vent them. And what's more, they'll do
it! Do you think I don't know McGrath?"

As he had intended it should, this speech had given the other a chance
to recover himself. The Lieutenant-Governor's habitual poise was
already restored, and his voice, as he answered, was quite steady, but
eloquent of his desperate discouragement and weariness.

"I hope it's not as bad as all that, Mr. Rathbawne. It's not necessary
to tell you, that for me there can never again be such a thing as
trusting the word of Governor Abbott; but, at the same time, I can
hardly bring myself to believe that he would openly countenance the
practical existence of anarchy in the capital city of Alleghenia."

"Well, I can, then!" declared Rathbawne. "I can believe anything of him!
Mark my words, John, he's as sleek a scoundrel as you'll find outside of
the State's Prison. He cares less for Alleghenia and her capital city
than you do for one of the hairs on his rascally head. I tell you, the
Union has bought him, body and soul, and unless a miracle comes down
from heaven, I'm a beaten man!"

Barclay bit his lips without replying. In his heart of hearts, he knew
that Peter Rathbawne's words were true.

"He'll be impeached, sooner or later," continued the old man, "if
there's a speck of decency left in the Legislature--which I doubt. But
long before that, John, long before that, I'll be down and out. I would
to God you were Governor of Alleghenia, my boy. You're the only ray of
hope I can see for her."

The Lieutenant-Governor fell back a step, and covered his face with his
hands. For a full minute there was absolute silence. Rathbawne had
returned to the table, and, with his fore-arms across the back of a
chair, and one foot on the lower cross-bar, was staring vacantly at his
autographs, his hands moulding and remoulding each other into an
infinity of forms. Natalie was at the window, her face in the crevice
between the curtains. The same impulse had prompted both father and
daughter. There are some things which it is better not to watch.

They turned at the sound of his voice, to find him with his head flung
back, his hands clenched at his sides, his right foot planted firmly in
advance of his left, his whole bearing one of passionate earnestness.
And, though he was seemingly addressing Rathbawne, there was that in his
voice and in his words which was meant for every ear in the state!

"Governor of Alleghenia!" he said, "I would to God I were! Som