Politics and the strife of parties, the devices of enemies and the dissatisfaction of friends--his soul was tired of them.

And the emergence of this possible love-affair--for the moment, ardent and deep as were the man's affections and sympathies, toward this Marsham household, it did but increase his sense of moral fatigue.

If the flutter in the blood--and the long companionship of equal love--if these were the only things of real value in life--how had _his_ been worth living?
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