enjoyed by any barrister of his years. He was now as
celebrated in the forum, as he had been before in politics.
Wealth poured in on him. His services were required
in every case of importance, and his party undertook no
measure unless it had met his concurrence and was
sure of his support.
The next Congress was regarded by all men as the one on which hung the destinies of the nation ; and in every section of the Union the most talented members of each party were placed on the ticket. Howell was solicited to run in the district where he resided. At first he declined on account of his youth, modestly replying that there were many older and wiser heads which could much better uphold the party, and advance the interests of the people. But no denial would be taken, and he was placed on the ticket. Howell's extraordinary personal popularity secured his own election, though the other officers in the district in the gift of his party, fell to the lot of the opposition. Here was another triumph sufficient to have made most men dizzy ; but it produced no effect whatever on the calm, self-sustained student.
Men, as well as members of our own sex, had often wondered why Howell had never been in love ; for his former history was unknown in the place where he now resided. What made his apathy to the charms of the other sex remarkable, was the fact that no person was less unsocial. Indeed men wondered how Howell could discharge the multiform duties of his profession, and yet find leisure for the relaxation of salons. Yet so it was ; and except the professed followers of fashion few were more often found in society than the student. He did not, however, become one of the crowd, but rather stood aloof, the observer of others. The company of scientific men, of historians, poets, and authors in general, he especially courted ; but he would also often trifle with the belle of a ball, though he never suffered his attentions to become those of an admirer. No man could excel Howell in the delicacy of his compliments, and when he choose to stoop to pay them, the usually elegant but inane flatterers of the ball-room had to retire from the field. Many were the fair hearts that beat for his conquest, many were the nets spread for him by designing mammas ; but all in vain. He remained callous to every effort, still continuing to be admired, but indifferent alike to admiration or censure, for his was a soul above the petty eclat of fashion.
When the session began, and Howell repaired to Washington, one of the first items of intelligence he heard was that the husband of Miss Eldrington had been returned a member from the south, and was said to be the leader of a contemplated movement, to which Howell particularly was known to be opposed. you Mr. Stratton, for such was the new member's name; had never before been at Washington, but his reputation stood high at home, and a rumor of his eloquence and talents had preceded him to the capitol. "If Stratton pushes his measure," said one of Howell's friends to him one day, " you will have to reply to him -for, indeed you are the only one of the party sufficiently acquainted with the subject to attempt it. He is said to be a powerful man-his society is certainly much courted, and his wishes deferred to by his party. By the bye, have you seen his wife ? She is a magnificent woman, and, though it is said she does not love her husband, she is as proud of him as if he were a demi-god." "I have seen her," quietly responded Howell, " but when did you say Mr. Stratton will be likely to bring forward his measure ?” "Oh ! it is uncertain, but rumor says in about a fortnight. Mind-we shall depend on you." " Ay ! I will be ready," said Howell when left alone, " my hour of triumph approaches-false Kate ! You do not love your husband, but are proud of his talents. If I can humble this haughty man, who ruffles it so bravely every where, I shall be more bitterly revenged on you than I had ever thought possible. We will try," and he turned to his toilet to prepare for a magnificent party which was to be given that evening by the lady of the Secretary of State. CHAPTER V.
WHEN Howell entered the magnificent suite of rooms, which Mrs. H- had that evening thrown open for her guests, his eye was, for a moment, dazzled by the brilliancy and variety of the scene. The walls blazed with lights ; music from unseen performers floated around ; gay laughter and happy voices were heard on every hand, and the array of female loveliness was such as had never before been collected even at the capitol of the nation. Nor was the company wholly composed of the gay and trifling. Learned scholars, who had pored over all the erudition of the past ; orators whose eloquence had thrilled their hearers with a power that seemed that of a god ; and gray-haired statesmen, to whom had been confided the destinies of nations, were there-there with their time-honored knowledge- there with their flashes of genius- there with their deep insight into the human heart, and their anecdotes of courts and of the world. Poets, authors, artists, ambassadors ; men of science, and men of wit ; philosophers and dreamers ; artificers and actors, in short every one who had become distinguished in his peculiar walk, had been gathered together at the magic summons ofthe fair mistress of the revels. Many came to see other celebrated individuals of whom they had heard ; and not a few came to study human nature-for, after all, there are worse places than a ball-room to read the great book of man.
