The neighbours and his parents were astonished at the eloquence of Paul's
speech at the great dinner given to the tenants next day. No one had
guessed at his powers before, and the county papers, and indeed some London
reporters, had predicted a splendid political future for this young
orator. It had been quite a long speech, and contained sound arguments and
common sense, and was expressed in language so lofty and refined that it
sent ecstatic admiration through his mother's fond breast.
And all the time Paul spoke he saw no sea of faces below him--only his
soul's eyes were looking into those strange chameleon orbs of his lady. He
said every word as if she had been there, and at the end it almost seemed
she must have heard him, so soft a peace fell on his spirit. Yes, she would
