Sybilsprangtoherfeetwithacry：“Andhaveyoutoldhimso？”
sheasked。
“No！youcameandinterruptedusjustaswewerespeaking。Iwasgladyoudidcome，foritgivesmealittletimetothink。ButIamdecidednow。Ishalltellhimto-morrow。“
Thiswasnotsaidwiththeairoronewnoseheartbeatwarmlyatthethoughtofconfessingherlove。Mrs。Leespokemechanically，andalmostwithaneffort。Sybilflungherselfwithallherenergyuponhersister；violentlyexcited，andeagertomakeherselfheard，withoutwaitingforarguments，shebrokeoutintoatorrentofentreaties：“Oh，don\'t，don\'t，don\'t！Oh，please，please，don\'t，mydearest，dearestMaude！unlessyouwanttobreakmyheart，don\'tmarrythatman！Youcan\'tlovehim！Youcanneverbehappywithhim！hewilltakeyouawaytoPeonia，andyouwilldiethere！I
shallneverseeyouagain！Hewillmakeyouunhappy；hewillbeatyou，Iknowhewill！Oh，ifyoucareformeatall，don\'tmarryhim！
Sendhimaway！don\'tseehimagain！letusgoourselves，now，inthemorningtrain，beforehecomesback。I\'mallready；I\'llpackeverythingforyou；we\'llgotoNewport；toEurope——anywhere，tobeoutofhisreach！”
Withthispassionateappeal，Sybilthrewherselfonherkneesbyhersister\'sside，and，claspingherarmsaroundMadeleine\'swaist，sobbedasthoughherheartwerealreadybroken。HadCarringtonseenherthenhemusthaveadmittedthatshehadcarriedouthisinstructionstotheletter。Shewasquitehonest，too，initall。Shemeantwhatshesaid，andhertearswererealtearsthathadbeenpentupforweeks。Unluckily，herlogicwasfeeble。HerideaofMr。
Ratcliffe\'scharacterwasvague，andbiasedbymeretheoriesofwhataPrairieGiantofPeoniashouldbeinhisdomesticrelations。
HerideaofPeonia，too，wasindistinct。Shewashauntedbyavisionofhersister，sittingonahorse-hairsofabeforeanair-tightironstoveinasmallroomwithhigh，barewhitewalls，achromolithographoneach，andathersideamarble-toppedtablesurmountedbyaglassvasecontainingfunerealdriedgrasses；theonlyliterature，FrankLeslie\'speriodicalandtheNewYorkLedger，withastrongsmellofcookingeverywhereprevalent。HereshesawMadeleinereceivingvisitors，thewivesofneighboursandconstituents，whotoldherthePeonianews。
Notwithstandingherignorantandunreasonableprejudiceagainstwesternmenandwomen，westerntownsandprairies，and，inshort，everythingwestern，downtowesternpoliticsandwesternpoliticians，whomsheperverselyassertedtobetuelowestotallwesternproducts，therewasstillsomecommonsenseinSybil\'sidea。WhenthatinevitablehourstruckforMr。
Ratcliffe，whichstrikessoonerorlaterforallpoliticians，andanungratefulcountrypermittedhimtopineamonghisfriendsinIllinois，whatdidheproposetodowithhiswife？Didheseriouslysupposethatshe，whowasboredtodeathbyNewYork，andhadbeenabletofindnopermanentpleasureinEurope，wouldlivequietlyintheromanticvillageofPeonia？Ifnot，didMr。Ratcliffeimaginethattheycouldfindhappinessintheenjoymentofeachother\'ssociety，andofMrs。Lee\'sincome，intheexcitementsofWashington？Intheardourofhispursuit，Mr。RatcliffehadacceptedinadvanceanyconditionswhichMrs。Leemightimpose，butifhereallyimaginedthathappinessandcontentlayonthepurplerimofthissunset，hehadmoreconfidenceinwomenandinmoneythanawiderexperiencewaseverlikelytojustify。
WhatevermightbeMr。Ratcliffe\'sschemesfordealingwiththeseobstaclestheycouldhardlybesuchaswouldsatisfySybil，who，ifinaccurateinhertheoriesaboutPrairieGiants，yetunderstoodwomen，andespeciallyhersister，muchbetterthanMr。Ratcliffeevercoulddo。Hereshewassafe，anditwouldhavebeenbetterhadshesaidnomore，forMrs。Lee，thoughstaggeredforamomentbyhersister\'svehemence，wasreassuredbywhatseemedtheabsurdityofherfears。Madeleinerebelledagainstthishystericalviolenceofopposition，andbecamemorefixedinherdecision。
Shescoldedhersisteringood，setterms——
“Sybil，Sybil！youmustnotbesoviolent。Behavelikeawoman，andnotlikeaspoiledchild！”
Mrs。Lee，likemostpersonswhohavetodealwithspoiledorunspoiledchildren，resortedtoseverity，notsomuchbecauseitwastheproperwayofdealingwiththem，asbecausesheknewnotwhatelsetodo。Shewasthoroughlyuncomfortableandweary。Shewasnotsatisfiedwithherselforwithherownmotives。Doubtencompassedheronallsides，andherworstopponentwasthatsisterwhosehappinesshadturnedthescaleagainstherownjudgment。
NeverthelesshertacticsansweredtheirobjectofcheckingSybil\'svehemence。Hersobscametoanend，andshepresentlyrosewithaquieterair。
“Madeleine，“saidshe，“doyoureallywanttomarryMr。
Ratcliffe？”
“WhatelsecanIdo，mydearSybil？Iwanttodowhateverisforthebest。Ithoughtyoumightbepleased。“
“YouthoughtImightbepleased？”criedSybilinastonishment。
“Whatastrangeidea！IfyouhadeverspokentomeaboutitI
shouldhavetoldyouthatIhatehim，andcan\'tunderstandhowyoucanabidehim。ButIwouldrathermarryhimmyselfthanseeyoumarryhim。Iknowthatyouwillkillyourselfwithunhappinesswhenyouhavedoneit。Oh，Maude，pleasetellmethatyouwon\'t！”
AndSybilbegangentlysobbingagain，whileshecaressedhersister。
Mrs。Leewasinfinitelydistressed。Toactagainstthewishesofhernearestfriendswashardenough，buttoappearharshandunfeelingtotheonebeingwhosehappinessshehadatheart，wasintolerable。
Yetnosensiblewoman，aftersayingthatshemeanttomarryamanlikeMr。Ratcliffe，couldthrowhimovermerelybecauseanotherwomanchosetobehavelikeaspoiledchild。
SybilwasmorechildishthanMadeleineherselfhadsupposed。Shecouldnotevenseewhereherowninterestlay。SheknewnomoreaboutMr。RatcliffeandtheWestthanifhewerethegiantofafairy-story，andlivedatthetopofabean-stalk。Shemustbetreatedasachild；withgentleness，affection，forbearance，butwithfirmnessanddecision。Shemustberefusedwhatsheasked，forherowngood。
ThusitcameaboutthatatlastMrs。Leespoke，withanappearanceofdecisionfarfromrepresentingherinternaltremor。
“Sybil，dear，IhavemadeupmymindtomarryMr。Ratcliffebecausethereisnootherwayofmakingeveryonehappy。Youneednotbeafraidofhim。Heiskindandgenerous。Besides，Icantakecareofmyself；andIwilltakecareofyoutoo。Nowletusnotdiscussitanymore。Itisbroaddaylight，andwearebothtiredout。“
Sybilgrewatonceperfectlycalm，andstandingbeforehersister，asthoughtheirr？leswerehenceforwardtobereversed，said：
“Youhavereallymadeupyourmind，then？NothingIcansaywillchangeit？”
Mrs。Lee，lookingatherwithmoresurprisethanever，couldnotforceherselftospeak；butsheshookherheadslowlyanddecidedly。
“Then，“saidSybil，“thereisonlyonethingmoreIcando。Youmustreadthis！”andshedrewoutCarrington\'sletter，whichsheheldbeforeMadeleine\'sface。
“Notnow，Sybil！”remonstratedMrs。Lee，dreadinganotherlongstruggle。“Iwillreaditafterwehavehadsomerest。Gotobednow！”
“Idonotleavethisroom，norwillIevergotobeduntilyouhavereadthatletter，“answeredSybil，seatingherselfagainbeforethefirewiththeresolutionofQueenElizabeth；“notifIsitheretillyouaremarried。IpromisedMr。Carringtonthatyoushouldreaditinstantly；it\'sallIcandonow。“Withasigh，Mrs。Leedrewupthewindow-curtain，andinthegraymorninglightsatdowntobreakthesealandreadthefollowingletter：——
“Washington，2ndApril。
“MydearMrs。Lee，“Thisletterwillonlycomeintoyourhandsincasethereshouldbeanecessityforyourknowingitscontents。
Nothingshortofnecessitywouldexcusemywritingit。Ihavetoaskyourpardonforintrudingagainuponyourprivateaffairs。Inthiscase，ifIdidnotintrude，youwouldhavecauseforseriouscomplaintagainstme。
“YouaskedmetheotherdaywhetherIknewanythingagainstMr。
Ratcliffewhichtheworlddidnotknow，toaccountformylowopinionofhischaracter。Ievadedyourquestionthen。Iwasboundbyprofessionalrulesnottodisclosefactsthatcametomeunderapledgeofconfidence。Iamgoingtoviolatetheserulesnow，onlybecauseIoweyouadutywhichseemstometooverrideallothers。
“IdoknowfactsinregardtoMr。Ratcliffe，whichhaveseemedtometowarrantaverylowopinionofhischaracter，andtomarkhimasunfittobe，Iwillnotsayyourhusband，butevenyouracquaintance。
“YouknowthatIamexecutortoSamuelBaker\'swill。YouknowwhoSamuelBakerwas。Youhaveseenhiswife。ShehastoldyouherselfthatIassistedherintheexaminationanddestructionofallherhusband\'sprivatepapersaccordingtohisspecialdeath-bedrequest。OneofthefirstfactsIlearnedfromthesepapersandherexplanations，wasthefollowing。
“Justeightyearsago，thegreat\'Inter-OceanicMailSteamshipCompany，\'wishedtoextenditsserviceroundtheworld，and，inordertodoso，itappliedtoCongressforaheavysubsidy。ThemanagementofthisaffairwasputintothehandsofMr。Baker，andallhisprivateletterstothePresidentoftheCompany，inpresscopies，aswellasthePresident\'sreplies，cameintomypossession。
Baker\'sletterswere，ofcourse，writteninasortofcypher，severalkindsofwhichhewasinthehabitofusing。Heleftamonghispapersakeytothiscypher，butMrs。Bakercouldhaveexplaineditwithoutthathelp。
“ItappearedfromthiscorrespondencethatthebillwascarriedsuccessfullythroughtheHouse，and，onreachingtheSenate，wasreferredtotheappropriateCommittee。Itsultimatepassagewasverydoubtful；theendofthesessionwascloseathand；theSenatewasveryevenlydivided，andtheChairmanoftheCommitteewasdecidedlyhostile。
“TheChairmanofthatCommitteewasSenatorRatcliffe，alwaysmentionedbyMr。Bakerincypher，andwitheveryprecaution。Ifyoucare，however，toverifythefact，andtotracethehistoryoftheSubsidyBillthroughallitsstages，togetherwithMr。Ratcliffe\'sreport，remarks，andvotesuponit，youhaveonlytolookintothejournalsanddebatesforthatyear。
“AtlastMr。BakerwrotethatSenatorRatcliffehadputthebillinhispocket，andunlesssomemeanscouldbefoundofovercominghisopposition，therewouldbenoreport，andthebillwouldnevercometoavote。Allordinarykindsofargumentandinfluencehadbeenemployeduponhim，andwereexhausted。InthisexigencyBakersuggestedthattheCompanyshouldgivehimauthoritytoseewhatmoneywoulddo，butheaddedthatitwouldbeworsethanuselesstodealwithsmallsums。Unlessatleastonehundredthousanddollarscouldbeemployed，itwasbettertoleavethethingalone。
“Thenextmailauthorizedhimtouseanyrequiredamountofmoneynotexceedingonehundredandfiftythousanddollars。Twodayslaterhewrotethatthebillwasreported，andwouldpasstheSenatewithinforty-eighthours；andhecongratulatedtheCompanyonthefactthathehadusedonlyonehundredthousanddollarsoutofitslastcredit。
“Thebillwasactuallyreported，passed，andbecamelawasheforetold，andtheCompanyhasenjoyeditssubsidyeversince。Mrs。
Bakeralsoinformedmethattoherknowledgeherhusbandgavethesummentioned，inUnitedStatesCouponBonds，toSenatorRatcliffe。
“Thistransaction，takeninconnectionwiththetortuousnessofhispubliccourse，explainsthedistrustIhavealwaysexpressedforhim。Youwill，however，understandthatallthesepapershavebeendestroyed。Mrs。Bakercouldneverbeinducedtohazardherowncomfortbyrevealingthefactstothepublic。TheofficersoftheCompanyintheirowninterestswouldneverbetraythetransaction，andtheirbookswereundoubtedlysokeptastoshownotraceofit。
IfImadethischargeagainstMr。Ratcliffe，Ishouldbetheonlysufferer。Hewoulddenyandlaughatit。Icouldprovenothing。I
amthereforemoredirectlyinterestedthanheisinkeepingsilence。
“Intrustingthissecrettoyou，Irelyfirmlyuponyourmentioningittonooneelse——noteventoyoursister。Youareatliberty，ifyouwish，toshowthislettertoonepersononly——toMr。Ratcliffehimself。Thatdone，youwill，Ibeg，burnitimmediately。
“Withthewarmestgoodwishes，Iam，“Evermosttrulyyours，“JohnCarrington。“
WhenMrs。Leehadfinishedreadingthisletter，sheremainedforsometimequitesilent，lookingoutintothesquarebelow。Themorninghadcome，andtheskywasbrightwiththefreshAprilsunlight。Shethrewopenherwindow，anddrewinthesoftspringair。Sheneededallthepurityandquietthatnaturecouldgive，forherwholesoulwasinrevolt，wounded，mortified，exasperated。
Againstthesentimentofallherfriendsshehadinsisteduponbelievinginthisman；shehadwroughtherselfuptothepointofacceptinghimforherhusband；amanwho，iflawwerethesamethingasjustice，oughttobeinafelon\'scell；amanwhocouldtakemoneytobetrayhistrust。Herangeratfirstsweptawayallbounds。
Shewasimpatientforthemomentwhensheshouldseehimagain，andtearoffhismask。Foronceshewouldexpressalltheloathingshefeltforthewholepackofpoliticalhounds。Shewouldseewhethertheanimalwasmadelikeotherbeings；whetherhehadasenseofhonour；asinglecleanspotinhismind。
Thenitoccurredtoherthatafteralltheremightbeamistake；
perhapsMr。
Ratcliffecouldexplainthechargeaway。Butthisthoughtonlylaidbareanothersmartingwoundinherpride。Notonlydidshebelievethecharge，butshebelievedthatMr。Ratcliffewoulddefendhisact。Shehadbeenwillingtomarryamanwhomshethoughtcapableofsuchacrime，andnowsheshudderedattheideathatthischargemighthavebeenbroughtagainstherhusband，andthatshecouldnotdismissitwithinstantincredulity，withindignantcontempt。Howhadthishappened？howhadshegotintosofoulacomplication？WhensheleftNewYork，shehadmeanttobeamerespectatorinWashington。Haditenteredherheadthatshecouldbedrawnintoanyprojectofasecondmarriage，sheneverwouldhavecomeatall，forshewasproudofherloyaltytoherhusband\'smemory，andsecondmarriageswereherabhorrence。Inherrestlessnessandsolitude，shehadforgottenthis；shehadonlyaskedwhetheranylifewasworthlivingforawomanwhohadneitherhusbandnorchildren。Wasthefamilyallthatlifehadtooffer？couldshefindnointerestoutsidethehousehold？Andso，ledbythiswill-of-the-wisp，shehad，withhereyesopen，walkedintothequagmireofpolitics，inspiteofremonstrance，inspiteofconscience。
Sheroseandpacedtheroom，whileSybillayonthecouch，watchingherwitheyeshalfshut。Shegrewmoreandmoreangrywithherself，andasherself-reproachincreased，herangeragainstRatcliffefadedaway。ShehadnorighttobeangrywithRatcliffe。
Hehadneverdeceivedher。Hehadalwaysopenlyenoughavowedthatheknewnocodeofmoralsinpolitics；thatifvirtuedidnotanswerhispurposeheusedvice。Howcouldsheblamehimforactswhichhehadrepeatedlydefendedinherpresenceandwithhertacitassent，onprinciplesthatwarrantedthisoranyothervillainy？
Theworstwasthatthisdiscoveryhadcomeonherasablow，notasareprievefromexecution。Atthisthoughtshebecamefuriouswithherself。
Shehadnotknowntherecessesofherownheart。ShehadhonestlysupposedthatSybil\'sinterestsandSybil\'shappinesswereforcinghertoanactofself-sacrifice；andnowshesawthatinthedepthsofhersoulverydifferentmotiveshadbeenatwork：ambition，thirstforpower，restlesseagernesstomeddleinwhatdidnotconcernher，blindlongingtoescapefromthetortureofwatchingotherwomenwithfulllivesandsatisfiedinstincts，whileherownlifewashungryandsad。Foratimeshehadactually，unconsciousasshewasofthedelusion，huggedahopethatanewfieldofusefulnesswasopentoher；thatgreatopportunitiesfordoinggoodweretosupplytheachingemptinessofthatgoodwhichhadbeentakenaway；andthathereatlastwasanobjectforwhichtherewouldbealmostapleasureinsquanderingtherestofexistenceevenifsheknewinadvancethattheexperimentwouldfail。Lifewasemptierthanevernowthatthisdreamwasover。Yettheworstwasnotinthatdisappointment，butinthediscoveryofherownweaknessandself-deception。
Wornoutbylong-continuedanxiety，excitementandsleeplessness，shewasunfittostrugglewiththecreaturesofherownimagination。Suchastraincouldonlyendinanervouscrisis，andatlengthitcame：
“Oh，whatavilethinglifeis！”shecried，throwingupherarmswithagestureofhelplessrageanddespair。“Oh，howIwishIweredead！howIwishtheuniversewereannihilated！”andsheflungherselfdownbySybil\'ssideinafrenzyoftears。
Sybil，whohadwatchedallthisexhibitioninsilence，waitedquietlyfortheexcitementtopass。Therewaslittletosay。Shecouldonlysoothe。
AftertheparoxysmhadexhausteditselfMadeleinelayquietforatime，untilotherthoughtsbegantodisturbher。FromreproachingherselfaboutRatcliffeshewentontoreproachherselfaboutSybil，whoreallylookedwornandpale，asthoughalmostovercomebyfatigue。
“Sybil，“saidshe，“youmustgotobedatonce。Youaretiredout。Itwasverywronginmetoletyousitupsolate。Gonow，andgetsomesleep。“
“Iamnotgoingtobedtillyoudo，Maude！”repliedSybil，withquietobstinacy。
“Go，dear！itisallsettled。IshallnotmarryMr。Ratcliffe。Youneednotbeanxiousaboutitanymore。“
“Areyouveryunhappy？”
“Onlyveryangrywithmyself。IoughttohavetakenMr。
Carrington\'sadvicesooner。“
“Oh，Maude！”exclaimedSybil，withasuddenexplosionofenergy；
“Iwishyouhadtakenhim！”
ThisremarkrousedMrs。Leetonewinterest：“Why，Sybil，“saidshe，“surelyyouarenotinearnest？”
“Indeed，Iam，“repliedSybil，verydecidedly。“IknowyouthinkI
aminlovewithMr。Carringtonmyself，butI\'mnot。Iwouldagreatdealratherhavehimforabrother-in-law，andheissomuchthenicestmanyouknow，andyoucouldhelphissisters。“
Mrs。Leehesitatedamoment，forshewasnotquitecertainwhetheritwaswisetoprobeahealingwound，butshewasanxioustoclearthislastweightfromhermind，andshedashedrecklesslyforward：
“Areyousureyouaretellingthetruth，Sybil？Why，then，didyousaythatyoucaredforhim？andwhyhaveyoubeensomiserableeversincehewentaway？”
“Why？Ishouldthinkitwasplainenoughwhy！BecauseIthought，aseveryoneelsedid，thatyouweregoingtomarryMr。Ratcliffe；
andbecauseifyoumarriedMr。Ratcliffe，Imustgoandlivealone；
andbecauseyoutreatedmelikeachild，andnevertookmeintoyourconfidenceatall；andbecauseMr。
CarringtonwastheonlypersonIhadtoadviseme，andafterhewentaway，IwasleftallalonetofightMr。Ratcliffeandyoubothtogether，withoutahumansoultohelpmeincaseImadeamistake。YouwouldhavebeenagreatdealmoremiserablethanI
ifyouhadbeeninmyplace。“
Madeleinelookedatherforamomentindoubt。Wouldthislast？
didSybilherselfknowthedepthofherownwound？ButwhatcouldMrs。Leedonow？
PerhapsSybildiddeceiveherselfalittle。Whenthisexcitementhadpassedaway，perhapsCarrington\'simagemightrecurtohermindalittletoooftenforherowncomfort。Thefuturemusttakecareofitself。Mrs。Leedrewhersisterclosertoher，andsaid：
“Sybil，Ihavemadeahorriblemistake，andyoumustforgiveme。“
ChapterXIII
NOTuntilafternoondidMrs。Leereappear。Howmuchshehadsleptshedidnotsay，andshehardlylookedlikeonewhoseslumbershadbeenlongorsweet；butifshehadsleptlittle，shehadmadeupforthelossbythinkingmuch，and，whileshethought，thestormwhichhadragedsofiercelyinherbreast，moreandmoresubsidedintocalm。Iftherewasnotsunshineyet，therewasatleaststillness。Asshelay，hourafterhour，waitingforthesleepthatdidnotcome，shehadatfirstthekeenmortificationofreflectinghoweasilyshehadbeenledbymerevanityintoimaginingthatshecouldbeofuseintheworld。Sheevensmiledinhersolitudeatthepictureshedrewofherself，reformingRatcliffe，andKrebs，andSchuylerClinton。TheeasewithwhichRatcliffealonehadtwistedherabouthisfinger，nowthatshesawit，madeherwrithe，andthethoughtofwhathemighthavedone，hadshemarriedhim，andoftheendlesssuccessionofmoralsomersaultsshewouldhavehadtoturn，chilledherwithmortalterror。Shehadbarelyescapedbeingdraggedunderthewheelsofthemachine，andsocomingtoanuntimelyend。Whenshethoughtofthis，shefeltamadpassiontorevengeherselfonthewholeraceofpoliticians，withRatcliffeattheirhead；shepassedhoursinframingbitterspeechestobemadetohisface。
Thenasshegrewcalmer，Ratcliffe\'ssinstookonamilderhue；
life，afterall，hadnotbeenentirelyblackenedbyhisarts；therewasevensomegoodinherexperience，sharpthoughitwere。HadshenotcometoWashingtoninsearchofmenwhocastashadow，andwasnotRatcliffe\'sshadowstrongenoughtosatisfyher？Hadshenotpenetratedthedeepestrecessesofpolitics，andlearnedhoweasilythemerepossessionofpowercouldconverttheshadowofahobby-horseexistingonlyinthebrainofafoolishcountryfarmer，intoaluridnightmarethatconvulsedthesleepofnations？TheanticsofPresidentsandSenatorshadbeenamusing——soamusingthatshehadnearlybeenpersuadedtotakepartinthem。Shehadsavedherselfintime。
Shehadgottothebottomofthisbusinessofdemocraticgovernment，andfoundoutthatitwasnothingmorethangovernmentofanyotherkind。Shemighthaveknownitbyherowncommonsense，butnowthatexperiencehadprovedit，shewasgladtoquitthemasquerade；toreturntothetruedemocracyoflife，herpaupersandherprisons，herschoolsandherhospitals。AsforMr。Ratcliffe，shefeltnodifficultyindealingwithhim。
LetMr。Ratcliffe，andhisbrothergiants，wanderontheirownpoliticalprairie，andhuntforoffices，orotherprofitablegame，astheywould。
Theirobjectswerenotherobjects，andtojointheircompanywasnotherambition。ShewasnolongerveryangrywithMr。Ratcliffe。
Shehadnowishtoinsulthim，ortoquarrelwithhim。Whathehaddoneasapolitician，hehaddoneaccordingtohisownmoralcode，anditwasnotherbusinesstojudgehim；toprotectherselfwastheonlyrightsheclaimed。Shethoughtshecouldeasilyholdhimatarm\'slength，andalthough，ifCarringtonhadwrittenthetruth，theycouldneveragainbefriends，thereneedbenodifficultyintheirremainingacquaintances。Ifthisviewofherdutywasnarrow，itwasatleastproofthatshehadlearnedsomethingfromMr。
Ratcliffe；perhapsitwasalsoproofthatshehadyettolearnMr。
Ratcliffehimself。
Twoo\'clockhadstruckbeforeMrs。Leecamedownfromherchamber，andSybilhadnotyetmadeherappearance。Madeleinerangherbellandgaveordersthat，ifMr。Ratcliffecalledshewouldseehim，butshewasathometonooneelse。ThenshesatdowntowritelettersandtoprepareforherjourneytoNewYork，forshemustnowhastenherdepartureinordertoescapethegossipandcriticismwhichshesawhanginglikeanavalancheoverherhead。
WhenSybilatlengthcamedown，lookingmuchfresherthanhersister，theypassedanhourtogetherarrangingthisandothersmallmatters，sothatbothofthemwereagaininthebestofspirits，andSybil\'sfacewaswreathedinsmiles。
Anumberofvisitorscametothedoorthatday，someofthempromptedbyfriendlinessandsomebysheercuriosity，forMrs。
Lee\'sabruptdisappearancefromtheballhadexcitedremark。
Againstalltheseherdoorwasfirmlyclosed。Ontheotherhand，astheafternoonwenton，shesentSybilaway，sothatshemighthavethefieldentirelytoherself，andSybil，relievedofallheralarms，salliedouttointerruptDunbeg\'slatestinterviewwithhisCountess，andtoamuseherselfwithVictoria\'slast“phase。“
Towardsfouro\'clockthetallformofMr。RatcliffewasseentoissuefromtheTreasuryDepartmentandtodescendthebroadstepsofitswesternfront。
TurningdeliberatelytowardstheSquare，theSecretaryoftheTreasurycrossedtheAvenueandstoppingatMrs。Lee\'sdoor，rangthebell。Hewasimmediatelyadmitted。Mrs。Leewasaloneinherparlourandroserathergravelyasheentered，butwelcomedhimascordiallyasshecould。Shewantedtoputanendtohishopesatonceandtodoitdecisively，butwithouthurtinghisfeelings。
“Mr。Ratcliffe，“saidshe，whenhewasseated-“Iamsureyouwillbebetterpleasedbymyspeakinginstantlyandfrankly。Icouldnotreplytoyoulastnight。Iwilldosonowwithoutdelay。Whatyouwishisimpossible。Iwouldrathernotevendiscussit。Letusleaveithereandreturntoouroldrelations。“
Shecouldnotforceherselftoexpressanysenseofgratitudeforhisaffection，orofregretatbeingobligedtomeetitwithsolittlereturn。
Totreathimwithtolerablecivilitywasallshethoughtrequiredofher。
Ratcliffefeltthechangeofmanner。Hehadbeenpreparedforastruggle，butnottobemetwithsobluntarebuffatthestart。Hislookbecameseriousandhehesitatedamomentbeforespeaking，butwhenhespokeatlast，itwaswithamannerasfirmanddecidedasthatofMrs。Leeherself。
“Icannotacceptsuchananswer。IwillnotsaythatIhavearighttoexplanation，——Ihavenorightswhichyouareboundtorespect，——butfromyouIconceivethatImayatleastaskthefavourofone，andthatyouwillnotrefuseit。Areyouwillingtotellmeyourreasonsforthisabruptandharshdecision？”
“Idonotdisputeyourrightofexplanation，Mr。Ratcliffe。Youhavetheright，ifyouchoosetouseit，andIamreadytogiveyoueveryexplanationinmypower；butIhopeyouwillnotinsistonmydoingso。IfIseemedtospeakabruptlyandharshly，itwasmerelytospareyouthegreaterannoyanceofdoubt。SinceIamforcedtogiveyoupain，wasitnotfairerandmorerespectfultoyoutospeakatonce？Wehavebeenfriends。Iamverysoongoingaway。I
sincerelywanttoavoidsayingordoinganythingthatwouldchangeourrelations。“
Ratcliffe，however，paidnoattentiontothesewords，andgavethemnoanswer。Hewasmuchtoooldadebatertobemisledbysuchtrifles，whenheneededallhisfacultiestopinhisopponenttothewall。Heasked：——
“Isyourdecisionanewone？”
“Itisaveryoldone，Mr。Ratcliffe，whichIhadletmyselflosesightof，foratime。Anight\'sreflectionhasbroughtmebacktoit。“
“MayIaskwhyyouhavereturnedtoit？surelyyouwouldnothavehesitatedwithoutstrongreasons。“
“Iwilltellyoufrankly。If，byappearingtohesitate，Ihavemisledyou，Iamhonestlysorryforit。Ididnotmeantodoit。Myhesitationwasowingtothedoubtwhethermylifemightnotreallybebestusedinaidingyou。Mydecisionwasowingtothecertaintythatwearenotfittedforeachother。
Ourlivesruninseparategrooves。Wearebothtoooldtochangethem。“
Ratcliffeshookhisheadwithanairofrelief。“Yourreasons，Mrs。
Lee，arenotsound。Thereisnosuchdivergenceinourlives。OnthecontraryIcangivetoyoursthefielditneeds，andthatitcangetinnootherway；whileyoucangivetomineeverythingitnowwants。IftheseareyouronlyreasonsIamsureofbeingabletoremovethem。“
Madeleinelookedasthoughshewerenotaltogetherpleasedatthisidea，andbecamealittledogmatic。“Itisnouseourarguingonthissubject，Mr。
Ratcliffe。YouandItakeverydifferentviewsoflife。Icannotacceptyours，andyoucouldnotpractiseonmine。“
“Showme，“saidRatcliffe，“asingleexampleofsuchadivergence，andIwillacceptyourdecisionwithoutanotherword。“
Mrs。Leehesitatedandlookedathimforaninstantasthoughtobequitesurethathewasinearnest。Therewasaneffronteryaboutthischallengewhichsurprisedher，andifshedidnotcheckitonthespot，therewasnosayinghowmuchtroubleitmightgiveher。
Thenunlockingthedrawerofthewriting-deskatherelbow，shetookoutCarrington\'sletterandhandedittoMr。Ratcliffe。
“Hereissuchanexamplewhichhascometomyknowledgeverylately。Imeanttoshowittoyouinanycase，butIwouldratherhavewaited。“
Ratcliffetooktheletterwhichshehandedtohim，openeditdeliberately，lookedatthesignature，andread。Heshowednosignofsurpriseordisturbance。Noonewouldhaveimaginedthathehad，fromthemomenthesawCarrington\'sname，aspreciseaknowledgeofwhatwasinthisletterasthoughhehadwrittenithimself。Hisfirstsensationwasonlyoneofangerthathisprojectshadmiscarried。Howthishadhappenedhecouldnotatonceunderstand，fortheideathatSybilcouldhaveahandinitdidnotoccurtohim。HehadmadeuphismindthatSybilwasasilly，frivolousgirl，whocountedfornothinginhersister\'sactions。Hehadfallenintotheusualmasculineblunderofmixingupsmartnessofintelligencewithstrengthofcharacter。Sybil，withoutbeingametaphysician，willedanythingwhichshewilledatallwithmoreenergythanhersisterdid，whowaswornoutwiththeeffortoflife。
Mr。Ratcliffemissedthispoint，andwaslefttowonderwhoitwasthathadcrossedhispath，andhowCarringtonhadmanagedtobepresentandabsent，togetagoodofficeinMexicoandtobaulkhisschemesinWashington，atthesametime。HehadnotgivenCarringtoncreditforsomuchcleverness。
Hewasviolentlyirritatedatthecheck。Anotherday，hethought，wouldhavemadehimsafeonthisside；andpossiblyhewasright。
HadheoncesucceededingettingeversoslightaholdonMrs。Leehewouldhavetoldherthisstorywithhisowncolouring，andfromhisownpointofview，andhefullybelievedhecoulddothisinsuchawayastorousehersympathy。Nowthathermindwasprejudiced，thetaskwouldbemuchmoredifficult；yethedidnotdespair，foritwashistheorythatMrs。Lee，inthedepthsofhersoul，wantedtobeattheheadoftheWhiteHouseasmuchashewantedtobetherehimself，andthatherapparentcoynesswasmerefeminineindecisioninthefaceoftemptation。Histhoughtsnowturneduponthebestmeansofgivingagaintheupperhandtoherambition。HewantedtodriveCarringtonasecondtimefromthefield。
Thusitwasthat，havingreadtheletteronceinordertolearnwhatwasinit，heturnedback，andslowlyreaditagaininordertogaintime。Thenhereplaceditinitsenvelope，andreturnedittoMrs。
Lee，who，withequalcalmness，asthoughherinterestinitwereatanend，tosseditnegligentlyintothefire，whereitwasreducedtoashesunderRatcliffe\'seyes。
Hewatcheditburnforamoment，andthenturningtoher，said，withhisusualcomposure，“Imeanttohavetoldyouofthataffairmyself。IamsorrythatMr。Carringtonhasthoughtpropertoforestallme。Nodoubthehashisownmotivesfortakingmycharacterincharge。“
“Thenitistrue！”saidMrs。Lee，alittlemorequicklythanshehadmeanttospeak。
“Trueinitsleadingfacts；untrueinsomeofitsdetails，andintheimpressionitcreates。DuringthePresidentialelectionwhichtookplaceeightyearsagolastautumn，therewas，asyoumayremember，aviolentcontestandaveryclosevote。Webelieved(thoughIwasnotsoprominentinthepartythenasnow)，thattheresultofthatelectionwouldbealmostasimportanttothenationastheresultofthewaritself。Ourdefeatmeantthatthegovernmentmustpassintotheblood-stainedhandsofrebels，menwhosedesignsweremorethandoubtful，andwhocouldnot，eveniftheirdesignshadbeengood，restraintheviolenceoftheirfollowers。Inconsequencewestrainedeverynerve。Moneywasfreelyspent，eventoanamountmuchinexcessofourresources。
Howitwasemployed，Iwillnotsay。
Idonotevenknow，forIheldmyselfalooffromthesedetails，whichfelltotheNationalCentralCommitteeofwhichIwasnotamember。Thegreatpointwasthataverylargesumhadbeenborrowedonpledgedsecurities，andmustberepaid。ThemembersoftheNationalCommitteeandcertainsenatorshelddiscussionsonthesubject，inwhichIshared。Theendwasthattowardsthecloseofthesessiontheheadofthecommittee，accompaniedbytwosenators，cametomeandtoldmethatImustabandonmyoppositiontotheSteamshipSubsidy。Theymadenoopenavowaloftheirreasons，andIdidnotpressforone。Theirdeclaration，astheresponsibleheadsoftheorganization，thatcertainactiononmypartwasessentialtotheinterestsoftheparty，satisfiedme。IdidnotconsidermyselfatlibertytopersistinamereprivateopinioninregardtoameasureaboutwhichIrecognizedtheextremelikelihoodofmybeinginerror。Iaccordinglyreportedthebill，andvotedforit，asdidalargemajorityoftheparty。Mrs。Bakerismistakeninsayingthatthemoneywaspaidtome。Ifitwaspaidatall，ofwhichIhavenoknowledgeexceptfromthisletter，itwaspaidtotherepresentativeoftheNationalCommittee。Ireceivednomoney。IhadnothingtodowiththemoneyfurtherthanasImightdrawmyownconclusionsinregardtothesubsequentpaymentofthecampaigndebt。“
Mrs。Leelistenedtoallthiswithintenseinterest。Notuntilthismomenthadshereallyfeltasthoughshehadgottotheheartofpolitics，sothatshecould，likeaphysicianwithhisstethoscope，measuretheorganicdisease。Nowatlastsheknewwhythepulsebeatwithsuchunhealthyirregularity，andwhymenfeltananxietywhichtheycouldnotorwouldnotexplain。Herinterestinthediseaseovercameherdisgustatthefoulnessoftherevelation。Tosaythatthediscoverygaveheractualpleasurewouldbedoingherinjustice；buttheexcitementofthemomentsweptawayeveryothersensation。Shedidnoteventhinkofherself。NotuntilafterwardsdidshefairlygrasptheabsurdityofRatcliffe\'swishthatinthefaceofsuchastoryasthis，sheshouldstillhavevanityenoughtoundertakethereformofpolitics。Andwithhisaidtoo！
Theaudacityofthemanwouldhaveseemedsublimeifshehadfeltsurethatheknewthedifferencebetweengoodandevil，betweenalieandthetruth；butthemoreshesawofhim，thesurershewasthathiscouragewasmeremoralparalysis，andthathetalkedaboutvirtueandviceasamanwhoiscolour-blindtalksaboutredandgreen；hedidnotseethemasshesawthem；iflefttochooseforhimselfhewouldhavenothingtoguidehim。Wasitpoliticsthathadcausedthisatrophyofthemoralsensesbydisuse？
Meanwhile，hereshesatfacetofacewithamorallunatic，whohadnotevenenoughsenseofhumourtoseetheabsurdityofhisownrequest，thatsheshouldgoouttotheshoreofthisoceanofcorruption，andrepeattheancientr？leofKingCanute，orDamePartingtonwithhermopandherpail。Whatwastobedonewithsuchananimal？
Thebystanderwholookedonatthisscenewithawiderknowledgeoffacts，mighthavefoundentertainmentinanotherviewofthesubject，thatistosay，intheguilelessnessotMadeleineLee。Withallherwarningsshewasyetamerebaby-in-armsinthefaceofthegreatpolitician。Sheacceptedhisstoryastrue，andshethoughtitasbadaspossible；buthadMr。
Ratcliffe\'sassociatesnowbeenpresenttohearhisversionofit，theywouldhavelookedateachotherwithasmileofprofessionalpride，andwouldhaveroundlyswornthathewas，beyondadoubt，theablestmanthiscountryhadeverproduced，andnexttocertainofbeingPresident。Theywouldnot，however，havetoldtheirownsideofthestoryiftheycouldhavehelpedit，butintalkingitoveramongthemselvestheymighthaveassumedthefactstohavebeennearlyasfollows：thatRatcliffehaddraggedthemintoanenormousexpendituretocarryhisownState，andwithithisownre-electiontotheSenate；thattheyhadtriedtoholdhimresponsible，andhehadtriedtoshirktheresponsibility；thattherehadbeenwarmdiscussionsonthesubject；thathehimselfhadprivatelysuggestedrecoursetoBaker，hadshapedhisconductaccordingly，andhadcompelledthem，inordertosavetheirowncredit，toreceivethemoney。
EvenifMrs。Leehadheardthispartofthestory，thoughitmighthavesharpenedherindignationagainstMr。Ratcliffe，itwouldnothavealteredheropinions。Asitwas，shehadheardenough，andwithagreatefforttocontrolherexpressionofdisgust，shesankbackinherchairasRatcliffeconcluded。Findingthatshedidnotspeak，hewenton：
“Idonotundertaketodefendthisaffair。ItistheactofmypubliclifewhichImostregret——notthedoing，butthenecessityofdoing。I
donotdifferfromyouinopiniononthatpoint。Icannotacknowledgethatthereishereanyrealdivergencebetweenus。“
“Iamafraid，“saidMrs。Lee，“thatIcannotagreewithyou。“
Thisbriefremark，theverybrevityofwhichcarriedabarbofsarcasm，escapedfromMadeleine\'slipsbeforeshehadfairlyintendedit。Ratcliffefeltthesting，anditstartedhimfromhisstudiedcalmnessofmanner。
RisingfromhischairhestoodonthehearthrugbeforeMrs。Lee，andbrokeoutuponherwithanorationinthatoldsenatorialvoiceandstylewhichwasleastcalculatedtoenlisthersympathies：
“Mrs。Lee，“saidhe，withharshemphasisanddogmatictone，“thereareconflictingdutiesinallthetransactionsoflife，exceptthesimplest。
Howeverwemayact，dowhatwemay，wemustviolatesomemoralobligation。
Allthatcanbeaskedofusisthatweshouldguideourselvesbywhatwethinkthehighest。Atthetimethisaffairoccurred，IwasaSenatoroftheUnitedStates。IwasalsoatrustedmemberofagreatpoliticalpartywhichIlookeduponasidenticalwiththenation。InbothcapacitiesIoweddutiestomyconstituents，tothegovernment，tothepeople。Imightinterpretthesedutiesnarrowlyorbroadly。Imightsay：Perishthegovernment，perishtheUnion，perishthispeople，ratherthanthatIshouldsoilmyhands！OrI
mightsay，asIdid，andasIwouldsayagain：Bemyfatewhatitmay，thisgloriousUnion，thelasthopeofsufferinghumanity，shallbepreserved。“
Herehepaused，andseeingthatMrs。Lee，afterlookingforatimeathim，wasnowregardingthefire，lostinmeditationoverthestrangevagariesofthesenatorialmind，heresumed，inanotherlineofargument。Herightlyjudgedthattheremustbesomemoraldefectinhislastremarks，althoughhecouldnotseeit，whichmadepersistenceinthatdirectionuseless。
“Yououghtnottoblameme——youcannotblamemejustly。ItistoyoursenseofjusticeIappeal。HaveIeverconcealedfromyoumyopinionsonthissubject？HaveInotonthecontraryalwaysavowedthem？DidInothere，onthisveryspot，whenchallengedoncebeforebythissameCarrington，takecreditforanactlessdefensiblethanthis？DidInottellyouthenthatIhadevenviolatedthesanctityofagreatpopularelectionandreverseditsresult？Thatwasmysoleact！Incomparisonwithit，thisisatrifle！
Whoisinjuredbyasteamshipcompanysubscribingoneortenhundredthousanddollarstoacampaignfund？Whoserightsareaffectedbyit？Perhapsitsstockholdersreceiveonedollarashareindividendslessthantheyotherwisewould。Iftheydonotcomplain，whoelsecandoso？ButinthatelectionIdeprivedamillionpeopleofrightswhichbelongedtothemasabsolutelyastheirhouses！YoucouldnotsaythatIhaddonewrong。Notawordofblameorcriticismhaveyoueverutteredtomeonthataccount。
Iftherewasanoffence，youcondonedit！Youcertainlyledmetosupposethatyousawnone。Whyareyounowsosevereuponthesmallercrime？”
Thisshotstruckhard。Mrs。Leevisiblyshrankunderit，andlosthercomposure。Thiswasthesamereproachshehadmadeagainstherself，andtowhichshehadbeenabletofindnoreply。Withsomeagitationsheexclaimed：
“Mr。Ratcliffe，praydomejustice！Ihavetriednottobesevere。I
havesaidnothinginthewayofattackorblame。Iacknowledgethatitisnotmyplacetostandinjudgmentoveryouracts。Ihavemorereasontoblamemyselfthanyou，andGodknowsIhaveblamedmyselfbitterly。“Thetearsstoodinhereyesasshesaidtheselastwords，andhervoicetrembled。
Ratcliffesawthathehadgainedanadvantage，and，sittingdownnearertoher，hedroppedhisvoiceandurgedhissuitstillmoreenergetically：
“Youdidmejusticethen；whynotdoitnow？YouwereconvincedthenthatIdidthebestIcould。Ihavealwaysdoneso。OntheotherhandIhaveneverpretendedthatallmyactscouldbejustifiedbyabstractmorality。Where，then，isthedivergencebetweenus？”
Mrs。Leedidnotundertaketoanswerthislastargument：sheonlyreturnedtoheroldground。“Mr。Ratcliffe，“shesaid，“Idonotwanttoarguethisquestion。Ihavenodoubtthatyoucanovercomemeinargument。Perhapsonmysidethisisamatteroffeelingratherthanofreason，butthetruthisonlytooevidenttomethatIamnotfittedforpolitics。Ishouldbeadraguponyou。Letmebethejudgeofmyownweakness！Donotinsistuponpressingme，further！”
Shewasashamedofherselfforthisappealtoamanwhomshecouldnotrespect，asthoughshewereasuppliantathismercy，butshefearedthereproachofhavingdeceivedhim，andshetriedpitiablytoescapeit。
Ratcliffewasonlyencouragedbyherweakness。
“Imustinsistuponpressingit，Mrs。Lee，“repliedhe，andhebecameyetmoreearnestashewenton；“myfutureistoodeeplyinvolvedinyourdecisiontoallowofmyacceptingyouranswerasfinal。Ineedyouraid。
ThereisnothingIwillnotdotoobtainit。Doyourequireaffection？mineforyouisboundless。Iamreadytoproveitbyalifeofdevotion。Doyoudoubtmysincerity？testitinwhateverwayyouplease。Doyoufearbeingdraggeddowntothelevelofordinarypoliticians？sofarasconcernsmyself，mygreatwishistohaveyourhelpinpurifyingpolitics。Whathigherambitioncantherebethantoserveone\'scountryforsuchanend？
Yoursenseofdutyistookeennottofeelthatthenoblestobjectswhichcaninspireanywoman，combinetopointoutyourcourse。“
Mrs。Leewasexcessivelyuncomfortable，althoughnotintheleastshaken。
Shebegantoseethatshemusttakeastrongertoneifshemeanttobringthisimportunitytoanend，andsheanswered：——
“Idonotdoubtyouraffectionoryoursincerity，Mr。Ratcliffe。ItismyselfIdoubt。Youhavebeenkindenoughtogivememuchofyourconfidencethiswinter，andifIdonotyetknowaboutpoliticsallthatistobeknown，IhavelearnedenoughtoprovethatIcoulddonothingsillierthantosupposemyselfcompetenttoreformanything。IfIpretendedtothinkso，Ishouldbeamereworldly，ambitiouswoman，suchaspeoplethinkme。Theideaofmypurifyingpoliticsisabsurd。Iamsorrytospeaksostrongly，butI
meanit。Idonotclingverycloselytolife，anddonotvaluemyownveryhighly，butIwillnottangleitinsuchaway；Iwillnotsharetheprofitsofvice；Iamnotwillingtobemadeareceiverofstolengoods，ortobeputinapositionwhereIamperpetuallyobligedtomaintainthatimmoralityisavirtue！”
Asshewentonshebecamemoreandmoreanimatedandherwordstookasharperedgethanshehadintended。Ratcliffefeltit，andshowedhisannoyance。Hisfacegrewdarkandhiseyeslookedoutatherwiththeirugliestexpression。Heevenopenedhismouthforanangryretort，butcontrolledhimselfwithaneffort，andpresentlyresumedhisargument。
“Ihadhoped，“hebeganmoresolemnlythanever，“thatIshouldfindinyoualoftycouragewhichwoulddisregardsuchrisks。Ifalltmemenandwomenweretotakethetoneyouhavetaken，ourgovernmentwouldsoonperish。Ifyouconsenttosharemycareer，I
donotdenythatyoumayfindlesssatisfactionthanIhope，butyouwillleadameredeathinlifeifyouplaceyourselflikeasaintonasolitarycolumn。IpleadwhatIbelievetobeyourowncauseinpleadingmine。Donotsacrificeyourlife！”
Mrs。Leewasindespair。Shecouldnotreplywhatwasonherlips，thattomarryamurdererorathiefwasnotasurewayofdiminishingcrime。Shehadalreadysaidsomethingsomuchlikethisthatsheshrankfromspeakingmoreplainly。Soshefellbackonheroldtheme。
“Wemustatallevents，Mr。Ratcliffe，useourjudgmentsaccordingtoourownconsciences。IcanonlyrepeatnowwhatIsaidatfirst。I
amsorrytoseeminsensibletoyourexpressionstowardsme，butI
cannotdowhatyouwish。Letusmaintainouroldrelationsifyouwill，butdonotpressmefurtheronthissubject。“
Ratcliffegrewmoreandmoresombreashebecameawarethatdefeatwasstaringhimintheface。Hewastenaciousofpurpose，andhehadneverinhislifeabandonedanobjectwhichhehadsomuchatheartasthis。Hewouldnotabandonit。Forthemoment，socompletelyhadthefascinationofMrs。
Leegotthecontrolofhim，hewouldratherhaveabandonedthePresidencyitselfthanher。Hereallylovedherasearnestlyasitwasinhisnaturetoloveanything。Toherobstinacyhewouldopposeanobstinacygreaterstill；butinthemeanwhilehisattackwasdisconcerted，andhewasatalosswhatnexttodo。Wasitnotpossibletochangehisground；toofferinducementsthatwouldappealevenmorestronglytofeminineambitionandloveofdisplaythanthePresidencyitself？Hebeganagain：——
“IstherenoformofpledgeIcangiveyou？nosacrificeIcanmake？Youdislikepolitics。ShallIleavepoliticallife？Iwilldoanythingratherthanloseyou。IcanprobablycontroltheappointmentofMinistertoEngland。ThePresidentwouldratherhavemetherethanhere。SupposeIweretoabandonpoliticsandtaketheEnglishmission。Wouldthatsacrificenotaffectyou？YoumightpassfouryearsinLondonwheretherewouldbenopolitics，andwhereyoursocialpositionwouldbethebestintheworld；andthiswouldleadtothePresidencyalmostassurelyastheother。“
Thensuddenly，seeingthathewasmakingnoheadway，hethrewoffhisstudiedcalmnessandbrokeoutinanappealofalmostequallystudiedviolence。
“Mrs。Lee！Madeleine！Icannotlivewithoutyou。Thesoundofyourvoice——thetouchofyourhand——eventherustleofyourdress——arelikewinetome。ForGod\'ssake，donotthrowmeover！”
Hemeanttocrushoppositionbyforce。Moreandmorevehementashespokeheactuallybentoverandtriedtoseizeherhand。Shedrewitbackasthoughhewereareptile。Shewasexasperatedbythisobstinatedisregardofherforbearance，thisgrossattempttobribeherwithoffice，thisflagrantabandonmentofevenapretenceofpublicvirtue；themerethoughtofhistouchonherpersonwasmorerepulsivethanaloathsomedisease。Bentuponteachinghimalessonhewouldneverforget，shespokeoutabruptly，andwithevidentsignsofcontemptinhervoiceandmanner：
“Mr。Ratcliffe，Iamnottobebought。Norank，nodignity，noconsideration，noconceivableexpedientwouldinducemetochangemymind。
Letushavenomoreofthis！”
Ratcliffehadalreadybeenmorethanonce，duringthisconversation，onthevergeoflosinghistemper。Naturallydictatorialandviolent，onlylongtrainingandsevereexperiencehadtaughthimself-control，andwhenhegavewaytopassionhisburstsoffurywerestilltremendous。Mrs。Lee\'sevidentpersonaldisgust，evenmorethanherlastsharprebuke，passedtheboundsofhispatience。Ashestoodbeforeher，evenshe，high-spiritedasshewas，andnotinacalmframeofmind，feltamomentaryshockatseeinghowhisfaceflushed，hiseyesgleamed，andhishandstrembledwithrage。
“Ah！”exclaimedhe，turninguponherwithaharshness，almostasavageness，ofmannerthatstartledherstillmore；“Imighthaveknownwhattoexpect！
Mrs。Clintonwarnedmeearly。ShesaidthenthatIshouldfindyouaheartlesscoquette！”
“Mr。Ratcliffe！”exclaimedMadeleine，risingfromherchair，andspeakinginawarningvoicealmostaspassionateashisown。
“Aheartlesscoquette！”herepeated，stillmoreharshlythanbefore；
“shesaidyouwoulddojustthis！thatyoumeanttodeceiveme！
thatyoulivedonflattery！thatyoucouldneverbeanythingbutacoquette，andthatifyoumarriedme，Ishouldrepentitallmylife。
Ibelievehernow！”
Mrs。Lee\'stemper，too，wasnaturallyahighone。Atthismomentshe，too，wasflamingwithanger，andwildwithapassionateimpulsetoannihilatethisman。Consciousthatthemasterywasinherownhands，shecouldthemoreeasilycontrolhervoice，andwithanexpressionofunutterablecontemptshespokeherlastwordstohim，wordswhichhadbeenringingalldayinherears：
“Mr。Ratcliffe！Ihavelistenedtoyouwithagreatdealmorepatienceandrespectthanyoudeserve。ForonelonghourIhavedegradedmyselfbydiscussingwithyouthequestionwhetherI
shouldmarryamanwhobyhisownconfessionhasbetrayedthehighesttruststhatcouldbeplacedinhim，whohastakenmoneyforhisvotesasaSenator，andwhoisnowinpublicofficebymeansofasuccessfulfraudofhisown，wheninjusticeheshouldbeinaState\'sprison。Iwillhavenomoreofthis。Understand，onceforall，thatthereisanimpassablegulfbetweenyourlifeandmine。
IdonotdoubtthatyouwillmakeyourselfPresident，butwhateverorwhereveryouare，neverspeaktomeorrecognizemeagain！”
Heglaredamomentintoherfacewithasortofblindrage，andseemedabouttosaymore，whenshesweptpasthim，andbeforeherealizedit，hewasalone。
Overmasteredbypassion，butconsciousthathewaspowerless，Ratcliffe，afteramoment\'shesitation，lefttheroomandthehouse。
Helethimselfout，shuttingthefrontdoorbehindhim，andashestoodonthepavementoldBaronJacobi，whohadspecialreasonsforwishingtoknowhowMrs。Leehadrecoveredfromthefatigueandexcitementsoftheball，cameuptothespot。
AsingleglanceatRatcliffeshowedhimthatsomethinghadgonewronginthecareerofthatgreatman，whosefortuneshealwaysfollowedwithsobitterasneerofcontempt。Impelledbythespiritofevilalwaysathiselbow，theBaronseizedthismomenttosoundthedepthofhisfriend\'swound。Theymetatthedoorsocloselythatrecognitionwasinevitable，andJacobi，withhisworstsmile，heldouthishand，sayingatthesamemomentwithdiabolicmalignity：
“IhopeImayoffermyfelicitationstoyourExcellency！”
Ratcliffewasgladtofindsomevictimonwhomhecouldventhisrage。Hehadalongscoreofhumiliationstorepaythisman，whoselastinsultwasbeyondallendurance。WithanoathhedashedJacobi\'shandaside，and，graspinghisshoulder，thrusthimoutofthepath。TheBaron，amongwhoseweaknessesthewantofhightemperandpersonalcouragewasnotrecorded，hadnomindtotoleratesuchaninsultfromsuchaman。EvenwhileRatcliffe\'shandwasstillonhisshoulderhehadraisedhiscane，andbeforetheSecretarysawwhatwascoming，theoldmanhadstruckhimwithallhisforcefullintheface。ForamomentRatcliffestaggeredbackandgrewpale，buttheshocksoberedhim。Hehesitatedasingleinstantwhethertocrushhisassailantwithablow，buthefeltthatforoneofhisyouthandstrength，toattackaninfirmdiplomatistinapublicstreetwouldbeafatalblunder，andwhileJacobistood，violentlyexcited，withhiscaneraisedreadytostrikeanotherblow，Mr。Ratcliffesuddenlyturnedhisbackandwithoutaword，hastenedaway。
WhenSybilreturned，notlongafterwards，shefoundnooneintheparlour。
Ongoingtohersister\'sroomshediscoveredMadeleinelyingonthecouch，lookingwornandpale，butwithaslightsmileandapeacefulexpressiononherface，asthoughshehaddonesomeactwhichherconscienceapproved。ShecalledSybiltoherside，and，takingherhand，said：
“Sybil，dearest，willyougoabroadwithmeagain？”
“OfcourseIwill，“saidSybil；“Iwillgototheendoftheworldwithyou。“
“IwanttogotoEgypt，“saidMadeleine，stillsmilingfaintly；
“democracyhasshakenmynervestopieces。Oh，whatrestitwouldbetoliveintheGreatPyramidandlookoutforeveratthepolarstar！”
ConclusionSYBILTOCARRINGTON“May1st，NewYork。
“MydearMr。Carrington，“Ipromisedtowriteyou，andso，tokeepmypromise，andalsobecausemysisterwishesmetotellyouaboutourplans，Isendthisletter。WehaveleftWashington——forever，Iamafraid——andaregoingtoEuropenextmonth。
Youmustknowthatafortnightago，LordSkyegaveagreatballtotheGrand-Duchessofsomething-or-otherquiteunspellable。I
nevercandescribethings，butitwasallveryfine。Iworealovelynewdress，andwasagreatsuccess，Iassureyou。SowasMadeleine，thoughshehadtositmostoftheeveningbythePrincess——suchadowdy！TheDukedancedwithmeseveraltimes；
hecan\'treverse，butthatdoesn\'tseemtomatterinaGrand-Duke。
Well！thingscametoacrisisattheendoftheevening。Ifollowedyourdirections，andafterwegothomegaveyourlettertoMadeleine。Shesaysshehasburnedit。Idon\'tknowwhathappenedafterwards——atremendousscene，Isuspect，butVictoriaDarewritesmefromWashingtonthateveryoneistalkingaboutM。\'srefusalofMr。R。，andadreadfulthingthattookplaceonourverydoorstepbetweenMr。R。andBaronJacobi，thedayaftertheball。
Shesaystherewasaregularpitchedbattle，andtheBaronstruckhimoverthefacewithhiscane。YouknowhowafraidMadeleinewasthattheywoulddosomethingofthesortinourparlour。I\'mgladtheywaitedtilltheywereinthestreet。Butisn\'titshocking！
TheysaytheBaronistobesentaway，orrecalled，orsomething。I
liketheoldgentleman，andforhissakeamgladduellingisgoneoutoffashion，thoughIdon\'tmuchbelieveMr。SilasP。Ratcliffecouldhitanything。TheBaronpassedthroughherethreedaysagoonhissummertriptoEurope。Helefthiscardonus，butwewereout，anddidnotseehim。WearegoingoverinJulywiththeSchneidekoupons，andMr。SchneidekouponhaspromisedtosendhisyachttotheMediterranean，sothatweshallsailaboutthereafterfinishingtheNile，andseeJerusalemandGibraltarandConstantinople。Ithinkitwillbeperfectlylovely。Ihateruins，butI
fancyyoucanbuydeliciousthingsinConstantinople。Ofcourse，afterwhathashappened，wecannevergobacktoWashington。I
shallmissourridesdreadfully。IreadMr。Browning\'s\'LastRideTogether，\'asyoutoldme；Ithinkit\'sbeautifulandperfectlyeasy，allbutalittle。Inevercouldunderstandawordofhimbefore——soI
nevertried。Whodoyouthinkisengaged？VictoriaDare，toacoronetandapeat-bog，withLordDunbegattached。Victoriasayssheishappierthansheeverwasbeforeinanyofherotherengagements，andsheissurethisistherealone。ShesaysshehasthirtythousandayearderivedfromthepoorofAmerica，whichmayjustaswellgotorelieveoneofthepoorinIreland。
Youknowherfatherwasaclaimagent，orsomesuchthing，andissaidtohavemadehismoneybycheatinghisclientsoutoftheirclaims。Sheisperfectlywildtobeacountess，andmeanstomakeCastleDunbeglovelyby-and-by，andentertainusallthere。
MadeleinesayssheisjustthekindtobeagreatsuccessinLondon。
Madeleineisverywell，andsendsherkindregards。Ibelievesheisgoingtoaddapostscript。Ihavepromisedtoletherreadthis，butI
don\'tthinkachaperonedletterismuchfuntowriteorreceive。
Hopingtohearfromyousoon，“Sincerelyyours，“SybilRoss。“
EnclosedwasathinstripofpapercontaininganothermessagefromSybil，privatelyinsertedatthelastmomentunknowntoMrs。
Lee——
“IfIwereinyourplaceIwouldtryagainaftershecomeshome。“
Mrs。Lee\'sP。S。wasveryshort——
“ThebitterestpartofallthishorridstoryisthatnineoutoftenofourcountrymenwouldsayIhadmadeamistake。“
End
