第2章

Thevictimtriedtomakeheadagainstthem；heprotestedthathisnutmegsweregenuine；hesoldnogoodsthathedidnotguarantee；

andthatthisparticulararticlewasactuallyguaranteedbythenationalconventionsofbothpoliticalparties。

“Thenwhatyouwant，Mr。French，isacommonschooleducation。

Youneedalittlestudyofthealphabet。Orifyouwon"tbelieveme，askmybrothersenatorsherewhatchancethereisforyourReformssolongastheAmericancitizeniswhathe“You"llnotgetmuchcomfortinmyState，Mr。French，“growledthesenatorfromPennsylvania，withasneer；“supposeyoucomeandtry。“

“Well，well！”saidthebenevolentMr。SchuylerClinton，gleamingbenignantlythroughhisgoldspectacles；“don"tbetoohardonFrench。Hemeanswell。

Perhapshe"snotverywise，buthedoesgood。Iknowmoreaboutitthananyofyou，andIdon"tdenythatthethingisallbad。Only，asMr。Ratcliffesays，thedifficultyisinthepeople，notinus。Gotoworkonthem，French，andletusalone。“

Frenchrepentedofhisattack，andcontentedhimselfbymutteringtoCarrington：“Whatasetofdamnedoldreprobatestheyare！”

“Theyareright，though，inonething，“wasCarrington"sreply：

“theiradviceisgood。Neveraskoneofthemtoreformanything；ifyoudo，youwillbereformedyourself。“

Thedinnerendedasbrilliantlyasitbegan，andSchneidekouponwasdelightedwithhissuccess。HehadmadehimselfparticularlyagreeabletoSybilbyconfidinginherallhishopesandfearsaboutthetariffandthefinances。Whentheladiesleftthetable，Ratcliffecouldnotstayforacigar；hemustgetbacktohisrooms，whereheknewseveralmenwerewaitingforhim；hewouldtakehisleaveoftheladiesandhurryaway。ButwhenthegentlemencameupnearlyanhourafterwardstheyfoundRatcliffestilltakinghisleaveoftheladies，whoweredelightedathisentertainingconversation；andwhenatlasthereallydeparted，hesaidtoMrs。Lee，asthoughitwerequiteamatterofcourse：“Youareathomeasusualto-morrowevening？”Madeleinesmiled，bowed，andhewenthisway。

Asthetwosistersdrovehomethatnight，Madeleinewasunusuallysilent。

Sybilyawnedconvulsivelyandthenapologized：

“Mr。Schneidekouponisveryniceandgood-natured，butawholeeveningofhimgoesalongway；andthathorridSenatorKrebswouldnotsayaword，anddrankagreatdealtoomuchwine，thoughitcouldn"tmakehimanymorestupidthanheis。Idon"tthinkIcareforsenators。“Then，wearily，afterapause：“Well，Maude，Idohopeyou"vegotwhatyouwanted。I"msureyoumusthavehadpoliticsenough。Haven"tyougottotheheartofyourgreatAmericanmysteryyet？”

“Prettynearit，Ithink，“saidMadeleine，halftoherself。

ChapterIV

SUNDAYeveningwasstormy，andsomeenthusiasmwasrequiredtomakeonefaceitsperilsforthesakeofsociety。Nevertheless，afewintimatesmadetheirappearanceasusualatMrs。Lee"s。ThefaithfulPopoffwasthere，andMissDarealsoranintopassanhourwithherdearSybil；butasshepassedthewholeeveninginacornerwithPopoff。shemusthavebeendisappointedinherobject。

Carringtoncame，andBaronJacobi。SchneidekouponandhissisterdinedwithMrs。Lee，andremainedafterdinner，whileSybilandJuliaSchneidekouponcomparedconclusionsaboutWashingtonsociety。ThehappyideaalsooccurredtoMr。Gorethat，inasmuchasMrs。Lee"shousewasbutastepfromhishotel，hemightaswelltakethechanceofamusementthereasthecertaintyofsolitudeinhisrooms。Finally，SenatorRatcliffedulymadehisappearance，and，havingestablishedhimselfwithacupofteabyMadeleine"sside，wassoonlefttoenjoyaquiettalkwithher，therestofthepartybycommonconsentoccupyingthemselveswitheachother。

Undercoverofthemurmurofconversationintheroom，Mr。

Ratcliffequickiybecameconfidential。

“Icametosuggestthat，ifyouwanttohearaninterestingdebate，youshouldcomeuptotheSenateto-morrow。IamtoldthatGarrard，ofLouisiana，meanstoattackmylastspeech，andIshallprobablyinthatcasehavetoanswerhim。WithyouforacriticI

shallspeakbetter。“

“AmIsuchanamiablecritic？”askedMadeleine。

“Ineverheardthatamiablecriticswerethebest，“saidhe；“justiceisthesoulofgoodcriticism，anditisonlyjusticethatIaskandexpectfromyou。“

“Whatgooddoesthisspeakingdo？”inquiredshe。“Areyouanynearertheendofyourdifficultiesbymeansofyourspeeches？”

“Ihardlyknowyet。Justnowweareindeadwater；butthiscan"tlastlong。

Infact，Iamnotafraidtotellyou，thoughofcourseyouwillnotrepeatittoanyhumanbeing，thatwehavetakenmeasurestoforceanissue。

Certaingentlemen，myselfamongtherest，havewrittenlettersmeantforthePresident"seye，thoughnotaddresseddirectlytohim，andintendedtodrawoutanexpressionofsomesortthatwillshowuswhattoexpect。“

“Oh！”laughedMadeleine，“Iknewaboutthataweekago。“

“Aboutwhat？”

“AboutyourlettertoSamGrimes，ofNorthBend。“

“WhathaveyouheardaboutmylettertoSamGrimes，ofNorthBend？”

ejaculatedRatcliffe，alittleabruptly。

“Oh，youdonotknowhowadmirablyIhaveorganisedmysecretservicebureau，“saidshe。“RepresentativeCuttercross-questionedoneoftheSenatepages，andobligedhimtoconfessthathehadreceivedfromyoualettertobeposted，whichletterwasaddressedtoMr。Grimes，ofNorthBend。“

“And，ofcourse，hetoldthistoFrench，andFrenchtoldyou，“saidRatcliffe；“Isee。IfIhadknownthisIwouldnothaveletFrenchoffsogentlylastnight，forIprefertotellyoumyownstorywithouthisembellishments。Butitwasmyfault。Ishouldnothavetrustedapage。

Nothingisasecretherelong。ButonethingthatMr。Cutterdidnotfindoutwasthatseveralothergentlemenwrotelettersatthesametime，forthesamepurpose。Yourfriend，Mr。Clinton，wrote；Krebswrote；andoneortwomembers。“

“IsupposeImustnotaskwhatyousaid？”

“Youmay。Weagreedthatitwasbesttobeverymildandconciliatory，andtourgethePresidentonlytogiveussomeindicationofhisintentions，inorderthatwemightnotruncountertothem。Idrewastrongpictureoftheeffectofthepresentsituationontheparty，andhintedthatIhadnopersonalwishestogratify。“

“Andwhatdoyouthinkwillbetheresult？”

“Ithinkweshallsomehowmanagetostraightenthingsout，“saidRatcliffe。

“ThedifficultyisonlythatthenewPresidenthaslittleexperience，andissuspicious。Hethinksweshallintriguetotiehishands，andhemeanstotieoursinadvance。Idon"tknowhimpersonally，butthosewhodo，andwhoarefairjudges，saythat，thoughrathernarrowandobstinate，heishonestenough，andwillcomeround。I

havenodoubtIcouldsettleitallwithhiminanhour"stalk，butitisoutofthequestionformetogotohimunlessIamasked，andtoaskmetocomewouldbeitselfasettlement。“

“What，then，isthedangeryoufear？”

“Thathewilloffendalltheimportantpartyleadersinordertoconciliateunimportantones，perhapssentimentalones，likeyourfriendFrench；thathewillmakefoolishappointmentswithouttakingadvice。Bytheway，haveyouseenFrenchto-day？”

“No，“repliedMadeleine；“Ithinkhemustbesoreatyourtreatmentofhimlastevening。Youwereveryrudetohim。“

“Notabit，“saidRatcliffe；“thesereformersneedit。Hisattackonmewasmeantforachallenge。Isawitinhismanner。

“Butisreformreallysoimpossibleasyoudescribeit？Isitquitehopeless？”

“Reformsuchashewantsisutterlyhopeless，andnotevendesirable。“

Mrs。Lee，withmuchearnestnessofmanner，stillpressedherquestion：

“Surelysomethingcanbedonetocheckcorruption。Areweforevertobeatthemercyofthievesandruffians？Isarespectablegovernmentimpossibleinademocracy？”

HerwarmthattractedJacobi"sattention，andhespokeacrosstheroom。“Whatisthatyousay，Mrs。Lee？Whatisitaboutcorruption？”

Allthegentlemenbegantolistenandgatheraboutthem。

“IamaskingSenatorRatcliffe，“saidshe，“whatistobecomeofusifcorruptionisallowedtogounchecked。“

“AndmayIventuretoaskpermissiontohearMr。Ratcliffe"sreply？”askedthebaron。

“Myreply，“saidRatcliffe，“isthatnorepresentativegovernmentcanlongbemuchbetterormuchworsethanthesocietyitrepresents。Purifysocietyandyoupurifythegovernment。Buttrytopurifythegovernmentartificiallyandyouonlyaggravatefailure。“

“Averystatesmanlikereply，“saidBaronJacobi，withaformalbow，buthistonehadashadeofmockery。Carrington，whohadlistenedwithadarkeningface，suddenlyturnedtothebaronandaskedhimwhatconclusionhedrewfromthereply。

“Ah！”exclaimedthebaron，withhiswickedestleer，“whatforismyconclusiongood？YouAmericansbelieveyourselvestobeexceptedfromtheoperationofgenerallaws。Youcarenotforexperience。Ihavelivedseventy-fiveyears，andallthattimeinthemidstofcorruption。Iamcorruptmyself，onlyIdohavecouragetoproclaimit，andyouothershaveitnot。Rome，Paris，Vienna，Petersburg，London，allarecorrupt；onlyWashingtonispure！

Well，IdeclaretoyouthatinallmyexperienceIhavefoundnosocietywhichhashadelementsofcorruptionliketheUnitedStates。Thechildreninthestreetarecorrupt，andknowhowtocheatme。

Thecitiesareallcorrupt，andalsothetownsandthecountiesandtheStates"legislaturesandthejudges。Everywheremenbetraytrustsbothpublicandprivate，stealmoney，runawaywithpublicfunds。OnlyintheSenatementakenomoney。AndyougentlemenintheSenateverywelldeclarethatyourgreatUnitedStates，whichistheheadofthecivilizedworld，canneverlearnanythingfromtheexampleofcorruptEurope。Youareright——quiteright！

ThegreatUnitedStatesneedsnotanexample。IdomuchregretthatIhavenotyetonehundredyearstolive。IfIcouldthencomebacktothiscity，Ishouldfindmyselfverycontent——muchmorethannow。Iamalwayscontentwherethereismuchcorruption，andmaparoled"honneur！”

brokeouttheoldmanwithfireandgesture，“theUnitedStateswillthenbemorecorruptthanRomeunderCaligula；morecorruptthantheChurchunderLeoX。；morecorruptthanFranceundertheRegent！”

Asthebaronclosedhislittleharangue，whichhedelivereddirectlyatthesenatorsittingunderneathhim，hehadthesatisfactiontoseethateveryonewassilentandlisteningwithdeepattention。Heseemedtoenjoyannoyingthesenator，andhehadthesatisfactionofseeingthatthesenatorwasvisiblyannoyed。Ratcliffelookedsternlyatthebaronandsaid，withsomecurtness，thathesawnoreasontoacceptsuchconclusions。

Conversationflagged，andallexceptthebaronwererelievedwhenSybil，atSchneidekoupon"srequest，satdownatthepianotosingwhatshecalledahymn。Sosoonasthesongwasover，Ratcliffe，whoseemedtohavebeencuriouslythrownoffhisbalancebyJacobi"sharangue，pleadedurgentdutiesathisrooms，andretired。

Theotherssoonafterwardswentoffinabody，leavingonlyCarringtonandGore，whohadseatedhimselfbyMadeleine，andwasatoncedraggedbyherintoadiscussionofthesubjectwhichperplexedher，andforthemomentthrewoverhermindanetofirresistiblefascination。

“Thebarondiscomfitedthesenator，“saidGore，withacertainhesitation。

“WhydidRatcliffelethimselfbetrampleduponinthatmanner？”

“Iwishyouwouldexplainwhy，“repliedMrs。Lee；“tellme，Mr。

Gore——youwhorepresentcultivationandliterarytastehereabouts——pleasetellmewhattothinkaboutBaronJacobi"sspeech。Whoandwhatistobebelieved？Mr。

Ratcliffeseemshonestandwise。Isheacorruptionist？Hebelievesinthepeople，orsayshedoes。Ishetellingthetruthornot？”

Gorewastooexperiencedinpoliticstobecaughtinsuchatrapasthis。Heevadedthequestion。“Mr。Ratcliffehasapracticalpieceofworktodo；hisbusinessistomakelawsandadvisethePresident；

hedoesitextremelywell。Wehavenootherequallygoodpracticalpolitician；itisunfairtorequirehimtobeacrusaderbesides。“

“No！”interposedCarrington，curtly；“butheneednotobstructcrusades。Heneednottalkvirtueandopposethepunishmentofvice。“

“Heisashrewdpracticalpolitician，“repliedGore，“andhefeelsfirsttheweaksideofanyproposedpoliticaltactics。“

WithasighofdespairMadeleinewenton：“Who，then，isright？

Howcanweallberight？Halfofourwisemendeclarethattheworldisgoingstraighttoperdition；theotherhalfthatitisfastbecomingperfect。Bothcannotberight。Thereisonlyonethinginlife，“shewenton，laughing，“thatImustandwillhavebeforeIdie。

ImustknowwhetherAmericaisrightorwrong。Justnowthisquestionisaverypracticalone，forIreallywanttoknowwhethertobelieveinMr。Ratcliffe。IfIthrowhimoverboard，everythingmustgo，forheisonlyaspecimen。“

“WhynotbelieveinMr。Ratcliffe？”saidGore；“Ibelieveinhimmyself，andamnotafraidtosayso。“

Carrington，towhomRatcliffenowbegantorepresentthespiritofevil，interposedhere，andobservedthatheimaginedMr。Gorehadotherguidesbesides，andsteadieronesthanRatcliffe，tobelievein；whileMadeleine，withacertainfeminineperspicacity，struckatamuchweakerpointinMr。

Gore"sarmour，andaskedpoint-blankwhetherhebelievedalsoinwhatRatclifferepresented：“Doyouyourselfthinkdemocracythebestgovernment，anduniversalsuffrageasuccess？”

Mr。Goresawhimselfpinnedtothewall，andheturnedatbaywithalmosttheenergyofdespair：

“ThesearemattersaboutwhichIrarelytalkinsociety；theyarelikethedoctrineofapersonalGod；ofafuturelife；ofrevealedreligion；subjectswhichonenaturallyreservesforprivatereflection。Butsinceyouaskformypoliticalcreed，youshallhaveit。Ionlyconditionthatitshallbeforyoualone，nevertoberepeatedorquotedasmine。Ibelieveindemocracy。Iacceptit。I

willfaithfullyserveanddefendit。Ibelieveinitbecauseitappearstometheinevitableconsequenceofwhathasgonebeforeit。

Democracyassertsthefactthatthemassesarenowraisedtoahigherintelligencethanformerly。Allourcivilisationaimsatthismark。Wewanttodowhatwecantohelpit。Imyselfwanttoseetheresult。Igrantitisanexperiment，butitistheonlydirectionsocietycantakethatisworthitstaking；theonlyconceptionofitsdutylargeenoughtosatisfyitsinstincts；theonlyresultthatisworthaneffortorarisk。Everyotherpossiblestepisbackward，andIdonotcaretorepeatthepast。Iamgladtoseesocietygrapplewithissuesinwhichnoonecanaffordtobeneutral。“

“Andsupposingyourexperimentfails，“saidMrs。Lee；“supposesocietydestroysitselfwithuniversalsuffrage，corruption，andcommunism。“

“Iwish，Mrs。Lee，youwouldvisittheObservatorywithmesomeevening，andlookatSirius。Didyouevermaketheacquaintanceofafixedstar？Ibelieveastronomersreckonabouttwentymillionsoftheminsight，andaninfinitepossibilityofinvisiblemillions，eachoneofwhichisasun，likeours，andmayhavesatelliteslikeourplanet。Supposeyouseeoneofthesefixedstarssuddenlyincreaseinbrightness，andaretoldthatasatellitehasfallenintoitandisburningup，itscareerfinished，itscapacitiesexhausted？Curious，isitnot；butwhatdoesitmatter？Justasmuchastheburningupofamothatyourcandle。“

Madeleineshudderedalittle。“Icannotgettotheheightofyourphilosophy，“saidshe。“Youarewanderingamongtheinfinites，andIamfinite。“

“Notatall！ButIhavefaith；notperhapsintheolddogmas，butinthenewones；faithinhumannature；faithinscience；faithinthesurvivalofthefittest。Letusbetruetoourtime，Mrs。Lee！Ifourageistobebeaten，letusdieintheranks。Ifitistobevictorious，letusbefirsttoleadthecolumn。Anyway，letusnotbeskulkersorgrumblers。There！haveIrepeatedmycatechismcorrectly？Youwouldhaveit！Nowobligemebyforgettingit。Ishouldlosemycharacterathomeifitgotout。Goodnight！”

Mrs。LeedulyappearedattheCapitolthenextday，asshecouldnotbutdoafterSenatorRatcliffe"spointedrequest。Shewentalone，forSybilhadpositivelyrefusedtogoneartheCapitolagain，andMadeleinethoughtthatonthewholethiswasnotanoccasionforenrollingCarringtoninherservice。ButRatcliffedidnotspeak。

Thedebatewasunexpectedlypostponed。

HejoinedMrs。Leeinthegallery，however，satwithheraslongasshewouldallow，andbecamestillmoreconfidential，tellingherthathehadreceivedtheexpectedreplyfromGrimes，ofNorthBend，andthatithadenclosedaletterwrittenbythePresident-electtoMr。GrimesinregardtotheadvancesmadebyMr。Ratcliffeandhisfriends。

“Itisnotahandsomeletter，“saidhe；“indeed，apartofitispositivelyinsulting。Iwouldliketoreadyouoneextractfromit，andhearyouropinionastohowitshouldbetreated。“Takingtheletterfromhispocket，hesoughtoutthepassage，andreadasfollows：“"Icannotlosesight，too，oftheconsiderationthatthesethreeSenators"(hemeansClinton，Krebs，andme)arepopularlyconsideredtobethemostinfluentialmembersofthatso-calledsenatorialring，whichhasacquiredsuchgeneralnotoriety。WhileI

shallalwaysreceivetheircommunicationswithallduerespect，I

mustcontinuetoexercisecompletefreedomofactioninconsultingotherpoliticaladvisersaswellasthese，andImustinallcasesmakeitmyfirstobjecttofollowthewishesofthepeople，notalwaysmosttrulyrepresentedbytheirnominalrepresentatives。"Whatsayyoutothatpreciouspieceofpresidentialmanners？”

“AtleastIlikehiscourage，“saidMrs。Lee。

“Courageisonething；commonsenseisanother。Thisletterisastudiedinsult。Hehasknockedmeoffthetrackonce。Hemeanstodoitagain。Itisadeclarationofwar。WhatoughtItodo？”

“Whateverismostforthepublicgood。“saidMadeleine，gravely。

Ratcliffelookedintoherfacewithsuchundisguiseddelight——therewassolittlepossibilityofmistakingorignoringtheexpressionofhiseyes，thatsheshrankbackwithacertainshock。Shewasnotpreparedforsoopenademonstration。Hehardenedhisfeaturesatonce，andwenton：

“Butwhatismostforthepublicgood？”

“ThatyouknowbetterthanI，“saidMadeleine；“onlyonethingiscleartome。Ifyouletyourselfberuledbyyourprivatefeelings，youwillmakeagreatermistakethanhe。NowImustgo，forIhavevisitstomake。ThenexttimeIcome，Mr。Ratcliffe，youmustkeepyourwordbetter。“

Whentheynextmet，RatcliffereadtoherapartofhisreplytoMr。

Grimes，whichranthus：“Itisthelotofeverypartyleadertosufferfromattacksandtocommiterrors。Itistrue，asthePresidentsays，thatIhavebeennoexceptiontothislaw。BelievingasIdothatgreatresultscanonlybeaccomplishedbygreatparties，Ihaveuniformlyyieldedmyownpersonalopinionswheretheyhavefailedtoobtaingeneralassent。Ishallcontinuetofollowthiscourse，andthePresidentmaywithperfectconfidencecountuponmydisinterestedsupportofallpartymeasures，eventhoughImaynotbeconsultedinoriginatingthem。“

Mrs。Leelistenedattentively，andthensaid：“Haveyouneverrefusedtogowithyourparty？”

“Never！”wasRatcliffe"sfirmreply。

Madeleinestillmorethoughtfullyinquiredagain：“Isnothingmorepowerfulthanpartyallegiance？”

“Nothing，exceptnationalallegiance，“repliedRatcliffe，stillmorefirmly。

ChapterV

TOtieaprominentstatesmantohertrainandtoleadhimaboutlikeatamebear，isforayoungandvivaciouswomanamorecertainamusementthantotieherselftohimandtobedraggedaboutlikeanIndiansquaw。ThisfactwasMadeleineLee"sfirstgreatpoliticaldiscoveryinWashington，anditwasworthtoheralltheGermanphilosophyshehadeverread，withevenacompleteeditionofHerbertSpencer"sworksintothebargain。Therecouldbenodoubtthatthehonoursanddignitiesofapubliccareerwerenofairconsiderationforitspains。ShemadealittledailytaskforherselfofreadinginsuccessionthelivesandlettersoftheAmericanPresidents，andoftheirwives，whenshecouldfindthattherewasatraceofthelatter"sexistence。Whatamelancholyspectacleitwas，fromGeorgeWashingtondowntothelastincumbent；whatvexations，whatdisappointments，whatgrievousmistakes，whatveryobjectionablemanners！Notoneofthem，whohadaimedathighpurpose，buthadbeenthwarted，beaten，andhabituallyinsulted！Whatagloomlayonthefeaturesofthosefamouschieftains，Calhoun，Clay，andWebster；whatvariedexpressionofdefeatandunsatisfieddesire；whatasenseofself-importanceandsenatorialmagniloquence；whatacravingforflattery；whatdespairatthesentenceoffate！Andwhatdidtheyamountto，afterall？

Theywerepracticalmen，these！theyhadnogreatproblemsofthoughttosettle，noquestionsthatroseabovetheordinaryrulesofcommonmoralsandhomelyduty。Howtheyhadmanagedtobefogthesubject！Whatelaborateshow-structurestheyhadbuiltup，withnoresultbuttoobscurethehorizon！Wouldnotthecountryhavedonebetterwithoutthem？Couldithavedoneworse？Whatdeeperabysscouldhaveopenedunderthenation"sfeet，thanthattowhosevergetheybroughtit？

Madeleine"smindweariedwiththemonotonyofthestory。ShediscussedthesubjectwithRatcliffe，whotoldherfranklythatthepleasureofpoliticslayinthepossessionofpower。Heagreedthatthecountrywoulddoverywellwithouthim。“ButhereIam，“saidhe，“andhereImeantostay。“Hehadverylittlesympathyforthinmoralising，andastatesmanlikecontemptforphilosophicalpolitics。Helovedpower，andhemeanttobePresident。

Thatwasenough。

Sometimesthetragicandsometimesthecomicsidewasuppermostinhermind，andsometimesshedidnotherselfknowwhethertocryortolaugh。

Washingtonmorethananyothercityintheworldswarmswithsimple-mindedexhibitionsofhumannature；menandwomencuriouslyoutofplace，whomitwouldbecrueltoridiculeandridiculoustoweepover。Thesadderexhibitionsarefortunatelyseldomseenbyrespectablepeople；onlythelittlesocialaccidentscomeundertheireyes。OneeveningMrs。LeewenttothePresident"sfirsteveningreception。AsSybilflatlyrefusedtofacethecrowd，andCarringtonmildlysaidthathefearedhewasnotsufficientlyreconstructedtoappearathomeinthataugustpresence，Mrs。LeeacceptedMr。Frenchforanescort，andwalkedacrosstheSquarewithhimtojointhethrongthatwaspouringintothedoorsoftheWhiteHouse。Theytooktheirplacesinthelineofcitizensandwereatlastabletoenterthereception-room。ThereMadeleinefoundherselfbeforetwoseeminglymechanicalfigures，whichmlghtbewoodorwax，foranysigntheyshowedoflife。

ThesetwofigureswerethePresidentandhiswife；theystoodstiffandawkwardbythedoor，boththeirfacesstrippedofeverysignofintelligence，whiletherighthandsofbothextendedthemselvestothecolumnofvisitorswiththemechanicalactionoftoydolls。

Mrs。Leeforamomentbegantolaugh，butthelaughdiedonherlips。TothePresidentandhiswifethiswasclearlynolaughingmatter。Theretheystood，automata，representativesofthesocietywhichstreamedpastthem。MadeleineseizedMr。Frenchbythearm。

“Takemesomewhereatonce，“saidshe，“whereIcanlookatit。

Here！inthecorner。Ihadnoconceptionhowshockingitwas！”

Mr。Frenchsupposedshewasthinkingofthequeer-lookingmenandwomenwhowereswarmingthroughtherooms，andhemade，afterhisowndelicatenotionofhumour，someuncouthjestsonthosewhopassedby。Mrs。Lee，however，wasinnohumourtoexplainoreventolisten。Shestoppedhimshort：——

“There，Mr。French！Nowgoawayandleaveme。Iwanttobealoneforhalfanhour。Pleasecomeformethen。“Andthereshestood，withhereyesfixedonthePresidentandhiswife，whiletheendlessstreamofhumanitypassedthem，shakinghands。

Whatastrangeandsolemnspectacleitwas，andhowthedeadlyfascinationofitburnedtheimageinuponhermind！Whatahorridwarningtoambition！

Andinallthatcrowdtherewasnoonebesidesherselfwhofeltthemockeryofthisexhibition。ToalltheothersthistaskwasaregularpartofthePresident"sduty，andtherewasnothingridiculousaboutit。Theythoughtitademocraticinstitution，thisdrollapingofmonarchicalforms。TothemthedeadlydulnessoftheshowwasasnaturalandproperasevertothecourtiersofthePhilipsandCharlesesseemedtheceremoniesoftheEscurial。Toherithadtheeffectofanightmare，orofanopium-eater"svision，ShefeltasuddenconvictionthatthiswastobetheendofAmericansociety；

itsrealisationanddreamatonce。Shegroanedinspirit。

“Yes！atlastIhavereachedtheend！Weshallgrowtobewaximages，andourtalkwillbelikethesqueakingoftoydolls。Weshallallwanderroundandroundtheearthandshakehands。Noonewillhaveanyobjectinthisworld，andtherewillbenoother。

Itisworsethananythinginthe"Inferno。"Whatanawfulvisionofeternity！”

Suddenly，asthroughamist，shesawthemelancholyfaceofLordSkyeapproaching。Hecametoherside，andhisvoicerecalledhertoreality。

“Doesitamuseyou，thissortofthing？”heaskedinavagueway。

“Wetakeouramusementsadly，afterthemannerofourpeople，“

shereplied；“butitcertainlyinterestsme。“

Theystoodforatimeinsilence，watchingtheslowlyeddyingdanceofDemocracy，untilheresumed：

“Whomdoyoutakethatmantobe——thelong，leanone，withalongwomanoneacharm？”

“Thatman，“shereplied，“ItaketobeaWashingtondepartment-clerk，orperhapsamemberofCongressfromIowa，withawifeandwife"ssister。Dotheyshockyournobility？”

Helookedatherwithcomicalresignation。“Youmeantotellmethattheyarequiteasgoodasdowager-countesses。Igrantit。Myaristocraticspiritisbroken，Mrs。Lee。Iwillevenaskthemtodinnerifyoubidme，andifyouwillcometomeetthem。ButthelasttimeIaskedamemberofCongresstodine，hesentmebackanoteinpencilonmyownenvelopethathewouldbringtwoofhisfriendswithhim，veryrespectableconstituentsfromYahoocity，orsomesuchplace；nature"snoblemen，hesaid。“

“Youshouldhavewelcomedthem。“

“Idid。Iwantedtoseetwoofnature"snoblemen，andIknewtheywouldprobablybepleasantercompanythantheirrepresentative。

Theycame；veryrespectablepersons，onewithabluenecktie，theotherwitharedone：bothhaddiamondpinsintheirshirts，andwerecarefullybrushedinrespecttotheirhair。Theysaidnothing，atelittle，drankless，andweremuchbetterbehavedthanIam。

Whentheywentaway，theyunanimouslyaskedmetostaywiththemwhenIvisitedYahoocity。“

“Youwillnotwantguestsifyoualwaysdothat。“

“Idon"tknow。Ithinkitwaspureignoranceontheirpart。Theyknewnobetter，andtheyseemedmodestenough。MyonlycomplaintwasthatIcouldgetnothingoutofthem。Iwonderwhethertheirwiveswouldhavebeenmoreamusing。“

“WouldtheybesoinEngland，LordSkye？”

Helookeddownatherwithhalf-shuteyes，anddrawled：“Youknowmycountrywomen？”

“Hardlyatall。“

“Thenletusdiscusssomelessserioussubject。“

“Willingly。Ihavewaitedforyoutoexplaintomewhyyouhaveto-nightanexpressionofsuchmelancholy。“

“Isthatquitefriendly，Mrs。Lee？DoIreallylookmelancholy？”

“Unutterably，asIfeel。Iamconsumedwithcuriositytoknowthereason。“

TheBritishministercoollytookacompletesurveyofthewholeroom，endingwithaprolongedstareatthePresidentandhiswife，whowerestillmechanicallyshakinghands；thenhelookedbackintoherface，andsaidneveraword。

Sheinsisted：“Imusthavethisriddleanswered。Itsuffocatesme。I

shouldnotbesadatseeingthesesamepeopleatworkoratplay，iftheyeverdoplay；orinachurchoralecture-room。Whydotheyweighonmelikeahorridphantomhere？”

“Iseenoriddle，Mrs。Lee。Youhaveansweredyourownquestion；

theyareneitheratworknoratplay。“

“Thenpleasetakemehomeatonce。Ishallhavehysterics。Thesightofthosetwosufferingimagesatthedooristoomournfultobeborne。Iamdizzywithlookingatthesestalkingfigures。Idon"tbelievethey"rereal。

Iwishthehousewouldtakefire。Iwantanearthquake。IwishsomeonewouldpinchthePresident，orpullhiswife"shair。“

Mrs。LeedidnotrepeattheexperimentofvisitingtheWhiteHouse，andindeedforsometimeafterwardsshespokewithlittleenthusiasmofthepresidentialoffice。ToSenatorRatcliffesheexpressedheropinionsstrongly。TheSenatortriedinvaintoarguethatthepeoplehadarighttocallupontheirchiefmagistrate，andthathewasboundtoreceivethem；thisbeingso，therewasnolessobjectionablewayofproceedingthantheonewhichhadbeenchosen。“Whogavethepeopleanysuchright？”askedMrs。

Lee。“Wheredoesitcomefrom？Whatdotheywantitfor？Youknowbetter，Mr。Ratcliffe！Ourchiefmagistrateisacitizenlikeanyoneelse。Whatputsitintohisfoolishheadtoceasebeingacitizenandtoaperoyalty？

Ourgovernorsnevermakethemselvesridiculous。Whycannotthewretchedbeingcontenthimselfwithlivingliketherestofus，andmindinghisownbusiness？Doesheknowwhatafigureoffunheis？”AndMrs。LeewentsofarastodeclarethatshewouldliketobethePresident"swifeonlytoputanendtothisfolly；nothingshouldeverinducehertogothroughsuchaperformance；andifthepublicdidnotapproveofthis，Congressmightimpeachher，andremoveherfromoffice；allshedemandedwastherighttobeheardbeforetheSenateinherowndefence。

Nevertheless，therewasaverygeneralimpressioninWashingtonthatMrs。

LeewouldlikenothingbetterthantobeintheWhiteHouse。

Knowntocomparativelyfewpeople，andrarelydiscussingevenwiththemthesubjectswhichdeeplyinterestedher，Madeleinepassedforaclever，intriguingwomanwhohadherownobjectstogain。Trueitis，beyondperadventure，thatallresidentsofWashingtonmaybeassumedtobeinofficeorcandidatesforoffice；unlesstheyavowtheirobject，theyareguiltyofanattempt——andastupidone——todeceive；yetthereisasmallclassofapparentexceptionsdestinedatlasttofallwithintherule。Mrs。

Leewasproperlyassumedtobeacandidateforoffice。TotheWashingtoniansitwasamatterofcoursethatMrs。LeeshouldmarrySilasP。Ratcliffe。Thatheshouldbegladtogetafashionableandintelligentwife，withtwentyorthirtythousanddollarsayear，wasnotsurprising。Thatsheshouldacceptthefirstpublicmanoftheday，withaflatteringchanceforthePresidency——amanstillcomparativelyyoungandnotwithoutgoodlooks——wasperfectlynatural，andinherundertakingshehadthesympathyofallwell-regulatedWashingtonwomenwhowerenotpossiblerivals；fortothemthePresident"swifeisofmoreconsequencethanthePresident；and，indeed，ifAmericaonlyknewit，theyarenotveryfarfromthetruth。

Sometherewere，however，whodidnotassenttothisgood-naturedthoughworldlyviewoftheproposedmatch。TheseladiesweresevereintheircommentsuponMrs。Lee"sconduct，anddidnothesitatetodeclaretheiropinionthatshewasthecalmestandmostambitiousminxwhohadevercomewithintheirobservation。

UnfortunatelyithappenedthattherespectableandproperMrs。

SchuylerClintontookthisviewofthecase，andmadelittleattempttoconcealheropinion。Shewasjustlyindignantathercousin"sgrossworldliness，andpossiblepromotioninrank。

“IfMadeleineRossmarriesthatcoarse，horridoldIllinoispolitician，“

saidshetoherhusband，“IneverwillforgivehersolongasIlive。“

Mr。ClintontriedtoexcuseMadeleine，andevenwentsofarastosuggestthatthedifferenceofagewasnogreaterthanintheirowncase；buthiswifetrampledruthlesslyonhisargument。

“Atanyrate，“saidshe，“InevercametoWashingtonasawidowonpurposetosetmycapforthefirstcandidateforthePresidency，andInevermadeapublicspectacleofmyindecenteagernessintheverygalleriesoftheSenate；andMrs。Leeoughttobeashamedofherself。Sheisacold-blooded，heartless，unfemininecat。“

LittleVictoriaDare，whobabbledlikethewindsandstreams，withutterindifferenceastowhatshesaidorwhomsheaddressed，usedtobringchoicebitsofthisgossiptoMrs。Lee。Shealwaysaffectedalittlestammerwhenshesaidanythinguncommonlyimpudent，andputonamanneroflanguidsimplicity。ShefeltkeenlythesatisfactionofseeingMadeleinechargedwithherownbesettingsins。ForyearsallWashingtonhadagreedthatVictoriawaslittlebetterthanoneofthewicked；shehaddonenothingbutviolateeveryruleofproprietyandscandaliseeverywell-regulatedfamilyinthecity，andtherewasnogoodinher。YetitcouldnotbedeniedthatVictoriawasamusing，andhadasortofirregularfascination；consequentlyshewasuniversallytolerated。ToseeMrs。Leethrustdowntoherownlevelwasanunmixedpleasuretoher，andshecarefullyrepeatedtoMadeleinethechoicebitsofdialoguewhichshepickedupinherwanderings。

“Yourcousin，Mrs。Clinton，saysyouareaca-ca-cat，Mrs。Lee。“

“Idon"tbelieveit，Victoria。Mrs。Clintonneversaidanythingofthesort。“

“Mrs。Marstonsaysitisbecauseyouhavecaughtara-ra-rat，andSenatorClintonwasonlyam-m-mouse！”

NaturallyallthisunexpectedpublicityirritatedMrs。Leenotalittle，especiallywhenshortandvagueparagraphs，soonfollowedbylongerandmorepositiveones，inregardtoSenatorRatcliffe"smatrimonialprospects，begantoappearinnewspapers，alongwithdescriptionsofherselffromthepensofenterprisingfemalecorrespondentsforthepress，whohadneversomuchasseenher。

Atthefirstsightofoneofthesenewspaperarticles，Madeleinefairlycriedwithmortificationandanger。ShewantedtoleaveWashingtonthenextday，andshehatedtheverythoughtofRatcliffe。Therewassomethinginthenewspaperstylesoinscrutablyvulgar，somethingsoinexplicablyrevoltingtothesenseoffemininedecency，thatsheshrankunderitasthoughitwereapoisonousspider。Butafterthefirstacuteshamehadpassed，hertemperwasroused，andshevowedthatshewouldpursueherownpathjustasshehadbegun，withoutregardtoallthemalignityandvulgarityinthewideUnitedStates。ShedidnotcaretomarrySenatorRatcliffe；shelikedhissocietyandwasflatteredbyhisconfidence；sheratherhopedtopreventhimfromevermakingaformaloffer，andifnot，shewouldatleastpushitofftothelastpossiblemoment；butshewasnottobefrightenedfrommarryinghimbyanyamountofspitefulnessorgossip，andshedidnotmeantorefusehimexceptforstrongerreasonsthanthese。Sheevenwentsofarinherdesperatecourageastolaughathercousin，Mrs。

Clinton，whosevenerablehusbandsheallowedandevenencouragedtopayhersuchpublicattentionandtoexpresssentimentsofsuchyouthfulardourasshewellknewwouldinflameandexasperatetheexcellentladyhiswife。

Carringtonwasthepersonmostunpleasantlyaffectedbythecoursewhichthisaffairhadtaken。HecouldnolongerconcealfromhimselfthefactthathewasasmuchmloveasadignifiedVirginiancouldbe。Withhim，atallevents，shehadshownnocoquetry，norhadsheevereitherflatteredorencouragedhim。ButCarrington，mhissolitarystruggleagainstfate，hadfoundherawarmfriend；alwaysreadytoassistwhereassistancewasneeded，generouswithhermoneyinanycausewhichhewaswillingtovouchfor，fullofsympathywheresympathywasmorethanmoney，andfullofresourceandsuggestionwheremoneyandsympathyfailed。Carringtonknewherbetterthansheknewherself。

Heselectedherbooks；hebroughtthelastspeechorthelastreportfromtheCapitolorthedepartments；heknewherdoubtsandhervagaries，andasfarasheunderstoodthematall，helpedhertosolvethem。

Carringtonwastoomodest，andperhapstooshy，toactthepartofadeclaredlover，andhewastooproudtoletitbethoughtthathewantedtoexchangehispovertyforherwealth。ButhewasallthemoreanxiouswhenhesawtheevidentattractionwhichRatcliffe"sstrongwillandunscrupulousenergyexercisedoverher。HesawthatRatcliffewassteadilypushinghisadvances；thatheflatteredallMrs。Lee"sweaknessesbytheconfidenceanddeferencewithwhichhetreatedher；andthatinaveryshorttime，Madeleinemusteithermarryhimorfindherselflookeduponasaheartlesscoquette。HehadhisownreasonsforthinkingillofSenatorRatcliffe，andhemeanttopreventamarriage；buthehadanenemytodealwithnoteasilydrivenfromthepath，andquitecapableofroutinganynumberofrivals。

Ratcliffewasafraidofnoone。Hehadnotfoughthisownwayinlifefornothing，andheknewallthevalueofacoldheadanddoggedself-assurance。

NothingbutthisrobustAmericanismandhisstrongwillcarriedhimsafelythroughthesnaresandpitfallsofMrs。Lee"ssociety，whererivalsandenemiesbesethimoneveryhand。Hewaslittlebetterthanaschoolboy，whenheventuredontheirground，butwhenhecoulddrawthemoveruponhisownterritoryofpracticallifeherarelyfailedtotrampleonhisassailants。

ItwasthispracticalsenseandcoolwillthatwonoverMrs。Lee，whowaswomanenoughtoassumethatallthegraceswerewellenoughemployedindecoratingher，anditwasenoughiftheothersexfelthersuperiority。Menwerevaluableonlyinproportiontotheirstrengthandtheirappreciationofwomen。Ifthesenatorhadonlybeenstrongenoughalwaystocontrolhistemper，hewouldhavedoneverywell，buthistemperwasunderagreatstraininthesetimes，andhisincessantefforttocontrolitinpoliticsmadehimlesswatchfulinprivatelife。Mrs。Lee"stacitassumptionofsuperiorrefinementirritatedhim，andsometimesmadehimshowhisteethlikeabull-dog，atthecostofreceivingfromMrs。Leeaquickstrokeinreturnsuchasawell-bredtortoise-shellcatadministerstocheckover-familiarity；innocenttotheeye，butdrawingblood。Oneeveningwhenhewasmorethancommonlyoutofsorts，aftersittingsometimeinmoodysilence，herousedhimself，and，takingupabookthatlayonhertable，heglancedatitstitleandturnedovertheleaves。IthappenedbyilllucktobeavolumeofDarwinthatMrs。LeehadjustborrowedfromthelibraryofCongress。

“Doyouunderstandthissortofthing？”askedtheSenatorabruptly，inatonethatsuggestedasneer。

“Notverywell，“repliedMrs。Lee，rathercurtly。

“Whydoyouwanttounderstandit？”persistedtheSenator。“Whatgoodwillitdoyou？”

“Perhapsitwillteachustobemodest，“answeredMadeleine，quiteequaltotheoccasion。

“Becauseitsayswedescendfrommonkeys？”rejoinedtheSenator，roughly。

“Doyouthinkyouaredescendedfrommonkeys？”

“Whynot？”saidMadeleine。

“Whynot？”repeatedRatcliffe，laughingharshly。“Idon"tliketheconnection。Doyoumeantointroduceyourdistantrelationsintosociety？”

“Theywouldbringmoreamusementintoitthanmostofitspresentmembers，“

rejoinedMrs。Lee，withagentlesmilethatthreatenedmischief。

ButRatcliffewouldnotbewarned；onthecontrary，theonlyeffectofMrs。

Lee"sdefiancewastoexasperatehisill-temper，andwheneverhelosthistemperhebecamesenatorialandWebsterian。“Suchbooks，“hebegan，“disgraceourcivilization；theydegradeandstultifyourdivinenature；theyareonlysuitedforAsiaticdespotismswheremenarereducedtothelevelofbrutes；thattheyshouldbeacceptedbyamanlikeBaronJacobi，Icanunderstand；

heandhismastershavenothingtodointheworldbuttotrampleonhumanrights。Mr。Carrington，ofcourse，wouldapprovethoseideas；hebelievesinthedivinedoctrineoffloggingnegroes；butthatyou，whoprofessphilanthropyandfreeprinciples，shouldgowiththem，isastonishing；itisincredible；itisunworthyofyou。“

“Youareveryhardonthemonkeys，“repliedMadeleine，rathersternly，whentheSenator"sorationwasended。“Themonkeysneverdidyouanyharm；theyarenotinpubliclife；theyarenotevenvoters；iftheywere，youwouldbeenthusiasticabouttheirintelligenceandvirtue。Afterall，weoughttobegratefultothem，forwhatwouldmendointhismelancholyworldiftheyhadnotinheritedgaietyfromthemonkeys——aswellasoratory。“

Ratcliffe，todohimjustice，tookpunishmentwell，atleastwhenitcamefromMrs。Lee"shands，andhisoccasionaloutburstsofinsubordinationweresuretobefollowedbyimproveddiscipline；

butifheallowedMrs。Leetocorrecthisfaults，hehadnonotionoflettinghimselfbeinstructedbyherfriends，andhelostnochanceoftellingthemso。Buttodothiswasnotalwaysenough。Whetheritwerethathehadfewideasoutsideofhisownexperience，orthathewouldnottrusthimselfondoubtfulground，heseemedcompelledtobringeverydiscussiondowntohisownlevel。

Madeleinepuzzledherselfinvaintofindoutwhetherhedidthisbecauseheknewnobetter，orbecausehemeanttocoverhisownignorance。

“TheBaronhasamusedmeverymuchwithhisaccountofBucharestsociety，“

Mrs。Leewouldsay：“Ihadnoideaitwassogay。“

“IwouldliketoshowhimoursocietyinPeonia，“wasRatcliffe"sreply；“hewouldfindaverybrilliantcirclethereofnature"struenoblemen。“

“TheBaronsaystheirpoliticiansareprecioussharpchaps，“addedMr。

French。

“Oh，therearepoliticiansinBulgaria，arethere？”askedtheSenator，whoseideasoftheRoumanianandBulgarianneighbourhoodwerevague，andwhohadageneralnotionthatallsuchpeoplelivedintents，woresheepskinswiththewoolinside，andatecurds：“Oh，theyhavepoliticiansthere！Iwouldliketoseethemtrytheirsharpnessinthewest。“

“Really！”saidMrs。Lee。“ThinkofAttilaandhishordesrunninganIndianacaucus？”

“Anyhow，“criedFrenchwithaloudlaugh，“theBaronsaidthatasetofbiggerpoliticalscoundrelsthanhisfriendscouldn"tbefoundinallIllinois。“

“Didhesaythat？”exclaimedRatcliffeangrily。

“Didn"the，Mrs。Lee？butIdon"tbelieveit；doyou？What"syourcandidopinion，Ratcliffe？Whatyoudon"tknowaboutIllinoispoliticsisn"tworthknowing；doyoureallythinkthoseBulgrascalscouldn"trunanIllinoisstateconvention？”

Ratcliffedidnotliketobechaffed，especiallyonthissubject，buthecouldnotresentFrench"slibertywhichwasonlyamoderatereturnforthewoodennutmeg。TogettheconversationawayfromEurope，fromliterature，fromart，washisgreatobject，andchaffwasawayofescape。

CarringtonwasverywellawarethattheweaksideoftheSenatorlayinhisblindignoranceofmorals。HeflatteredhimselfthatMrs。

Leemustseethisandbeshockedbyitsoonerorlater，sothatnothingmorewasnecessarythantoletRatcliffeexposehimself。

Withouttalkingverymuch，Carringtonalwaysaimedatdrawinghimout。Hesoonfound，however，thatRatcliffeunderstoodsuchtacticsperfectly，andinsteadofinjuring，heratherimprovedhisposition。Attimestheman"saudacitywasstartling，andevenwhenCarringtonthoughthimhopelesslyentangled，hewouldsweepawayallthehunter"snetswithasheereffortofstrength，andwalkoffbolderandmoredangerousthanever。

WhenMrs。Leepressedhimtooclosely，hefranklyadmittedhercharges。

“Whatyousayisingreatparttrue。Thereismuchinpoliticsthatdisgustsanddisheartens；muchthatiscoarseandbad。Igrantyouthereisdishonestyandcorruption。Wemusttrytomaketheamountassmallaspossible。“

“YoushouldbeabletotellMrs。Leehowshemustgotowork，“

saidCarrington；“youhavehadexperience。Ihaveheard，itseemstome，thatyouwereoncedriventoveryhardmeasuresagainstcorruption。“

Ratcliffelookedill-pleasedatthiscompliment，andgaveCarringtononeofhiscoldglancesthatmeantmischief。Buthetookupthechallengeonthespot：——

“Yes，Iwas，andamverysorryforit。Thestoryisthis，Mrs。Lee；

anditiswell-knowntoeveryman，woman，andchildintheStateofIllinois，sothatIhavenoreasonforsofteningit。IntheworstdaysofthewartherewasalmostacertaintythatmyStatewouldbecarriedbythepeaceparty，byfraud，aswethought，although，fraudornot，wewereboundtosaveit。HadIllinoisbeenlostthen，weshouldcertainlyhavelostthePresidentialelection，andwithitprobablytheUnion。Atanyrate，Ibelievedthefateofthewartodependontheresult。IwasthenGovernor，anduponmetheresponsibilityrested。Wehadentirecontrolofthenortherncountiesandoftheirreturns。Weorderedthereturningofficersinacertainnumberofcountiestomakenoreturnsuntiltheyheardfromus，andwhenwehadreceivedthevotesofallthesoutherncountiesandlearnedtheprecisenumberofvotesweneededtogiveusamajority，wetelegraphedtoournorthernreturningofficerstomakethevoteoftheirdistrictssuchandsuch，therebyoverbalancingtheadversereturnsandgivingtheStatetous。

Thiswasdone，andasIamnowsenatorIhavearighttosupposethatwhatIdidwasapproved。Iamnotproudofthetransaction，butIwoulddoitagain，andworsethanthat，ifIthoughtitwouldsavethiscountryfromdisunion。ButofcourseIdidnotexpectMr。

Carringtontoapproveit。Ibelievehewasthencarryingouthisreformprinciplesbybearingarmsagainstthegovernment。“

“Yes！”saidCarringtondrily；“yougotthebetterofme，too。LiketheoldScotchman，youdidn"tcarewhomadethepeople"swarsprovidedyoumadeitsballots。

Carringtonhadmissedhispoint。Themanwhohascommittedamurderforhiscountry，isapatriotandnotanassassin，evenwhenhereceivesaseatintheSenateashisshareoftheplunder。Womencannotbeexpectedtogobehindthemotivesofthatpatriotwhosaveshiscountryandhiselectionintimesofrevolution。

Carrington"shostilitytoRatcliffewas，however，mild，whencomparedwiththatfeltbyoldBaronJacobi。Whythebaronshouldhavetakensoviolentaprejudiceitisnoteasytoexplain，butadiplomatistandasenatorarenaturalenemies，andJacobi，asanavowedadmirerofMrs。Lee，foundRatcliffeinhisway。ThisprejudicedandimmoralolddiplomatistdespisedandloathedanAmericansenatorasthetypewhich，tohisblearedEuropeaneyes，combinedtheutmostpragmaticalself-assuranceandoverbearingtemperwiththenarrowesteducationandthemeanestpersonalexperiencethateverexistedinanyconsiderablegovernment。AsBaronJacobi"scountryhadnospecialrelationswiththatoftheUnitedStates，anditsLegationatWashingtonwasamerejobtocreateaplaceforJacobitofill，hehadnooccasiontodisguisehispersonalantipathies，andheconsideredhimselfinsomedegreeashavingamissiontoexpressthatdiplomaticcontemptfortheSenatewhichhiscolleagues，iftheyfeltit，wereobligedtoconceal。Heperformedhisdutieswithconscientiousprecision。Henevermissedanopportunitytothrustthesharppointofhisdialecticrapierthroughthejointsoftheclumsyandhide-boundsenatorialself-esteem。HedelightedinskilfullyexposingtoMadeleine"seyessomenewsideofRatcliffe"signorance。Hisconversationatsuchtimessparkledwithhistoricalallusions，quotationsinhalfadozendifferentlanguages，referencestowell-knownfactswhichanoldman"smemorycouldnotrecallwithprecisioninalltheirdetails，butwithwhichtheHonourableSenatorwasfamiliarlyacquainted，andwhichhecouldreadilysupply。AndhisVoltairianfaceleeredpolitelyashelistenedtoRatcliffe"sreply，whichshowedinvariableignoranceofcommonliterature，art，andhistory。TheclimaxofhistriumphcameoneeveningwhenRatcliffeunluckily，temptedbysomeallusiontoMolièrewhichhethoughtheunderstood，madereferencetotheunfortunateinfluenceofthatgreatmanonthereligiousopinionsofhistime。Jacobi，byaflashofinspiration，divinedthathehadconfusedMolièrewithVoltaire，andassumingamannerofextremesuavity，heputhisvictimontherack，andtorturedhimwithaffectedexplanationsandinterrogations，untilMadeleinewasinamannerforcedtointerruptandendthescene。Butevenwhenthesenatorwasnottobeluredintoatrap，hecouldnotescapeassault。Thebaroninsuchacasewouldcrossthelinesandattackhimonhisownground，asononeoccasion，whenRatcliffewasdefendinghisdoctrineofpartyallegiance，Jacobisilencedhimbysneeringsomewhatthus：

“Yourprincipleisquitecorrect，Mr。Senator。I，too，likeyourself，wasonceagoodpartyman：mypartywasthatoftheChurch；Iwasultramontane。

YourpartysystemisoneofyourtheftsfromourChurch；yourNationalConventionisourOEcumenicCouncil；youabdicatereason，aswedo，beforeitsdecisions；andyouyourself，Mr。

Ratcliffe，youareaCardinal。Theyareablemen，thosecardinals；I

haveknownmany；theywereourbestfriends，buttheywerenotreformers。Areyouareformer，Mr。Senator？”

Ratcliffegrewtodreadandhatetheoldman，butallhisordinarytacticswerepowerlessagainstthisimpenetrableeighteenthcenturycynic。IfheresortedtohisCongressionalpractiseofbrowbeatinganddogmatism，theBarononlysmiledandturnedhisback，ormadesomeremarkinFrenchwhichgalledhisenemyallthemore，because，whilehedidnotunderstandit，heknewwellthatMadeleinedid，andthatshetriedtorepresshersmile。

Ratcliffe"sgreyeyesgrewcolderandstonierthaneverashegraduallyperceivedthatBaronJacobiwascarryingonasetschemewithmalignantingenuity，todrivehimoutofMadeleine"shouse，andhesworeaterribleoaththathewouldnotbebeatenbythatmonkey-facedforeigner。OntheotherhandJacobihadlittlehopeofsuccess：“Whatcananoldmando？”saidhewithperfectsinceritytoCarrington；“IfIwerefortyyearsyounger，thatgreatoafshouldnothavehisownway。Ah！IwishIwereyoungagainandwewereinVienna！”FromwhichitwasrightlyinferredbyCarringtonthatthevenerablediplomatistwould，ifsuchactswerestillinfashion，havecoollyinsultedtheSenator，andputabulletthroughhisheart。

ChapterVI

INFebruarytheweatherbecamewarmerandsummer-like。InVirginiatherecomesoftenatthisseasonadeceptivegleamofsummer，slippinginbetweenheavystorm-cloudsofsleetandsnow；daysandsometimesweekswhenthetemperatureislikeJune；whentheearliestplantsbegintoshowtheirhardyflowers，andwhenthebarebranchesoftheforesttreesaloneprotestagainsttheconductoftheseasons。Thenmenandwomenarelanguid；lifeseems，asinItaly，sensuousandglowingwithcolour；oneisconsciousofwalkinginanatmospherethatiswarm，palpable，radiantwithpossibilities；adelicatehazehangsoverArlington，andsoftenseventheharshwhiteglareoftheCapitol；thestruggleofexistenceseemstoabate；Lentthrowsitscalmshadowoversociety；andyouthfuldiplomatists，unconsciousoftheirdanger，areluredintoaskingfoolishgirlstomarrythem；thebloodthawsintheheartandflowsoutintotheveins，liketherillsofsparklingwaterthattricklefromeverylumpoficeorsnow，asthoughalltheiceandsnowonearth，andallthehardnessofheart，alltheheresyandschism，alltheworksofthedevil，hadyieldedtotheforceofloveandtothefreshwarmthofinnocent，lamb-like，confidingvirtue。Insuchaworldthereshouldbenoguile——butthereisagreatdealofitnotwithstanding。Indeed，atnootherseasonistheresomuch。ThisisthemomentwhenthetwowhitedsepulchresateitherendoftheAvenuereekwiththethickatmosphereofbargainandsale。Theoldisgoing；thenewiscoming。Wealth，office，powerareatauction。Whobidshighest？whohateswithmostvenom？whointrigueswithmostskill？whohasdonethedirtiest，themeanest，thedarkest，andthemost，politicalwork？Heshallhavehisreward。

SenatorRatcliffewasabsorbedandillatease。Aswarmofapplicantsforofficedoggedhisstepsandbeleagueredhisroomsinquestofhisendorsementoftheirpapercharacters。ThenewPresidentwastoarriveonMonday。Intriguesandcombinations，ofwhichtheSenatorwasthesoul，wereallalive，awaitingthisarrival。Newspapercorrespondentspesteredhimwithquestions。

Brothersenatorscalledhimtoconferences。Hismindwaspre-occupiedwithhisowninterests。Onemighthavesupposedthat，atthisinstant，nothingcouldhavedrawnhimawayfromthepoliticalgaming-table，andyetwhenMrs。LeeremarkedthatshewasgoingtoMountVernononSaturdaywithalittleparty，includingtheBritishMinisterandanIrishgentlemanstayingasaguestattheBritishLegation，theSenatorsurprisedherbyexpressingastrongwishtojointhem。Heexplainedthat，asthepoliticalleadwasnolongerinhishands，thechanceswerenineintenthatifhestirredatallheshouldmakeablunder；thathisfriendsexpectedhimtodosomethingwhen，infact，nothingcouldbedone；thateverypreparationhadalreadybeenmade，andthatforhimtogoonanexcursiontoMountVernon，atthismoment，withtheBritishMinister，was，onthewhole，aboutthebestusehecouldmakeofhistime，sinceitwouldhidehimforonedayatleast。

LordSkyehadfallenintothehabitofconsultingMrs。Leewhenhisownsocialresourceswerelow，anditwasshewhohadsuggestedthispartytoMountVernon，withCarringtonforaguideandMr。Goreforvariety，tooccupythetimeoftheIrishfriendwhomLordSkyewasbravelyentertaining。

Thisgentleman，whoborethetitleofDunbeg，wasadilapidatedpeer，neitherwealthynorfamous。LordSkyebroughthimtocallonMrs。Lee，andinsomesortputhimunderhercare。Hewasyoung，notill-looking，quiteintelligent，rathertoofondoffacts，andnotquickathumour。Hewasgiventosmilinginadeprecatoryway，andwhenhetalked，hewaseitherabsentorexcited；hemadevagueblunders，andthensmiledindeprecationofoffence，orhiswordsblockedtheirownpathintheirrush。Perhapshismannerwasalittleridiculous，buthehadagoodheart，agoodhead，andatitle。HefoundfavourintheeyesofSybilandVictoriaDare，whodeclinedtoadmitotherwomentotheparty，althoughtheyofferednoobjectiontoMr。

Ratcliffe"sadmission。AsforLordDunbeg，hewasanenthusiasticadmirerofGeneralWashington，and，asheprivatelyintimated，eagertostudyphasesofAmericansociety。Hewasdelightedtogowithasmallparty，andMissDaresecretlypromisedherselfthatshewouldshowhimaphase。

Themorningwaswarm，theskysoft，thelittlesteamerlayatthequietwharfwithafewnegroeslazilywatchingherpreparationsfordeparture。

Carrington，withMrs。Leeandtheyoungladies，arrivedfirst，andstoodleaningagainsttherail，waitingthearrivaloftheircompanions。ThencameMr。Gore，neatlyattiredandgloved，withalightspringovercoat；forMr。

Gorewasverycarefulofhispersonalappearance，andnotalittlevainofhisgoodlooks。Thenaprettywoman，withblueeyesandblondehair，dressedinblack，andleadingalittlegirlbythehand，cameonboard，andCarringtonwenttoshakehandswithher。OnhisreturntoMrs。Lee"sside，sheaskedabouthisnewacquaintance，andherepliedwithahalf-laugh，asthoughhewerenotproudofher，thatshewasaclient，aprettywidow，wellknowninWashington。“AnyoneattheCapitolwouldtellyouallabouther。

Shewasthewifeofanotedlobbyist，whodiedabouttwoyearsago。

Congressmencanrefusenothingtoaprettyface，andshewastheirideaoffeminineperfection。Yetsheisasillylittlewoman，too。

Herhusbanddiedafteraveryshortillness，and，tomygreatsurprise，mademeexecutorunderhiswill。Ithinkhehadanideathathecouldtrustmewithhispapers，whichwereimportantandcompromising，forheseemstohavehadnotimetogooverthemanddestroywhatwerebestoutoftheway。So，yousee，Iamleftwithhiswidowandchildtolookafter。Luckily，theyarewellprovidedfor。“

“Stillyouhavenottoldmehername。““HernameisBaker——Mrs。

SamBaker。Buttheyarecastingoff，andMr。

Ratcliffewillbeleftbehind。I"llaskthecaptaintowait。“Aboutadozenpassengershadarrived，amongthemthetwoEarls，withafootmancarryingapromisinglunch-basket，andtheplankswereactuallyhauledinwhenacarriagedasheduptothewhatf，andMr。

Ratcliffeleapedoutandhurriedonboard。“Offwithyouasquickasyoucan！”saidhetothenegro-hands，andinanothermomentthelittlesteamerhadbegunherjourney，poundingthemuddywatersofthePotomacandsendingupitssmallcolumnofsmokeasthoughitwereanewlyinventedincense-burnerapproachingthetempleofthenationaldeity。RatcliffeexplainedingreatgleehowhehadbarelymanagedtoescapehisvisitorsbytellingthemthattheBritishMinisterwaswaitingforhim，andthathewouldbebackagainpresently。“IftheyhadknownwhereIwasgoing，“saidhe，“youwouldhaveseentheboatswampedwithoffice-seekers。

Illinoisalonewouldhavebroughtyoutoawaterygrave。“Hewasinhighspirits，bentuponenjoyinghisholiday，andastheypassedthearsenalwithitssolitarysentry，andthenavy-yard，withitsoneunseaworthywoodenwar-steamer，hepointedouttheseevidencesofnationalgrandeurtoLordSkye，threatening，asthelastterrorofdiplomacy，tosendhimhomeinanAmericanfrigate。Theywerethusindulginginsenatorialhumourononesideoftheboat，whileSybilandVictoria，withtheaidofMr。GoreandCarrington，wereimprovingLordDunbeg"smindontheother。

MissDare，findingforherselfatlastaconvenientseatwhereshecouldreposeandbemistressofthesituation，putonamorethanusuallydemureexpressionandwaitedwithgravityuntilhernobleneighbourshouldgiveheranopportunitytoshowthosepowerswhich，asshebelieved，wouldsupplyaphaseinhisexistence。

MissDarewasoneofthoseyoungpersons，sometimestobefoundinAmerica，whoseemtohavenoobjectinlife，andwhileapparentlydevotedtomen，carenothingaboutthem，butfindhappinessonlyinviolatingrules；shemadenoparadeofwhatevervirtuesshehad，andherchiefpleasurewastomakefunofalltheworldandherself。

“Whatanobleriver！”remarkedLordDunbeg，astheboatpassedoutuponthewidestream；“Isupposeyouoftensailonit？”

“Ineverwashereinmylifetillnow，“repliedtheuntruthfulMissDare；“wedon"tthinkmuchofit；itstoosmall；we"reusedtosomuchlargerrivers。“

“IamafraidyouwouldnotlikeourEnglishriversthen；theyaremerebrookscomparedwiththis。“

“Aretheyindeed？”saidVictoria，withanappearanceofvaguesurprise；“howcurious！Idon"tthinkIcaretobeanEnglishwomanthen。Icouldnotlivewithoutbigrivers。“

LordDunbegstared，andhintedthatthiswasalmostunreasonable。

“UnlessIwereaCountess！”continuedVictoria，meditatively，lookingatAlexandria，andpayingnoattentiontohislordship；“I

thinkIcouldmanageifIwereaC-c-countess。Itissuchaprettytitle！”

“Duchessiscommonlythoughtaprettierone，“stammeredDunbeg，muchembarrassed。Theyoungmanwasnotusedtochafffromwomen。

“IshouldbesatisfiedwithCountess。Itsoundswell。Iamsurprisedthatyoudon"tlikeit。“Dunbeglookedabouthimuneasilyforsomemeansofescapebuthewasbarredin。“IshouldthinkyouwouldfeelanawfulresponsibilityinselectingaCountess。Howdoyoudoit？”

LordDunbegnervouslyjoinedinthegenerallaughterasSybilejaculated：

“Oh，Victoria！”butMissDarecontinuedwithoutasmileoranyelevationofhermonotonousvoice：

“Now，Sybil，don"tinterruptme，please。IamdeeplyinterestedinLordDunbeg"sconversation。Heunderstandsthatmyinterestispurelyscientific，butmyhappinessrequiresthatIshouldknowhowCountessesareselected。

LordDunbeg，howwouldyourecommendafriendtochooseaCountess？”

LordDunbegbegantobeamusedbyherimpudence，andheeventriedtolaydownforhersatisfactiononeortworulesforselectingCountesses，butlongbeforehehadinventedhisfirstrule，Victoriahaddartedofftoanewsubject。

“Whichwouldyouratherbe，LordDunbeg？anEarlorGeorgeWashington？”

“GeorgeWashington，certainly，“wastheEarl"scourteousthoughratherbewilderedreply。

“Really？”sheaskedwithalanguidaffectationofsurprise；“itisawfullykindofyoutosayso，butofcourseyoucan"tmeanit。

“IndeedIdomeanit。“

“Isitpossible？Inevershouldhavethoughtit。“

“Whynot，MissDare？”

“YouhavenottheairofwishingtobeGeorgeWashington。“

“MayIagainask，whynot？”

“Certainly。DidyoueverseeGeorgeWashington？”

“Ofcoursenot。HediedfiftyyearsbeforeIwasborn。“

“Ithoughtso。Youseeyoudon"tknowhim。Now，willyougiveusanideaofwhatyouimagineGeneralWashingtontohavelookedlike？”

DunbeggaveaccordinglyaflatteringdescriptionofGeneralWashington，compoundedofStuart"sportraitandGreenough"sstatueofOlympianJovewithWashington"sfeatures，intheCapitolSquare。MissDarelistenedwithanexpressionofsuperioritynotunmlxedwithpatience，andthensheenlightenedhimasfollows：

“Allyouhavebeensayingisperfectstuff——excusethevulgarityoftheexpression。WhenIamaCountessIwillcorrectmylanguage。

ThetruthisthatGeneralWashingtonwasaraw-bonedcountryfarmer，veryhard-featured，veryawkward，veryilliterateandverydull；verybadtempered，veryprofane，andgenerallytipsyafterdinner。“

“Youshockme，MissDare！”exclaimedDunbeg。

“Oh！IknowallaboutGeneralWashington。Mygrandfatherknewhimintimately，andoftenstayedatMountVernonforweekstogether。Youmustnotbelievewhatyouread，andnotawordofwhatMr。Carringtonwillsay。