Very well;--I'll follow you.
Go up rather quick, and I'll come close after you." Whereupon Mr.
Monk entered between the two lamp-posts in the hall, and, hurrying
along the passages, soon found himself at the door of the House.
Phineas, with an effort at composure, and a smile that was almost
ghastly at the door-keeper, who greeted him with some muttered word
of recognition, held on his way close behind his friend, and walked
up the House hardly conscious that the benches on each side were
empty. There were not a dozen members present, and the Speaker had
not as yet taken the chair. Mr. Monk stood by him while he took the
oath, and in two minutes he was on a back seat below the gangway,
with his friend by him, while the members, in slowly increasing
numbers, took their seats. Then there were prayers, and as yet not a
single man had spoken to him. As soon as the doors were again open
gentlemen streamed in, and some few whom Phineas knew well came and
sat near him. One or two shook hands with him, but no one said a word
to him of the trial.
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