—“by the managers.”
His black eyes glittered around the table, and Mr. Ele remembered a remark of General Belch’s about Mr. Newt’s riding upon the shoulders of his fellow-laborers.
“Exactly, by the managers,” said every body.
“And now,” said General Belch, cheerfully, “whom had we better propose to our fellow-citizens as a proper candidate for their suffrages to succeed the Honorable Mr. Bodley?”
He leaned back and puffed. Mr. Ele, who had had a little previous conversation with the host, here rose and said, that, if he might venture, he would say, although it was an entirely unpremeditated thing, which had, in fact, only struck him while he had been sitting at that hospitable board, but had impressed him so forcibly that he could not resist speaking—if he might venture, he would say that he knew a most able and highly accomplished gentleman—in fact, it had occurred to him that there was then present a gentleman who would be precisely the man whom they might present to the people as a candidate suitable in every way.
General Belch looked at Abel, and said, “Mr. Ele, whom do you mean?”
“I refer to Mr. Abel Newt,” responded the Honorable Mr. Ele.
The company looked as companies which have been prepared for a surprise always look when the surprise comes.
“Is Mr. Newt sound in the faith?” asked Mr. William Condor, smiling.
“I answer for him,” replied Mr. Ele.