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。
