Beforethreedayswereover，thePresident，withalittlemorethanhisusualabruptness，suddenlyaskedhimwhatheknewaboutthisfellowCarson，whomthePennsylvanianswerebotheringhimtoputinhisCabinet。Ratcliffewasguarded：hescarcelyknewtheman；Mr。Carsonwasnotinpolitics，hebelieved，butwasprettyrespectable——foraPennsylvanian。ThePresidentreturnedtothesubjectseveraltimes；gotouthislistofCabinetofficersandfiguredindustriouslyuponitwitharatherperplexedface；calledRatcliffetohelphim；andatlastthe“slate“wasfairlybroken，andRatcliffe\'seyesgleamedwhenthePresidentcausedhislistofnominationstobesenttotheSenateonthe5thMarch，andJosiahB。Carson，ofPennsylvania，waspromptlyconfirmedasSecretaryoftheInterior。
Buthiseyesgleamedstillmorehumorouslywhen，afewdaysafterwards，thePresidentgavehimalonglistofsometwoscorenames，andaskedhimtofindplacesforthem。Heassentedgood-naturedly，witharemarkthatitmightbenecessarytomakeafewremovalstoprovideforthesecases。
“Oh，well，“saidthePresident，“Iguessthere\'sjustaboutasmanyasthathadoughttogooutanyway。Thesearefriendsofmine；gottobelookedafter。Juststuff\'eminsomewhere。“
Evenhefeltalittleawkwardaboutit，and，todohimjustice，thiswasthelastthatwasheardaboutthefundamentalruleofhisadministration。
Removalswerefastandfurious，untilallIndianabecameeasyincircumstances。Anditwasnottobedeniedthat，byonemeansoranother，Ratcliffe\'sfriendsdidcomeintotheirfairshareofthepublicmoney。
PerhapsthePresidentthoughtitbesttowinkatsuchuseoftheTreasurypatronageforthepresent，orwasalreadyalittleoverawedbyhisSecretary。
Ratcliffe\'sworkwasdone。Thepublichad，withthehelpofsomecleverintrigue，drivenitsservantsintothetraces。EvenanIndianastone-cuttercouldbetaughtthathispersonalprejudicesmustyieldtothepublicservice。Whatmischieftheselfishness，theambition，ortheignoranceofthesemenmightdo，wasanothermatter。Astheaffairstood，thePresidentwasthevictimofhisownschemes。Itremainedtobeseenwhether，atsomefutureday，Mr。RatcliffewouldthinkitworthhiswhiletostranglehischiefbysomequietEasternintrigue，butthetimehadgonebywhenthePresidentcouldmakeuseofeitherthebow-stringortheaxeuponhim。
AllthispassedwhileMrs。LeewasquietlypuzzlingherpoorlittlebrainaboutherdutyandherresponsibilitytoRatcliffe，who，meanwhile，rarelyfailedtofindhimselfonSundayeveningsbyhersideinherparlour，wherehisrightswerenowsowellestablishedthatnoonepresumedtocontesthisseat，unlessitwereoldJacobi，whofromtimetotimeremindedhimthathewasfallibleandmortal。Occasionally，thoughnotoften，Mr。Ratcliffecameatothertimes，aswhenhepersuadedMrs。LeetobepresentattheInauguration，andtocallonthePresident\'swife。MadeleineandSybilwenttotheCapitolandhadthebestplacestoseeandheartheInauguration，aswellasacoldMarchwindwouldallow。Mrs。
Leefoundfaultwiththeceremony；itwasoftheearth，earthy，shesaid。Anelderlywesternfarmer，withsilverspectacles，newandglossyeveningclothes，bonyfeatures，andstiff；thin，grayhair，tryingtoaddressalargecrowdofpeople，underthedrawbacksofapiercingwindandacoldinhishead，wasnotahero。Sybil\'smindwaslostinwonderingwhetherthePresidentwouldnotsoondieofpneumonia。Eventhisexperience，however，washappywhencomparedwiththatofthecalluponthePresident\'swife，afterwhichMadeleinedecidedtoleavethenewdynastyaloneinfuture。
Thelady，whowassomewhatstoutandcoarse-featured，andwhomMrs。Leedeclaredshewouldn\'tengageasacook，showedqualitieswhich，seenunderthatfiercelightwhichbeatsuponathrone，seemedungracious。HerantipathytoRatcliffewasmoreviolentthanherhusband\'s，andwasevenmoreopenlyexpressed，untilthePresidentwasquiteputoutofcountenancebyit。SheextendedherhostilitytoeveryonewhocouldbesupposedtobeRatcliffe\'sfriend，andthenewspapers，aswellasprivategossip，hadmarkedoutMrs。Leeasonewho，byanalliancewithRatcliffe，wasaimingatsupplantingherownruleovertheWhiteHouse。
Hence，whenMrs。LightfootLeewasannounced，andthetwosisterswereusheredintothepresidentialparlour，sheputonacoldlypatronizingair，andinreplytoMadeleine\'shopethatshefoundWashingtonagreeable，sheintimatedthattherewasmuchinWashingtonwhichstruckherasawfulwicked，especiallythewomen；and，lookingatSybil，shespokeofthestyleofdressinthiscitywhichshesaidshemeanttodowhatshecouldtoputastopto。She\'dheardtellthatpeoplesenttoParisfortheirgowns，justasthoughAmericawasn\'tgoodenoughtomakeone\'sclothes！
Jacob(allPresidents\'wivesspeakoftheirhusbandsbytheirfirstnames)hadpromisedhertogetalawpassedagainstit。InhertowninIndiana，ayoungwomanwhowasseenonthestreetinsuchclotheswouldn\'tbespokento。Attheseremarks，madewithanairandinatemperquiteunmistakable，Madeleinebecameexasperatedbeyondmeasure，andsaidthat“WashingtonwouldbepleasedtoseethePresidentdosomethinginregardtodress-reform——oranyotherreform；“andwiththisallusiontothePresident\'sante-electionreformspeeches，Mrs。Leeturnedherbackandlefttheroom，followedbySybilinconvulsionsofsuppressedlaughter，whichwouldnothavebeensuppressedhadsheseenthefaceoftheirhostessasthedoorshutbehindthem，andtheenergywithwhichsheshookherheadandsaid：“SeeifIdon\'treformyouyet，you——jade！”
Mrs。LeegaveRatcliffealivelyaccountofthisinterview，andhelaughednearlyasconvulsivelyasSybiloverit，thoughhetriedtopacifyherbysayingthatthePresident\'smostintimatefriendsopenlydeclaredhiswifetobeinsane，andthathehimselfwasthepersonmostafraidofher。ButMrs。LeedeclaredthatthePresidentwasasbadashiswife；thatanequallygoodPresidentandPresident\'swifecouldbepickedupinanycorner-grocerybetweentheLakesandtheOhio；andthatnoinducementshouldevermakehergonearthatcoarsewasherwomanagain。
RatcliffedidnotattempttochangeMrs。Lee\'sopinion。IndeedheknewbetterthananymanhowPresidentsweremade，andhehadhisownopinionsinregardtotheprocessaswellasthefabricproduced。NothingMrs。Leecouldsaynowaffectedhim。Hethrewoffhisresponsibilityandshefounditsuddenlyrestingonherownshoulders。Whenshespokewithindignationofthewholesaleremovalsfromofficewithwhichthenewadministrationmarkeditsadventtopower，hetoldherthestoryofthePresident\'sfundamentalprinciple，andaskedherwhatshewouldhavehimdo。
“Hemeanttotiemyhands，“saidRatcliffe，“andtoleavehisownfree，andIacceptedthecondition。CanIresignnowonsuchagroundasthis？”AndMadeleinewasobligedtoagreethathecouldnot。Shehadnomeansofknowinghowmanyremovalshemadeinhisowninterest，orhowfarhehadoutwittedthePresidentathisowngame。Hestoodbeforeheravictimandapatriot。Everystephehadtakenhadbeentakenwithherapproval。Hewasnowinofficetopreventwhatevilhecould，nottoberesponsiblefortheevilthatwasdone；andhehonestlyassuredherthatmuchworsemenwouldcomeinwhenhewentout，asthePresidentwouldcertainlytakegoodcarethathedidgooutwhenthemomentarrived。
Mrs。LeehadthechancenowtocarryoutherschemeincomingtoWashington，forshewasalreadydeepinthemireofpoliticsandcouldseewitheveryadvantagehowthegreatmachineflounderedabout，bespatteringwithmudevenherownpuregarments。
Ratcliffehimself，sinceenteringtheTreasury，hadbeguntotalkwithasneerofthewayinwhichlawsweremade，andopenlysaidthathewonderedhowgovernmentgotonatall。Yethedeclaredstillthatthisparticulargovernmentwasthehighestexpressionofpoliticalthought。Mrs。Leestaredathimandwonderedwhetherheknewwhatthoughtwas。ToherthegovernmentseemedtohavelessthoughtinitthanoneofSybil\'sgowns，forifthey，likethegovernment，weremonstrouslycostly，theywereatleastadaptedtotheirpurpose，thepartsfittedtogether，andtheywereneitherawkwardnorunwieldy。
Therewasnothingveryencouraginginallthis，butitwasbetterthanNewYork。Atleastitgavehersomethingtolookat，andtothinkabout。EvenLordDunbegpreachedpracticalphilanthropytoherbythehour。Ratcliffe，too，wascompelledtodraghimselfoutoftherutofmachinepolitics，andtojustifyhisrightofadmissiontoherhouse。ThereMr。Frenchdiscoursedatgreatlength，untilthefourthofMarchsenthimhometoConnecticut；andhebroughtmorethanoneintelligentmemberofCongresstoMrs。Lee\'sparlour。Underneaththescumfloatingonthesurfaceofpolitics，Madeleinefeltthattherewasasortofhealthyoceancurrentofhonestpurpose，whichsweptthescumbeforeit，andkeptthemasspure。
Thiswasenoughtodrawheron。ShereconciledherselftoacceptingtheRatcliffianmorals，forshecouldseenochoice。Sheherselfhadapprovedeverystepshehadseenhimtake。Shecouldnotdenythattheremustbesomethingwronginadoublestandardofmorality，butwherewasit？Mr。
Ratcliffeseemedtohertobedoinggoodworkwithaspuremeansashehadathand。Heoughttobeencouraged，notreviled。Whatwasshethatsheshouldstandinjudgment？
Otherswatchedherprogresswithlesssatisfaction。Mr。NathanGorewasoneofthese，forhecameinoneevening，lookingmuchoutoftemper，and，sittingdownbyhersidehesaidhehadcometobidgood-byeandtothankherforthekindnessshehadshownhim；
hewastoleaveWashingtonthenextmorning。Shetooexpressedherwarmregret，butaddedthatshehopedhewasonlygoinginordertotakehispassagetoMadrid。
Heshookhishead。“Iamgoingtotakemypassage，“saidhe，“butnottoMadrid。Thefateshavecutthatthread。ThePresidentdoesnotwantmyservices，andIcan\'tblamehim，forifoursituationswerereversed，Ishouldcertainlynotwanthis。HehasanIndianafriend，who，Iamtold，wantedtobepostmasteratIndianapolis，butasthisdidnotsuitthepoliticians，hewasboughtoffattheexorbitantpriceoftheSpanishmission。ButIshouldhavenochanceevenifhewereoutoftheway。ThePresidentdoesnotapproveofme。HeobjectstothecutofmyovercoatwhichisunfortunatelyanEnglishone。Healsoobjectstothecutofmyhair。
IamafraidthathiswifeobjectstomebecauseIamsohappyastobethoughtafriendofyours。“
MadeleinecouldonlyacknowledgethatMr。Gore\'scasewasabadone。“Butafterall，“saidshe，“whyshouldpoliticiansbeexpectedtoloveyouliterarygentlemenwhowritehistory。Othercriminalclassesarenotexpectedtolovetheirjudges。“
“No，buttheyhavesenseenoughtofearthem，“repliedGorevindictively；“notonepoliticianlivinghasthebrainsorthearttodefendhisowncause。Theoceanofhistoryisfoulwiththecarcasesofsuchstatesmen，deadandforgottenexceptwhensomehistorianfishesoneofthemuptogibbetit。“
Mr。Gorewassomuchoutoftemperthatafterthispieceofextravagancehewasforcedtopauseamomenttorecoverhimself。
Thenhewenton：——“Youareperfectlyright，andsoisthePresident。Ihavenobusinesstobemeddlinginpolitics。Itisnotmyplace。Thenexttimeyouhearofme，Ipromiseitshallnotbeasanoffice-seeker。“
Thenherapidlychangedthesubject，sayingthathehopedMrs。
Leewassoongoingnorthwardagain，andthattheymightmeetatNewport。
“Idon\'tknow，“repliedMadeleine；“thespringispleasanthere，andweshallstaytillthewarmweather，Ithink。“
Mr。Gorelookedgrave。“Andyourpolitics！”saidhe；“areyousatisfiedwithwhatyouhaveseen？”
“Ihavegotsofarastolosethedistinctionbetweenrightandwrong。Isn\'tthatthefirststepinpolitics？”
Mr。Gorehadnomindevenforseriousjesting。Hebrokeoutintoalonglecturewhichsoundedlikeachapterofsomefuturehistory：
“ButMrs。Lee，isitpossiblethatyoudon\'tseewhatawrongpathyouareon。Ifyouwanttoknowwhattheworldisreallydoingtoanygoodpurpose，passawinteratSamarcand，atTimbuctoo，butnotatWashington。Beabank-clerk，orajourneymanprinter，butnotaCongressman。Hereyouwillfindnothingbutwastedeffortandclumsyintrigue。“
“Doyouthinkitapityformetolearnthat？”askedMadeleinewhenhislongessaywasended。
“No！”repliedGore，hesitating；“notifyoudolearnit。Butmanypeoplenevergetsofar，oronlywhentoolate。Ishallbegladtohearthatyouaremistressofitandhavegivenupreformingpolitics。TheSpaniardshaveaproverbthatsmellsofthestable，butappliestopeoplelikeyouandme：
Themanwhowasheshisdonkey\'shead，losestimeandsoap。“
GoretookhisleavebeforeMadeleinehadtimetograspalltheimpudenceofthislastspeech。NotuntilshewasfairlyinbedthatnightdiditsuddenlyflashonhermindthatMr。GorehaddaredtocaricatureheraswastingtimeandsoaponMr。Ratcliffe。Atfirstshewasviolentlyangryandthenshelaughedinspiteofherself；
therewastruthintheportrait。Insecret，too，shewasthelessoffendedbecauseshehalfthoughtthatithaddependedonlyonherselftomakeofMr。Goresomethingmorethanafriend。IfshehadoverheardhispartingwordstoCarrington，shewouldhavehadstillmorereasontothinkthatalittlejealousyofRatcliffe\'ssuccesssharpenedthebarbofGore\'senmity。
“TakecareofRatcliffe！”washisfarewell；“heisacleverdog。HehassethismarkonMrs。Lee。Lookoutthathedoesn\'twalkoffwithher！”
Alittlestartledbythissuddenconfidence，Carringtoncouldonlyaskwhathecoulddotopreventit。
“Catsthatgoratting，don\'tweargloves，“repliedGore，whoalwayscarriedaSpanishproverbinhispocket。Carrington，afterpainfulreflection，couldonlyguessthathewantedRatcliffe\'senemiestoshowtheirclaws。Buthow？
Mrs。LeenotlongafterwardsspoketoRatcliffeofherregretatGore\'sdisappointmentandhintedathisdisgust。RatclifferepliedthathehaddonewhathecouldforGore，andhadintroducedhimtothePresident，who，afterseeinghim，hadswornhisusualgraniticoaththathewouldsoonersendhisniggerfarm-handJaketoSpainthanthatman-milliner。“YouknowhowIstand；“addedRatcliffe；“whatmorecouldIdo？”AndMrs。Lee\'simpliedreproachwassilenced。
IfGorewaslittlepleasedwithRatcliffe\'sconduct，poorSchneidekouponwasstilllessso。HeturnedupagainatWashingtonnotlongaftertheInaugurationandhadaprivateinterviewwiththeSecretaryoftheTreasury。
Whatpassedatitwasknownonlytothemselves，but，whateveritwas，Schneidekoupon\'stemperwasnonethebetterforit。FromhisconversationswithSybil，itseemedthattherewassomequestionaboutappointmentsinwhichhisprotectionistfriendswereinterested，andhetalkedveryopenlyaboutRatcliffe\'swantofgoodfaith，andhowhehadpromisedeverythingtoeverybodyandhadfailedtokeepasinglepledge；ifSchneidekoupon\'sadvicehadbeentaken，thiswouldn\'thavehappened。Mrs。LeetoldRatcliffethatSchneidekouponseemedoutoftemper，andaskedthereason。
Heonlylaughedandevadedthequestion，remarkingthatcattleofthiskindwerealwayscomplainingunlesstheywereallowedtorunthewholegovernment；Schneidekouponhadnothingtogrumbleabout；noonehadevermadeanypromisestohim。ButneverthelessSchneidekouponconfidedtoSybilhisantipathytoRatcliffeandsolemnlybeggedhernottoletMrs。Leefallintohishands，towhichSybilansweredtartlythatsheonlywishedMr。
Schneidekouponwouldtellherhowtohelpit。
ThereformerFrenchhadalsobeenoneofRatcliffe\'sbackersinthefightovertheTreasury。HeremainedinWashingtonafewdaysaftertheInauguration，andthendisappeared，leavingcardswithP。P。C。inthecorner，atMrs。Lee\'sdoor。Rumoursaidthathetoowasdisappointed，buthekepthisowncounsel，and，ifhereallywantedthemissiontoBelgium，hecontentedhimselfwithwaitingforit。Arespectablestage-coachproprietorfromOregongottheplace。
AsforJacobi，whowasnotdisappointed，andwhohadnothingtoaskfor，hewasbitterestofall。HeformallyofferedhiscongratulationstoRatcliffeonhisappointment。ThislittlesceneoccurredinMrs。Lee\'sparlour。TheoldBaron，withhismostsuavemanner，andhismostVoltaireanleer，saidthatinallhisexperience，andhehadseenagreatmanycourtintrigues，hehadneverseenanythingbettermanagedthanthatabouttheTreasury。
Ratcliffewasfuriouslyangry，andtoldtheBaronoutrightthatforeignministerswhoinsultedthegovernmentstowhichtheywereaccreditedranariskofbeingsenthome。
“Ceseraittoujoursunpisaller，“saidJacobi，seatinghimselfwithcalmnessinRatcliffe\'sfavouritechairbyMrs。Lee\'sside。
Madeleine，alarmedasshewas，couldnothelpinterposing，andhastilyaskedwhetherthatremarkwastranslatable。
“Ah！”saidtheBaron；“Icandonothingwithyourlanguage。Youwouldonlysaythatitwasachoiceofevils，togo，ortostay。“
“Wemighttranslateitbysaying：\'Onemaygofartherandfareworse，\'“
rejoinedMadeleine；andsothestormblewoverforthetime，andRatcliffesulkilyletthesubjectdrop。NeverthelessthetwomennevermetinMrs。
Lee\'sparlourwithoutherdreadingapersonalaltercation。Littlebylittle，whatwithJacobi\'ssarcasmsandRatcliffe\'sroughness，theynearlyceasedtospeak，andglaredateachotherlikequarrelsomedogs。Madeleinewasdriventoallkindsofexpedientstokeepthepeace，yetatthesametimeshecouldnotbutbegreatlyamusedbytheirbehaviour，andastheirhatredofeachotheronlystimulatedtheirdevotiontoher，shewascontenttoholdanevenbalancebetweenthem。
NorwerethesealltheawkwardconsequencesofRatcliffe\'sattentions。NowthathewasdistinctlyrecognizedasanintimatefriendofMrs。Lee\'s，andpossiblyherfuturehusband，nooneventuredanylongertoattackhiminherpresence，butneverthelessshewasconsciousinathousandwaysthattheatmospherebecamemoreandmoredenseundertheshadowoftheSecretaryoftheTreasury。Inspiteofherselfshesometimesfeltuneasy，asthoughtherewereconspiracyintheair。OneMarchafternoonshewassittingbyherfire，withanEnglishReviewinherhand，tryingtoreadthelastSymposiumonthesympathiesofEternalPunishment，whenherservantbroughtinacard，andMrs。LeehadbarelytimetoreadthenameofMrs。SamuelBakerwhenthatladyfollowedtheservantintotheroom，forcingthecountersigninsoeffectivestylethatforonceMadeleinewasfairlydisconcerted。Hermannerwhenthusintrudedupon，wascool，butinthiscase，onCarrington\'saccount，shetriedtosmilecourteouslyandaskedhervisitortositdown，whichMrs。Bakerwasdoingwithoutaninvitation，verysoonputtingherhostessentirelyatherease。Shewas，whenseenwithoutherveil，ashowywomanvergingonforty，decidedlylarge，tall，over-dressedeveninmourning，andwithacomplexionratherfresherthannaturehadmadeit。
Therewasagenialityinheraddress，savouringofeasyWashingtonways，afruitinessofsmile，andarichsouthernaccent，thatexplainedonthespothersuccessinthelobby。Shelookedaboutherwithfineself-possession，andapprovedMrs。Lee\'ssurroundingswithacordialitysodifferentfromthenorthernstinginessofpraise，thatMadeleinewasratherpleasedthanoffended。YetwhenhereyerestedontheCorot，Madeleine\'sonlypride，shewasevidentlyperplexed，andresortedtoeye-glasses，inorder，asitseemed，togaintimeforreflection。ButshewasnottobedisconcertedevenbyCorot\'smasterpiece：
“Howpretty！Japanese，isn\'tit？Sea-weedsseenthroughafog。I
wenttoanauctionyesterday，anddoyouknowIboughtatea-potwithapicturejustlikethat。“
Madeleineinquiredwithextremeinterestabouttheauction，butafterlearningallthatMrs。Bakerhadtotell，shewasonthepointofbeingreducedtosilence，whenshebethoughtherselftomentionCarrington。Mrs。
Bakerbrightenedupatonce，ifshecouldbesaidtobrightenwheretherewasnosignofdimness：
“DearMr。Carrington！Isn\'thesweet？Ithinkhe\'sadeliciousman。
Idon\'tknowwhatIshoulddowithouthim。SincepoorMr。Bakerleftme，wehavebeentogetherallthetime。Youknowmypoorhusbandleftdirectionsthatallhispapersshouldbeburned，andthoughIwouldnotsaysounlessyouweresuchafriendofMr。
Carrington\'s，Ireckonit\'sjustaswellforsomepeoplethathedid。I
nevercouldtellyouwhatquantitiesofpapersMr。
CarringtonandIhaveputinthefire；andwereadthemalltoo。“
Madeleineaskedwhetherthiswasnotdullwork。
“Oh，dear，no！YouseeIknowallaboutit，andtoldMr。Carringtonthestoryofeverypaperaswewenton。Itwasquiteamusing，I
assureyou。“
Mrs。LeethenboldlysaidshehadgotfromMr。CarringtonanideathatMrs。
Bakerwasaveryskilfuldiplomatist。
“Diplomatist！”echoedthewidowwithhergeniallaugh；“Well！itwasasmuchthatasanything，butthere\'snotmanydiplomatists\'
wivesinthiscityeverdidasmuchworkasIusedtodo。Why，I
knewhalfthemembersofCongressintimately，andallofthembysight。Iknewwheretheycamefromandwhattheylikedbest。I
couldgetroundthegreaterpartofthem，soonerorlater。“
Mrs。Leeaskedwhatshedidwithallthisknowledge。Mrs。Bakershookherpink-and-whitecountenance，andalmostparalysedheroppositeneighbourbyasortofGrandeDuchessewink：
“Oh，mydear！youarenewhere。IfyouhadseenWashingtoninwar-timesandforafewyearsafterwards，youwouldn\'taskthat。
Wehadmorecongressionalbusinessthanalltheotheragentsputtogether。Everyonecametousthen，togethisbillthrough，orhisappropriationwatched。Wewerehardatworkallthetime。Yousee，onecan\'tkeeptherunofthreehundredmenwithoutsometrouble。Myhusbandusedtomakelistsoftheminbookswithahistoryofeachmanandallhecouldlearnabouthim，butIcarrieditallinmyhead。“
“Doyoumeanthatyoucouldgetthemalltovoteasyoupleased？”
askedMadeleine。
“Well！wegotourbillsthrough，“repliedMrs。Baker。
“Buthowdidyoudoit？didtheytakebribes？”
“Someofthemdid。Someofthemlikedsuppersandcardsandtheatresandallsortsofthings。Someofthemcouldbeled，andsomehadtobedrivenlikePaddy\'spigwhothoughthewasgoingtheotherway。Someofthemhadwiveswhocouldtalktothem，andsome——hadn\'t，“saidMrs。Baker，withaqueerintonationinherabruptending。
“Butsurely，“saidMrs。Lee，“manyofthemmusthavebeenabove——Imean，theymusthavehadnothingtogetholdof；sothatyoucouldmanagethem。“
Mrs。Bakerlaughedcheerfullyandremarkedthattheywereverymuchofamuchness。
“ButIcan\'tunderstandhowyoudidit，“urgedMadeleine；“now，howwouldyouhavegonetoworktogetarespectablesenator\'svote——amanlikeMr。
Ratcliffe，forinstance？”
“Ratcliffe！”repeatedMrs。Bakerwithaslightelevationofvoicethatgavewaytoapatronisinglaugh。“Oh，mydear！don\'tmentionnames。Ishouldgetintotrouble。SenatorRatcliffewasagoodfriendofmyhusband\'s。IguessMr。Carringtoncouldhavetoldyouthat。Butyousee，whatwegenerallywantedwasallrightenough。
Wehadtoknowwhereourbillswere，andjogpeople\'selbowstogetthemreportedintime。Sometimeswehadtoconvincethemthatourbillwasaproperone，andtheyoughttovoteforit。Onlynowandthen，whentherewasagreatdealofmoneyandthevotewasclose，wehadtofindoutwhatvoteswereworth。Itwasmostlydiningandtalking，callingthemoutintothelobbyoraskingthemtosupper。IwishIcouldtellyouthingsIhaveseen，butIdon\'tdare。Itwouldn\'tbesafe。I\'vetoldyoualreadymorethanIeversaidtoanyoneelse；butthenyouaresointimatewithMr。Carrington，thatIalwaysthinkofyouasanoldfriend。“
ThusMrs。Bakerrippledon，whileMrs。Leelistenedwithmoreandmoredoubtanddisgust。Thewomanwasshowy，handsomeinacoarsestyle，andperfectlypresentable。Mrs。LeehadseenDuchessesasvulgar。SheknewmoreaboutthepracticalworkingofgovernmentthanMrs。Leecouldeverexpectorhopetoknow。
Whythendrawbackfromthisinterestinglobbyistwithsuchbabyishrepulsion？
When，afteralong，and，asshedeclared，amostcharmingcall，Mrs。BakerwendedherwayelsewhereandMadeleinehadgiventhestrictestorderthatsheshouldneverbeadmittedagain，Carringtonentered，andMadeleineshowedhimMrs。Baker\'scardandgavealivelyaccountoftheinterview。
“WhatshallIdowiththewoman？”sheasked；“mustIreturnhercard？”ButCarringtondeclinedtoofferadviceonthisinterestingpoint。“AndshesaysthatMr。Ratcliffewasafriendofherhusband\'sandthatyoucouldtellmeaboutthat。“
“Didshesayso？”remarkedCarringtonvaguely。
“Yes！andthatshekneweveryone\'sweakpointsandcouldgetalltheirvotes。“
Carringtonexpressednosurprise，andsoevidentlypreferredtochangethesubject，thatMrs。Leedesistedandsaidnomore。
ButshedeterminedtotrythesameexperimentonMr。Ratcliffe，andchosetheverynextchancethatoffered。InhermostindifferentmannersheremarkedthatMrs。SamBakerhadcalleduponherandhadinitiatedherintothemysteriesofthelobbytillshehadbecomequiteambitioustostartonthatcareer。
“Shesaidyouwereafriendofherhusband\'s，“addedMadeleinesoftly。
Ratcliffe\'sfacebetrayednosign。
“Ifyoubelievewhatthosepeopletellyou，“saidhedrily，“youwillbewiserthantheQueenofSheba。“
ChapterIX
WHENEVERamanreachesthetopofthepoliticalladder，hisenemiesunitetopullhimdown。Hisfriendsbecomecriticalandexacting。AmongthemanydangersofthissortwhichnowthreatenedRatcliffe，therewasonethat，hadheknownit，mighthavemadehimmoreuneasythananyofthosewhichweretheworkofsenatorsandcongressmen。Carringtonenteredintoanalliance，offensiveanddefensive，withSybil。Itcameaboutinthiswise。Sybilwasfondofriding。andoccasionally，whenCarringtoncouldsparethetime，hewentasherguideandprotectorinthesecountryexcursions；foreveryVirginian，howeveroutatelbows，hasahorse，ashehasshoesorashirt。
InathoughtlessmomentCarringtonhadbeendrawnintoapromisethathewouldtakeSybiltoArlington。Thepromisewasonethathedidnothurrytokeep，fortherewerereasonswhichmadeavisittoArlingtonanythingbutapleasuretohim；butSybilwouldlistentonoexcuses，andsoitcameaboutthat，onelovelyMarchmorning，whentheshrubsandthetreesinthesquarebeforethehousewerejustbeginning，underthewarmersun，toshowsignsoftheircomingwantonness，Sybilstoodattheopenwindowwaitingforhim，whilehernewKentuckyhorsebeforethedoorshowedwhathethoughtofthedelaybycurvinghisneck，tossinghishead，andpawingthepavement。
Carringtonwaslateandkeptherwaitingsolong，thatthemignonetteandgeraniums，whichadornedthewindow，sufferedforhisslowness，andthecurtaintasselsshowedsignsofwilfuldamage。Neverthelesshearrivedatlength，andtheysetouttogether，choosingthestreetsleastenlivenedbyhorse-carsandprovision-carts，untiltheyhadcreptthroughthegreatmetropolisofGeorgetownandcomeuponthebridgewhichcrossesthenobleriverjustwhereitsboldbanksopenouttoclaspthecityofWashingtonintheireasyembrace。ThenreachingtheVirginiasidetheycanteredgailyupthelaurel-marginedroad，withglimpsesofwoodydefiles，eachcarryingitstricklingstreamandrichinpromiseofsummerflowers，whilefrompointtopointtheycaughtgloriousglimpsesofthedistantcityandriver。Theypassedthesmallmilitarystationontheheights，stilldignifiedbythenameoffort，thoughSybilsilentlywonderedhowafortwaspossiblewithoutfortifications，andcomplainedthattherewasnothingmorewarlikethana“nurseryoftelegraphpoles。“Thedaywasblueandgold；everythingsmiledandsparkledinthecrispfreshnessofthemorning。Sybilwasinboundingspirits。andnotatallpleasedtofindthathercompanionbecamemoodyandabstractedastheywenton。“PoorMr。Carrington！”thoughtshetoherself，“heissonice；butwhenheputsonthatsolemnair，onemightaswellgotosleep。Iamquitecertainnonicewomanwillevermarryhimifhelookslikethat；“andherpracticalmindranoffamongallthegirlsofheracquaintance，insearchofonewhowouldputupwithCarrington\'smelancholyface。Sheknewhisdevotiontohersister，buthadlongagorejectedthisasahopelesschance。TherewasasimplicityaboutSybil\'swayofdealingwithlife，whichhaditsowncharm。Shenevertroubledherselfabouttheimpossibleortheunthinkable。Shehadfeelings，andwasratherquickinhersympathiesandsorrows，butshewasequallyquickingettingoverthem，andsheexpectedotherpeopletodolikewise。Madeleinedissectedherownfeelingsandwasalwayswonderingwhethertheywererealornot；shehadahabitoftakingoffhermentalclothing，asshemighttakeoffadress，andlookingatitasthoughitbelongedtosomeoneelse，andasthoughsensationsweremanufacturedlikeclothes。Thisseemstobeoneoftheeasierwaysofdeadeningsorrow，asthoughthemindcouldteachitselftolopoffitsfeelers。Sybilparticularlydislikedthisself-inspection。Inthefirstplaceshedidnotunderstandit，andinthesecondhermindwasallfeelers，andamputationwasdeath。Shecouldnomoreanalyseafeelingthandoubtitsexistence，bothwhichwerehabitsofhersister。
HowwasSybiltoknowwhatwaspassinginCarrington\'smind？
Hewasthinkingofnothinginwhichshesupposedherselfinterested。Hewastroubledwithmemoriesofcivilwarandofassociationsstillearlier，belongingtoanagealreadyvanishingorvanished；butwhatcouldsheknowaboutcivilwarwhohadbeenalmostaninfantatthetime？Atthismoment，shehappenedtobeinterestedinthebaffleofWaterloo，forshewasreading“VanityFair，“andhadcriedassheoughtforpoorlittleEmmy，whenherhusband，GeorgeOsborne，laydeadonthefieldthere，withabulletthroughhisheart。Buthowwasshetoknowthathere，onlyafewrodsbeforeher，layscoresandhundredsofGeorgeOsbornes，orhisbetters，andintheirgravestheloveandhopeofmanyEmmys，notcreaturesoftheimagination，butfleshandblood，likeherself？
Toher，therewasnomoreinthoseassociationswhichmadeCarringtongroaninthesilenceofhisthoughts，thanifhehadbeenoldKaspar，andshethelittleWilhelmine。Whatwasaskullmoreorlesstoher？Whatconcernhadsheinthefamousvictory？
YetevenSybilwasstartledassherodethroughthegateandfoundherselfsuddenlymetbythelongwhiteranksofhead-stones，stretchingupanddownthehill-sidesbythousands，inorderofbaffle；asthoughCadmushadreversedhismyth，andhadsownlivingmen，tocomeupdragons\'teeth。Shedrewinherhorsewithashiverandasuddenimpulsetocry。Herewassomethingnewtoher。Thiswaswar——wounds，disease，death。ShedroppedhervoiceandwithalookalmostasseriousasCarrington\'s，askedwhatallthesegravesmeant。WhenCarringtontoldher，shebeganforthefirsttimetocatchsomedimnotionwhyhisfacewasnotquiteasgayasherown。Evennowthisideawasnotveryprecise，forhesaidlittleabouthimself，butatleastshegrappledwiththefactthathehadactually，yearafteryear，carriedarmsagainstthesemenwholayatherfeetandwhohadgiventheirlivesforhercause。Itsuddenlyoccurredtoherasanewthoughtthatperhapshehimselfmighthavekilledoneofthemwithhisownhand。Therewasastrangeshockinthisidea。ShefeltthatCarringtonwasfurtherfromher。Hegaineddignityinhisrebelisolation。Shewantedtoaskhimhowhecouldhavebeenatraitor，andshedidnotdare。
Carringtonatraitor！
Carringtonkillingherfriends！Theideawastoolargetograsp。Shefellbackonthesimplertaskofwonderinghowhehadlookedinhisrebeluniform。
Theyrodeslowlyroundtothedoorofthehouseanddismounted，afterhehadwithsomedifficultyfoundamantoholdtheirhorses。
Fromtheheavybrickporchtheylookedacrossthesuperbrivertotherawandincoherentuglinessofthecity，idealisedintodreamybeautybytheatmosphere，andthesoftbackgroundofpurplehillsbehind。Oppositethem，withitscrude“thussaiththelaw“stampedonwhitedomeandfortress-likewalls，rosetheCapitol。
Carringtonstoodwithherashorttimewhiletheylookedattheview；thensaidhewouldrathernotgointothehousehimself，andsatdownonthestepswhileshestrolledalonethroughtherooms。
Thesewerebareandgaunt，sothatshe，withherfemininesenseoffitness，ofcourseconsideredwhatshewoulddotomakethemhabitable。Shehadaneatfancyforfurniture，anddistributedhertonesandhalftonesandbitsofcolourfreelyaboutthewallsandceilings，withahigh-backedchairhere，aspindle-leggedsofathere，andaclaw-footedtableinthecentre，untilhereyewascaughtbyaverydirtydealdesk，onwhichstoodanopenbook，withaninkstandandsomepens。Ontheleafshereadthelastentry：“EliM。Growandlady，ThermopyleCentre。“Noteventhegravesoutsidehadbroughtthehorrorsofwarsonear。
Whatascourgeitwas！Thisrespectablefamilyturnedoutofsuchalovelyhouse，andalltheprettyoldfurnituresweptawaybeforeahordeofcoarseinvaders“withladies。“DidthehostsofAttilawritetheirnamesonvisitingbooksinthetempleofVestaandthehouseofSallust？WhatanewterrortheywouldhaveaddedtothenameofthescourgeofGod！SybilreturnedtotheporticoandsatdownbyCarringtononthesteps。
“Howawfullysaditis！”saidshe；“IsupposethehousewasprettilyfurnishedwhentheLeeslivedhere？Didyoueverseeitthen？”
Sybilwasnotveryprofound，butshehadsympathy，andatthismomentCarringtonfeltsorelyinneedofcomfort。Hewantedsomeonetosharehisfeelings，andheturnedtowardsherhungryforcompanionship。
“TheLeeswereoldfamilyfriendsofmine，“saidhe。“IusedtostayherewhenIwasaboy，evenaslateasthespringof1861。ThelasttimeIsathere，itwaswiththem。Wewerewildaboutdisunionandtalkedofnothingelse。Ihavebeentryingtorecallwhatwassaidthen。Weneverthoughttherewouldbewar，andasforcoercion，itwasnonsense。Coercion，indeed！
Theideawasridiculous。Ithoughtso，too，thoughIwasaUnionmananddidnotwanttheStatetogoout。ButthoughIfeltsurethatVirginiamustsuffer，Ineverthoughtwecouldbebeaten。YetnowIamsittinghereapardonedrebel，andthepoorLeesaredrivenawayandtheirplaceisagrave-yard。“
SybilbecameatonceabsorbedintheLeesandaskedmanyquestions，allwhichCarringtongladlyanswered。HetoldherhowhehadadmiredandfollowedGeneralLeethroughthewar。“WethoughthewastobeourWashington，youknow；andperhapshehadsomesuchideahimself；“andthen，whenSybilwantedtohearaboutthebafflesandthefighting，hedrewaroughmaponthegravelpathtoshowherhowthetwolineshadrun，onlyafewmilesaway；thenhetoldherhowhehadcarriedhismusketdayafterdayoverallthiscountry，andwherehehadseenhisbattles。
Sybilhadeverythingtolearn；thestorycametoherwithalltheanimationofreallife，forhereunderhereyeswerethegravesofherownchampions，andbyhersidewasarebelwhohadstoodunderourfireatMalvernHillandatSouthMountain，andwhowastellingherhowmenlookedandwhattheythoughtinfaceofdeath。Shelistenedwithbreathlessinterest，andatlastsummonedcouragetoaskinanawestrucktonewhetherCarringtonhadeverkilledanyonehimself。Shewasrelieved，althoughalittledisappointed，whenhesaidthathebelievednot；hehopednot；
thoughnoprivatewhohasdischargedamusketinbafflecanbequitesurewherethebulletwent。“Inevertriedtokillanyone，“
saidhe，“thoughtheytriedtokillmeincessantly。“ThenSybilbeggedtoknowhowtheyhadtriedtokillhim，andhetoldheroneortwoofthoseexperiences，suchasmostsoldiershavehad，whenhehadbeenfireduponandtheballshadtornhisclothesordrawnblood。PoorSybilwasquiteovercome，andfoundadeadlyfascinationinthehorror。Astheysattogetheronthestepswiththegloriousviewspreadbeforethem，herattentionwassocloselyfixedonhisstorythatshesawneithertheviewnoreventhecarriagesoftouristswhodroveup，lookedabout，anddeparted，envyingCarringtonhisoccupationwiththelovelygirl。
ShewasinimaginationrushingwithhimdownthevalleyofVirginiaontheheelsofourflyingarmy，orgloomilytoilingbacktothePotomacafterthebloodydaysatGettysburg，orwatchingthelastgranddebacleontheroadfromRichmondtoAppomattox。
TheywouldhavesattheretillsunsetifCarringtonhadnotatlengthinsistedthattheymustgo，andthensheroseslowlywithadeepsighandundisguisedregret。
Astheyrodeaway，Carrington，whosethoughtswerenotdevotedtohiscompanionsoentirelyastheyshouldhavebeen，venturedtosaythathewishedhersisterhadcomewiththem，buthefoundthathishintwasnotwellreceived。
Sybilemphaticallyrejectedtheidea：“I\'mverygladshedidn\'tcome。Ifshehad，youwouldhavetalkedwithherallthetime，andIshouldhavebeenlefttoamusemyself。Youwouldhavebeendiscussingthings，andIhatediscussions。Shewouldhavebeenhuntingforfirstprinciples，andyouwouldhavebeenrunningabout，tryingtocatchsomeforher。Besides，sheiscomingherselfsomeSundaywiththattiresomeMr。Ratcliffe。Idon\'tseewhatshefindsinthatmantoamuseher。HertasteisgettingtobedemoralisedinWashington。Doyouknow，Mr。Carrington，I\'mnotcleverorserious，likeMadeleine，andIcan\'treadlaws，andhatepolitics，butI\'vemorecommonsensethanshehas，andshemakesmecrosswithher。Iunderstandnowwhyyoungwidowsaredangerous，andwhythey\'rebumedattheirhusband\'sfuneralsinIndia。NotthatIwanttohaveMadeleineburned，forshe\'sadear，goodcreature，andIloveherbetterthananythingintheworld；butshewillcertainlydoherselfsomedreadfulmischiefoneofthesedays；shehasthemostextravagantnotionsaboutself-sacrificeandduty；ifshehadn\'tluckilythoughtoftakingchargeofme，shewouldhavedonesomeawfulthinglongago，andifIcouldonlybealittlewicked，shewouldbequitehappyalltherestofherlifeinreformingme；butnowshehasgotholdofthatMr。Ratcliffe，andheistryingtomakeherthinkshecanreformhim，andifhedoes，it\'sallupwithus。Madeleinewilljustgoandbreakherheartoverthatodious，great，coarsebrute，whoonlywantshermoney。“
SybildeliveredthislittleorationwithadegreeofenergythatwenttoCarrington\'sheart。Shedidnotoftenmakesuchsustainedefforts，anditwasclearthatonthissubjectshehadexhaustedherwholemind。Carringtonwasdelighted，andurgedheron。“IdislikeMr。Ratcliffeasmuchasyoudo；——moreperhaps。Sodoeseveryonewhoknowsmuchabouthim。Butweshallonlymakethematterworseifweinterfere。Whatcanwedo？”
“ThatisjustwhatItelleverybody，“resumedSybil。“ThereisVictoriaDarealwaystellingmeIoughttodosomething；andMr。
Schneidekoupontoo；justasthoughIcoulddoanything。
Madeleinehasdonenothingbutgetintomischiefhere。Halfthepeoplethinkherworldlyandambitious。Onlylastnightthatspitefuloldwoman，Mrs。Clinton，saidtome：\'YoursisterisquitespoiledbyWashington。SheismorewildforpowerthananyhumanbeingIeversaw。\'Iwasdreadfullyangryandtoldhershewasquitemistaken——Madeleinewasnottheleastspoiled。ButI
couldn\'tsaythatshewasnotfondofpower，forsheis；butnotinthewayMrs。Clintonmeant。
YoushouldhaveseenhertheothereveningwhenMr。Ratcliffesaidaboutsomematterofpublicbusinessthathewoulddowhatevershethoughtright；shespokeupquitesharplyforher，withascornfullittlelaugh，andsaidthathehadbetterdowhathethoughtright。Helookedforamomentalmostangry，andmutteredsomethingaboutwomen\'sbeingincomprehensible。Heisalwaystryingtotemptherwithpower。Shemighthavehadlongagoallthepowerhecouldgiveher，butIcansee，andheseestoo，thatshealwayskeepshimatarm\'slength。Hedoesn\'tlikeit，butheexpectsoneofthesedaystofindabribethatwillanswer。IwishwehadnevercometoWashington。NewYorkissomuchnicerandthepeopletherearemuchmoreamusing；theydanceeversomuchbetterandsendoneflowersallthetime，andthentheynevertalkaboutfirstprinciples。Maudehadherhospitalsandpaupersandtrainingschool，andgotalongverywell。Itwassosafe。ButwhenI
saysotoher，sheonlysmilesinapatronisingkindofway，andtellsmethatIshallhaveasmuchofNewportasIwant；justasthoughIwereachild，andnotawomanoftwenty-five。PoorMaude！Ican\'tstaywithherifshemarriesMr。Ratcliffe，anditwouldbreakmyhearttoleaveherwiththatman。Doyouthinkhewouldbeather？Doeshedrink？Iwouldalmostratherbebeatenalittle，ifIcaredforaman，thanbetakenouttoPeonia。Oh，Mr。
Carrington！youareouronlyhope。Shewilllistentoyou。
Don\'tlethermarrythatdreadfulpolitician。“
Toallthispatheticappeal，somepartsofwhichwereaslifflecalculatedtopleaseCarringtonasRatcliffehimself，CarringtonansweredthathewasreadytodoallinhispowerbutthatSybilmusttellhimwhenandhowtoact。
“Then，it\'sabargain，“saidshe；“wheneverIwantyou，Ishallcallonyouforhelp，andyoushallpreventthemarriage。“
“Allianceoffensiveanddefensive，“saidhe，laughing；“wartotheknifeonRatcliffe。Wewillhavehisscalpifnecessary，butIratherthinkhewillsooncommithari-karihimselfifweleavehimalone。“
“MadeleinewilllikehimallthebetterifhedoesanythingJapanese，“
repliedSybil，withgreatseriousness；“IwishtherewasmoreJapanesebric-à-brachere，oranykindofoldpotsandpanstotalkabout。Alittleartwouldbegoodforher。Whatastrangeplacethisis，andhowpeopledostandontheirheadsinit！Nobodythinkslikeanyoneelse。VictoriaDaresayssheistryingonprinciplenottobegood，becauseshewantstokeepsomenewexcitementsforthenextworld。I\'msureshepracticesasshepreaches。DidyouseeheratMrs。Clinton\'slastnight。Shebehavedmoreoutrageouslythanever。Shesatonthestairsallthroughsupper，lookinglikeademureyellowcatwithtwobouquetsinherpaws——andIknowLordDunbegsentoneofthem；——andsheactuallyletMr。Frenchfeedherwithice-creamfromaspoon。ShesaysshewasshowingLordDunbegaphase，andthatheisgoingtoputitintohisarticleonAmericanMannersandCustomsintheQuarterly，butIdon\'tthinkit\'snice，doyou，Mr。Carrington？IwishMadeleinehadhertotakecareof。Shewouldhaveenoughtodothen，Icantellher。“
Andso，gentlyprattling，MissSybilreturnedtothecity，heralliancewithCarringtoncompleted；anditwasasingularfactthatsheneveragaincalledhimdull。Therewashenceforwardalookofmorepositivepleasureandcordialityonherfacewhenhemadehisappearancewherevershemightbe；andthenexttimehesuggestedahorsebackexcursionsheinstantlyagreedtogo，althoughawarethatshehadpromisedayoungergentlemanofthediplomaticbodytobeathomethatsameafternoon，andthegoodfellowsworepolyglotoathsonbeingturnedawayfromherdoor。
Mr。Ratcliffeknewnothingofthisconspiracyagainsthispeaceandprospects。Evenifhehadknownit，hemightonlyhavelaughed，andpursuedhisownpathwithoutasecondthought。YetitwascertainthathedidnotthinkCarrington\'senmityathingtobeoverlooked，andfromthemomentofhisobtainingacluetoitscause，hehadbeguntotakeprecautionsagainstit。EveninthemiddleofthecontestfortheTreasury，hehadfoundtimetolistentoMr。WilsonKeensreportontheaffairsofthelateSamuelBaker。
Mr。KeencametohimwithacopyofBaker\'swillandwithmemorandaofremarksmadebytheunsuspectingMrs。Baker；
“fromwhichitappears，“saidhe，“thatBaker，havingnotimetoputhisaffairsinorder，leftspecialdirectionsthathisexecutorsshouldcarefullydestroyallpapersthatmightbelikelytocompromiseindividuals。“
“Whatistheexecutor\'sname？”interruptedRatcliffe。
“Theexecutor\'snameis——JohnCarrington，“saidKeen，methodicallyreferringtohiscopyofthewill。
Ratcliffe\'sfacewasimpassive，buttheinevitable，“Iknewit，“
almostsprangtohislips。Hewasratherpleasedattheinstinctwhichhadledhimsodirectlytotherighttrail。
KeenwentontosaythatfromMrs。Baker\'sconversationitwascertainthatthetestator\'sdirectionshadbeencarriedout，andthatthegreatbulkofthesepapershadbeenburned。
“Thenitwillbeuselesstopresstheinquiryfurther，“saidRatcliffe；
“Iammuchobligedtoyouforyourassistance，“andheturnedtheconversationtotheconditionofMr。Keen\'sbureauintheTreasurydepartment。
ThenexttimeRatcliffesawMrs。Lee，afterhisappointmenttotheTreasurywasconfirmed，heaskedherwhethershedidnotthinkCarringtonverywellsuitedforpublicservice，andwhenshewarmlyassented，hesaidithadoccurredtohimtooffertheplaceofSolicitoroftheTreasurytoMr。
Carrington，foralthoughtheactualsalarymightnotbeverymuchmorethanheearnedbyhisprivatepractice，theincidentaladvantagestoaWashingtonlawyerwereconsiderable；andtotheSecretaryitwasespeciallynecessarytohaveasolicitorinwhomhecouldplaceentireconfidence。Mrs。LeewaspleasedbythismotionofRatcliffe\'s，themorebecauseshehadsupposedthatRatcliffehadnolikingforCarrington。ShedoubtedwhetherCarringtonwouldaccepttheplace，butshehopedthatitmightmodifyhisdislikeforRatcliffe，andsheagreedtosoundhimonthesubject。TherewassomethingalittlecompromisinginthusallowingherselftoappearasthedispenserofMr。Ratcliffe\'spatronage，butshedismissedthisobjectiononthegroundthatCarrington\'sinterestswereinvolved，andthatitwasforhimtojudgewhetherheshouldtaketheplaceornot。Perhapstheworldwouldnotbesocharitableiftheappointmentweremade。Whatthen？Mrs。Leeaskedherselfthequestionanddidnotfeelquiteatease。
SofarasCarringtonwasconcerned，shemighthavedismissedherdoubts。
Therewasnotachanceofhistakingtheplace，asverysoonappeared。Whenshespoketohimonthesubject，andrepeatedwhatRatcliffehadsaid，hisfaceflushed，andhesatforsomemomentsinsilence。Heneverthoughtveryrapidly，butnowtheideasseemedtocomesofastastobewilderhismind。
Thesituationflashedbeforehiseyeslikeelectricsparks。HisfirstimpressionwasthatRatcliffewantedtobuyhim；totiehistongue；
tomakehimrun，likeafasteneddog，underthewaggonoftheSecretaryoftheTreasury。HissecondnotionwasthatRatcliffewantedtoputMrs。Leeunderobligations，inordertowinherregard；and，again，thathewantedtoraisehimselfinheresteembyposingasafriendofhonestadministrationandunassistedvirtue。
Thensuddenlyitoccurredtohimthattheschemewastomakehimappearjealousandvindictive；toputhiminanattitudewhereanyreasonhemightgivefordecliningwouldbearalookofmeanness，andtendtoseparatehimfromMrs。Lee。Carringtonwassoabsorbedbythesethoughts，andhismindworkedsoslowly，thathefailedtohearoneortworemarksaddressedtohimbyMrs。Lee，whobecamealittlealarmed，undertheimpressionthathewasunexpectedlyparalyzed。
Whenatlengthheheardherandattemptedtoframeananswer，hisembarrassmentincreased。Hecouldonlystammerthathewassorrytobeobligedtodecline，butthisofficewasonehecouldnotundertake。
IfMadeleinefeltalittlerelievedbythisdecision，shedidnotshowit。
FromhermanneronemighthavesupposedittobeherfondestwishthatCarringtonshouldbeSolicitoroftheTreasury。Shecross-questionedhimwithobstinacy。Wasnottheofferagoodone？——andhewasobligedtoconfessthatitwas。Werethedutiessuchashecouldnotperform？Notatall！therewasnothinginthedutieswhichalarmedhim。Didheobjecttoitbecauseofhissouthernprejudicesagainsttheadministration？Oh，no！hehadnopoliticalfeelingtostandinhisway。What，then，couldbehisreasonforrefusing？
Carringtonresortedagaintosilence，untilMrs。Lee，alittleimpatiently，askedwhetheritwaspossiblethathispersonaldisliketoRacliffecouldblindhimsofarastomakehimrejectsofairaproposal。Carrington，findinghimselfmoreandmoreuncomfortable，roserestlesslyfromhischairandpacedtheroom。
HefeltthatRatclifehadfairlyout-generaledhim，andhewasathiswits\'endtoknowwhatcardhecouldplaythatwouldnotleaddirectlyintoRatcliffe\'strumpsuit。Torefusesuchanofferwashardenoughatbest，foramanwhowantedmoneyandprofessionaladvancementashedid，buttoinjurehimselfandhelpRatcliffebythisrefusal，wasabominablyhard。Nevertheless，hewasobligedtoadmitthathewouldrathernottakeapositionsodirectlyunderRatcliffe\'scontrol。Madeleinesaidnomore，buthethoughtshelookedannoyed，andhefelthimselfinanintolerablypainfulsituation。Hewasnotcertainthatsheherselfmightnothavehadsomeshareinproposingtheplan，andthathisrefusalmightnothavesomemortifyingconsequencesforher。Whatmustshethinkofhim，then？
AtthisverymomenthewouldhavegivenhisrightarmforawordofrealaffectionfromMrs。Lee。Headoredher。Hewouldwillinglyenoughhavedamnedhimselfforher。Therewasnosacrificehewouldnothavemadetobringhernearertohim。Inhisupright，quiet，simplekindofway，heimmolatedhimselfbeforeher。Formonthshishearthadachedwiththishopelesspassion。Herecognizedthatitwashopeless。Heknewthatshewouldneverlovehim，and，todoherjustice，sheneverhadgivenhimreasontosupposethatitwasinherpowertolovehim，ranyman。Andherehestood，obligedtoappearungratefulandprejudiced，meanandvindictive，inhereyes。Hetookhisseatagain，lookingsounutterablydejected，hispatientfacesotragicallymournful，thatMadeleine，afterawhile，begantoseetheabsurdsideofthematter，andpresentlyburstintoalaugh“Pleasedonotlooksofrightfullymiserable！”saidshe；“Ididnotmeantomakeyouunhappy。Afterall，whatdoesitmatter？Youhaveaperfectrighttorefuse，and，formypart，Ihavenottheleastwishtoseeyouaccept。“
Onthis，Carringtonbrightened，anddeclaredthatifshethoughthimrightindeclining，hecaredfornothingelse。Itwasonlytheideaofhurtingherfeelingsthatweighedonhismind。Butinsayingthis，hespokeinatonethatimpliedadeeperfeeling，andmadeMrs。Leeagainlookgraveandsigh。
“Ah，Mr。Carrington，“shesaid，“thisworldwillnotrunaswewant。Doyousupposethetimewillevercomewheneveryonewillbegoodandhappyanddojustwhattheyought？Ithoughtthisoffermightpossiblytakeoneanxietyoffyourshoulders。IamsorrynowthatIletmyselfbeledintomakingit。“
Carringtoncouldnotanswerher。Hedarednottrusthisvoice。Herosetogo，andassheheldoutherhand，hesuddenlyraisedittohislips，andsolefther。Shesatforamomentwithtearsinhereyesafterhewasgone。Shethoughtsheknewallthatwasinhismind，andwithawoman\'sreadinesstoexplaineveryactofmenbytheirconsumingpassionsforherownsex，shetookitasamatterofcoursethatjealousywasthewholecauseofCarrington\'shostilitytoRatcliffe，andshepardoneditwithcharmingalacrity。“Tenyearsago，Icouldhavelovedhim，“shethoughttoherself，andthen，whileshewashalfsmilingattheidea，suddenlyanotherthoughtflasheduponher，andshethrewherhandupbeforeherfaceasthoughsomeonehadstruckherablow。Carringtonhadreopenedtheoldwound。
WhenRatcliffecametoseeheragain，whichhedidveryshortlyafterwards，gladofsogoodanexcuse，shetoldhimofCarrington\'srefusal，addingonlythatheseemedunwillingtoacceptanypositionthathadapoliticalcharacter。Ratcliffeshowednosignofdispleasure；heonlysaid，inabenignanttone，thathewassorrytobeunabletodosomethingforsogoodafriendofhers；thusestablishing，atallevents，hisclaimonhergratitude。AsforCarrington，theofferwhichRatcliffehadmadewasnotintendedtobeaccepted，andCarringtoncouldnothavemoreembarrassedthesecretarythanbyclosingwithit。Ratcliffe\'sobjecthadbeentosettleforhisownsatisfactionthequestionofCarrington\'shostility，forheknewthemanwellenoughtofeelsurethatinanyeventhewouldactaperfectlystraightforwardpart。Ifheaccepted，hewouldatleastbetruetohischief。Ifherefused，asRatcliffeexpected，itwouldbeaproofthatsomemeansmustbefoundofgettinghimoutoftheway。InanycasetheofferwasanewthreadinthenetthatMr。RatcliffeflatteredhimselfhewasrapidlywindingabouttheaffectionsandambitionsofMrs。Lee。YethehadreasonsofhisownforthinkingthatCarrington，moreeasilythananyotherman，couldcutthemeshesofthisnetifhechosetodoso，andthereforethatitwouldbewisertopostponeactionuntilCarringtonweredisposedof。
Withoutamoment\'sdelayhemadeinquiriesastoallthevacantoreligibleofficesinthegiftofthegovernmentoutsidehisowndepartment。Veryfewofthesewouldanswerhispurpose。Hewantedsometemporarylawbusinessthatwouldforatimetakeitsholderawaytoadistance，saytoAustraliaorCentralAsia，thefurtherthebetter；itmustbehighlypaid，anditmustbegiveninsuchawayasnottoexcitesuspicionthatRatcliffewasconcernedinthematter。Suchanofficewasnoteasilyfound。ThereislittlelawbusinessinCentralAsia，andatthismomenttherewasnotenoughtorequireaspecialagentinAustralia。CarringtoncouldhardlybeinducedtoleadanexpeditiontothesourcesoftheNileinsearchofbusinessmerelytopleaseMr。Ratcliffe，norcouldtheStateDepartmentofferencouragementtoahopethatgovernmentwouldpaytheexpensesofsuchanexpedition。ThebestthatRatcliffecoulddowastoselecttheplaceofcounseltotheMexicanclaims-commissionwhichwassoontomeetinthecityofMexico，andwhichwouldrequireaboutsixmonths\'absence。Byalittlemanagementhecouldcontrivetogetthecounselsentawayinadvanceofthecommission，inordertoworkupapartofthecaseonthespot。RatcliffeacknowledgedthatMexicowastoonear，buthedrilyremarkedtohimselfthatifCarringtoncouldgetbackintimetodislodgehimafterhehadoncegotafirmholdonMrs。Lee，hewouldnevertrytorunanothercaucus。
Thepointoncesettledinhisownmind，Ratcliffe，withhisusualrapidityofaction，carriedhisschemeintoeffect。Inthistherewaslittledifficulty。HedroppedinattheofficeoftheSecretaryofStatewithineight-and-fortyhoursafterhislastconversationwithMrs。Lee。Duringtheseearlydaysofeverynewadministration，theabsorbingbusinessofgovernmentrelatesprincipallytoappointments。TheSecretaryoftheTreasurywasalwaysreadytoobligehiscolleaguesintheCabinetbytakingcareoftheirfriendstoanyreasonableextent。TheSecretaryofStatewasnotlesscourteous。ThemomentheunderstoodthatMr。RatcliffehadastrongwishtosecuretheappointmentofacertainpersonascounseltotheMexicanclaims-commission，theSecretaryofStateprofessedreadinesstogratifyhim，andwhenheheardwhotheproposedpersonwas，thesuggestionwashailedwithpleasure，forCarringtonwaswellknownandmuchlikedattheDepartment，andwasindeedanexcellentmanfortheplace。Ratcliffehardlyneededtopromiseanequivalent。Thebusinesswasarrangedintenminutes。
“Ionlyneedsay，“addedRatcliffe，“thatifmyagencyintheaffairisknown，Mr。Carringtonwillcertainlyrefusetheplace，forheisoneofyourold-fashionedVirginiaplanters，proudasLucifer，andwillingtoacceptnothingbywayoffavour。IwillspeaktoyourAssistantSecretaryaboutit，andtherecommendationshallappeartocomefromhim。“
TheverynextdayCarringtonreceivedaprivatenotefromhisoldfriend，theAssistantSecretaryofState，whowasoverjoyedtodohimakindness。
ThenoteaskedhimtocallattheDepartmentathisearliestconvenience。Hewent，andtheAssistantSecretaryannouncedthathehadrecommendedCarrington\'sappointmentascounseltotheMexicanclaims-commission，andthattheSecretaryhadapprovedtherecommendation。“WewantaSouthernman，alawyerwithalittleknowledgeofinternationallaw，onewhocangoatonce，and，aboveall，anhonestman。Youfitthedescriptiontoahair；sopackyourtrunkassoonasyoulike。“
Carringtonwasstartled。Comingasitdid，thisofferwasnotonlyunobjectionable，buttempting。Itwashardforhimeventoimagineareasonforhesitation。Fromthefirsthefeltthathemustgo，andyettogowastheverylastthinghewantedtodo。ThatheshouldsuspectRatcliffetobeatthebottomofthisschemeofbanishmentwasamatterofcourse，andheinstantlyaskedwhetheranyinfluencehadbeenusedinhisfavour；buttheAssistantSecretarysostoutlyaverredthattheappointmentwasmadeonhisrecommendationalone，astoblockallfurtherinquiry。Technicallythisassertionwasexact，anditmadeCarringtonfeelthatitwouldbebaseingratitudeonhispartnottoacceptafavoursohandsomelyoffered。
Yethecouldnotmakeuphismindtoacceptance。Hebeggedfourandtwentyhours\'delay，inorder，ashesaid，toseewhetherhecouldarrangehisaffairsforasixmonths\'absence，althoughheknewtherewouldbenodifficultyinhisdoingso。Hewentawayandsatinhisofficealone，gloomilywonderingwhathecoulddo，althoughfromthefirsthesawthatthesituationwasonlytooclear，andtherecouldnotbetheleastdarkcornerofadoubttocrawlinto。Sixmonthsagohewouldhavejumpedatthisoffer。
Whathadhappenedwithinsixmonthstomakeitseemadisaster？
Mrs。Lee！Therewasthewholestory。TogoawaynowwastogiveupMrs。Lee，andprobablytogiveheruptoRatcliffe。CarringtongnashedhisteethwhenhethoughthowskilfullyRatcliffewasplayinghiscards。Thelongerhereflected，themorecertainhefeltthatRatcliffewasatthebottomofthisschemetogetridofhim；
andyet，ashestudiedthesituation，itoccurredtohimthatafterallitwaspossibleforRatcliffetomakeablunder。ThisIllinoispoliticianwasclever，andunderstoodmen；butaknowledgeofmenisaverydifferentthingfromaknowledgeofwomen。
Carringtonhimselfhadnogreatexperienceinthearticleofwomen，buthethoughtheknewmorethanRatcliffe，whowasevidentlyrelyingmostonhisusualtheoryofpoliticalcorruptionasappliedtofeminineweaknesses，andwhowasonlypuzzledatfindinghowhighapriceMrs。Leesetonherself。IfRatcliffewerereallyatthebottomoftheschemeforseparatingCarringtonfromher，itcouldonlybebecausehethoughtthatsixmonths，orevensixweeks，wouldbeenoughtoanswerhispurpose。Andonreachingthispointinhisreflections，Carringtonsuddenlyrose，litacigar，andwalkedupanddownhisroomsteadilyforthenexthour，withtheairofageneralarrangingaplanofcampaign，oralawyeranticipatinghisopponent\'slineofargument。
Ononepointhismindwasmadeup。Hewouldaccept。IfRatcliffereallyhadahandinthismove，heshouldbegratified。Ifhehadlaidatrap，heshouldbecaughtinit。Andwhentheeveningcame，CarringtontookhishatandwalkedofftocalluponMrs。Lee。
Hefoundthesistersaloneandquietlyengagedintheiroccupations。
Madeleinewasdramaticallymendinganopen-worksilkstocking，adelicateanddifficulttaskwhichrequiredherwholemind。Sybilwasatthepianoasusual，andforthefirsttimesincehehadknownher，sherosewhenhecamein，and，takingherwork-basket，satdowntoshareintheconversation。Shemeanttotakeherplaceasawoman，henceforward。Shewastiredofplayinggirl。Mr。
Carringtonshouldseethatshewasnotafool。
Carringtonplungedatonceintohissubject，andannouncedtheoffermadetohim，atwhichMadeleineexpresseddelight，andaskedmanyquestions。Whatwasthepay？Howsoonmusthego？
Howlongshouldhebeaway？Wastheredangerfromtheclimate？
andfinallysheadded，withasmile，“WhatamItosaytoMr。
Ratcliffeifyouacceptthisofferafterrefusinghis？”AsforSybil，shemadeonereproachfulexclamation：“Oh，Mr。Carrington！”andsankbackintosilenceandconsternation。Herfirstexperimentattakingastandofherownintheworldwasnotencouraging。Shefeltbetrayed。
NorwasCarringtongay。Howevermodestamanmaybe，onlyanidiotcanforgethimselfentirelyinpursuingthemoonandthestars。Inthebottomofhissoul，hehadalingeringhopethatwhenhetoldhisstory，Madeleinemightlookupwithachangeofexpression，aglanceofunpremeditatedregard，alittlesuffusionoftheeyes，alittletremblingofthevoice。ToseehimselfrelegatedtoMexicowithsuchcheerfulalacritybythewomanhelovedwasnottheexperiencehewouldhavechosen。Hecouldnothelpfeelingthathishopesweredisposedof，andhewatchedherwithapainfulsinkingoftheheart，whichdidnotleadtolightnessofconversation。Madeleineherselffeltthatherexpressionsneededtobequalified，andshetriedtocorrecthermistake。Whatshouldshedowithoutatutor？shesaid。Hemustletherhavealistofbookstoreadwhilehewasaway：theywerethemselvesgoingnorthinthemiddleofMay，andCarringtonwouldbebackbythetimetheyreturnedinDecember。Afterall，theyshouldseeaslittleofhimduringthesummerifhewereinVirginiaasifhewereinMexico。
Carringtongloomilyconfessedthathewasveryunwillingtogo；
thathewishedtheideahadneverbeensuggested；thatheshouldbeperfectlyhappyifforanyreasontheschemebrokedown；buthegavenoexplanationofhisfeeling，andMadeleinehadtoomuchtacttopressforone。Shecontentedherselfbyarguingagainstit，andtalkingasvivaciouslyasshecould。Herheartreallybledforhimasshesawhisfacegrowmoreandmorepatheticinitsquietexpressionofdisappointment。Butwhatcouldshesayordo？Hesattillafterteno\'clock；hecouldnottearhimselfaway。Hefeltthatthiswastheendofhispleasureinlife；hedreadedthesolitudeofhisthoughts。Mrs。Lee\'sresourcesbegantoshowsignsofexhaustion。Longpausesintervenedbetweenherremarks；andatlengthCarrington，withasuperhumaneffort，apologizedforinflictinghimselfuponhersounmercifully。Ifsheknew，hesaid，howhedreadedbeingalone，shewouldforgivehim。Thenherosetogo，and，intakingleave，askedSybilifshewasinclinedtoridethenextday；ifso，hewasatherservice。Sybil\'sfacebrightenedassheacceptedtheinvitation。
Mrs。Lee，adayortwoafterwards，didmentionCarrington\'sappointmenttoMr。Ratcliffe，andshetoldCarringtonthattheSecretarycertainlylookedhurtandmortified，butshoweditonlybyalmostinstantlychangingthesubject。
ChapterX
THEnextmorningCarringtoncalledattheDepartmentandannouncedhisacceptanceofthepost。Hewastoldthathisinstructionswouldbereadyinaboutafortnight，andthathewouldbeexpectedtostartassoonashereceivedthem；inthemeanwhile，hemustdevotehimselftothestudyofamassofpapersintheDepartment。Therewasnotriflingallowablehere。
Carringtonhadtosethimselfvigorouslytowork。Thisdidnot，however，preventhimfromkeepinghisappointmentwithSybil，andatfouro\'clocktheystartedtogether，passingoutintothequietshadowsofRockCreek，andseekingstilllanesthroughthewoodswheretheirhorseswalkedsidebyside，andtheythemselvescouldtalkwithouttheriskofcriticismfromcuriouseyes。Itwastheafternoonofoneofthosesultryandloweringspringdayswhenlifegerminatesrapidly，butasyetgivesnosign，exceptperhapssomenewleaforflowerpushingitssoftheadupagainstthedeadleavesthathaveshelteredit。Thetworidershadsomethingofthesamesensation，asthoughtheleaflesswoodsandthelaurelthickets，thewarm，moistairandthelowclouds，wereaprotectionandasoftshelter。SomewhattoCarrington\'ssurprise，hefoundthatitwaspleasanttohaveSybil\'scompany。Hefelttowardsherastoasister——afavouritesister。
Sheatonceattackedhimforabandoningherandbreakinghistreatysolatelymade，andhetriedtogainhersympathybysayingthatifsheknewhowmuchhewastroubled，shewouldforgivehim。ThenwhenSybilaskedwhetherhereallymustgoandleaveherwithoutanyfriendwhomshecouldspeakto，hisfeelingsgotthebetterofhim：hecouldnotresistthetemptationtoconfideallhistroublesinher，sincetherewasnooneelseinwhomhecouldconfide。Hetoldherplainlythathewasinlovewithhersister。
“Yousaythatloveisnonsense，MissRoss。Itellyouitisnosuchthing。
Forweeksandmonthsitisasteadyphysicalpain，anacheabouttheheart，neverleavingone，bynightorbyday；alongstrainonone\'snervesliketoothacheorrheumatism，notintolerableatanyoneinstant，butexhaustingbyitssteadydrainonthestrength。Itisadiseasetobebornewithpatience，likeanyothernervouscomplaint，andtobetreatedwithcounter-irritants。MytriptoMexicowillbegoodforit，butthatisnotthereasonwhyImustgo。“
Thenhetoldherallhisprivatecircumstances；theruinwhichthewarhadbroughtonhimandhisfamily；how，ofhistwobrothers，onehadsurvivedthewaronlytodieathome，amerewreckofdisease，privation，andwounds；theotherhadbeenshotbyhisside，andbledslowlytodeathinhisarmsduringtheawfulcarnageintheWilderness；howhismotherandtwosisterswerestrugglingforabaresubsistenceonawretchedVirginianfarm，andhowallhisexertionsbarelykeptthemfrombeggary。
“Youhavenoconceptionofthepovertytowhichoursouthernwomenarereducedsincethewar，“saidhe；“theyaremanyofthemliterallywithoutclothesorbread。“ThefeeheshouldearnbygoingtoMexicowoulddoublehisincomethisyear。Couldherefuse？Hadhearighttorefuse？AndpoorCarringtonadded，withagroan，thatifhealonewereinquestion，hewouldsoonerbeshotthango。
Sybillistenedwithtearsinhereyes。Sheneverbeforehadseenamanshowsuffering。Themiseryshehadknowninlifehadbeenmoreorlessveiledtoherandsoftenedbyfallingonolderandfriendlyshoulders。ShenowgotforthefirsttimeaclearviewofCarrington，apartfromthequietexteriorinwhichthemanwashidden。Shefeltquitesure，byasuddenflashoffeminineinspiration，thatthecuriouslookofpatientenduranceonhisfacewastheworkofasinglenightwhenhehadheldhisbrotherinhisarms，andknewthatthebloodwasdrainingdropbydropfromhisside，inthedense，tangledwoods，beyondthereachofhelp，hourafterhour，tillthevoicefailedandthelimbsgrewstiffandcold。
Whenhehadfinishedhisstory，shewasafraidtospeak。Shedidnotknowhowtoshowhersympathy，andshecouldnotbeartoseemunsympathetic。Inherembarrassmentshefairlybrokedownandcouldonlydryhereyesinsilence。
Havingoncegotthisweightofconfidenceoffhismind，Carringtonfeltcomparativelygayandwasreadytomakethebestofthings。Helaughedathimselftodriveawaythetearsofhisprettycompanion，andobligedhertotakeasolemnpledgenevertobetrayhim。“Ofcourseyoursisterknowsitall，“hesaid；“butshemustneverknowthatItoldyou，andIneverwouldtellanyonebutyou。“
Sybilpromisedfaithfullytokeephisconfidencetoherself，andshewentontodefendhersister。
“YoumustnotblameMadeleine，“saidshe；“ifyouknewaswellasIdowhatshehasbeenthrough，youwouldnotthinkhercold。Youdoknowhowsuddenlyherhusbanddied，afteronlyoneday\'sillness，andwhatanicefellowhewas。Shewasveryfondofhim，andhisdeathseemedtostunher。Wehardlyknewwhattomakeofit，shewassoquietandnatural。Thenjustaweeklaterherlittlechilddiedofdiphtheria，sufferinghorribly，andshewildwithdespairbecauseshecouldnotrelieveit。Afterthat，shewasalmostinsane；indeed，Ihavealwaysthoughtshewasquiteinsaneforatime。Iknowshewasexcessivelyviolentandwantedtokillherself，andIneverheardanyoneraveasshedidaboutreligionandresignationandGod。Afterafewweeksshebecamequietandstupidandwentaboutlikeamachine；andatlastshegotoverit，buthasneverbeenwhatshewasbefore。YouknowshewasaratherfastNewYorkgirlbeforeshemarried，andcarednomoreaboutpoliticsandphilanthropythanIdo。Itwasaverylatething，allthisstuff。Butsheisnotreallyhard，thoughshemayseemso。Itisallonthesurface。Ialwaysknowwhensheisthinkingaboutherhusbandorchild，becauseherfacegetsrigid；shelooksthenassheusedtolookafterherchilddied，asthoughshedidn\'tcarewhatbecameofherandshewouldjustaslievekillherselfasnot。Idon\'tthinkshewilleverletherselfloveanyoneagain。Shehasahorrorofit。Sheismuchmorelikelytogoinforambition，orduty，orself-sacrifice。“
Theyrodeonforawhileinsilence，CarringtonperplexedbytheproblemhowtwoharmlesspeoplesuchasMadeleineandhecouldhavebeenmadebyabeneficentProvidencethesportofsuchcrueltortures；andSybilequallyinterestedinthinkingwhatsortofabrother-in-lawCarringtonwouldmake；onthewhole，shethoughtshelikedhimbetterashewas。ThesilencewasonlybrokenbyCarrington\'sbringingtheconversationbacktoitsstarting-point：
“SomethingmustbedonetokeepyoursisteroutofRatcliffe\'spower。IhavethoughtaboutittillIamtired。Canyoumakenosuggestion？”
No！Sybilwashelplessanddreadfullyalarmed。Mr。Ratcliffecametothehouseasoftenashecould，andseemedtotellMadeleineeverythingthatwasgoingoninpolitics，andaskheradvice，andMadeleinedidnotdiscouragehim。“Idobelieveshelikesit，andthinksshecandosomegoodbyit。Idon\'tdarespeaktoheraboutit。Shethinksmeachildstill，andtreatsmeasthoughIwerefifteen。WhatcanIdo？”
CarringtonsaidhehadthoughtofspeakingtoMrs。Leehimself，buthedidnotknowwhattosay，andifheoffendedher，hemightdriveherdirectlyintoRatcliffe\'sarms。ButSybilthoughtshewouldnotbeoffendedifhewenttoworkintherightway。“Shewillstandmorefromyouthanfromanyoneelse。Tellheropenlythatyou——thatyouloveher，“saidSybilwithaburstofdesperatecourage；“shecan\'ttakeoffenceatthat；andthenyoucansayalmostanything。“
CarringtonlookedatSybilwithmoreadmirationthanhehadeverexpectedtofeelforher，andbegantothinkthathemightdoworsethantoputhimselfunderherorders。Afterall，shehadsomepracticalsense，andwhatwasmoretothepoint，shewashandsomerthanever，asshesaterectonherhorse，therichcolourrushingupunderthewarmskin，attheimproprietyofherspeech。
“Youarecertainlyright，“saidhe；“afterall，Ihavenothingtolose。
WhethershemarriesRatcliffeornot，shewillnevermarryme，I
suppose。“
ThisspeechwasacowardlyattempttobegencouragementfromSybil，andmetwiththefateitdeserved，forSybil，highlyflatteredatCarrington\'simpliedpraise，andboldasalionessnowthatitwasCarrington\'sfingers，andnotherown，thatweretogointothefire，gavehimonthespotafeminineviewofthesituationthatdidnotencouragehishopes。Sheplainlysaidthatmenseemedtotakeleaveoftheirsensesassoonaswomenwereconcerned；forherpart，shecouldnotunderstandwhattherewasinanywomantomakesuchafussabout；shethoughtmostwomenwerehorrid；
menwereeversomuchnicer；“andasforMadeleine，whomallofyouarereadytocuteachother\'sthroatsabout，she\'sadear，goodsister，asgoodasgold，andIloveherwithallmyheart，butyouwouldn\'tlikeher，anyofyou，ifyoumarriedher；shehasalwayshadherownway，andshecouldnothelptakingit；shenevercouldlearntotakeyours；bothofyouwouldbeunhappyinaweek；andasforthatoldMr。Ratcliffe，shewouldmakehislifeaburden——andIhopeshewill，“concludedSybilwithaspitefullittleexplosionofhatred。
CarringtoncouldnothelpbeingamusedbySybil\'swayofdealingwithaffairsoftheheart。Emboldenedbyencouragement，shewentontoattackhimpitilesslyforgoingdownonhiskneesbeforehersister，“justasthoughyouwerenotasgoodassheis，“andopenlyavowedthat，ifshewereaman，shewouldatleasthavesomepride。Menlikethiskindofpunishment。
Carringtondidnotattempttodefendhimself；heevencourtedSybil\'sattack。Theybothenjoyedtheirridethroughthebarewoods，bytheripplingspringstreams，underthelanguidbreathofthemoistsouthwind。Itwasasmallidyll，allthemorepleasantbecausetherewasgloombeforeandbehindit。Sybil\'sirrepressiblegaietymadeCarringtondoubtwhether，afterall，lifeneedbesoseriousamatter。Shehadanimalspiritsinplenty，anditneededaneffortforhertokeepthemdown，whileCarrington\'sspiritswerenearlyexhaustedaftertwentyyearsofstrain，andherequiredagreaterefforttoholdhimselfup。TherewaseveryreasonwhyheshouldbegratefultoSybilforlendingtohimfromhersuperfluity。
