第3章
HeisaVirginianandwilltellyounoendoffinestoriesandnotasyllableoftruthinoneofthem。WeareallpatrioticaboutWashingtonandliketohidehisfaults。IfIweren"tquitesureyouwouldneverrepeatit，Iwouldnottellyouthis。ThetruthisthatevenwhenGeorgeWashingtonwasasmallboy，histemperwassoviolentthatnoonecoulddoanythingwithhim。Heoncecutdownallhisfather"sfruit-treesinafitofpassion，andthen，justbecausetheywantedtofloghim，hethreatenedtobrainhisfatherwiththehatchet。Hisagedwifesufferedagoniesfromhim。MygrandfatheroftentoldmehowhehadseentheGeneralpinchandswearathertillthepoorcreaturelefttheroomintears；andhowonceatMountVernonhesawWashington，whenquiteanoldman，suddenlyrushatanunoffendingvisitor，andchasehimofftheplace，beatinghimallthetimeovertheheadwithagreatstickwithknotsinit，andalljustbecauseheheardthepoormanstammer；henevercouldabides-s-stammering。“
CarringtonandGoreburstintoshoutsoflaughteroverthisdescriptionoftheFatherofhiscountry，butVictoriacontinuedinhergentledrawltoenlightenLordDunbeginregardtoothersubjectswithinformationequallymendacious，untilhedecidedthatshewasquitethemosteccentricpersonhehadevermet。TheboatarrivedatMountVernonwhileshewasstillengagedinadescriptionofthesocietyandmannersofAmerica，andespeciallyoftheruleswhichmadeanofferofmarriagenecessary。Accordingtoher，LordDunbegwasinimminentperil；gentlemen，andespeciallyforeigners，wereexpected，inalltheStatessouthofthePotomac，toofferthemselvestoatleastoneyoungladyineverycity：“andIhadonlyyesterday，“saidVictoria，“aletterfromalovelygirlinNorthCarolina，adearfriendofmine，whowrotemethatshewasrightputoutbecauseherbrothershadcalledonayoungEnglishvisitorwithshotguns，andshewasafraidhewouldn"trecover，and，afterall，shesayssheshouldhaverefusedhim。“
MeanwhileMadeleine，ontheothersideoftheboat，undisturbedbythelaughterthatsurroundedMissDare，chattedsoberlyandseriouslywithLordSkyeandSenatorRatcliffe。LordSkye，too，alittleintoxicatedbythebrilliancyofthemorning，brokeoutintoadmirationofthenobleriver，andaccusedAmericansofnotappreciatingthebeautiesoftheirowncountry。
“Yournationalmind，“saidhe，“hasnoeyelids。Itrequiresabroadglareandabeatenroad。Itprefersshadowswhichyoucancutoutwithaknife。Itdoesn"tknowthebeautyofthisVirginiawintersoftness。“
Mrs。Leeresentedthecharge。America，shemaintained，hadnotwornherfeelingsthreadbarelikeEurope。Shehadstillherstorytotell；shewaswaitingforherBurnsandScott，herWordsworthandByron，herHogarthandTurner。“Youwantpeachesinspring，“saidshe。“Giveusourthousandyearsofsummer，andthencomplain，ifyouplease，thatourpeachisnotasmellowasyours。Evenourvoicesmaybesoftthen，“sheadded，withasignificantlookatLordSkye。
“WeareatadisadvantageinarguingwithMrs。Lee，“saidhetoRatcliffe；“whensheendsascounsel，shebeginsaswitness。ThefamousDuchessofDevonshire"slipswerenothalfasconvincingasMrs。Lee"svoice。“
Ratcliffelistenedcarefully，assentingwheneverhesawthatMrs。
Leewishedit。Hewishedheunderstoodpreciselywhattonesandhalf-tones，coloursandharmonies，were。
Theyarrivedandstrolledupthesunnypath。Atthetombtheyhalted，asallgoodAmericansdo，andMr。Gore，inatoneofsubduedsorrow，deliveredashortaddress——
“Itmightbemuchworseiftheyimprovedit，“hesaid，surveyingitsproportionswiththe？stheticeyeofaculturedBostonian。“Asitstands，thistombisasimplemisfortunewhichmightbefallanyofus；weshouldnotgrieveoverittoomuch。WhatwouldourfeelingsbeifaCongressionalcommitteereconstructeditofwhitemarblewithGothicpepper-pots，andgildeditinsideonmachine-mouldedstucco！”
Madeleine，however，insistedthatthetomb，asitstood，wastheonlyrestlessspotaboutthequietlandscape，andthatitcontradictedallherideasaboutreposeinthegrave。Ratcliffewonderedwhatshemeant。
Theypassedon，wanderingacrossthelawn，andthroughthehouse。
Theireyes，wearyoftheharshcoloursandformsofthecity，tookpleasureinthewornwainscotsandthestainedwalls。Someoftheroomswerestilloccupied；fireswereburninginthewidefire-places。Allweretolerablyfurnished，andtherewasnouncomfortablesenseofrepairornewness。Theymountedthestairs，andMrs。LeefairlylaughedwhenshewasshowntheroominwhichGeneralWashingtonslept，andwherehedied。
Carringtonsmiledtoo。“OuroldVirginiahousesweremostlylikethis，“saidhe；“suitesofgreathallsbelow，andthesegauntbarracksabove。TheVirginiahousewasasortofhotel。Whentherewasaraceorawedding，oradance，andthehousewasfull，theythoughtnothingofpackinghalfadozenpeopleinoneroom，andiftheroomwaslarge，theystretchedasheetacrosstoseparatethemenfromthewomen。Asfortoilet，thosewerenotthemorningsofcoldbaths。Withourancestorsalittlewashingwentalongway。“
“DoyoustilllivesoinVirginia？”askedMadeleine。
“Ohno，itisquitegone。Welivenowlikeothercountrypeople，andtrytopayourdebts，whichthatgenerationneverdid。Theylivedfromhandtomouth。Theykeptastable-fullofhorses。Theyoungmenwerealwaysridingaboutthecountry，bettingonhorse-races，gambling，drinking，fighting，andmakinglove。Nooneknewexactlywhathewasworthuntilthecrashcameaboutfiftyyearsago，andthewholethingranout。“
“JustwhathappenedinIreland！”saidLordDunbeg，muchinterestedandfullofhisarticleintheQuarterly；“theresemblanceisperfect，evendowntothehouses。“
Mrs。LeeaskedCarringtonbluntlywhetherheregrettedthedestructionofthisoldsocialarrangement。
“Onecan"thelpregretting，“saidhe，“whateveritwasthatproducedGeorgeWashington，andacrowdofothermenlikehim。ButI
thinkwemightproducethemenstillifwehadthesamefieldforthem。“
“Andwouldyoubringtheoldsocietybackagainifyoucould？”
askedshe。
“Whatfor？Itcouldnotholditselfup。GeneralWashingtonhimselfcouldnotsaveit。BeforehediedhehadlosthisholdonVirginia，andhispowerwasgone。“
Thepartyforawhileseparated，andMrs。Leefoundherselfaloneinthegreatdrawing-room。PresentlytheblondeMrs。Bakerentered，withherchild，whoranaboutmakingmorenoisethanMrs。Washingtonwouldhavepermitted。
Madeleine，whohadtheusualfeminineloveofchildren，calledthegirltoherandpointedouttheshepherdsandshepherdessescarvedonthewhiteItalianmarbleofthefireplace；sheinventedalittlestoryaboutthemtoamusethechild，whilethemotherstoodbyandattheendthankedthestory-tellerwithmoreenthusiasmthanseemedcalledfor。Mrs。Leedidnotfancyhereffusivemanner，orhercomplexion，andwasgladwhenDunbegappearedatthedoorway。
“HowdoyoulikeGeneralWashingtonathome？”askedshe。
“Really，IassureyouIfeelquiteathomemyself，“repliedDunbeg，withamorebeamingsmilethanever。“IamsureGeneralWashingtonwasanIrishman。
Iknowitfromthelookoftheplace。Imeantolookitupandwriteanarticleaboutit。“
“Thenifyouhavedisposedofhim，“saidMadeleine，“Ithinkwewillhaveluncheon，andIhavetakenthelibertytoorderittobeservedoutside。“
Thereatablehadbeenimprovised，andMissDarewasinspectingthelunch，andmakingcommentsuponLordSkye"scuisineandcellar。
“Ihopeitisverydrychampagne，“saidshe，“thetasteforsweetchampagneisquiteawfullyshocking。“
TheyoungwomanknewnomoreaboutdryandsweetchampagnethanofthewineofUlysses，exceptthatshedrankbothwithequalsatisfaction，butshewasmimickingaSecretaryoftheBritishLegationwhohadprovidedherwithsupperatherlasteveningparty。LordSkyebeggedhertotryit，whichshedid，andwithgreatgravityremarkedthatitwasaboutfivepercent。shepresumed。
This，too，wascaughtfromherSecretary，thoughsheknewnomorewhatitmeantthanifshehadbeenaparrot。
Theluncheonwasverylivelyandverygood。Whenitwasover，thegentlemenwereallowedtosmoke，andconversationfellintoasoberstrain，whichatlastthreatenedtobecomeserious。
“Youwanthalf-tones！”saidMadeleinetoLordSkye：“aretherenothalf-tonesenoughtosuityouonthewallsofthishouse？”
LordSkyesuggestedthatthiswasprobablyowingtothefactthatWashington，belonging，ashedid，totheuniverse，wasinhistasteanexceptiontolocalrules。
“Isnotthesenseofrestherecaptivating？”shecontinued。“Lookatthatquaintgarden，andthisraggedlawn，andthegreatriverinfront，andthesuperannuatedfortbeyondtheriver！Everythingispeaceful，evendowntothepooroldGeneral"slittlebed-room。Onewouldliketoliedowninitandsleepacenturyortwo。AndyetthatdreadfulCapitolanditsoffice-seekersareonlytenmilesoff。“
“No！thatismorethanIcanbear！”brokeinMissVictoriainastagewhisper，“thatdreadfulCapitol！Why，notoneofuswouldbeherewithoutthatdreadfulCapitol！except，perhaps，myself。“
“YouwouldappearverywellasMrs。Washington，Victoria。“
“MissDarehasbeensoveryobligingastogiveusherviewsofGeneralWashington"scharacterthismorning，“saidDunbeg，“butI
havenotyethadtimetoaskMr。Carringtonforhis。“
“WhateverMissDaresaysisvaluable，“repliedCarrington，“butherstrongpointisfacts。“
“Neverflatter！Mr。Carrington，“drawledMissDare；“Idonotneedit，anditdoesnotbecomeyourstyle。Tellme，LordDunbeg，isnotMr。CarringtonalittleyourideaofGeneralWashingtonrestoredtousinhisprime？”
“AfteryouraccountofGeneralWashington，MissDare，howcanI
agreewithyou？”
“Afterall，“saidLordSkye，“IthinkwemustagreethatMissDareisinthemainrightaboutthecharmsofMountVernon。EvenMrs。
Lee，onthewayup，agreedthattheGeneral，whoistheonlypermanentresidenthere，hastheairofbeingconfoundedlyboredinhistomb。Idon"tmyselfloveyourdreadfulCapitolyonder，butI
preferittoabucoliclifehere。AndIaccountinthiswayformywantofenthusiasmforyourgreatGeneral。Helikednokindoflifebutthis。Heseemstohavebeengreaterinthecharacterofahome-sickVirginiaplanterthanasGeneralorPresident。Iforgivehimhisinordinatedulness，forhewasnotadiplomatistanditwasnothisbusinesstolie，buthemightonceinawayhaveforgottenMountVernon。“
Dunbeghereburstinwithanexcitedprotest；allhiswordsseemedtoshoveeachotherasideintheirhastetoescapefirst。“AllourgreatestEnglishmenhavebeenhome-sickcountrysquires。Iamahome-sickcountrysquiremyself。“
“Howinteresting！”saidMissDareunderherbreath。
Mr。Goreherejoinedin：“ItisallverywellforyougentlementomeasureGeneralWashingtonaccordingtoyourownprivatetwelve-inchcarpenter"srule。ButwhatwillyousaytousNewEnglanderswhoneverwerecountrygentlemenatall，andneverhadanylikingforVirginia？WhatdidWashingtoneverdoforus？
Heneverevenpretendedtolikeus。Heneverwasmorethanbarelyciviltous。I"mnotfindingfaultwithhim；everybodyknowsthathenevercaredforanythingbutMountVernon。Forallthat，weidolizehim。TousheisMorality，Justice，Duty，Truth；halfadozenRomangodswithcapitalletters。Heisaustere，solitary，grand；heoughttobedeified。Ihardlyfeeleasy，eating，drinking，smokinghereonhisporticowithouthispermission，takinglibertieswithhishouse，criticisinghisbedroomsinhisabsence。
SupposeIheardhishorsenowtrottingupontheotherside，andhesuddenlyappearedatthisdoorandlookedatus。Ishouldabandonyoutohisindignation。Ishouldrunawayandhidemyselfonthesteamer。Themerethoughtunmansme。“
RatcliffeseemedamusedatGore"shalf-seriousnotions。“Yourecalltome，“
saidhe，“myownfeelingswhenIwasaboyandwasmadebymyfathertolearntheFarewellAddressbyheart。InthosedaysGeneralWashingtonwasasortofAmericanJehovah。ButtheWestisapoorschoolforReverence。SincecomingtoCongressI
havelearnedmoreaboutGeneralWashington，andhavebeensurprisedtofindwhatanarrowbasehisreputationrestson。Afairmilitaryofficer，whomademanyblunders，andwhoneverhadmorementhanwouldmakeafullarmy-corpsunderhiscommand，hegotanenormousreputationinEuropebecausehedidnotmakehimselfking，asthoughheeverhadachanceofdoingit。A
respectable，painstakingPresident，hewastreatedbytheOppositionwithanamountofdeferencethatwouldhavemadegovernmenteasytoababy，butitworriedhimtodeath。Hisofficialpapersarefairlydone，andcontaingoodaveragesensesuchasahundredthousandmenintheUnitedStateswouldnowwrite。I
suspectthathalfofhisattachmenttothisspotrosefromhisconsciousnessofinferiorpowersandhisdreadofresponsibility。
Thisgovernmentcanshowto-dayadozenmenofequalabilities，butwedon"tdeifythem。WhatImostwonderatinhimisnothismilitaryorpoliticalgeniusatall，forIdoubtwhetherhehadmuch，butacuriousYankeeshrewdnessinmoneymatters。Hethoughthimselfaveryrichman，yetheneverspentadollarfoolishly。HewasalmosttheonlyVirginianIeverheardof，inpubliclife，whodidnotdieinsolvent。“
Duringthislongspeech，CarringtonglancedacrossatMadeleine，andcaughthereye。Ratcliffe"scriticismwasnottohertaste。
Carringtoncouldseethatshethoughtitunworthyofhim，andheknewthatitwouldirritateher。
“IwilllayalittletrapforMr。Ratcliffe，“thoughthetohimself；
“wewillseewhetherhegetsoutofit。“SoCarringtonbegan，andalllistenedclosely，for，asaVirginian，hewassupposedtoknowmuchaboutthesubject，andhisfamilyhadbeendeepintheconfidenceofWashingtonhimself。
“Theneighbourshereabouthadformanyyears，andmayhavestill，somecuriousstoriesaboutGeneralWashington"sclosenessinmoneymatters。Theysaidheneverboughtanythingbyweightbuthehaditweighedoveragain，norbytalebuthehaditcounted，andiftheweightornumberwerenotexact，hesentitback。Once，duringhisabsence，hisstewardhadaroomplastered，andpaidtheplasterer"sbill。OntheGeneral"sreturn，hemeasuredtheroom，andfoundthattheplastererhadchargedfifteenshillingstoomuch。
Meanwhilethemanhaddied，andtheGeneralmadeaclaimoffifteenshillingsonhisestate，whichwaspaid。Again，oneofhistenantsbroughthimtherent。Theexactchangeoffourpencewasrequired。
Themantenderedadollar，andaskedtheGeneraltocredithimwiththebalanceagainstthenextyear"srent。TheGeneralrefusedandmadehimrideninemilestoAlexandriaandbackforthefourpence。Ontheotherhand，hesenttoashoemakerinAlexandriatocomeandmeasurehimforshoes。Themanreturnedwordthathedidnotgotoanyone"shousetotakemeasures，andtheGeneralmountedhishorseandrodetheninemilestohim。Oneofhisruleswastopayattavernsthesamesumforhisservants"
mealsasforhisown。Aninn-keeperbroughthimabillofthree-and-ninepenceforhisownbreakfast，andthreeshillingsforhisservant。Heinsisteduponaddingtheextraninepence，ashedidnotdoubtthattheservanthadeatenasmuchashe。Whatdoyousaytotheseanecdotes？Wasthismeannessornot？”
Ratcliffewasamused。“Thestoriesarenewtome，“hesaid。“ItisjustasIthought。Thesearesignsofamanwhothinksmuchoftrifles；onewhofussesoversmallmatters。Wedon"tdothingsinthatwaynowthatwenolongerhavetogetcropsfromgranite，astheyusedtodoinNewHampshirewhenIwasaboy。“
CarringtonrepliedthatitwasunluckyforVirginiansthattheyhadnotdonethingsinthatwaythen：iftheyhad，theywouldnothavegonetothedogs。
Goreshookhisheadseriously；“DidInottellyouso？”saidhe。
“Wasnotthismananabstractvirtue？IgiveyoumywordIstandinawebeforehim，andIfeelashamedtopryintothesedetailsofhislife。Whatisittoushowhethoughtpropertoapplyhisprinciplestonightcapsandfeatherdusters？Wearenothisbodyservants，andwecarenothingabouthisinfirmities。Itisenoughforustoknowthathecarriedhisrulesofvirtuedowntoapin"spoint，andthatweought，oneandall，tobeonourkneesbeforehistomb。“
Dunbeg，ponderingdeeply，atlengthaskedCarringtonwhetherallthisdidnotmakeratheraclumsypoliticianofthefatherofhiscountry。
“Mr。RatcliffeknowsmoreaboutpoliticsthanI。Askhim，“saidCarrington。
“Washingtonwasnopoliticianatall，asweunderstandtheword，“
repliedRatcliffeabruptly。“Hestoodoutsideofpolitics。Thethingcouldn"tbedoneto-day。Thepeopledon"tlikethatsortofroyalairs。“
“Idon"tunderstand！”saidMrs。Lee。“Whycouldyounotdoitnow？”
“BecauseIshouldmakeafoolofmyself；“repliedRatcliffe，pleasedtothinkthatMrs。LeeshouldputhimonalevelwithWashington。Shehadonlymeanttoaskwhythethingcouldnotbedone，andthislittletouchofRatcliffe"svanitywasinimitable。
“Mr。RatcliffemeansthatWashingtonwastoorespectableforourtime，“
interposedCarrington。
ThiswasdeliberatelymeanttoirritateRatcliffe，anditdidsoallthemorebecauseMrs。LeeturnedtoCarrington，andsaid，withsomebitterness：
“Washethentheonlyhonestpublicmanweeverhad？”
“Ohno！”repliedCarringtoncheerfully；“therehavebeenoneortwoothers。“
“IftherestofourPresidentshadbeenlikehim，“saidGore，“weshouldhavehadfeweruglyblotsonourshorthistory。“
RatcliffewasexasperatedatCarrington"shabitofdrawingdiscussiontothispoint。Hefelttheremarkasapersonalinsult，andheknewittobeintended。“Publicmen，“hebrokeout，“cannotbedressingthemselvesto-dayinWashington"soldclothes。IfWashingtonwerePresidentnow，hewouldhavetolearnourwaysorlosehisnextelection。Onlyfoolsandtheoristsimaginethatoursocietycanbehandledwithglovesorlongpoles。Onemustmakeone"sselfapartofit。Ifvirtuewon"tanswerourpurpose，wemustusevice，orouropponentswillputusoutofoffice，andthiswasastrueinWashington"sdayasitisnow，andalwayswillbe。“
“Come，“saidLordSkye，whowasbeginningtofearanopenquarrel；“theconversationvergesontreason，andIamaccreditedtothisgovernment。Whynotexaminethegrounds？”
AkindofnaturalsympathyledLordDunbegtowanderbythesideofMissDarethroughthequaintoldgarden。Hismindbeingmuchoccupiedbytheeffortofstowingawaytheimpressionshehadjustreceived，hewasmorethanusuallyabsentinhismanner，andthiswantofattentionirritatedtheyounglady。Shemadesomecommentsonflowers；sheinventedsomenewspecieswithstartlingnames；sheaskedwhetherthesewereknowninIreland；
butLordDunbegwasforthemomentsovagueinhisanswersthatshesawhercasewasperilous。
“Hereisanoldsun-dial。Doyouhavesun-dialsinIreland，LordDunbeg？”
“Yes；oh，certainly！What！sun-dials？Oh，yes！Iassureyouthereareagreatmanysun-dialsinIreland，MissDare。“
“Iamsoglad。ButIsupposetheyareonlyforornament。Hereitisjusttheotherway。Lookatthisone！theyallbehavelikethat。Thewearandtearofoursunistoomuchforthem；theydon"tlast。Myuncle，whohasaplaceatLongBranch，hadfivesun-dialsintenyears。“
“Howveryodd！Butreallynow，MissDare，Idon"tseehowasun——dialcouldwearout。“
“Don"tyou？Howstrange！Don"tyousee，theygetsoakedwithsunshinesothattheycan"tholdshadow。It"slikeme，youknow。I
havesuchagoodtimeallthetimethatIcan"tbeunhappy。DoyoueverreadtheBurlingtonHawkeye，LordDunbeg？”
“Idon"tremember；Ithinknot。IsitanAmericanserial？”gaspedDunbeg，tryinghardtokeeppacewithMissDareinherrecklessdashesacrosscountry。
“No，notserialatall！”repliedVirginia；“butIamafraidyouwouldfinditveryhardreading。Ishouldn"ttry。“
“Doyoureaditmuch，MissDare？”
“Oh，always！IamnotreallyaslightasIseem。ButthenIhaveanadvantageoveryoubecauseIknowthelanguage。“
BythistimeDunbegwasawakeagain，andMissDare，satisfiedwithhersuccess，allowedherselftobecomemorereasonable，untilaslightshadeofsentimentbegantoflickerabouttheirpath。
Thescatteredparty，however，soonhadtouniteagain。Theboatrangitsbellforreturn，theyfileddownthepathsandsettledthemselvesintheiroldplaces。Astheysteamedaway，Mrs。Leewatchedthesunnyhill-sideandthepeacefulhouseabove，untilshecouldseethemnomore，andthelongershelooked，thelessshewaspleasedwithherself。Wasittrue，asVictoriaDaresaid，thatshecouldnotliveinsopureanair？Didshereallyneedthedenserfumesofthecity？Wasshe，unknowntoherself；graduallybecomingtaintedwiththelifeabouther？orwasRatclifferightinacceptingthegoodandthebadtogether，andinbeingofhistimesincehewasinit？Whywasit，shesaidbitterlytoherself；thateverythingWashingtontouched，hepurified，evendowntotheassociationsofhishouse？
andwhyisitthateverythingwetouchseemssoiled？WhydoIfeeluncleanwhenIlookatMountVernon？InspiteofMr。Ratcliffe，isitnotbettertobeachildandtocryforthemoonandstars？
ThelittleBakergirlcameuptoherwhereshestood，andbeganplayingwithherparasol。
“Whoisyourlittlefriend？”askedRatcliffe。
Mrs。Leerathervaguelyrepliedthatshewasthedaughterofthatprettywomaninblack；shebelievedhernamewasBaker。
“Baker，didyousay？”repeatedRatcliffe。
“Baker——Mrs。SamBaker；atleastsoMr。Carringtontoldme；hesaidshewasaclientofhis。“
InfactRatcliffesoonsawCarringtongouptoherandremainbyhersideduringtherestofthetrip。Ratcliffewatchedthemsharplyandgrewmoreandmoreabsorbedinhisownthoughtsastheboatdrewnearerandnearertheshore。
Carringtonwasinhighspirits。Hethoughthehadplayedhiscardswithunusualsuccess。EvenMissDaredeignedtoacknowledgehischarmsthatday。
ShedeclaredherselftobethemoralimageofMarthaWashington，andshestartedadiscussionwhetherCarringtonorLordDunbegwouldbestsuitherinther？leoftheGeneral。
“Mr。Carringtonisexemplary，“shesaid，“butoh，whatjoytobeMarthaWashingtonandaCountesstoo！”
ChapterVII
WHENhereachedhisroomsthatafternoon，SenatorRatcliffefoundthere，asheexpected，achoicecompanyoffriendsandadmirers，whohadbeguiledtheirleisurehourssincenoonbycursinghimineveryvarietyofprofanelanguagethatexperiencecouldsuggestandimpatiencestimulate。Onhispart，hadheconsultedhisownfeelingsonly，hewouldthenandtherehaveturnedthemout，andlockedthedoorsbehindthem。Sofarassilentmaledictionswereconcerned，noprofanityoftheirscouldholditsownagainsttheintensityanddeliberationwithwhich，ashefoundhimselfapproachinghisowndoor，heexpressedbetweenhisteethhisviewsinrespecttotheireternalinterests。Nothingcouldbelesssuitedtohispresenthumourthanthesocietywhichawaitedhiminhisrooms。Hegroanedinspiritashesatdownathiswriting-tableandlookedabouthim。Dozensofoffice-seekerswerebesiegingthehouse；menwhosepatrioticservicesinthelastelectioncalledloudlyforrecognitionfromagratefulcountry。
TheybroughttheirapplicationstotheSenatorwithanentreatythathewouldendorseandtakechargeofthem。SeveralmembersandsenatorswhofeltthatRatcliffehadnoreasonforexistenceexcepttofighttheirbattleforpatronage，wereloungingabouthisroom，readingnewspapers，orbeguilingtheirtimewithtobaccoinvariousforms；atlongintervalsmakingdullremarks，asthoughtheyweremorewearythantheirconstituentsoftheatmospherethatsurroundsthegrandestgovernmentthesunevershoneupon。
Severalnewspapercorrespondents，eagertobartertheirnewsforRatcliffe"shintsorsuggestions，appearedfromtimetotimeonthescene，and，droppingintoachairbyRatcliffe"sdesk，whisperedwithhiminmysterioustones。
ThustheSenatorworkedon，hourafterhour，mechanicallydoingwhatwasrequiredofhim，signingpaperswithoutreadingthem，answeringremarkswithouthearingthem，hardlylookingupfromhisdesk，andappearingimmersedinlabour。Thiswashisprotectionagainstcuriosityandgarrulity。
Thepretenceofworkwasthecurtainhedrewbetweenhimselfandtheworld。
Behindthiscurtainhismentaloperationswenton，undisturbedbywhatwasabouthim，whileheheardallthatwassaid，andsaidlittleornothinghimself。Hisfollowersrespectedthisprivacy，andlefthimalone。Hewastheirprophet，andhadarighttoseclusion。
Hewastheirchieftain，andwhilehesatinhismonosyllabicsolitude，hisraggedtailreclinedinvariousattitudesabouthim，andoccasionallyonemanspoke，oranotherswore。Newspapersandtobaccoweretheirresourceinperiodsofabsolutesilence。
AshadeofdepressionrestedonthefacesandthevoicesofClanRatcliffethatevening，asisnotunusualwithforcesontheeveofbattle。Theirremarkscameatlongerintervals，andweremorepointlessandrandomthanusual。Therewasawantofelasticityintheirbearingandtone，partlycomingfromsympathywiththeevidentdepressionoftheirchief；partlyfromtheportentsofthetime。ThePresidentwastoarrivewithinforty-eighthours，andasyettherewasnosignthatheproperlyappreciatedtheirservices；
thereweresignsonlytoounmistakeablethathewaspainfullymisledanddeluded，thathiscountenancewasturnedwhollyinanotherdirection，andthatalltheirsacrificeswerecountedasworthless。TherewasreasontobelievethathecamewithadeliberatepurposeofmakingwaruponRatcliffeandbreakinghimdown；ofrefusingtobestowpatronageonthem，andofbestowingitwhereveritwouldinjurethemmostdeeply。Atthethoughtthattheirhonestlyearnedharvestofforeignmissionsandconsulates，department-bureaus，custom-houseandrevenueoffices，postmasterships，Indianagencies，andarmyandnavycontracts，mightnowbewrungfromtheirgraspbytheselfishgreedofamereaccidentalintruder——amanwhomnobodywantedandeveryoneridiculed——theirnaturesrebelled，andtheyfeltthatsuchthingsmustnotbe；thattherecouldbenomorehopefordemocraticgovernmentifsuchthingswerepossible。Atthispointtheyinvariablybecameexcited，losttheirequanimity，andswore。ThentheyfellbackontheirfaithinRatcliffe：ifanymancouldpullthemthrough，hecould；afterall，thePresidentmustfirstreckonwithhim，andhewasanuncommontoughcustomertotackle。
Perhaps，however，eventheirfaithinRatcliffemighthavebeenshaken，couldtheyatthatmomenthavelookedintohismindandunderstoodwhatwaspassingthere。Ratcliffewasamanvastlytheirsuperior，andheknewit。Helivedinaworldofhisownandhadinstinctsofrefinement。Wheneverhisaffairswentunfavourably，theseinstinctsrevived，andforthetimesweptallhisnaturewiththem。Hewasnowfilledwithdisgustandcynicalcontemptforeveryformofpolitics。Duringlongyearshehaddonehisbestforhisparty；hehadsoldhimselftothedevil，coinedhisheart"sblood，toiledwithadoggedpersistencethatnoday-labourereverconceived；andallforwhat？Toberejectedasitscandidate；
tobeputundertheharrowofasmallIndianafarmerwhomadenosecretoftheintentionto“corral“him，and，asheelegantlyexpressedit，to“takehishideandtallow。“Ratcliffehadnogreatfearoflosinghishide，buthefeltaggrievedthatheshouldbecalledupontodefendit，andthatthisshouldbetheresultoftwentyyears"devotion。Likemostmeninthesameplace，hedidnotstoptocastupbothcolumnsofhisaccountwiththeparty，nortoaskhimselfthequestionthatlayattheheartofhisgrievance：
Howfarhadheservedhispartyandhowfarhimself？Hewasinnohumourforself-analysis：thisrequiresmorereposeofmindthanhecouldthencommand。AsforthePresident，fromwhomhehadnotheardawhispersincetheinsolentlettertoGrimes，whichhehadtakencarenottoshow，theSenatorfeltonlyastrongimpulsetoteachhimbettersenseandbettermanners。Butasforpoliticallife，theeventsofthelastsixmonthswerecalculatedtomakeanymandoubtitsvalue。Hewasquiteoutofsympathywithit。Hehatedthesightofhistobacco-chewing，newspaper-readingsatellites，withtheirhatstippedateveryangleexcepttherightone，andtheirfeeteverywhereexceptonthefloor。Theirconversationboredhimandtheirpresencewasanuisance。Hewouldnotsubmittothisslaverylonger。HewouldhavegivenhisSenatorshipforacivilizedhouselikeMrs。Lee"s，withawomanlikeMrs。Leeatitshead，andtwentythousandayearforlife。HesmiledhisonlysmilethateveningwhenhethoughthowrapidlyshewouldrouteverymanJackofhispoliticalfollowingoutofherparlours，andhowmeeklytheywouldsubmittobanishmentintoaback-officewithanoil-clothcarpetandtwocanechairs。
HefeltthatMrs。LeewasmorenecessarytohimthanthePresidencyitself；hecouldnotgoonwithouther；heneededhumancompanionship；someChristiancomfortforhisoldage；
someavenueofcommunicationwiththatsocialworld，whichmadehispresentsurroundingslookcoldandfoul；sometouchofthatrefinementofmindandmoralsbesidewhichhisownseemedcoarse。Hefeltunutterablylonely。HewishedMrs。Leehadaskedhimhometodinner；butMrs。Leehadgonetobedwithaheadache。Heshouldnotseeheragainforaweek。ThenhismindturnedbackupontheirmorningatMountVernon，andbethinkinghimselfofMrs。SamBaker，hetookasheetofnote-paper，andwrotealinetoWilsonKeen，Esq。，atGeorgetown，requestinghimtocall，ifpossible，thenextmorningtowardsoneo"clockattheSenator"sroomsonamatterofbusiness。WilsonKeenwaschiefoftheSecretServiceBureauintheTreasuryDepartment，and，asthedepositaryofallsecrets，wasoftencalleduponforassistancewhichhewasverygood-naturedinfurnishingtosenators，especiallyiftheywerelikelytobeSecretariesoftheTreasury。
Thisnotedespatched，Mr。Ratcliffefellbackintohisreflectivemood，whichledhimapparentlyintostilllowerdepthsofdiscontentuntil，withamutteredoath，hesworehecould“standnomoreofthis，“and，suddenlyrising，heinformedhisvisitorsthathewassorrytoleavethem，buthefeltratherpoorlyandwasgoingtobed；andtobedhewent，whilehisguestsdeparted，eachashisbusinessordesiresmightpointhim，sometodrinkwhiskeyandsometorepose。
OnSundaymorningMr。Ratcliffe，asusual，wenttochurch。Healwaysattendedmorningservice——attheMethodistEpiscopalChurch——notwhollyonthegroundofreligiousconviction，butbecausealargenumberofhisconstituentswerechurch-goingpeopleandhewouldnotwillinglyshocktheirprinciplessolongasheneededtheirvotes。Inchurch，hekepthiseyescloselyfixedupontheclergyman，andattheendofthesermonhecouldsaywithtruththathehadnotheardawordofit，althoughtherespectableministerwasgratifiedbytheattentionhisdiscoursehadreceivedfromtheSenatorfromIllinois，anattentionallthemorepraiseworthybecauseoftheengrossingpubliccareswhichmustatthatmomenthavedistractedtheSenator"smind。Inthislastidea，theministerwasright。Mr。Ratcliffe"smindwasgreatlydistractedbypubliccares，andoneofhisstrongestreasonsforgoingtochurchatallwasthathemightgetanhourortwoofundisturbedreflection。DuringtheentireservicehewasabsorbedincarryingonaseriesofimaginaryconversationswiththenewPresident。HebroughtupinsuccessioneveryformofpropositionwhichthePresidentmightmaketohim；everytrapwhichcouldbelaidforhim；everysortoftreatmenthemightexpect，sothathecouldnotbetakenbysurprise，andhisfrank，simplenaturecouldneverbeataloss。Oneobject，however，longescapedhim。
Supposing，whatwasmorethanprobable，thatthePresident"soppositiontoRatcliffe"sdeclaredfriendsmadeitimpossibletoforceanyofthemintooffice；itwouldthenbenecessarytotrysomenewman，notobnoxioustothePresident，asacandidatefortheCabinet。Whoshouldthisbe？Ratcliffeponderedlonganddeeply，searchingoutamanwhocombinedthemostpowerfulinterests，withthefewestenmities。Thissubjectwasstilluppermostatthemomentwhenserviceended。Ratcliffeponderedoveritashewalkedbacktohisrooms。Notuntilhereachedhisowndoordidhecometoaconclusion：
Carsonwoulddo；CarsonofPennsylvania；thePresidenthadprobablyneverheardofhim。
Mr。WilsonKeenwaswaitingtheSenator"sreturn，aheavymanwithasquareface，andgood-natured，activeblueeyes；amanoffewwordsandthosewell-considered。Theinterviewwasbrief。
AfterapologisingforbreakinginuponSundaywithbusiness，Mr。
Ratcliffeexcusedhimselfonthegroundthatsolittletimewasleftbeforethecloseofthesession。AbillnowbeforeoneofhisCommittees，onwhichareportmustsoonbemade，involvedmatterstowhichitwasbelievedthatthelateSamuelBaker，formerlyawell-knownlobby-agentinWashington，heldtheonlyclue。Hebeingdead，Mr。Ratcliffewishedtoknowwhetherhehadleftanypapersbehindhim，andinwhosehandsthesepaperswere，orwhetheranypartnerorassociateofhiswasacquaintedwithhisaffairs。
Mr。Keenmadeanoteoftherequest，merelyremarkingthathehadbeenverywellacquaintedwithBaker，andalsoalittlewithhiswife，whowassupposedtoknowhisaffairsaswellasheknewthemhimself；andwhowasstillinWashington。Hethoughthecouldbringtheinformationinadayortwo。Ashethenrosetogo，Mr。Ratcliffeaddedthatentiresecrecywasnecessary，astheinterestsinvolvedinobstructingthesearchwereconsiderable，anditwasnotwelltowakethemup。Mr。Keenassentedandwenthisway。
Allthiswasnaturalenoughandentirelyproper，atleastsofarasappearedonthesurface。HadMr。Keenbeensocuriousinotherpeople"saffairsastolookfortheparticularlegislativemeasurewhichlayatthebottomofMr。
Ratcliffe"sinquiries，hemighthavesearchedamongthepapersofCongressaverylongtimeandfoundhimselfgreatlypuzzledatlast。Infacttherewasnomeasureofthekind。Thewholestorywasafiction。Mr。RatcliffehadscarcelythoughtofBakersincehisdeath，untilthedaybefore，whenhehadseenhiswidowontheMountVernonsteamerandhadfoundherinrelationswithCarrington。SomethinginCarrington"shabitualattitudeandmannertowardshimselfhadlongstruckhimaspeculiar，andthisconnectionwithMrs。BakerhadsuggestedtotheSenatortheideathatitmightbewelltohaveaneyeonboth。Mrs。Bakerwasasillywoman，asheknew，andtherewereoldtransactionsbetweenRatcliffeandBakerofwhichshemightbeinformed，butwhichRatcliffehadnowishtoseebroughtwithinMrs。Lee"sken。AsforthefictioninventedtosetKeeninmotion，itwasaninnocentone。
Itharmednobody。Ratcliffeselectedthisparticularmethodofinquirybecauseitwastheeasiest，safest，andmosteffectual。Ifhewerealwaystowaituntilhecouldaffordtotelltheprecisetruth，businesswouldverysoonbeatastandstill，andhiscareeratanend。
Thislittlematterdisposedof；theSenatorfromIllinoispassedhisafternoonincallinguponsomeofhisbrothersenators，andthefirstofthosewhomhehonouredwithavisitwasMr。Krebs，ofPennsylvania。Thereweremanyreasonswhichnowmadetheco-operationofthathigh-mindedstatesmanessentialtoMr。
Ratcliffe。ThestrongestofthemwasthatthePennsylvaniadelegationinCongresswaswelldisciplinedandcouldbeusedwithpeculiaradvantageforpurposesof“pressure。“Ratcliffe"ssuccessinhiscontestwiththenewPresidentdependedontheamountof“pressure“hecouldemploy。Tokeephimselfinthebackground，andtoflingovertheheadoftherawChiefMagistrateawebofintertwinedinfluences，anyoneofwhichalonewouldbeuseless，butwhichtakentogetherwerenottobebrokenthrough；torevivethelostartoftheRomanretiarius，whofromasafedistancethrewhisnetoverhisadversary，beforeattackingwiththedagger；
thiswasRatcliffe"sintentionandtowardsthishehadbeendirectingallhismanipulationforweekspast。Howmuchbargainingandhowmanypromiseshefounditnecessarytomake，wasknowntohimselfalone。AboutthistimeMrs。LeewasalittlesurprisedtofindMr。GorespeakingwithentireconfidenceofhavingRatcliffe"ssupportinhisapplicationfortheSpanishmission，forshehadratherimaginedthatGorewasnotafavouritewithRatcliffe。ShenoticedtoothatSchneidekouponhadcomebackagainandspokemysteriouslyofinterviewswithRatcliffe；ofattemptstounitetheinterestsofNewYorkandPennsylvania；andhiscountenancetookonadarkanddramaticexpressionasheproclaimedthatnosacrificeoftheprincipleofprotectionshouldbetolerated。Schneidekoupondisappearedassuddenlyashecame，andfromSybil"sinnocentcomplaintsofhisspiritsandtemper，Mrs。LeejumpedtotheconclusionthatMr。Ratcliffe，Mr。Clinton，andMr。
KrebshadforthemomentcombinedtositheavilyuponpoorSchneidekoupon，andtoremovehisdisturbinginfluencefromthescene，atleastuntilothermenshouldgetwhattheywanted。TheseweremerelythetriflingincidentsthatfellwithinMrs。Lee"sobservation。Shefeltanatmosphereofbargainandintrigue，butshecouldonlyimaginehowfaritextended。EvenCarrington，whenshespoketohimaboutit，onlylaughedandshookhishead：
“Thosemattersareprivate，mydearMrs。Lee；youandIarenotmeanttoknowsuchthings。“
ThisSundayafternoonMr。Ratcliffe"sobjectwastoarrangethelittlemanoeuvreaboutCarsonofPennsylvania，whichhaddisturbedhiminchurch。
Hiseffortswerecrownedwithsuccess。KrebsacceptedCarsonandpromisedtobringhimforwardattenminutes"notice，shouldtheemergencyarise。
Ratcliffewasagreatstatesman。Thesmoothnessofhismanipulationwasmarvellous。Noothermaninpolitics，indeednoothermanwhohadeverbeeninpoliticsinthiscountry，could——hisadmirerssaid——havebroughttogethersomanyhostileinterestsandmadesofantasticacombination。Somemenwentsofarastomaintainthathewould“ropeinthePresidenthimselfbeforetheoldmanhadtimetoswapkniveswithhim。“Thebeautyofhisworkconsistedintheskillwithwhichheevadedquestionsofprinciple。Ashewiselysaid，theissuenowinvolvedwasnotoneofprinciplebutofpower。
Thefateofthatnoblepartytowhichtheyallbelonged，andwhichhadarecordthatcouldneverbeforgotten，dependedontheirlettingprinciplealone。Theirprinciplemustbethewantofprinciples。TherewereindeedindividualswhosaidinreplythatRatcliffehadmadepromiseswhichnevercouldbecarriedout，andtherewerealmostsuperhumanelementsofdiscordinthecombination，butasRatcliffeshrewdlyrejoined，heonlywantedittolastaweek，andheguessedhispromiseswouldholditupforthattime。
SuchwasthesituationwhenonMondayafternoonthePresident-electarrivedinWashington，andthecomedybegan。ThenewPresidentwas，almostasmuchasAbrahamLincolnorFranklinPierce，anunknownquantityinpoliticalmathematics。Inthenationalconventionoftheparty，ninemonthsbefore，aftersomedozensoffruitlessballotsinwhichRatcliffewantedbutthreevotesofamajority，hisopponentshaddonewhathewasnowdoing；theyhadlaidasidetheirprinciplesandsetupfortheircandidateaplainIndianafarmer，whosepoliticalexperiencewaslimitedtostump-speakinginhisnativeState，andtoonetermasGovernor。Theyhadpitcheduponhim，notbecausetheythoughthimcompetent，butbecausetheyhopedbydoingsotodetachIndianafromRatcliffe"sfollowing，andtheyweresosuccessfulthatwithinfifteenminutesRatcliffe"sfriendswererouted，andthePresidencyhadfallenuponthisnewpoliticalBuddha。
Hehadbegunhiscareerasastone-cutterinaquarry，andwas，notunreasonably，proudofthefact。Duringthecampaignthisincidenthad，ofcourse，filledalargespaceinthepublicmind，or，moreexactly，inthepubliceye。“TheStone-cutteroftheWabash，“hewassometimescalled；atothers“theHoosierQuarryman，“buthisfavouriteappellationwas“OldGranite，“althoughthislastendearingname，owingtoanunfortunatesimilarityofsound，wasseizeduponbyhisopponents，anddistortedinto“OldGranny。“Hehadbeenpaintedonmanythousandyardsofcottonsheeting，eitherwithaterrificsledge-hammer，smashingtheskulls(whichfiguredaspaving-stones)ofhispoliticalopponents，orsplittingbygiganticblowsahugerocktypicaloftheopposingparty。HisopponentsintheirturnhadparadedilluminationsrepresentingtheQuarrymaninthegarbofaState"s-prisonconvictbreakingtheheadsofRatcliffeandotherwell-knownpoliticalleaderswithaveryfeeblehammer，oras“OldGranny“inpauper"srags，hopelesslyrepairingwiththesameheadstheimpossibleroadswhichtypifiedtheill-conditionedandmirywaysofhisparty。Buttheseviolationsofdecencyandgoodsensewereuniversallyreprovedbythevirtuous；anditwasremarkedwithsatisfactionthatthepurestandmosthighlycultivatednewspapereditorsonhisside，withoutexceptingthoseofBostonitself；agreedwithonevoicethattheStone-cutterwasanobletypeofman，perhapstheverynoblestthathadappearedtoadornthiscountrysincetheincomparableWashington。
Thathewashonest，alladmitted；thatistosay，allwhovotedforhim。
Thisisageneralcharacteristicofallnewpresidents。Hehimselftookgreatprideinhishome-spunhonesty，whichisaqualitypeculiartonature"snoblemen。Owingnothing，asheconceived，topoliticians，butsympathisingthrougheveryfibreofhisunselfishnaturewiththeimpulsesandaspirationsofthepeople，heaffirmedittobehisfirstdutytoprotectthepeoplefromthosevultures，ashecalledthem，thosewolvesinsheep"sclothing，thoseharpies，thosehyenas，thepoliticians；epithetswhich，asgenerallyinterpreted，meantRatcliffeandRatcliffe"sfriends。
HiscardinalprincipleinpoliticswashostilitytoRatcliffe，yethewasnotvindictive。HecametoWashingtondeterminedtobetheFatherofhiscountry；togainaproudimmortalityandare-election。
UponthisgentlemanRatcliffehadletloosealltheformsof“pressure“
whichcouldbesetinmotioneitherinoroutofWashington。FromthemomentwhenhehadlefthishumblecottageinSouthernIndiana，hehadbeencapturedbyRatcliffe"sfriends，andsmotheredindemonstrationsofaffection。Theyhadneverallowedhimtosuggestthepossibilityofill-feeling。Theyhadassumedasamatterofcoursethatthemostcordialattachmentexistedbetweenhimandhisparty。OnhisarrivalinWashingtontheysystematicallycuthimofffromcontactwithanyinfluencesbuttheirown。Thiswasnotaverydifficultthingtodo，forgreatashewas，helikedtobetoldofhisgreatness，andtheymadehimfeelhimselfacolossus。
Eventhefewpersonalfriendsinhiscompanyweremanipulatedwiththeutmostcare，andtheirweaknessesputtousebeforetheyhadbeeninWashingtonasingleday。
NotthatRatcliffehadanythingtodowithallthisunderhandandgrovellingintrigue。Mr。Ratcliffewasamanofdignityandself-respect，wholeftdetailstohissubordinates。HewaitedcalmlyuntilthePresident，recoveredfromthefatiguesofhisjourney，shouldbegintofeeltheeffectofaWashingtonatmosphere。ThenonWednesdaymorning，Mr。RatcliffelefthisroomsanhourearlierthanusualonhiswaytotheSenate，andcalledatthePresident"sHotel：hewasusheredintoalargeapartmentinwhichthenewChiefMagistratewasholdingcourt，althoughatsightofRatcliffe，theothervisitorsedgedawayortooktheirhatsandlefttheroom。ThePresidentprovedtobeahard-featuredmanofsixty，withahookednoseandthin，straight，iron-grayhair。HisvoicewasrougherthanhisfeaturesandhereceivedRatcliffeawkwardly。HehadsufferedsincehisdeparturefromIndiana。Outthereithadseemedamereflea-bite，asheexpressedit，tobrushRatcliffeaside，butinWashingtonthethingwassomehowdifferent。
EvenhisownIndianafriendslookedgravewhenhetalkedofit，andshooktheirheads。Theyadvisedhimtobecautiousandgaintime；toleadRatcliffeon，andifpossibletothrowonhimtheresponsibilityofaquarrel。Hewas，therefore，likeabrownbearundergoingtheprocessoftaming；veryill-tempered，veryrough，andatthesametimeverymuchbewilderedandalittlefrightened。
Ratcliffesattenminuteswithhim，andobtainedinformationinregardtopainswhichthePresidenthadsufferedduringthepreviousnight，inconsequence，ashebelieved，ofanover-indulgenceinfreshlobster，aluxuryinwhichhehadfoundadiversionfromthecaresofstate。Sosoonasthismatterwasexplainedandcondoledupon，Ratclifferoseandtookleave。
EverydeviceknowntopoliticianswasnowinfullplayagainsttheHoosierQuarryman。Statedelegationswithcontradictoryrequestswerepouredinuponhim，amongwhichthatofMassachusettspresentedasitsonlyprayertheappointmentofMr。GoretotheSpanishmission。Difficultieswereinventedtoembarrassandworryhim。Falseleadsweresuggested，andfalseinformationcarefullymingledwithtrue。Awilddancewaskeptupunderhiseyesfromdaylighttomidnight，untilhisbrainreeledwiththeefforttofollowit。Meanswerealsofoundtoconvertoneofhispersonal，confidentialfriends，whohadcomewithhimfromIndianaandwhohadmorebrainsorlessprinciplethantheothers；
fromhimeverywordofthePresidentwasbroughtdirectlytoRatcliffe"sear。
EarlyonFridaymorning，Mr。ThomasLord，arivalofthelateSamuelBaker，andheirtohistriumphs，appearedinRatcliffe"sroomswhiletheSenatorwasconsuminghislonelyeggandchop。
Mr。LordhadbeenchosentotakegeneralchargeofthepresidentialpartyandtodirectallmattersconnectedwithRatcliffe"sinterests。Somepeoplemightconsiderthistheworkofaspy；helookedonitasapublicduty。Hereportedthat“OldGranny“hadatlastshownsignsofweakness。Latethepreviouseveningwhen，accordingtohiscustom，hewassmokinghispipeincompanywithhiskitchen-cabinetoffollowers，hehadagainfallenuponthesubjectofRatcliffe，andwithavolleyofoathshadswornthathewouldshowhimhisplaceyet，andthathemeanttoofferhimaseatintheCabinetthatwouldmakehim“sickerthanastuckhog。“Fromthisremarkandsomeexplanatoryhintsthatfollowed，itseemedthattheQuarrymanhadabandonedhisschemeofputtingRatcliffetoimmediatepoliticaldeath，andhadnowundertakentoinvitehimintoaCabinetwhichwastobespeciallyconstructedtothwartandhumiliatehim。
ThePresident，itappeared，warmlyapplaudedtheremarkofonecounsellor，thatRatcliffewassaferintheCabinetthanintheSenate，andthatitwouldbeeasytokickhimoutwhenthetimecame。
RatcliffesmiledgrimlyasMr。Lord，withmuchclevermimicry，describedthePresident"speculiaritiesoflanguageandmanner，buthesaidnothingandwaitedfortheevent。ThesameeveningcameanotefromthePresident"sprivatesecretaryrequestinghisattendance，ifpossible，to-morrow，Saturdaymorning，atteno"clock。Thenotewascurtandcool。Ratcliffemerelysentbackwordthathewouldcome，andfeltalittleregretthatthePresidentshouldnotknowenoughetiquettetounderstandthatthisverbalanswerwasintendedasahinttoimprovehismanners。Hedidcomeaccordingly，andfoundthePresidentlookingblackerthanbefore。Thistimetherewasnoavoidingoftendersubjects。ThePresidentmeanttoshowRatcliffebythedecisionofhiscourse，thathewasmasterofthesituation。Hebrokeatonceintothemiddleofthematter：“Isentforyou，“
saidhe，“toconsultwithyouaboutmyCabinet。HereisalistofthegentlemenIintendtoinviteintoit。YouwillseethatIhavegotyoudownfortheTreasury。Willyoulookatthelistandsaywhatyouthinkofit？”
Ratcliffetookthepaper，butlaiditatonceonthetablewithoutlookingatit。“Icanhavenoobjection，“saidhe，“toanyCabinetyoumayappoint，providedIamnotincludedinit。MywishistoremainwhereIam。ThereIcanserveyouradministrationbetterthanintheCabinet。“
“Thenyourefuse？”growledthePresident。
“Bynomeans。Ionlydeclinetoofferanyadviceoreventohearthenamesofmyproposedcolleaguesuntilitisdecidedthatmyservicesarenecessary。Iftheyare，IshallacceptwithoutcaringwithwhomIserve。“
ThePresidentglaredathimwithanuneasylook。Whatwastobedonenext？
Hewantedtimetothink，butRatcliffewasthereandmustbedisposedof。Heinvoluntarilybecamemorecivil：“Mr。Ratcliffe，yourrefusalwouldknockeverythingonthehead。Ithoughtthatmatterwasallfixed。WhatmorecanIdo？”
ButRatcliffehadnomindtoletthePresidentoutofhisclutchessoeasily，andalongconversationfollowed，duringwhichheforcedhisantagonistintothepositionofurginghimtotaketheTreasuryinordertopreventsomeundefinedbutportentousmischiefintheSenate。AllthatcouldbeagreeduponwasthatRatcliffeshouldgiveapositiveanswerwithintwodays，andonthatagreementhetookhisleave。
Ashepassedthroughthecorridor，anumberofgentlemenwerewaitingforinterviewswiththePresident，andamongthemwasthewholePennsylvaniadelegation，“readyforbiz，“asMr。TomLordremarked，withawink。
RatcliffedrewKrebsasideandtheyexchangedafewwordsashepassedout。
Tenminutesafterwardsthedelegationwasadmitted，andsomeofitsmemberswerealittlesurprisedtoheartheirspokesman，SenatorKrebs，presswithextremeearnestnessandintheirnames，theappointmentofJosiahB。CarsontoaplaceintheCabinet，whentheyhadbeengiventounderstandthattheycametorecommendJaredCaldwellaspostmasterofPhiladelphia。ButPennsylvaniaisagreatandvirtuousState，whoserepresentativeshaveentireconfidenceintheirchief。Notoneofthemsomuchaswinked。
ThedanceofdemocracyroundthePresidentnowbeganagainwithwilderenergy。Ratcliffelaunchedhislastbolts。Histwo-days"delaywasamerecoverforbringingnewinfluencestobear。Heneedednodelay。Hewantednotimeforreflection。ThePresidenthadundertakentoputhimonthehornsofadilemma；eithertoforcehimintoahostileandtreacherousCabinet，ortothrowonhimtheblameofarefusalandaquarrel。HemeanttoembraceoneofthehornsandtoimpalethePresidentonit，andhefeltperfectconfidenceinhisownsuccess。HemeanttoaccepttheTreasuryandhewasreadytobackhimselfwithaheavywagertogetthegovernmententirelyintohisownhandswithinsixweeks。HiscontemptfortheHoosierStone-cutterwasunbounded，andhisconfidenceinhimselfmoreabsolutethanever。
Busyashewas，theSenatormadehisappearancethenexteveningatMrs。
Lee"s，andfindingheralonewithSybil，whowasoccupiedwithherownlittledevices，RatcliffetoldMadeleinethestoryofhisweek"sexperience。
Hedidnotdwellonhisexploits。OnthecontraryhequiteignoredthoseelaboratearrangementswhichhadtakenfromthePresidenthispowerofvolition。Hispicturepresentedhimself；solitaryandunprotected，inthecharacterofthathonestbeastwhowasinvitedtodinewiththelionandsawthatallthefootmarksofhispredecessorsledintothelion"scave，andnoneawayfromit。HedescribedinhumorousdetailhisinterviewswiththeIndianalion，andtheparticularsofthesurfeitoflobsterasgiveninthePresident"sdialect；heevenrepeatedtoherthestorytoldhimbyMr。TomLord，withoutomittingoathsorgestures；hetoldherhowmattersstoodatthemoment，andhowthePresidenthadlaidatrapforhimwhichhecouldnotescape；hemusteitherenteraCabinetconstructedonpurposetothwarthimandwiththecertaintyofignominiousdismissalatthefirstopportunity，orhemustrefuseanofferoffriendshipwhichwouldthrowonhimtheblameofaquarrel，andenablethePresidenttochargeallfuturedifficultiestotheaccountofRatcliffe"s“insatiableambition。““Andnow，Mrs。
Lee，“hecontinued，withincreasingseriousnessoftone；“Iwantyouradvice；whatshallIdo？”
Eventhishalfrevelationofthemeannesswhichdistortedpolitics；
thisone-sidedviewofhumannatureinitsnakeddeformityplayingprankswiththeinterestsoffortymillionpeople，disgustedanddepressedMadeleine"smind。Ratclifesparedhernothingexcepttheexposureofhisownmoralsores。Hecarefullycalledherattentiontoeveryleproustaintuponhisneighbours"persons，toeveryragintheirfoulclothing，toeveryslimyandfetidpoolthatlaybesidetheirpath。Itwashiswayofbringinghisownqualitiesintorelief。Hemeantthatsheshouldgohandinhandwithhimthroughthebrimstonelake，andthemorerepulsiveitseemedtoher，themoreoverwhelmingwouldhissuperioritybecome。HemeanttodestroythosedoubtsofhischaracterwhichCarringtonwassocarefullyfostering，torousehersympathy，tostimulateherfemininesenseofself-sacrifice。
Whenheaskedthisquestionshelookedupathimwithanexpressionofindignantpride，asshespoke：
“Isayagain，Mr。Ratcliffe，whatIsaidoncebefore。Dowhateverismostforthepublicgood。“
“Andwhatismostforthepublicgood？”
Madeleinehalfopenedhermouthtoreply，thenhesitated，andstaredsilentlyintothefirebeforeher。Whatwasindeedmostforthepublicgood？
Wheredidthepublicgoodenteratallintothismazeofpersonalintrigue，thiswildernessofstuntednatureswherenostraightroadwastobefound，butonlythetortuousandaimlesstracksofbeastsandthingsthatcrawl？
Wherewasshetolookforaprincipletoguide，anidealtosetupandtopointat？
Ratclifferesumedhisappeal，andhismannerwasmoreseriousthanever。
“Iamhardpressed，Mrs。Lee。Myenemiesencompassmeabout。
Theymeantoruinme。Ihonestlywishtodomyduty。Youoncesaidthatpersonalconsiderationsshouldhavenoweight。Verywell！throwthemaway！AndnowtellmewhatIshoulddo。“
Forthefirsttime，Mrs。Leebegantofeelhispower。Hewassimple，straightforward，earnest。Hiswordsmovedher。HowshouldsheimaginethathewasplayinguponhersensitivenaturepreciselyasheplayeduponthePresident"scoarseone，andthatthisheavywesternpoliticianhadtheinstinctsofawildIndianintheirsharpnessandquicknessofperception；thathedivinedhercharacterandreaditashereadthefacesandtonesofthousandsfromdaytoday？Shewasuneasyunderhiseye。Shebeganasentence，hesitatedinthemiddle，andbrokedown。Shelosthercommandofthought，andsatdumb-founded。Hehadtodrawheroutoftheconfusionhehadhimselfmade。
“Iseeyourmeaninginyourface。YousaythatIshouldacceptthedutyanddisregardtheconsequences。“
“Idon"tknow，“saidMadeleine，hesitatingly；“Yes，Ithinkthatwouldbemyfeeling。“
“AndwhenIfallasacrificetothatman"senvyandintrigue，whatwillyouthinkthen，Mrs。Lee？WillyounotjointherestoftheworldandsaythatIoverreachedmyself；andwalkedintothistrapwithmyeyesopen，andformyownobjects？DoyouthinkIshalleverbethoughtbetterof；forgettingcaughthere？Idon"tparadehighmoralviewslikeourfriendFrench。Iwon"tcantaboutvirtue。
ButIdoclaimthatinmypubliclifeIhavetriedtodoright。Willyoudomethejusticetothinkso？”
Madeleinestillstruggledtopreventherselffrombeingdrawnintoindefinitepromisesofsympathywiththisman。Shewouldkeephimatarm"slengthwhateverhersympathiesmightbe。Shewouldnotpledgeherselftoespousehiscause。Sheturneduponhimwithaneffort，andsaidthatherthoughts，noworatanytime，werefollyandnonsense，andthattheconsciousnessofright-doingwastheonlyrewardanypublicmanhadarighttoexpect。
“Andyetyouareahardcritic，Mrs。Lee。Ifyourthoughtsarewhatyousay，yourwordsarenot。Youjudgewiththejudgmentofabstractprinciples，andyouwieldtheboltsofdivinejustice。Youlookonandcondemn，butyourefusetoacquit。WhenIcometoyouonthevergeofwhatislikelytobethefatalplungeofmylife，andaskyouonlyforsomecluetothemoralprinciplethatoughttoguideme，youlookonandsaythatvirtueisitsownreward。Andyoudonotevensaywherevirtuelies。“
“Iconfessmysins，“saidMadeleine，meeklyanddespondently；
“lifeismorecomplicatedthanIthought。“
“Ishallbeguidedbyyouradvice，“saidRatcliffe；“Ishallwalkintothatdenofwildbeasts，sinceyouthinkIought。ButIshallholdyoutoyourresponsibility。Youcannotrefusetoseemethroughdangersyouhavehelpedtobringmeinto。“
“No，no！”criedMadeleine，earnestly；“noresponsibility。YouaskmorethanIcangive。“
Ratcliffelookedatheramomentwithatroubledandcarewornface。Hiseyesseemeddeepsunkintheirdarkcircles，andhisvoicewaspatheticinitsintensity。“Dutyisduty，foryouaswellasforme。Ihavearighttothehelpofallpureminds。Youhavenorighttorefuseit。Howcanyourejectyourownresponsibilityandholdmetomine？”
Almostashespoke，heroseandtookhisdeparture，leavinghernotimetodomorethanmurmuragainherineffectualprotest。Afterhewasgone，Mrs。
Leesatlong，withhereyesfixedonthefire，reflectinguponwhathehadsaid。HermindwasbewilderedbythenewsuggestionswhichRatcliffehadthrownout。Whatwomanofthirty，withaspirationsfortheinfinite，couldresistanattacklikethis？Whatwomanwithasoulcouldseebeforeherthemostpowerfulpublicmanofhertime，appealing——withafacefurrowedbyanxieties，andavoicevibratingwithonlyhalf-suppressedaffection——toherforcounselandsympathy，withoutyieldingsomeresponse？andwhatwomancouldhavehelpedbowingherheadtothatrebukeofherover-confidentjudgment，comingasitdidfromonewhointhesamebreathappealedtothatjudgmentasfinal？Ratcliffe，too，hadacuriousinstinctforhumanweaknesses。Nomagneticneedlewasevertruerthanhisfingerwhenhetouchedthevulnerablespotinanopponent"smind。Mrs。Leewasnottobereachedbyanappealtoreligioussentiment，toambition，ortoaffection。
Anysuchappealwouldhavefallenflatonherearsanddestroyeditsownhopes。Butshewasawomantotheverylastdropofherblood。ShecouldnotbeinducedtoloveRatcliffe，butshemightbedeludedintosacrificingherselfforhim。SheatonedforwantofdevotiontoGod，bydevotiontoman。
Shehadawoman"snaturaltendencytowardsasceticism，self-extinction，self-abnegation。Allthroughlifeshehadmadepainfuleffortstounderstandandfollowoutherduty。Ratcliffeknewherweakpointwhenheattackedherfromthisside。Likeallgreatoratorsandadvocates，hewasanactor；themoreeffectivebecauseofacertaindignifiedairthatforbadefamiliarity。
Hehadappealedtohersympathy，hersenseofrightandofduty，tohercourage，herloyalty，herwholehighernature；andwhilehemadethisappealhefeltmorethanhalfconvincedthathewasallhepretendedtobe，andthathereallyhadarighttoherdevotion。
Whatwonderthatsheinherturnwasmorethanhalfinclinedtoadmitthatright。SheknewhimnowbetterthanCarringtonorJacobiknewhim。Surelyamanwhospokeashespoke，hadnobleinstinctsandloftyaims？Wasnothiscareerathousandtimesmoreimportantthanhers？Ifhe，inhisisolationandhiscares，neededherassistance，hadsheanexcuseforrefusingit？Whatwasthereinheraimlessanduselesslifewhichmadeitsopreciousthatshecouldnotaffordtoflingitintothegutter，ifneedbe，onthebarechanceofenrichingsomefullerexistence？
ChapterVIII
OFalltitleseverassumedbyprinceorpotentate，theproudestisthatoftheRomanpontiffs：“ServusservorumDei“——“ServantoftheservantsofGod。“
Informerdaysitwasnotadmittedthatthedevil"sservantscouldbyrighthaveanyshareingovernment。Theyweretobeshutout，punished，exiled，maimed，andburned。Thedevilhasnoservantsnow；onlythepeoplehaveservants。Theremaybesomemistakeaboutadoctrinewhichmakesthewicked，whenamajority，themouthpieceofGodagainstthevirtuous，butthehopesofmankindarestakedonit；andiftheweakinfaithsometimesquailwhentheyseehumanityfloatinginashorelessocean，onthisplank，whichexperienceandreligionlongsincecondemnedasrotten，mistakeornot，menhavethusfarfloatedbetterbyitsaid，thanthepopeseverdidwiththeirprettierprinciple；sothatitwillbealongtimeyetbeforesocietyrepents。
WhetherthenewPresidentandhischiefrival，Mr。SilasP。
Ratcliffe，wereorwerenotservantsoftheservantsofGod，isnotmaterialhere。Servantstheyweretosomeone。Nodoubtmanyofthosewhocallthemselvesservantsofthepeoplearenobetterthanwolvesinsheep"sclothing，orassesinlions"skins。OnemayseescoresofthemanydayintheCapitolwhenCongressisinsession，makingnoisydemonstrations，ormoreusefullydoingnothing。A
wisergenerationwillemploytheminmanuallabour；asitis，theyserveonlythemselves。Buttherearetwoofficers，atleast，whoseserviceisreal——thePresidentandhisSecretaryoftheTreasury。TheHoosierQuarrymanhadnotbeenaweekinWashingtonbeforehewasheartilyhome-sickforIndiana。Nomaid-of-all-workinacheapboarding-housewasevermoreharassed。Everyoneconspiredagainsthim。Hisenemiesgavehimnopeace。AllWashingtonwaslaughingathisblunders，andribaldsheets，publishedonaSunday，tookdelightinprintingthenewChiefMagistrate"ssayingsanddoings，chronicledwithoutrageoushumour，andplacedbymalicioushandswherethePresidentcouldnotbutseethem。Hewassensitivetoridicule，anditmortifiedhimtothehearttofindthatremarksandacts，whichtohimseemedsensibleenough，shouldbecapableofsuchperversion。Thenhewasoverwhelmedwithpublicbusiness。Itcameuponhiminadeluge，andhenow，inhisdespair，nolongertriedtocontrolit。Heletitpassoverhimlikeawave。Hismindwasmuddiedbytheinnumerablevisitorstowhomhehadtolisten。ButhisgreatestanxietywastheInauguralAddresswhich，distractedashewas，hecouldnotfinish，althoughinanotherweekitmustbedelivered。HewasnervousabouthisCabinet；itseemedtohimthathecoulddonothinguntilhehaddisposedofRatcliffe。
Already，thankstothePresident"sfriends，Ratcliffehadbecomeindispensable；stillanenemy，ofcourse，butonewhosehandsmustbetied；asortofSampson，tobekeptinbondsuntilthetimecameforputtinghimoutoftheway，butinthemeanwhile，tobeutilized。Thispointbeingsettled，thePresidenthadinimaginationbeguntoleanuponhim；forthelastfewdayshehadpostponedeverythingtillnextweek，“whenIgetmyCabinetarranged；“
whichmeant，whenhegotRatcliffe"sassistance；andhefellintoapanicwheneverhethoughtofthechancethatRatcliffemightrefuse。
HewaspacinghisroomimpatientlyonMondaymormng，anhourbeforethetimefixedforRatcliffe"svisit。Hisfeelingsstillfluctuatedviolently，andifherecognizedthenecessityofusingRatcliffe，hewasnotthelessdeterminedtotieRatcliffe"shands。
HemustbemadetocomeintoaCabinetwhereeveryothervoicewouldbeagainsthim。Hemustbepreventedfromhavinganypatronagetodisposeof。Hemustbeinducedtoaccepttheseconditionsatthestart。Howpresentthistohiminsuchawayasnottorepelhimatonce？Allthiswasneedless，ifthePresidenthadonlyknownit，buthethoughthimselfaprofoundstatesman，andthathishandwasguidingthedestiniesofAmericatohisownre-election。Whenatlength，onthestrokeofteno"clock，Ratcliffeenteredtheroom，thePresidentturnedtohimwithnervouseagerness，andalmostbeforeofferinghishand，saidthathehopedMr。Ratcliffehadcomepreparedtobeginworkatonce。TheSenatorrepliedthat，ifsuchwasthePresident"sdecidedwish，hewouldoffernofurtheropposition。ThenthePresidentdrewhimselfupintheattitudeofanAmericanCato，anddeliveredapreparedaddress，inwhichhesaidthathehadchosenthemembersothisCabinetwithacarefulregardtothepublicinterests；thatMr。
Ratcliffewasessentialtothecombination；thatheexpectednodisagreementonprinciples，fortherewasbutoneprinciplewhichheshouldconsiderfundamental，namely，thatthereshouldbenoremovalsfromofficeexceptforcause；andthatunderthesecircumstanceshecounteduponMr。Ratcliffe"sassistanceasamatterofpatrioticduty。
ToallthisRatcliffeassentedwithoutawordofobjection，andthePresident，moreconvincedthaneverofhisownmasterlystatesmanship，breathedmorefreelythanforaweekpast。Withintenminutestheywereactivelyatworktogether，clearingawaythemassofaccumulatedbusiness。
ThereliefoftheQuarrymansurprisedhimself。Ratcliffeliftedtheweightofaffairsfromhisshoulderswithhardlyaneffort。Hekneweverybodyandeverything。HetookmostofthePresident"svisitorsatonceintohisownhandsanddismissedthemwithgreatrapidity。
Heknewwhattheywanted；heknewwhatrecommendationswerestrongandwhatwereweak；whowastobetreatedwithdeferenceandwhowastobesentawayabruptly；whereabluntrefusalwassafe，andwhereapledgewasallowable。ThePresidenteventrustedhimwiththeunfinishedmanuscriptoftheInauguralAddress，whichRatcliffereturnedtohimthenextdaywithsuchnotesandsuggestionsasleftnothingtobedonebeyondcopyingthemoutinafairhand。Withallthis，heprovedhimselfaveryagreeablecompanion。Hetalkedwellandenlivenedthework；hewasnotahardtaskmaster，andwhenhesawthatthePresidentwastired，heboldlyassertedthattherewasnomorebusinessthatcouldnotaswellwaitaday，andsotookthewearyStone-cutterouttodriveforacoupleofhours，andlethimgopeacefullytosleepinthecarriage。TheydinedtogetherandRatcliffetookcaretosendforTomLordtoamusethem，forTomwasawitandahumourist，andkeptthePresidentinalaugh。Mr。Lordorderedthedinnerandchosethewines。HecouldbecoarseenoughtosuiteventhePresident"spalate，andRatcliffewasnotbehindhand。WhenthenewSecretarywentawayatteno"clockthatnight，hischief；whowasinhighgoodhumourwithhisdinner，hischampagne，andhisconversation，sworewithsomeunnecessarygraniteoaths，thatRatcliffewas“acleverfellowanyhow，“andhewasglad“thatjobwasfixed。“
ThetruthwasthatRatcliffehadnowpreciselytendaysbeforethenewCabinetcouldbesetinmotion，andinthesetendayshemustestablishhisauthorityoverthePresidentsofirmlythatnothingcouldshakeit。Hewasdiligentingoodworks。Verysoonthecourtbegantofeelhishand。Ifabusinessletterorawrittenmemorialcamein，thePresidentfounditeasytoendorse：“ReferredtotheSecretaryoftheTreasury。“Ifavisitorwantedanythingforhimselforanother，theinvariablereplycametobe：“JustmentionittoMr。
Ratcliffe；“or，“IguessRatcliffewillseetothat。“
BeforelongheevenmadejokesinaCatonianmanner；jokesthatwerenotpeculiarlywitty，butsomewhatgruffandboorish，yetsignificantofaresignedandself-contentedmind。OnemorningheorderedRatcliffetotakeaniron-cladshipofwarandattacktheSiouxinMontana，seeingthathewasinchargeofthearmyandnavyandIndiansatonce，andJackofalltrades；andagainhetoldanavalofficerwhowantedacourt-martialthathehadbettergetRatcliffetositonhimforhewasawholecourt-martialbyhimself。
ThatRatcliffeheldhischiefinnolesscontemptthanbefore，wasprobablebutnotcertain，forhekeptsilenceonthesubjectbeforetheworld，andlookedsolemnwheneverthePresidentwasmentioned。