Lord Raymond, which drew off many of his opponent's partizans. But the

thing was now going too far. The poorer nobility hailed the return of

sovereignty, as an event which would restore them to their power and

rights, now lost. The half extinct spirit of royalty roused itself in the

minds of men; and they, willing slaves, self-constituted subjects, were

ready to bend their necks to the yoke. Some erect and manly spirits still

remained, pillars of state; but the word republic had grown stale to the

vulgar ear; and many--the event would prove whether it was a majority--

pined for the tinsel and show of royalty. Ryland was roused to resistance;

he asserted that his sufferance alone had permitted the encrease of this

party; but the time for indulgence was passed, and with one motion of his

arm he would sweep away the cobwebs that blinded his countrymen.

When Raymond entered the coffee-room, his presence was hailed by his

friends almost with a shout. They gathered round him, counted their

numbers, and detailed the reasons why they were now to receive an addition

of such and such members, who had not yet declared themselves. Some

trifling business of the House having been gone through, the leaders took

their seats in the chamber; the clamour of voices continued, till Ryland

arose to speak, and then the slightest whispered observation was audible.

All eyes were fixed upon him as he stood--ponderous of frame, sonorous of

voice, and with a manner which, though not graceful, was impressive. I

turned from his marked, iron countenance to Raymond, whose face, veiled by

a smile, would not betray his care; yet his lips quivered somewhat, and his

hand clasped the bench on which he sat, with a convulsive strength that

made the muscles start again.

The Last Man