nknown. No doubt I shall be several years achieving
sufficient prominence either to run for office, or to accomplish
anything whatever--outside of Rosewater. So far as I can see, this
immediate citizenship has effected two results only: I am now in a
position to take advantage of any political change that may develop,
instead of sowing for another to reap--and--"

He hesitated, and Colton shot him a keen glance. "It has made a change
in you, I guess. I noticed that the minute I laid eyes on you. If
anything was needed to make me madder, it was that."

"Yes--I am changed. That is to say, I am poised. In spite of the
determination to absorb Americanism with every pore, there was always
the lurking doubt that it wouldn't do; that some day I should make a
bolt for England. Now the matter is settled forever. I not only am an
American but always have been. The highest legal opinion in the country
was called in, and that was what finally decided the question. I
accepted it as literally as the others did, and in so doing I relegated
my English life to the episodical backwaters: among my adventures in
India and Africa. I fancy that if England came to a death struggle in my
time, and every man counted, I should fight for her. I certainly never
should fight against her. But it is a profound relief to me that I am
not throwing her over, that we have no legitimate right to each other. I
fancy that that, too, demoralized me a bit."

"How did you feel when you took that oath?" asked Colton, more and more
curious, almost forgetting his grievance. "It's a kind of solemn oath.
I've had a sort of chill when I've heard it taken once or twice."

"There could hardly be a more solemn oath. I don't know that it gave me
a chill, but I certainly read it over several times before I took it.
And I took it without any reservations."

"Did you feel an American the moment you took it?"

"Yes--I did. That is to say I felt a certain buoyancy. The die was cast.
There could be no more hesitation and doubt. My new life had actually
begun."

"It's begun, all right. Jiminy, but you'll have a tough time. They're
onto you now. You haven't the ghost of a chance to make a move they
won't see before your hand is off the board."

Gwynne replied with even more than his usual fluency.

"Yes," replied Colton, with a sigh. "I guess that's where we'll all
bring up. But meanwhile? Are you going to throw me over?"

"It will depend upon yourself. I have no obj