matters in which she was always victorious. Looking back as
I did at this moment on the past, it seemed to me that she and Jack,
who were the two persons I loved best in the world, had been the
enemies who had always successfully conspired against me. "Do have
done with your Fixed Period and nonsense," she had said to me only
yesterday. "It's all very well for the Assembly; but when you come
to killing poor Mr Crasweller in real life, it is quite out of the
question." And then, when I began to explain to her at length the
immense importance of the subject, she only remarked that that would
do very well for the Assembly. Should I abandon it all, take the good
things with which God had provided me, and retire into private life?
I had two sides to my character, and could see myself sitting in
luxurious comfort amidst the furniture of Crasweller's verandah
while Eva and her children were around, and Jack was standing with
a cigar in his mouth outside laying down the law for the cricketers
at Gladstonopolis. "Were not better done as others use," I said to
myself over and over again as I sat there wearied with this contest,
and thinking of the much more frightful agony I should be called upon
to endure when the time had actually come for the departure of old
Crasweller.

And then again if I should fail! For half an hour or so I did fear
that I should fail. I had been always a most popular magistrate, but
now, it seemed, had come the time in which all my popularity must be
abandoned. Jack, who was quick enough at understanding the aspect of
things, had already begun to ask the people whether they would see
their old friend Crasweller murdered in cold blood. It was a dreadful
word, but I was assured that he had used it. How would it be when the
time even for depositing had come, and an attempt was made to lead
the old man up through the streets of Gladstonopolis? Should I have
strength of character to perform the task in opposition to the loudly
expressed wishes of the inhabitants, and to march him along protected
by a strong body of volunteers? And how would it be if the volunteers
themselves refused to act on the side of law and order? Should I not
absolutely fail; and would it not afterwards be told of me that, as
President, I had broken down in an attempt to carry out the project
with which my name had been so long associated?

As I sat there alone I had almost determined to yield. But suddenly
there came upon me a memor