Each party thought of the struggle as a battlefield; the Federalist strength was already broken, and now if the leader was down, it was not in fighting and Republican nature to restrain the wild cheer for the rout that must follow.

Rand was a fighter too, and a captain of fighters, and the hundred whirling thoughts, the hundred chances, the sense of victory, and the savage joy in a foe's defeat--all the feeling that swelled his heart left him unabashed.

But he thought of Jacqueline, and he tried to choose his words.

There would be now, he knew, no wedding feast at Mrs.
Selden's.

Randolphs, Carrs, Coles, Carters, Dabneys, Gordons, Meriwethers, and Minors--all would wish to hurry away.