Hope took her candle, and moved toward the door. As she went she heard Mrs. Simcoe repeating, in the old murmuring sunset strain, "Convince us first of unbelief, And freely then release; Fill every soul with sacred grief, And then with sacred peace." CHAPTER LXXVI. A SOCIAL GLASS. The Honorable Abel Newt was elected to Congress in place of the Honorable Watkins Bodley, who withdrew on account of the embarrassment of his private affairs. At a special meeting of the General Committee, Mr. Enos Slugby, Chairman of the Ward Committee, introduced a long and eloquent resolution, deploring the loss sustained by the city and by the whole country in the resignation of the Honorable Watkins Bodley--sympathizing with him in the perplexity of his private affairs--but rejoicing that the word "close up!" was always faithfully obeyed--that there was always a fresh soldier to fill the place of the retiring--and that the Party never summoned her sons in vain. General Belch then rose and offered a resolution: "_Resolved--_That in the Honorable Abel Newt, our representative, just elected by a triumphant majority of the votes of the enlightened and independent voters of the district--a constituency of whose favor the most experienced and illustrious statesmen might be proud--we recognize a worthy exemplar of the purest republican virtues, a consistent enemy of a purse-proud aristocracy, the equally unflinching friend of the people; a man who dedicates with enthusiasm the rare powers of his youth, and his profoundest and sincerest convictions, to the great cause of popular rights of which the Party is the exponent. "_Resolved_--That the Honorable Abel Newt be requested, at the earliest possible moment, to unfold to his fellow-citizens his views upon State and National political affairs." Mr. William Condor spoke feelingly in support of the resolutions: "Fellow-citizens!" he said, eloquently, in conclusion, "if there is one thing nobler than another, it is an upright, downright, disinterested, honest man. Such I am proud and happy to declare my friend, your friend, the friend of all honest men, to be; and I call for three cheers for Honest Abel Newt!" They were given with ardor; and then General Belch was called out for a few remarks, "which he delivered," said the _Evening Banner of the Union_, "with his accustomed humor, keeping the audience in a roar of laughter, and sending every body happy to bed." The Committee-meeting was over, and the spectators retired to the neighboring bar-rooms. Mr. Slugby, Mr. Condor, and General Belch tarried behind, with two or three more. "Shall we go to Newt's?" asked the General. "Yes, I told him we should be round after the meeting," replied Mr. Condor; and the party were presently at his rooms. The Honorable Abel had placed several full decanters upon the table, with a box of cigars. "Mr. Newt," said Enos Slugby, after they had been smoking and drinking for some time. Abel turned his head.