Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-06-12
CHAPTER XVII.

GEoFFREY's TRIUAPHs IN THE COMMONS.
And now the house Of commons might van
ish into the bDtt0inless abyss, aud take the
house OF lords aid what remained of the
British constitution with t. and she should
never miss them, For, at the best Of times.
Beatrice-in common with most Of her sax
in all gratitude be it said was not an ardent
politician
There Godfrey sat. his arms folded-the
hat pushed slightly from his forehead. so that
she could see his face There was her own
beloved, whom she had come 50 far 10 sss.
and whom Tomorrow she woald dare so
much 70 save. How sal he loosed-be did
not seem 70 be paying much attention 10 what
4 was going on. She knew well enough that
( ne was thinking Of her; she could feel it In
her head a. she had often felt it before. But
she dared rot let her mind 20 out 10 him In
answer, for II once she did SO. she knew also
that he would discover her SO she sat and
fed her eyes upon his face, taking her fare
we'll OF It, while round her and beueath her
the hum OF the house went on, as ever present
and as unnoticed as the hum Of bees upon a
summer noon.
Presently the gentleman who lad been 50
kind 70 her sat down in the next seat 20 Cse-
oifrey, and began to whisper 10 him. as he
did 50 glanc.ns once or twice towards the
grating behind which she was. She guessed
that be was telling him the story Of the lady
who was 80 unaeeoHntably anxious to hear the
debate, aud how pretty Size was. But it did
not seem 70 interest Godfrey much, and Be
atriee was feminine enough T. notice it, and
be glad Of IL Ia her gentle Jealousy she did
not ike 10 think Of Godfrey as being interest
ed ia accounts Of mysterious ladies, however
pretty
At length speaker rose. she understood I
from the murmur OF those around her that he /
was one Of the leaders Of the opposition. and
commenced powerful and bitter speech.
She noticed that 6eoTrey reused himself az
this point, and began - listen with attention.
Look said one Of th.s ladies' near her.
Mr.. Bingham Is taxing notes He is going
10 speak next-he speaks wonderfully, YOU
know. They say he is a. good Is anybody in
the house, except Gladstone and Lord Ran
iolphn
on answered another lady, Lady Ho-
loria Is not here, is slef Idon't see her
No, replied tue first; she is a dear crea-
ure, and 50 handsome, too-just the wife for !
rising man-but | don't think that she /
axes much interest IN politics Are not her ;
iinners charmingf
AZ this moment voley Of applause from {
he opposition benches drowned she muir
nured conversation i
This speaker spoke for about three-quarters I
an hour, and then at last Godfrey got on o
D his legs One OF two other members rose ]
the same time but they gave way. n
lie began si0wly--and somewhat tamely. as
seemed 70 Beatrice, whose heart was in her
iouth-but when he had been speaking for
bout Eve minutes be warmed up. Aad 5
len began one OF the most remarkable
'atorlcal displays of that parliament
eoifrey had spoken well before. and
ouid speak well again; but perhaps
never spoke 50 well as he did upon \.
at night. For nearly an hour and half NJ
held the house in chains; even the boots 25
"a interruptions died away toward the end tv
the Grafton His powerful presence lis
enied TO tower in the place, like that of a pr
ant among pigmies, and his dark, hand da
me lace, lat With the fires OF essoueuce IN
one like lamp He leaned forward witha tn
snt stoop OF his broad shoulders. and adj "
essed himself, nominaIly TO the speaker. but ~
ally 10 the opposition He took their facts nv
e by one, and with convincing lo0i, in,
owed that they were no facts; amid a his Nc
anger he pulverized their arguments and lar
their motives Then suddenly
dropped them altogether, and, addressing PR
iisef to the house at large, and the coun- CIV
beyond the house, he struck another *.
ie and broke out into that storm of patri. sne
eioquence which confirmed his Growing saw
'utation, both Ia parliament and in the bee
Istituencies tur
'eatrice shut her eyes and listened 10 the for
p, rich voice as it rose from height to height ing
power TO power, till the whole nlaca aes
med full Of it, and every contending sound 'o u
} hushed N
after an invocation that vronls go 90
2 been passionate bad it not been SO "a sur,
aned and strong, he stopped She opened fact
eyes and looked. Godfrey was seated as Ii
ore, with his hat on. He had been sneak ed I
Tor an hour and half, and yet. to her il are
ned bur few minutes since he rose. Then "
Ie out a volley Of cheers, in the midst OF
ca leader Of the opposition rose to reply.
IN the very best Of tempers, for Geoff- 4
5 speech had hit them hard.
began, however. by complmenting thu Il
'raoie member on his speech, las fine a Ia
ca a De ID listened 10 for many years
en- uniort unately, made from mistaken
upoiht ana the wrong side Of the house
ne twitted the government with M.
ng secured the services Of a man ), ;,,a
y ADLER than the majority Of their
ms, and excited good deal Of au,,,se- 4
by stating, with some sarcastic bumor
should Il ever be his lot to occupy the
treasury bench, be should certainly
certain proposal to the honorable
ger ger Ai.er TINS good natured badinaxe.
iiited on INTO the Consideration Of H. f.
lon under discussion, and Beatrice r.;s u
= ~. Is a..ai'''on to him, but occupied
anne apparent state of cold inditYsrsas.
ed him - "''''h naa Conn
kcTu