And yet at no time had Senator Hanway--and himself the master of every art of cord and creese in politics--felt more helpless.
If Governor Obstinate had been no more than just a finished politician, a mere Crillon of political fence, Senator Hanway might have flashed his ready point between his ribs.

But the other's very crudities defended him.

He was primitive to the verge of despair.

Even his strength was primitive, inasmuch as it dwelt among the people rather than with the machinists of party.

Senator Hanway's monkish brow went often puckered of a most uncanonical frown as he thought upon that sardonic Destiny which had thrust this Governor Obstinate forward to become a stumbling block in his way.