr。Crewetookhisdepartureinamostequableframeofmind。Andwhenthedoorwasclosedandlockedbehindhim，Mr。
Manningdippedhispenintheink，oncemoreproducedfromadrawerinthetablethesalmon-colouredtickets，andglancedagainatthegeneralwithasmile。
“ForMr。SpeakerandMrs。SpeakerandallthelittleSpeakers，toNewYorkandreturn。“
EndofMr。Crewe\'sCareer，V1
byWinstonChurchillMR。CREWE\'SCAREER
byWinstonChurchillBOOK2。