The general impression was, this election was now assured.
A shouting multitude followed him to his hotel, popular Sentiment was
touched, and even those who had been facing the difficulty of life with
a sort of dogged despair for years were raised into enthusiasm. His
words begat hope.
In the committee-room there was much excitement and a good deal of
speculation. Every one realized that the full effect of this daring
plunge could not be properly gauged until after it had stood the test of
print. But on the whole comment was strikingly optimistic. Brooks for
some time was absent. In the corridor he had come face to face with
Mary Scott. Her eyes flashed with pleasure at the sight of him, and she
held out her hand frankly.
"You heard it all?" he asked, eagerly.
"Yes--every word. Tell me, you understand these things so much better
than I do. Is this an election dodge, or--is he in earnest? Was he
speaking the truth?
"The honest truth, I believe," he answered, leading her a little away
from the crowd of people. "He is of course pressing this matter home
for votes, but he is very much in earnest himself about it.
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