n him the
old restless desire for the woods and fields which at times was almost
irresistible. His thoughts at length descending from the azure above
Sawanec, his eyes fell again on Mr. Crewe's typewritten words: "It may
be of interest to you that I am to deliver, on the 15th instant, and as
the Chairman of the House Committee on National Affairs, a speech upon
national policies which is the result of much thought, and which touches
upon such material needs of our State as can be supplied by the Federal
Government."

Austen had a brief fancy, whimsical as it was, of going to hear him. Mr.
Crewe, as a type absolutely new to him, interested him. He had followed
the unusual and somewhat surprising career of the gentleman from Leith
with some care, even to the extent of reading of Mr. Crewe's activities
in the State Tribunes which had been sent him. Were such qualifications
as Mr. Crewe possessed, he wondered, of a kind to sweep their possessor
into high office? Were industry, persistency, and a capacity for taking
advantage of a fair wind sufficient?

Since his return from Pepper County, Austen Vane had never been to the
State capital during a session, although it was common for young lawyers
to have cases before the Legislature. It would have been difficult to
say why he did not take these cases, aside from the fact that they were
not very remunerative. On occasions gentlemen from different parts of
the State, and some from outside of it who had certain favours to ask at
the hands of the lawmaking body, had visited his back office and closed
the door after them, and in the course of the conversation had referred
to the relationship of the young lawyer to Hilary Vane. At such times
Austen would freely acknowledge the debt of gratitude he owed his father
for being in the world--and refer them politely to Mr. Hilary Vane
himself. In most cases they had followed his advice, wondering not a
little at this isolated example of quixotism.

During the sessions, except for a day or two at week ends which were
often occupied with conferences, the Honourable Hilary's office was
deserted; or rather, as we have seen, his headquarters were removed to
room Number Seven in the Pelican Hotel at the capital. Austen got
many of the lay clients who came to see his father at such times;
and--without giving an exaggerated idea of his income--it might be said
that he was beginning to have what may be called a snug practice for a
lawyer of his