The Gilded Age


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and it was a happy part of the same idea for me to copy the speech after  
Mr. Buckstone had written it, and then keep back a page. Mr. B. was  
very complimentary to me when Trollop's break-down in the House showed  
him the object of my mysterious scheme; I think he will say, still finer  
things when I tell him the triumph the sequel to it has gained for us.  
"
But what a coward the man was, to believe I would have exposed that page  
in the rotunda, and so exposed myself. However, I don't know--I don't  
know. I will think a moment. Suppose he voted no; suppose the bill  
failed; that is to suppose this stupendous game lost forever, that I have  
played so desperately for; suppose people came around pitying me--odious!  
And he could have saved me by his single voice. Yes, I would have  
exposed him! What would I care for the talk that that would have made  
about me when I was gone to Europe with Selby and all the world was busy  
with my history and my dishonor? It would be almost happiness to spite  
somebody at such a time."  
455  


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453 454 455 456 457

Quick Jump
1 170 341 511 681