discourses held by each knot of politicians as they assembled to arrange

their measures. Opprobrious epithets were bandied about, resistance even to

the death threatened; meetings of the populace disturbed the quiet order of

the country; except in war, how could all this end? Even as the destructive

flames were ready to break forth, I saw them shrink back; allayed by the

absence of the military, by the aversion entertained by every one to any

violence, save that of speech, and by the cordial politeness and even

friendship of the hostile leaders when they met in private society. I was

from a thousand motives induced to attend minutely to the course of events,

and watch each turn with intense anxiety.

I could not but perceive that Perdita loved Raymond; methought also that he

regarded the fair daughter of Verney with admiration and tenderness. Yet I

knew that he was urging forward his marriage with the presumptive heiress

of the Earldom of Windsor, with keen expectation of the advantages that

would thence accrue to him. All the ex-queen's friends were his friends; no

week passed that he did not hold consultations with her at Windsor.

I had never seen the sister of Adrian. I had heard that she was lovely,

amiable, and fascinating. Wherefore should I see her? There are times when

we have an indefinable sentiment of impending change for better or for

worse, to arise from an event; and, be it for better or for worse, we fear

the change, and shun the event. For this reason I avoided this high-born

damsel. To me she was everything and nothing; her very name mentioned by

another made me start and tremble; the endless discussion concerning her

union with Lord Raymond was real agony to me. Methought that, Adrian

The Last Man