It was composed of both parties, and he could
stimulate his own side, and, perhaps, win the other.
Thus it was that, with the blood pounding through his veins, the inspired
sensualist began his speech. It was his duty to map out a policy for the
future; to give the people an idea of what his party meant to do; to
guide, to inspire, to inflame.
As Carnac listened he kept framing the words not yet issued, but which
did issue from Barouche's mouth; his quick intelligence correctly
imagined the line Barouche would take; again and again Barouche made
a gesture, or tossed his head, or swung upon his feet to right and left
in harmony with Carnac's own mind. Carnac would say to himself: "Why,
that's what I'd have done--that's what I'd have said, if I had his
policy." More than once, in some inspired moment of the speech, he
caught his mother's hand, and he did not notice that her hand trembled.
But as for one of Barouche's chapter of policy Carnac almost sprang to
his feet in protest when Barouche declared it. To Carnac it seemed fatal
to French Canada, though it was expounded with a taking air; yet as he
himself had said it was "wrong-headed and wrong-purposed."
When the speech had finished to great cheering, Carnac suddenly turned to
his mother:
"He's on the wrong track. I know the policy to down his. He's got no
opponent. I'm going to stand against him at the polls.
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