Endymion by Earl of Beaconsfield Benjamin Disraeli
page 85 of 601 (14%)
page 85 of 601 (14%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
Three years ago Ferrars had been one of the leading spirits of this
great confederacy, and now he entered the superb chamber, and it seemed to him that he did not recognise a human being. Yet it was full to overflowing, and excitement and anxiety and bustle were impressed on every countenance. If he had heard some of the whispers and remarks, as he entered and moved about, his self-complacency would scarcely have been gratified. "Who is that?" inquired a young M.P. of a brother senator not much more experienced. "Have not the remotest idea; never saw him before. Barron is speaking to him; he will tell us. I say, Barron, who is your friend?" "That is Ferrars!" "Ferrars! who is he?" "One of our best men. If all our fellows had fought like him against the Reform Bill, that infernal measure would never have been carried." "Oh! ah! I remember something now," said the young M.P., "but anything that happened before the election of '32 I look upon as an old almanack." However, notwithstanding the first and painful impression of strangers and strangeness, when a little time had elapsed Ferrars found many friends, and among the most distinguished present. Nothing could be more hearty than their greeting, and he had not been in the room half an hour before he had accepted an invitation to dine that very day with Lord |
|