A silence prevailed, till one of the members coming to me, whispered that

the Earl of Windsor had sent him word that I was to move his election, in

the absence of the person who had been first chosen for this office. Now

for the first time I saw the full extent of my task, and I was overwhelmed

by what I had brought on myself. Ryland had deserted his post through fear

of the plague: from the same fear Adrian had no competitor. And I, the

nearest kinsman of the Earl of Windsor, was to propose his election. I was

to thrust this selected and matchless friend into the post of danger--

impossible! the die was cast--I would offer myself as candidate.

The few members who were present, had come more for the sake of terminating

the business by securing a legal attendance, than under the idea of a

debate. I had risen mechanically--my knees trembled; irresolution hung on

my voice, as I uttered a few words on the necessity of choosing a person

adequate to the dangerous task in hand. But, when the idea of presenting

myself in the room of my friend intruded, the load of doubt and pain was

taken from off me. My words flowed spontaneously--my utterance was firm

and quick. I adverted to what Adrian had already done--I promised the

same vigilance in furthering all his views. I drew a touching picture of

his vacillating health; I boasted of my own strength. I prayed them to save

even from himself this scion of the noblest family in England. My alliance

with him was the pledge of my sincerity, my union with his sister, my

children, his presumptive heirs, were the hostages of my truth.

This unexpected turn in the debate was quickly communicated to Adrian. He

hurried in, and witnessed the termination of my impassioned harangue. I did

333

The Last Man