The Major swung around from the red light of the logs. "Mr. Rand, we--my brother Dick and I--propose a lasting peace between the two houses, between Fontenoy and Roselands. My brother Henry, sir, the father of--of your wife, sir, was as near to us in love as in blood, and the honour, safety, and peace of mind of his daughter are very much our concern! You will say that by perseverance in this long estrangement we have ignored the last of these. Perhaps, sir, perhaps! Old men are obstinate, and their wounds do not heal like those of youth. Enough of that! We--my brother Dick and I--are prepared to let bygones be bygones. We have cudgelled our brains--I mean, we have talked matters over. We are prepared, Mr. Rand, to meet you halfway--" "Thank you," said Rand. "On what specific proposition?" Major Edward rose, took a short turn in the room, and came back to his chair. "Mr. Rand, in the matter of the nomination for Governor, is it too late to recall your refusal? I think not, sir. Your party has named no other candidate. As a Federalist, I know, sir, but little of that party's inner working, but I am told that you would sweep the state. Far be it from me to say that I wish to see a Democrat-Republican Governor of Virginia! I do not. But since the gentleman for whom I myself, sir, shall vote, is undoubtedly destined to defeat, we--my brother Dick and I--consider that that post may as well be filled by you, sir, as by any other of your Jacobinical party. No one doubts your ability--you are diabolically able! But, sir, I would bury this arm where a damned cutthroat barber surgeon buried the other before I would cry on to such a post any man who did not enter the race with heart and hands washed clean of all but honour, plain intents, and loyalty! In the past he may have been tempted--he may have listened to the charmer, charming never so wisely--there is in man an iron capacity for going wrong. He may have done this, planned that--I know not; we all err. It is not too late; he may yet put behind him all this--" "I do not think that I understand," said Rand. "All what, sir?" The Major faced around from the fire with a jerk. "All this. I am explicit, sir. All this." "Ah!" answered Rand. "I am dull, I suppose. All this. Well, sir?" "I should," continued the Major, with emphasis, "regard the acceptance of the nomination as proof positive of the laying aside of all conflicting ideas, uneasy dreams, and fallacious reasoning, of all intents and purposes that might war with a sober and honourable discharge of exalted public duties. They are exalted, sir, and they may be so highly discharged, so ably and so loftily, as to infinitely dignify the office that has already great traditions. A Governor of Virginia may be the theme, sir, of many a far distant panegyric--"