"Everybody thinks with us," said Mr. X-----, puffing at his cigar. "It
is only ignoramuses who deny this man's courage and ability. I have
never done injustice to Daniel--and I call that 'liberal' in myself,
colonel! He has flayed me alive on three or four occasions, and it is
not his fault that I am enjoying this excellent Havana."
"I read the attacks," I said.
"Were they not fearful?" said Mr. X-----, smiling tranquilly. "After
reading them, I regarded myself as a moral and political monster!"
I could not forbear from laughing as the portly statesman uttered the
words. He seemed to derive a species of careless enjoyment from the
recollection of his "flayings."
"I expect to talk over these little affairs with Daniel hereafter," he
said. "We shall have a great deal of time on our hands--in Canada."
And Mr. X----- smiled, and went on smoking. It was the second time he
had uttered that phrase--"in Canada."
I laughed now, and said:--
"You continue to regard Toronto, or Montreal, or Quebec, as your future
residence?"
"Yes; I think I prefer Quebec. The view from Cape Diamond is superb;
and there is something English and un-American in the whole place,
which I like. The Plains of Abraham bring back the history of the
past,--which is more agreeable to me at least than the history of the
present.
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