The unexpected termination of the events of May, 1839, in the
re-establishment in power of a party confessedly too weak to
carry on the parliamentary government of the country, was
viewed however by the chartists in a very different spirit to
that with which they had witnessed the outbreak of these
transactions. It had unquestionably a tendency to animate
their efforts, and imparted a bolder tone to their future
plans and movements. They were encouraged to try a fall with
a feeble administration. Gerard from this moment became
engrossed in affairs; his correspondence greatly increased;
and he was so much occupied that Sybil saw daily less and less
of her father.
It was on the morning after the day that Hatton had made his
first and unlooked-for visit in Smith's Square, some of the
delegates who had caught the rumour of the resignation of the
whigs had called early on Gerard, and he had soon after left
the house in their company; and Sybil was alone. The strange
incidents of the preceding day were revolving in her mind, as
her eye wandered vaguely over her book. The presence of that
Hatton who had so often and in such different scenes occupied
their conversation; the re-appearance of that stranger, whose
unexpected entrance into their little world had eighteen
months ago so often lent interest and pleasure to their life--
these were materials for pensive sentiment.
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