CHAPTER XX
A CANDIDATE FOR THE LEGISLATURE
"Don't you know that even granite millstones finally grind themselves into impalpable powder? You give yourself no rest, Aubrey, and human machinery wears rapidly. Simply for this reason, I sent for you to come and take a cup of tea with me."
"I have been too much engaged of late to spare an evening to merely social claims. A man whose life rests at his feet to be lifted to some fitting pedestal, has little leisure for the luxury of friendly visiting."
The two were in Eric Mitchell's pleasant library. Russell sat in an arm-chair, and the master of the house reclined on a lounge drawn near the hearth. The mellow glow of the lamp, the flash and crackle of the fire, the careless, lazy posture of the invalid, all betokened quiet comfort, save the dark fixed face, and erect, restless figure of the guest.
"But, Aubrey, you have not asked my opinion of your speech."
"I was not aware that you heard it."
"Of course not, but I read it; and let me tell you, it was a great speech, a masterly argument, that will make a lasting impression upon the people. It has greatly changed the vote of this county already."
"You mistake appearances; the seed fell in good soil, but party spirit came, as fowls of the air, and devoured it."
"At any rate, it produced a profound impression on public opinion, and startled some of our political patriarchs."