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diff --git a/2815-h/2815-h.htm b/2815-h/2815-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c54f5ad --- /dev/null +++ b/2815-h/2815-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8552 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <title> + Democracy an American Novel, by Henry Adams + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Democracy An American Novel, by Henry Adams + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Democracy An American Novel + +Author: Henry Adams + +Release Date: December 13, 2008 [EBook #2815] +Last Updated: March 14, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DEMOCRACY AN AMERICAN NOVEL *** + + + + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + DEMOCRACY AN AMERICAN NOVEL + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Henry Adams + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> Chapter I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> Chapter II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> Chapter III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> Chapter IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> Chapter V </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> Chapter VI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> Chapter VII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> Chapter VIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> Chapter IX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> Chapter X </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> Chapter XI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> Chapter XII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> Chapter XIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_CONC"> Conclusion </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="mynote"> + <p> + First published anonymously, March 1880, and soon in various + unauthorized editions. It wasn't until the 1925 edition that Adams was + listed as author. Henry Adams remarked (ironically as usual), “The + wholesale piracy of Democracy was the single real triumph of my life.”—it + was very popular, as readers tried to guess who the author was and who + the characters really were. Chapters XII and XIII were originally + misnumbered. + </p> + <br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + Chapter I + </h2> + <p> + FOR reasons which many persons thought ridiculous, Mrs. Lightfoot Lee + decided to pass the winter in Washington. She was in excellent health, but + she said that the climate would do her good. In New York she had troops of + friends, but she suddenly became eager to see again the very small number + of those who lived on the Potomac. It was only to her closest intimates + that she honestly acknowledged herself to be tortured by ennui. Since her + husband's death, five years before, she had lost her taste for New York + society; she had felt no interest in the price of stocks, and very little + in the men who dealt in them; she had become serious. What was it all + worth, this wilderness of men and women as monotonous as the brown stone + houses they lived in? In her despair she had resorted to desperate + measures. She had read philosophy in the original German, and the more she + read, the more she was disheartened that so much culture should lead to + nothing—nothing. + </p> + <p> + After talking of Herbert Spencer for an entire evening with a very + literary transcendental commission-merchant, she could not see that her + time had been better employed than when in former days she had passed it + in flirting with a very agreeable young stock-broker; indeed, there was an + evident proof to the contrary, for the flirtation might lead to something—had, + in fact, led to marriage; while the philosophy could lead to nothing, + unless it were perhaps to another evening of the same kind, because + transcendental philosophers are mostly elderly men, usually married, and, + when engaged in business, somewhat apt to be sleepy towards evening. + Nevertheless Mrs. Lee did her best to turn her study to practical use. She + plunged into philanthropy, visited prisons, inspected hospitals, read the + literature of pauperism and crime, saturated herself with the statistics + of vice, until her mind had nearly lost sight of virtue. At last it rose + in rebellion against her, and she came to the limit of her strength. This + path, too, seemed to lead nowhere. She declared that she had lost the + sense of duty, and that, so far as concerned her, all the paupers and + criminals in New York might henceforward rise in their majesty and manage + every railway on the continent. Why should she care? What was the city to + her? She could find nothing in it that seemed to demand salvation. What + gave peculiar sanctity to numbers? Why were a million people, who all + resembled each other, any way more interesting than one person? What + aspiration could she help to put into the mind of this great million-armed + monster that would make it worth her love or respect? Religion? A thousand + powerful churches were doing their best, and she could see no chance for a + new faith of which she was to be the inspired prophet. Ambition? High + popular ideals? Passion for whatever is lofty and pure? The very words + irritated her. Was she not herself devoured by ambition, and was she not + now eating her heart out because she could find no one object worth a + sacrifice? + </p> + <p> + Was it ambition—real ambition—or was it mere restlessness that + made Mrs. Lightfoot Lee so bitter against New York and Philadelphia, + Baltimore and Boston, American life in general and all life in particular? + What did she want? Not social position, for she herself was an eminently + respectable Philadelphian by birth; her father a famous clergyman; and her + husband had been equally irreproachable, a descendant of one branch of the + Virginia Lees, which had drifted to New York in search of fortune, and had + found it, or enough of it to keep the young man there. His widow had her + own place in society which no one disputed. Though not brighter than her + neighbours, the world persisted in classing her among clever women; she + had wealth, or at least enough of it to give her all that money can give + by way of pleasure to a sensible woman in an American city; she had her + house and her carriage; she dressed well; her table was good, and her + furniture was never allowed to fall behind the latest standard of + decorative art. She had travelled in Europe, and after several visits, + covering some years of time, had returned home, carrying in one hand, as + it were, a green-grey landscape, a remarkably pleasing specimen of Corot, + and in the other some bales of Persian and Syrian rugs and embroideries, + Japanese bronzes and porcelain. With this she declared Europe to be + exhausted, and she frankly avowed that she was American to the tips of her + fingers; she neither knew nor greatly cared whether America or Europe were + best to live in; she had no violent love for either, and she had no + objection to abusing both; but she meant to get all that American life had + to offer, good or bad, and to drink it down to the dregs, fully determined + that whatever there was in it she would have, and that whatever could be + made out of it she would manufacture. “I know,” said she, “that America + produces petroleum and pigs; I have seen both on the steamers; and I am + told it produces silver and gold. There is choice enough for any woman.” + </p> + <p> + Yet, as has been already said, Mrs. Lee's first experience was not a + success. She soon declared that New York might represent the petroleum or + the pigs, but the gold of life was not to be discovered there by her eyes. + </p> + <p> + Not but that there was variety enough; a variety of people, occupations, + aims, and thoughts; but that all these, after growing to a certain height, + stopped short. They found nothing to hold them up. She knew, more or less + intimately, a dozen men whose fortunes ranged between one million and + forty millions. What did they do with their money? What could they do with + it that was different from what other men did? After all, it is absurd to + spend more money than is enough to satisfy all one's wants; it is vulgar + to live in two houses in the same street, and to drive six horses abreast. + Yet, after setting aside a certain income sufficient for all one's wants, + what was to be done with the rest? To let it accumulate was to own one's + failure; Mrs. Lee's great grievance was that it did accumulate, without + changing or improving the quality of its owners. To spend it in charity + and public works was doubtless praiseworthy, but was it wise? Mrs. Lee had + read enough political economy and pauper reports to be nearly convinced + that public work should be public duty, and that great benefactions do + harm as well as good. + </p> + <p> + And even supposing it spent on these objects, how could it do more than + increase and perpetuate that same kind of human nature which was her great + grievance? Her New York friends could not meet this question except by + falling back upon their native commonplaces, which she recklessly trampled + upon, averring that, much as she admired the genius of the famous + traveller, Mr. Gulliver, she never had been able, since she became a + widow, to accept the Brobdingnagian doctrine that he who made two blades + of grass grow where only one grew before deserved better of mankind than + the whole race of politicians. She would not find fault with the + philosopher had he required that the grass should be of an improved + quality; “but,” said she, “I cannot honestly pretend that I should be + pleased to see two New York men where I now see one; the idea is too + ridiculous; more than one and a half would be fatal to me.” + </p> + <p> + Then came her Boston friends, who suggested that higher education was + precisely what she wanted; she should throw herself into a crusade for + universities and art-schools. Mrs. Lee turned upon them with a sweet + smile; “Do you know,” said she, “that we have in New York already the + richest university in America, and that its only trouble has always been + that it can get no scholars even by paying for them? Do you want me to go + out into the streets and waylay boys? If the heathen refuse to be + converted, can you give me power over the stake and the sword to compel + them to come in? And suppose you can? Suppose I march all the boys in + Fifth Avenue down to the university and have them all properly taught + Greek and Latin, English literature, ethics, and German philosophy. What + then? You do it in Boston. Now tell me honestly what comes of it. I + suppose you have there a brilliant society; numbers of poets, scholars, + philosophers, statesmen, all up and down Beacon Street. Your evenings must + be sparkling. Your press must scintillate. How is it that we New Yorkers + never hear of it? We don't go much into your society; but when we do, it + doesn't seem so very much better than our own. You are just like the rest + of us. You grow six inches high, and then you stop. Why will not somebody + grow to be a tree and cast a shadow?” + </p> + <p> + The average member of New York society, although not unused to this + contemptuous kind of treatment from his leaders, retaliated in his blind, + common-sense way. “What does the woman want?” he said. “Is her head turned + with the Tulieries and Marlborough House? Does she think herself made for + a throne? Why does she not lecture for women's rights? Why not go on the + stage? If she cannot be contented like other people, what need is there + for abusing us just because she feels herself no taller than we are? What + does she expect to get from her sharp tongue? What does she know, any + way?” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee certainly knew very little. She had read voraciously and + promiscuously one subject after another. Ruskin and Taine had danced + merrily through her mind, hand in hand with Darwin and Stuart Mill, + Gustave Droz and Algernon Swinburne. She had even laboured over the + literature of her own country. She was perhaps, the only woman in New York + who knew something of American history. Certainly she could not have + repeated the list of Presidents in their order, but she knew that the + Constitution divided the government into Executive, Legislative, and + Judiciary; she was aware that the President, the Speaker, and the Chief + Justice were important personages, and instinctively she wondered whether + they might not solve her problem; whether they were the shade trees which + she saw in her dreams. + </p> + <p> + Here, then, was the explanation of her restlessness, discontent, ambition,—call + it what you will. It was the feeling of a passenger on an ocean steamer + whose mind will not give him rest until he has been in the engine-room and + talked with the engineer. She wanted to see with her own eyes the action + of primary forces; to touch with her own hand the massive machinery of + society; to measure with her own mind the capacity of the motive power. + She was bent upon getting to the heart of the great American mystery of + democracy and government. She cared little where her pursuit might lead + her, for she put no extravagant value upon life, having already, as she + said, exhausted at least two lives, and being fairly hardened to + insensibility in the process. “To lose a husband and a baby,” said she, + “and keep one's courage and reason, one must become very hard or very + soft. I am now pure steel. You may beat my heart with a trip-hammer and it + will beat the trip-hammer back again.” + </p> + <p> + Perhaps after exhausting the political world she might try again + elsewhere; she did not pretend to say where she might then go, or what she + should do; but at present she meant to see what amusement there might be + in politics. + </p> + <p> + Her friends asked what kind of amusement she expected to find among the + illiterate swarm of ordinary people who in Washington represented + constituencies so dreary that in comparison New York was a New Jerusalem, + and Broad Street a grove of Academe. She replied that if Washington + society were so bad as this, she should have gained all she wanted, for it + would be a pleasure to return,—precisely the feeling she longed for. + In her own mind, however, she frowned on the idea of seeking for men. What + she wished to see, she thought, was the clash of interests, the interests + of forty millions of people and a whole continent, centering at + Washington; guided, restrained, controlled, or unrestrained and + uncontrollable, by men of ordinary mould; the tremendous forces of + government, and the machinery of society, at work. What she wanted, was + POWER. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the force of the engine was a little confused in her mind with + that of the engineer, the power with the men who wielded it. Perhaps the + human interest of politics was after all what really attracted her, and, + however strongly she might deny it, the passion for exercising power, for + its own sake, might dazzle and mislead a woman who had exhausted all the + ordinary feminine resources. But why speculate about her motives? The + stage was before her, the curtain was rising, the actors were ready to + enter; she had only to go quietly on among the supernumeraries and see how + the play was acted and the stage effects were produced; how the great + tragedians mouthed, and the stage-manager swore. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter II + </h2> + <p> + ON the first of December, Mrs. Lee took the train for Washington, and + before five o'clock that evening she was entering her newly hired house on + Lafayette Square. She shrugged her shoulders with a mingled expression of + contempt and grief at the curious barbarism of the curtains and the + wall-papers, and her next two days were occupied with a life-and-death + struggle to get the mastery over her surroundings. In this awful contest + the interior of the doomed house suffered as though a demon were in it; + not a chair, not a mirror, not a carpet, was left untouched, and in the + midst of the worst confusion the new mistress sat, calm as the statue of + Andrew Jackson in the square under her eyes, and issued her orders with as + much decision as that hero had ever shown. Towards the close of the second + day, victory crowned her forehead. A new era, a nobler conception of duty + and existence, had dawned upon that benighted and heathen residence. The + wealth of Syria and Persia was poured out upon the melancholy Wilton + carpets; embroidered comets and woven gold from Japan and Teheran depended + from and covered over every sad stuff-curtain; a strange medley of + sketches, paintings, fans, embroideries, and porcelain was hung, nailed, + pinned, or stuck against the wall; finally the domestic altarpiece, the + mystical Corot landscape, was hoisted to its place over the parlour fire, + and then all was over. The setting sun streamed softly in at the windows, + and peace reigned in that redeemed house and in the heart of its mistress. + </p> + <p> + “I think it will do now, Sybil,” said she, surveying the scene. + </p> + <p> + “It must,” replied Sybil. “You haven't a plate or a fan or coloured scarf + left. You must send out and buy some of these old negro-women's bandannas + if you are going to cover anything else. What is the use? Do you suppose + any human being in Washington will like it? They will think you demented.” + </p> + <p> + “There is such a thing as self-respect,” replied her sister, calmly. + </p> + <p> + Sybil—Miss Sybil Ross—was Madeleine Lee's sister. The keenest + psychologist could not have detected a single feature quality which they + had in common, and for that reason they were devoted friends. Madeleine + was thirty, Sybil twenty-four. Madeleine was indescribable; Sybil was + transparent. Madeleine was of medium height with a graceful figure, a + well-set head, and enough golden-brown hair to frame a face full of + varying expression. Her eyes were never for two consecutive hours of the + same shade, but were more often blue than grey. People who envied her + smile said that she cultivated a sense of humour in order to show her + teeth. Perhaps they were right; but there was no doubt that her habit of + talking with gesticulation would never have grown upon her unless she had + known that her hands were not only beautiful but expressive. She dressed + as skilfully as New York women do, but in growing older she began to show + symptoms of dangerous unconventionality. She had been heard to express a + low opinion of her countrywomen who blindly fell down before the golden + calf of Mr. Worth, and she had even fought a battle of great severity, + while it lasted, with one of her best-dressed friends who had been invited—and + had gone—to Mr. Worth's afternoon tea-parties. The secret was that + Mrs. Lee had artistic tendencies, and unless they were checked in time, + there was no knowing what might be the consequence. But as yet they had + done no harm; indeed, they rather helped to give her that sort of + atmosphere which belongs only to certain women; as indescribable as the + afterglow; as impalpable as an Indian summer mist; and non-existent except + to people who feel rather than reason. Sybil had none of it. The + imagination gave up all attempts to soar where she came. A more + straightforward, downright, gay, sympathetic, shallow, warm-hearted, + sternly practical young woman has rarely touched this planet. Her mind had + room for neither grave-stones nor guide-books; she could not have lived in + the past or the future if she had spent her days in churches and her + nights in tombs. “She was not clever, like Madeleine, thank Heaven.” + Madeleine was not an orthodox member of the church; sermons bored her, and + clergymen never failed to irritate every nerve in her excitable system. + Sybil was a simple and devout worshipper at the ritualistic altar; she + bent humbly before the Paulist fathers. When she went to a ball she always + had the best partner in the room, and took it as a matter of course; but + then, she always prayed for one; somehow it strengthened her faith. Her + sister took care never to laugh at her on this score, or to shock her + religious opinions. “Time enough,” said she, “for her to forget religion + when religion fails her.” As for regular attendance at church, Madeleine + was able to reconcile their habits without trouble. She herself had not + entered a church for years; she said it gave her unchristian feelings; but + Sybil had a voice of excellent quality, well trained and cultivated: + Madeleine insisted that she should sing in the choir, and by this little + manoeuvre, the divergence of their paths was made less evident. Madeleine + did not sing, and therefore could not go to church with Sybil. This + outrageous fallacy seemed perfectly to answer its purpose, and Sybil + accepted it, in good faith, as a fair working principle which explained + itself. + </p> + <p> + Madeleine was sober in her tastes. She wasted no money. She made no + display. + </p> + <p> + She walked rather than drove, and wore neither diamonds nor brocades. But + the general impression she made was nevertheless one of luxury. On the + other hand, her sister had her dresses from Paris, and wore them and her + ornaments according to all the formulas; she was good-naturedly correct, + and bent her round white shoulders to whatever burden the Parisian + autocrat chose to put upon them. Madeleine never interfered, and always + paid the bills. + </p> + <p> + Before they had been ten days in Washington, they fell gently into their + place and were carried along without an effort on the stream of social + life. + </p> + <p> + Society was kind; there was no reason for its being otherwise. Mrs. Lee + and her sister had no enemies, held no offices, and did their best to make + themselves popular. Sybil had not passed summers at Newport and winters in + New York in vain; and neither her face nor her figure, her voice nor her + dancing, needed apology. Politics were not her strong point. She was + induced to go once to the Capitol and to sit ten minutes in the gallery of + the Senate. No one ever knew what her impressions were; with feminine tact + she managed not to betray herself But, in truth, her notion of legislative + bodies was vague, floating between her experience at church and at the + opera, so that the idea of a performance of some kind was never out of her + head. To her mind the Senate was a place where people went to recite + speeches, and she naively assumed that the speeches were useful and had a + purpose, but as they did not interest her she never went again. This is a + very common conception of Congress; many Congressmen share it. + </p> + <p> + Her sister was more patient and bolder. She went to the Capitol nearly + every day for at least two weeks. At the end of that time her interest + began to flag, and she thought it better to read the debates every morning + in the Congressional Record. Finding this a laborious and not always an + instructive task, she began to skip the dull parts; and in the absence of + any exciting question, she at last resigned herself to skipping the whole. + Nevertheless she still had energy to visit the Senate gallery occasionally + when she was told that a splendid orator was about to speak on a question + of deep interest to his country. She listened with a little disposition to + admire, if she could; and, whenever she could, she did admire. She said + nothing, but she listened sharply. She wanted to learn how the machinery + of government worked, and what was the quality of the men who controlled + it. One by one, she passed them through her crucibles, and tested them by + acids and by fire. + </p> + <p> + A few survived her tests and came out alive, though more or less + disfigured, where she had found impurities. Of the whole number, only one + retained under this process enough character to interest her. + </p> + <p> + In these early visits to Congress, Mrs. Lee sometimes had the company of + John Carrington, a Washington lawyer about forty years old, who, by virtue + of being a Virginian and a distant connection of her husband, called + himself a cousin, and took a tone of semi-intimacy, which Mrs. Lee + accepted because Carrington was a man whom she liked, and because he was + one whom life had treated hardly. He was of that unfortunate generation in + the south which began existence with civil war, and he was perhaps the + more unfortunate because, like most educated Virginians of the old + Washington school, he had seen from the first that, whatever issue the war + took, Virginia and he must be ruined. At twenty-two he had gone into the + rebel army as a private and carried his musket modestly through a campaign + or two, after which he slowly rose to the rank of senior captain in his + regiment, and closed his services on the staff of a major-general, always + doing scrupulously enough what he conceived to be his duty, and never + doing it with enthusiasm. When the rebel armies surrendered, he rode away + to his family plantation—not a difficult thing to do, for it was + only a few miles from Appomatox—and at once began to study law; + then, leaving his mother and sisters to do what they could with the + worn-out plantation, he began the practice of law in Washington, hoping + thus to support himself and them. He had succeeded after a fashion, and + for the first time the future seemed not absolutely dark. Mrs. Lee's house + was an oasis to him, and he found himself, to his surprise, almost gay in + her company. The gaiety was of a very quiet kind, and Sybil, while + friendly with him, averred that he was certainly dull; but this dulness + had a fascination for Madeleine, who, having tasted many more kinds of the + wine of life than Sybil, had learned to value certain delicacies of age + and flavour that were lost upon younger and coarser palates. He talked + rather slowly and almost with effort, but he had something of the dignity—others + call it stiffness—of the old Virginia school, and twenty years of + constant responsibility and deferred hope had added a touch of care that + bordered closely on sadness. His great attraction was that he never talked + or seemed to think of himself. Mrs. Lee trusted in him by instinct. “He is + a type!” said she; “he is my idea of George Washington at thirty.” + </p> + <p> + One morning in December, Carrington entered Mrs. Lee's parlour towards + noon, and asked if she cared to visit the Capitol. + </p> + <p> + “You will have a chance of hearing to-day what may be the last great + speech of our greatest statesman,” said he; “you should come.” + </p> + <p> + “A splendid sample of our native raw material, sir?” asked she, fresh from + a reading of Dickens, and his famous picture of American statesmanship. + </p> + <p> + “Precisely so,” said Carrington; “the Prairie Giant of Peonia, the + Favourite Son of Illinois; the man who came within three votes of getting + the party nomination for the Presidency last spring, and was only defeated + because ten small intriguers are sharper than one big one. The Honourable + Silas P. Ratcliffe, Senator from Illinois; he will be run for the + Presidency yet.” + </p> + <p> + “What does the P. stand for?” asked Sybil. + </p> + <p> + “I don't remember ever to have heard his middle name,” said Carrington. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps it is Peonia or Prairie; I can't say.” + </p> + <p> + “He is the man whose appearance struck me so much when we were in the + Senate last week, is he not? A great, ponderous man, over six feet high, + very senatorial and dignified, with a large head and rather good + features?” inquired Mrs. Lee. + </p> + <p> + “The same,” replied Carrington. “By all means hear him speak. He is the + stumbling-block of the new President, who is to be allowed no peace unless + he makes terms with Ratcliffe; and so every one thinks that the Prairie + Giant of Peonia will have the choice of the State or Treasury Department. + If he takes either it will be the Treasury, for he is a desperate + political manager, and will want the patronage for the next national + convention.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee was delighted to hear the debate, and Carrington was delighted to + sit through it by her side, and to exchange running comments with her on + the speeches and the speakers. + </p> + <p> + “Have you ever met the Senator?” asked she. + </p> + <p> + “I have acted several times as counsel before his committees. He is an + excellent chairman, always attentive and generally civil.” + </p> + <p> + “Where was he born?” + </p> + <p> + “The family is a New England one, and I believe respectable. He came, I + think, from some place in the Connecticut Valley, but whether Vermont, New + Hampshire, or Massachusetts, I don't know.” + </p> + <p> + “Is he an educated man?” + </p> + <p> + “He got a kind of classical education at one of the country colleges + there. I suspect he has as much education as is good for him. But he went + West very soon after leaving college, and being then young and fresh from + that hot-bed of abolition, he threw himself into the anti-slavery movement + in Illinois, and after a long struggle he rose with the wave. He would not + do the same thing now.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” + </p> + <p> + “He is older, more experienced, and not so wise. Besides, he has no longer + the time to wait. Can you see his eyes from here? I call them Yankee + eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't abuse the Yankees,” said Mrs. Lee; “I am half Yankee myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that abuse? Do you mean to deny that they have eyes?” + </p> + <p> + “I concede that there may be eyes among them; but Virginians are not fair + judges of their expression.” + </p> + <p> + “Cold eyes,” he continued; “steel grey, rather small, not unpleasant in + good-humour, diabolic in a passion, but worst when a little suspicious; + then they watch you as though you were a young rattle-snake, to be killed + when convenient.” + </p> + <p> + “Does he not look you in the face?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; but not as though he liked you. His eyes only seem to ask the + possible uses you might be put to. Ah, the vice-president has given him + the floor; now we shall have it. Hard voice, is it not? like his eyes. + Hard manner, like his voice. Hard all through.” + </p> + <p> + “What a pity he is so dreadfully senatorial!” said Mrs. Lee; “otherwise I + rather admire him.” + </p> + <p> + “Now he is settling down to his work,” continued Carrington. “See how he + dodges all the sharp issues. What a thing it is to be a Yankee! What a + genius the fellow has for leading a party! Do you see how well it is all + done? The new President flattered and conciliated, the party united and + given a strong lead. And now we shall see how the President will deal with + him. Ten to one on Ratcliffe. Come, there is that stupid ass from Missouri + getting up. Let us go.” + </p> + <p> + As they passed down the steps and out into the Avenue, Mrs. Lee turned to + Carrington as though she had been reflecting deeply and had at length + reached a decision. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Carrington,” said she, “I want to know Senator Ratcliffe.” + </p> + <p> + “You will meet him to-morrow evening,” replied Carrington, “at your + senatorial dinner.” + </p> + <p> + The Senator from New York, the Honourable Schuyler Clinton, was an old + admirer of Mrs. Lee, and his wife was a cousin of hers, more or less + distant. They had lost no time in honouring the letter of credit she thus + had upon them, and invited her and her sister to a solemn dinner, as + imposing as political dignity could make it. Mr. Carrington, as a + connection of hers, was one of the party, and almost the only one among + the twenty persons at table who had neither an office, nor a title, nor a + constituency. + </p> + <p> + Senator Clinton received Mrs. Lee and her sister with tender enthusiasm, + for they were attractive specimens of his constituents. He pressed their + hands and evidently restrained himself only by an effort from embracing + them, for the Senator had a marked regard for pretty women, and had made + love to every girl with any pretensions to beauty that had appeared in the + State of New York for fully half a century. At the same time he whispered + an apology in her ear; he regretted so much that he was obliged to forego + the pleasure of taking her to dinner; Washington was the only city in + America where this could have happened, but it was a fact that ladies here + were very great stickiers for etiquette; on the other hand he had the sad + consolation that she would be the gainer, for he had allotted to her Lord + Skye, the British Minister, “a most agreeable man and not married, as I + have the misfortune to be;” and on the other side “I have ventured to + place Senator Ratcliffe, of Illinois, whose admirable speech I saw you + listening to with such rapt attention yesterday. I thought you might like + to know him. Did I do right?” + </p> + <p> + Madeleine assured him that he had divined her inmost wishes, and he turned + with even more warmth of affection to her sister: “As for you, my dear—dear + Sybil, what can I do to make your dinner agreeable? If I give your sister + a coronet, I am only sorry not to have a diadem for you. But I have done + everything in my power. The first Secretary of the Russian Legation, Count + Popoff, will take you in; a charming young man, my dear Sybil; and on your + other side I have placed the Assistant Secretary of State, whom you know.” + </p> + <p> + And so, after the due delay, the party settled themselves at the + dinner-table, and Mrs. Lee found Senator Ratcliffe's grey eyes resting on + her face for a moment as they sat down. + </p> + <p> + Lord Skye was very agreeable, and, at almost any other moment of her life, + Mrs. Lee would have liked nothing better than to talk with him from the + beginning to the end of her dinner. Tall, slender, bald-headed, awkward, + and stammering with his elaborate British stammer whenever it suited his + convenience to do so; a sharp observer who had wit which he commonly + concealed; a humourist who was satisfied to laugh silently at his own + humour; a diplomatist who used the mask of frankness with great effect; + Lord Skye was one of the most popular men in Washington. Every one knew + that he was a ruthless critic of American manners, but he had the art to + combine ridicule with good-humour, and he was all the more popular + accordingly. He was an outspoken admirer of American women in everything + except their voices, and he did not even shrink from occasionally quizzing + a little the national peculiarities of his own countrywomen; a sure piece + of flattery to their American cousins. He would gladly have devoted + himself to Mrs. Lee, but decent civility required that he should pay some + attention to his hostess, and he was too good a diplomatist not to be + attentive to a hostess who was the wife of a Senator, and that Senator the + chairman of the committee of foreign relations. + </p> + <p> + The moment his head was turned, Mrs. Lee dashed at her Peonia Giant, who + was then consuming his fish, and wishing he understood why the British + Minister had worn no gloves, while he himself had sacrificed his + convictions by wearing the largest and whitest pair of French kids that + could be bought for money on Pennsylvania Avenue. There was a little touch + of mortification in the idea that he was not quite at home among + fashionable people, and at this instant he felt that true happiness was + only to be found among the simple and honest sons and daughters of toil. A + certain secret jealousy of the British Minister is always lurking in the + breast of every American Senator, if he is truly democratic; for + democracy, rightly understood, is the government of the people, by the + people, for the benefit of Senators, and there is always a danger that the + British Minister may not understand this political principle as he should. + Lord Skye had run the risk of making two blunders; of offending the + Senator from New York by neglecting his wife, and the Senator from + Illinois by engrossing the attention of Mrs. Lee. A young Englishman would + have done both, but Lord Skye had studied the American constitution. The + wife of the Senator from New York now thought him most agreeable, and at + the same moment the Senator from Illinois awoke to the conviction that + after all, even in frivolous and fashionable circles, true dignity is in + no danger of neglect; an American Senator represents a sovereign state; + the great state of Illinois is as big as England—with the convenient + omission of Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, India, Australia, and a few + other continents and islands; and in short, it was perfectly clear that + Lord Skye was not formidable to him, even in light society; had not Mrs. + Lee herself as good as said that no position equalled that of an American + Senator? + </p> + <p> + In ten minutes Mrs. Lee had this devoted statesman at her feet. She had + not studied the Senate without a purpose. She had read with unerring + instinct one general characteristic of all Senators, a boundless and + guileless thirst for flattery, engendered by daily draughts from political + friends or dependents, then becoming a necessity like a dram, and + swallowed with a heavy smile of ineffable content. A single glance at Mr. + Ratcliffe's face showed Madeleine that she need not be afraid of + flattering too grossly; her own self-respect, not his, was the only + restraint upon her use of this feminine bait. + </p> + <p> + She opened upon him with an apparent simplicity and gravity, a quiet + repose of manner, and an evident consciousness of her own strength, which + meant that she was most dangerous. + </p> + <p> + “I heard your speech yesterday, Mr. Ratcliffe. I am glad to have a chance + of telling you how much I was impressed by it. It seemed to me masterly. + Do you not find that it has had a great effect?” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you, madam. I hope it will help to unite the party, but as yet we + have had no time to measure its results. That will require several days + more.” The Senator spoke in his senatorial manner, elaborate, + condescending, and a little on his guard. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know,” said Mrs. Lee, turning towards him as though he were a + valued friend, and looking deep into his eyes, “Do you know that every one + told me I should be shocked by the falling off in political ability at + Washington? I did not believe them, and since hearing your speech I am + sure they are mistaken. Do you yourself think there is less ability in + Congress than there used to be?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, madam, it is difficult to answer that question. Government is not + so easy now as it was formerly. There are different customs. There are + many men of fair abilities in public life; many more than there used to + be; and there is sharper criticism and more of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Was I right in thinking that you have a strong resemblance to Daniel + Webster in your way of speaking? You come from the same neighbourhood, do + you not?” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee here hit on Ratcliffe's weak point; the outline of his head had, + in fact, a certain resemblance to that of Webster, and he prided himself + upon it, and on a distant relationship to the Expounder of the + Constitution; he began to think that Mrs. Lee was a very intelligent + person. His modest admission of the resemblance gave her the opportunity + to talk of Webster's oratory, and the conversation soon spread to a + discussion of the merits of Clay and Calhoun. The Senator found that his + neighbour—a fashionable New York woman, exquisitely dressed, and + with a voice and manner seductively soft and gentle—had read the + speeches of Webster and Calhoun. She did not think it necessary to tell + him that she had persuaded the honest Carrington to bring her the volumes + and to mark such passages as were worth her reading; but she took care to + lead the conversation, and she criticised with some skill and more humour + the weak points in Websterian oratory, saying with a little laugh and a + glance into his delighted eyes: + </p> + <p> + “My judgment may not be worth much, Mr. Senator, but it does seem to me + that our fathers thought too much of themselves, and till you teach me + better I shall continue to think that the passage in your speech of + yesterday which began with, 'Our strength lies in this twisted and tangled + mass of isolated principles, the hair of the half-sleeping giant of + Party,' is both for language and imagery quite equal to anything of + Webster's.” + </p> + <p> + The Senator from Illinois rose to this gaudy fly like a huge, + two-hundred-pound salmon; his white waistcoat gave out a mild silver + reflection as he slowly came to the surface and gorged the hook. He made + not even a plunge, not one perceptible effort to tear out the barbed + weapon, but, floating gently to her feet, allowed himself to be landed as + though it were a pleasure. Only miserable casuists will ask whether this + was fair play on Madeleine's part; whether flattery so gross cost her + conscience no twinge, and whether any woman can without self-abasement be + guilty of such shameless falsehood. She, however, scorned the idea of + falsehood. She would have defended herself by saying that she had not so + much praised Ratcliffe as depreciated Webster, and that she was honest in + her opinion of the old-fashioned American oratory. But she could not deny + that she had wilfully allowed the Senator to draw conclusions very + different from any she actually held. She could not deny that she had + intended to flatter him to the extent necessary for her purpose, and that + she was pleased at her success. Before they rose from table the Senator + had quite unbent himself; he was talking naturally, shrewdly, and with + some humour; he had told her Illinois stories; spoken with extraordinary + freedom about his political situation; and expressed the wish to call upon + Mrs. Lee, if he could ever hope to find her at home. + </p> + <p> + “I am always at home on Sunday evenings,” said she. + </p> + <p> + To her eyes he was the high-priest of American politics; he was charged + with the meaning of the mysteries, the clue to political hieroglyphics. + Through him she hoped to sound the depths of statesmanship and to bring up + from its oozy bed that pearl of which she was in search; the mysterious + gem which must lie hidden somewhere in politics. She wanted to understand + this man; to turn him inside out; to experiment on him and use him as + young physiologists use frogs and kittens. If there was good or bad in + him, she meant to find its meaning. + </p> + <p> + And he was a western widower of fifty; his quarters in Washington were in + gaunt boarding-house rooms, furnished only with public documents and + enlivened by western politicians and office-seekers. In the summer he + retired to a solitary, white framehouse with green blinds, surrounded by a + few feet of uncared-for grass and a white fence; its interior more dreary + still, with iron stoves, oil-cloth carpets, cold white walls, and one + large engraving of Abraham Lincoln in the parlour; all in Peonia, + Illinois! What equality was there between these two combatants? what hope + for him? what risk for her? And yet Madeleine Lee had fully her match in + Mr. Silas P. Ratcliffe. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter III + </h2> + <p> + MRS. Lee soon became popular. Her parlour was a favourite haunt of certain + men and women who had the art of finding its mistress at home; an art + which seemed not to be within the powers of everybody. Carrington was apt + to be there more often than any one else, so that he was looked on as + almost a part of the family, and if Madeleine wanted a book from the + library, or an extra man at her dinner-table, Carrington was pretty + certain to help her to the one or the other. Old Baron Jacobi, the + Bulgarian minister, fell madly in love with both sisters, as he commonly + did with every pretty face and neat figure. He was a witty, cynical, + broken-down Parisian roué, kept in Washington for years past by his debts + and his salary; always grumbling because there was no opera, and + mysteriously disappearing on visits to New York; a voracious devourer of + French and German literature, especially of novels; a man who seemed to + have met every noted or notorious personage of the century, and whose mind + was a magazine of amusing information; an excellent musical critic, who + was not afraid to criticise Sybil's singing; a connoisseur in bric-à-brac, + who laughed at Madeleine's display of odds and ends, and occasionally + brought her a Persian plate or a bit of embroidery, which he said was good + and would do her credit. This old sinner believed in everything that was + perverse and wicked, but he accepted the prejudices of Anglo-Saxon + society, and was too clever to obtrude his opinions upon others. + </p> + <p> + He would have married both sisters at once more willingly than either + alone, but as he feelingly said, “If I were forty years younger, + mademoiselle, you should not sing to me so calmly.” His friend Popoff, an + intelligent, vivacious Russian, with very Calmuck features, susceptible as + a girl, and passionately fond of music, hung over Sybil's piano by the + hour; he brought Russian airs which he taught her to sing, and, if the + truth were known, he bored Madeleine desperately, for she undertook to act + the part of duenna to her younger sister. + </p> + <p> + A very different visitor was Mr. C. C. French, a young member of Congress + from Connecticut, who aspired to act the part of the educated gentleman in + politics, and to purify the public tone. He had reform principles and an + unfortunately conceited maimer; he was rather wealthy, rather clever, + rather well-educated, rather honest, and rather vulgar. His allegiance was + divided between Mrs. Lee and her sister, whom he infuriated by addressing + as “Miss Sybil” with patronising familiarity. He was particularly strong + in what he called “badinaige,” and his playful but ungainly attempts at + wit drove Mrs. + </p> + <p> + Lee beyond the bounds of patience. When in a solemn mood, he talked as + though he were practising for the ear of a college debating society, and + with a still worse effect on the patience; but with all this he was + useful, always bubbling with the latest political gossip, and deeply + interested in the fate of party stakes. Quite another sort of person was + Mr. Hartbeest Schneidekoupon, a citizen of Philadelphia, though commonly + resident in New York, where he had fallen a victim to Sybil's charms, and + made efforts to win her young affections by instructing her in the + mysteries of currency and protection, to both which subjects he was + devoted. To forward these two interests and to watch over Miss Ross's + welfare, he made periodical visits to Washington, where he closeted + himself with committee-men and gave expensive dinners to members of + Congress. Mr. Schneidekoupon was rich, and about thirty years old, tall + and thin, with bright eyes and smooth face, elaborate manners and much + loquacity. He had the reputation of turning rapid intellectual + somersaults, partly to amuse himself and partly to startle society. At one + moment he was artistic, and discoursed scientifically about his own + paintings; at another he was literary, and wrote a book on “Noble Living,” + with a humanitarian purpose; at another he was devoted to sport, rode a + steeplechase, played polo, and set up a four-in-hand; his last occupation + was to establish in Philadelphia the Protective Review, a periodical in + the interests of American industry, which he edited himself, as a + stepping-stone to Congress, the Cabinet, and the Presidency. At about the + same time he bought a yacht, and heavy bets were pending among his + sporting friends whether he would manage to sink first his Review or his + yacht. But he was an amiable and excellent fellow through all his + eccentricities, and he brought to Mrs. Lee the simple outpourings of the + amateur politician. + </p> + <p> + A much higher type of character was Mr. Nathan Gore, of Massachusetts, a + handsome man with a grey beard, a straight, sharply cut nose, and a fine, + penetrating eye; in his youth a successful poet whose satires made a noise + in their day, and are still remembered for the pungency and wit of a few + verses; then a deep student in Europe for many years, until his famous + “History of Spain in America” placed him instantly at the head of American + historians, and made him minister at Madrid, where he remained four years + to his entire satisfaction, this being the nearest approach to a patent of + nobility and a government pension which the American citizen can attain. A + change of administration had reduced him to private life again, and after + some years of retirement he was now in Washington, willing to be restored + to his old mission. Every President thinks it respectable to have at least + one literary man in his pay, and Mr. Gore's prospects were fair for + obtaining his object, as he had the active support of a majority of the + Massachusetts delegation. He was abominably selfish, colossally egoistic, + and not a little vain; but he was shrewd; he knew how to hold his tongue; + he could flatter dexterously, and he had learned to eschew satire. Only in + confidence and among friends he would still talk freely, but Mrs. Lee was + not yet on those terms with him. These were all men, and there was no want + of women in Mrs. + </p> + <p> + Lee's parlour; but, after all, they are able to describe themselves better + than any poor novelist can describe them. Generally two currents of + conversation ran on together—one round Sybil, the other about + Madeleine. + </p> + <p> + “Mees Ross,” said Count Popoff, leading in a handsome young foreigner, “I + have your permission to present to you my friend Count Orsini, Secretary + of the Italian Legation. Are you at home this afternoon? Count Orsini + sings also.” + </p> + <p> + “We are charmed to see Count Orsini. It is well you came so late, for I + have this moment come in from making Cabinet calls. They were so queer! I + have been crying with laughter for an hour past.” “Do you find these calls + amusing?” asked Popoff, gravely and diplomatically. “Indeed I do! I went + with Julia Schneidekoupon, you know, Madeleine; the Schneidekoupons are + descended from all the Kings of Israel, and are prouder than Solomon in + his glory. And when we got into the house of some dreadful woman from + Heaven knows where, imagine my feelings at overhearing this conversation: + 'What may be your family name, ma'am?' 'Schneidekoupon is my name,' + replies Julia, very tall and straight. 'Have you any friends whom I should + likely know?' 'I think not,' says Julia, severely. 'Wal! I don't seem to + remember of ever having heerd the name. But I s'pose it's all right. I + like to know who calls.' I almost had hysterics when we got into the + street, but Julia could not see the joke at all.” + </p> + <p> + Count Orsini was not quite sure that he himself saw the joke, so he only + smiled becomingly and showed his teeth. For simple, childlike vanity and + self-consciousness nothing equals an Italian Secretary of Legation at + twenty-five. Yet conscious that the effect of his personal beauty would + perhaps be diminished by permanent silence, he ventured to murmur + presently: + </p> + <p> + “Do you not find it very strange, this society in America?” + </p> + <p> + “Society!” laughed Sybil with gay contempt. “There are no snakes in + America, any more than in Norway.” + </p> + <p> + “Snakes, mademoiselle!” repeated Orsini, with the doubtful expression of + one who is not quite certain whether he shall risk walking on thin ice, + and decides to go softly: “Snakes! Indeed they would rather be doves I + would call them.” + </p> + <p> + A kind laugh from Sybil strengthened into conviction his hope that he had + made a joke in this unknown tongue. His face brightened, his confidence + returned; once or twice he softly repeated to himself: “Not snakes; they + would be doves!” But Mrs. Lee's sensitive ear had caught Sybil's remark, + and detected in it a certain tone of condescension which was not to her + taste. + </p> + <p> + The impassive countenances of these bland young Secretaries of Legation + seemed to acquiesce far too much as a matter of course in the idea that + there was no society except in the old world. She broke into the + conversation with an emphasis that fluttered the dove-cote: + </p> + <p> + “Society in America? Indeed there is society in America, and very good + society too; but it has a code of its own, and new-comers seldom + understand it. I will tell you what it is, Mr. Orsini, and you will never + be in danger of making any mistake. 'Society' in America means all the + honest, kindly-mannered, pleasant-voiced women, and all the good, brave, + unassuming men, between the Atlantic and the Pacific. Each of these has a + free pass in every city and village, 'good for this generation only,' and + it depends on each to make use of this pass or not as it may happen to + suit his or her fancy. To this rule there are no exceptions, and those who + say 'Abraham is our father' will surely furnish food for that humour which + is the staple product of our country.” + </p> + <p> + The alarmed youths, who did not in the least understand the meaning of + this demonstration, looked on with a feeble attempt at acquiescence, while + Mrs. + </p> + <p> + Lee brandished her sugar-tongs in the act of transferring a lump of sugar + to her cup, quite unconscious of the slight absurdity of the gesture, + while Sybil stared in amazement, for it was not often that her sister + waved the stars and stripes so energetically. Whatever their silent + criticisms might be, however, Mrs. Lee was too much in earnest to be + conscious of them, or, indeed, to care for anything but what she was + saying. There was a moment's pause when she came to the end of her speech, + and then the thread of talk was quietly taken up again where Sybil's + incipient sneer had broken it. + </p> + <p> + Carrington came in. “What have you been doing at the Capitol?” asked + Madeleine. + </p> + <p> + “Lobbying!” was the reply, given in the semi-serious tone of Carrington's + humour. + </p> + <p> + “So soon, and Congress only two days old?” exclaimed Mrs. Lee. + </p> + <p> + “Madam,” rejoined Carrington, with his quietest malice, “Congressmen are + like birds of the air, which are caught only by the early worm.” “Good + afternoon, Mrs. Lee. Miss Sybil, how do you do again? Which of these + gentlemen's hearts are you feeding upon now?” This was the refined style + of Mr. French, indulging in what he was pleased to term “badinaige.” He, + too, was on his way from the Capitol, and had come in for a cup of tea and + a little human society. Sybil made a face which plainly expressed a + longing to inflict on Mr. French some grievous personal wrong, but she + pretended not to hear. He sat down by Madeleine, and asked, “Did you see + Ratcliffe yesterday?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Madeleine; “he was here last evening with Mr. Carrington and + one or two others.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he say anything about politics?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a word. We talked mostly about books.” + </p> + <p> + “Books! What does he know about books?” + </p> + <p> + “You must ask him.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, this is the most ridiculous situation we are all in. No one knows + anything about the new President. You could take your oath that everybody + is in the dark. Ratcliffe says he knows as little as the rest of us, but + it can't be true; he is too old a politician not to have wires in his + hand; and only to-day one of the pages of the Senate told my colleague + Cutter that a letter sent off by him yesterday was directed to Sam Grimes, + of North Bend, who, as every one knows, belongs to the President's + particular crowd.—Why, Mr. Schneidekoupon! How do you do? When did + you come on?” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you; this morning,” replied Mr. Schneidekoupon, just entering the + room. “So glad to see you again, Mrs. Lee. How do you and your sister like + Washington? Do you know I have brought Julia on for a visit? I thought I + should find her here. + </p> + <p> + “She has just gone. She has been all the afternoon with Sybil, making + calls. She says you want her here to lobby for you, Mr. Schneidekoupon. Is + it true?” + </p> + <p> + “So I did,” replied he, with a laugh, “but she is precious little use. So + I've come to draft you into the service.” + </p> + <p> + “Me!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; you know we all expect Senator Ratcliffe to be Secretary of the + Treasury, and it is very important for us to keep him straight on the + currency and the tariff. So I have come on to establish more intimate + relations with him, as they say in diplomacy. I want to get him to dine + with me at Welckley's, but as I know he keeps very shy of politics I + thought my only chance was to make it a ladies' dinner, so I brought on + Julia. I shall try and get Mrs. Schuyler Clinton, and I depend upon you + and your sister to help Julia out.” + </p> + <p> + “Me! at a lobby dinner! Is that proper?” + </p> + <p> + “Why not? You shall choose the guests.” + </p> + <p> + “I never heard of such a thing; but it would certainly be amusing. Sybil + must not go, but I might.” “Excuse me; Julia depends upon Miss Ross, and + will not go to table without her.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” assented Mrs. Lee, hesitatingly, “perhaps if you get Mrs. Clinton, + and if your sister is there And who else?” + </p> + <p> + “Choose your own company.” + </p> + <p> + “I know no one.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes; here is French, not quite sound on the tariff, but good for what + we want just now. Then we can get Mr. Gore; he has his little hatchet to + grind too, and will be glad to help grind ours. We only want two or three + more, and I will have an extra man or so to fill up.” + </p> + <p> + “Do ask the Speaker. I want to know him.” + </p> + <p> + “I will, and Carrington, and my Pennsylvania Senator. That will do nobly. + Remember, Welckley's, Saturday at seven.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Sybil had been at the piano, and when she had sung for a time, + Orsini was induced to take her place, and show that it was possible to + sing without injury to one's beauty. Baron Jacobi came in and found fault + with them both. Little Miss Dare—commonly known among her male + friends as little Daredevil—who was always absorbed in some + flirtation with a Secretary of Legation, came in, quite unaware that + Popoff was present, and retired with him into a corner, while Orsini and + Jacobi bullied poor Sybil, and fought with each other at the piano; + everybody was talking with very little reference to any reply, when at + last Mrs. Lee drove them all out of the room: “We are quiet people,” said + she, “and we dine at half-past six.” + </p> + <p> + Senator Ratcliffe had not failed to make his Sunday evening call upon Mrs. + </p> + <p> + Lee. Perhaps it was not strictly correct to say that they had talked books + all the evening, but whatever the conversation was, it had only confirmed + Mr. Ratcliffe's admiration for Mrs. Lee, who, without intending to do so, + had acted a more dangerous part than if she had been the most accomplished + of coquettes. Nothing could be more fascinating to the weary politician in + his solitude than the repose of Mrs. Lee's parlour, and when Sybil sang + for him one or two simple airs—she said they were foreign hymns, the + Senator being, or being considered, orthodox—Mr. Ratcliffe's heart + yearned toward the charming girl quite with the sensations of a father, or + even of an elder brother. + </p> + <p> + His brother senators very soon began to remark that the Prairie Giant had + acquired a trick of looking up to the ladies' gallery. One day Mr. + Jonathan Andrews, the special correspondent of the New York Sidereal + System, a very friendly organ, approached Senator Schuyler Clinton with a + puzzled look on his face. + </p> + <p> + “Can you tell me,” said he, “what has happened to Silas P. Ratcliffe? Only + a moment ago I was talking with him at his seat on a very important + subject, about which I must send his opinions off to New York to-night, + when, in the middle of a sentence, he stopped short, got up without + looking at me, and left the Senate Chamber, and now I see him in the + gallery talking with a lady whose face I don't know.” + </p> + <p> + Senator Clinton slowly adjusted his gold eye-glasses and looked up at the + place indicated: “Ah! Mrs. Lightfoot Lee! I think I will say a word to her + myself;” and turning his back on the special correspondent, he skipped + away with youthful agility after the Senator from Illinois. + </p> + <p> + “Devil!” muttered Mr. Andrews; “what has got into the old fools?” and in a + still less audible murmur as he looked up to Mrs. Lee, then in close + conversation with Ratcliffe: “Had I better make an item of that?” + </p> + <p> + When young Mr. Schneidekoupon called upon Senator Ratcliffe to invite him + to the dinner at Welckley's, he found that gentleman overwhelmed with + work, as he averred, and very little disposed to converse. No! he did not + now go out to dinner. In the present condition of the public business he + found it impossible to spare the time for such amusements. He regretted to + decline Mr. Schneidekoupon's civility, but there were imperative reasons + why he should abstain for the present from social entertainments; he had + made but one exception to his rule, and only at the pressing request of + his old friend Senator Clinton, and on a very special occasion. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Schneidekoupon was deeply vexed—the more, he said, because he + had meant to beg Mr. and Mrs. Clinton to be of the party, as well as a + very charming lady who rarely went into society, but who had almost + consented to come. + </p> + <p> + “Who is that?” inquired the Senator. + </p> + <p> + “A Mrs. Lightfoot Lee, of New York. Probably you do not know her well + enough to admire her as I do; but I think her quite the most intelligent + woman I ever met.” + </p> + <p> + The Senator's cold eyes rested for a moment on the young man's open face + with a peculiar expression of distrust. Then he solemnly said, in his + deepest senatorial tones: + </p> + <p> + “My young friend, at my time of life men have other things to occupy them + than women, however intelligent they may be. Who else is to be of your + party?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Schneidekoupon named his list. + </p> + <p> + “And for Saturday evening at seven, did you say?” + </p> + <p> + “Saturday at seven.” + </p> + <p> + “I fear there is little chance of my attending, but I will not absolutely + decline. Perhaps when the moment arrives, I may find myself able to be + there. But do not count upon me—do not count upon me. Good day, Mr. + Schneidekoupon.” + </p> + <p> + Schneidekoupon was rather a simple-minded young man, who saw no deeper + than his neighbours into the secrets of the universe, and he went off + swearing roundly at “the infernal airs these senators give themselves.” He + told Mrs. + </p> + <p> + Lee all the conversation, as indeed he was compelled to do under penalty + of bringing her to his party under false pretences. + </p> + <p> + “Just my luck,” said he; “here I am forced to ask no end of people to meet + a man, who at the same time says he shall probably not come. Why, under + the stars, couldn't he say, like other people, whether he was coming or + not? I've known dozens of senators, Mrs. Lee, and they're all like that. + They never think of any one but themselves.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee smiled rather a forced smile, and soothed his wounded feelings; + she had no doubt the dinner would be very agreeable whether the Senator + were there or not; at any rate she would do all she could to carry it off + well, and Sybil should wear her newest dress. Still she was a little + grave, and Mr. Schneidekoupon could only declare that she was a trump; + that he had told Ratcliffe she was the cleverest woman he ever met, and he + might have added the most obliging, and Ratcliffe had only looked at him + as though he were a green ape. At all which Mrs. Lee laughed + good-naturedly, and sent him away as soon as she could. + </p> + <p> + When he was gone, she walked up and down the room and thought. She saw the + meaning of Ratcliffe's sudden change in tone. She had no more doubt of his + coming to the dinner than she had of the reason why he came. And was it + possible that she was being drawn into something very near a flirtation + with a man twenty years her senior; a politician from Illinois; a huge, + ponderous, grey-eyed, bald senator, with a Websterian head, who lived in + Peonia? The idea was almost too absurd to be credited; but on the whole + the thing itself was rather amusing. “I suppose senators can look out for + themselves like other men,” was her final conclusion. She thought only of + his danger, and she felt a sort of compassion for him as she reflected on + the possible consequences of a great, absorbing love at his time of life. + </p> + <p> + Her conscience was a little uneasy; but of herself she never thought. Yet + it is a historical fact that elderly senators have had a curious + fascination for young and handsome women. Had they looked out for + themselves too? And which parties most needed to be looked after? + </p> + <p> + When Madeleine and her sister arrived at Welckley's 's the next Saturday + evening, they found poor Schneidekoupon in a temper very unbecoming a + host. + </p> + <p> + “He won't come! I told you he wouldn't come!” said he to Madeleine, as he + handed her into the house. “If I ever turn communist, it will be for the + fun of murdering a senator.” + </p> + <p> + Madeleine consoled him gently, but he continued to use, behind Mr. + Clinton's back, language the most offensive and improper towards the + Senate, and at last, ringing the bell, he sharply ordered the head waiter + to serve dinner. + </p> + <p> + At that very moment the door opened, and Senator Ratcliffe's stately + figure appeared on the threshold. His eye instantly caught Madeleine's, + and she almost laughed aloud, for she saw that the Senator was dressed + with very unsenatorial neatness; that he had actually a flower in his + burton-hole and no gloves! + </p> + <p> + After the enthusiastic description which Schneidekoupon had given of Mrs. + </p> + <p> + Lee's charms, he could do no less than ask Senator Ratcliffe to take her + in to dinner, which he did without delay. Either this, or the champagne, + or some occult influence, had an extraordinary effect upon him. He + appeared ten years younger than usual; his face was illuminated; his eyes + glowed; he seemed bent on proving his kinship to the immortal Webster by + rivalling his convivial powers. He dashed into the conversation; laughed, + jested, and ridiculed; told stories in Yankee and Western dialect; gave + sharp little sketches of amusing political experiences. + </p> + <p> + “Never was more surprised in my life,” whispered Senator Krebs, of + Pennsylvania, across the table to Schneidekoupon. “Hadn't an idea that + Ratcliffe was so entertaining.” + </p> + <p> + And Mr. Clinton, who sat by Madeleine on the other side, whispered low + into her ear: “I am afraid, my dear Mrs. Lee, that you are responsible for + this. He never talks so to the Senate.” + </p> + <p> + Nay, he even rose to a higher flight, and told the story of President + Lincoln's death-bed with a degree of feeling that brought tears into their + eyes. The other guests made no figure at all. The Speaker consumed his + solitary duck and his lonely champagne in a corner without giving a sign. + </p> + <p> + Even Mr. Gore, who was not wont to hide his light under any kind of + extinguisher, made no attempt to claim the floor, and applauded with + enthusiasm the conversation of his opposite neighbour. Ill-natured people + might say that Mr. Gore saw in Senator Ratcliffe a possible Secretary of + State; be this as it may, he certainly said to Mrs. Clinton, in an aside + that was perfectly audible to every one at the table: “How brilliant! what + an original mind! what a sensation he would make abroad!” And it was quite + true, apart from the mere momentary effect of dinner-table talk, that + there was a certain bigness about the man; a keen practical sagacity; a + bold freedom of self-assertion; a broad way of dealing with what he knew. + </p> + <p> + Carrington was the only person at table who looked on with a perfectly + cool head, and who criticised in a hostile spirit. Carrington's impression + of Ratcliffe was perhaps beginning to be warped by a shade of jealousy, + for he was in a peculiarly bad temper this evening, and his irritation was + not wholly concealed. + </p> + <p> + “If one only had any confidence in the man!” he muttered to French, who + sat by him. + </p> + <p> + This unlucky remark set French to thinking how he could draw Ratcliffe + out, and accordingly, with his usual happy manner, combining self-conceit + and high principles, he began to attack the Senator with some “badinaige” + on the delicate subject of Civil Service Reform, a subject almost as + dangerous in political conversation at Washington as slavery itself in old + days before the war. French was a reformer, and lost no occasion of + impressing his views; but unluckily he was a very light weight, and his + manner was a little ridiculous, so that even Mrs. Lee, who was herself a + warm reformer, sometimes went over to the other side when he talked. No + sooner had he now shot his little arrow at the Senator, than that astute + man saw his opportunity, and promised himself the pleasure of + administering to Mr. + </p> + <p> + French punishment such as he knew would delight the company. Reformer as + Mrs. Lee was, and a little alarmed at the roughness of Ratcliffe's + treatment, she could not blame the Prairie Giant, as she ought, who, after + knocking poor French down, rolled him over and over in the mud. + </p> + <p> + “Are you financier enough, Mr. French, to know what are the most famous + products of Connecticut?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. French modestly suggested that he thought its statesmen best answered + that description. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir! even there you're wrong. The showmen beat you on your own + ground. But every child in the union knows that the most famous products + of Connecticut are Yankee notions, nutmegs made of wood and clocks that + won't go. Now, your Civil Service Reform is just such another Yankee + notion; it's a wooden nutmeg; it's a clock with a show case and sham + works. And you know it! You are precisely the old-school Connecticut + peddler. You have gone about peddling your wooden nutmegs until you have + got yourself into Congress, and now you pull them out of your pockets and + not only want us to take them at your own price, but you lecture us on our + sins if we don't. Well! we don't mind your doing that at home. Abuse us as + much as you like to your constituents. Get as many votes as you can. But + don't electioneer here, because we know you intimately, and we've all been + a little in the wooden nutmeg business ourselves.” + </p> + <p> + Senator Clinton and Senator Krebs chuckled high approval over this + punishment of poor French, which was on the level of their idea of wit. + They were all in the nutmeg business, as Ratcliffe said. The victim tried + to make head against them; he protested that his nutmegs were genuine; he + sold no goods that he did not guarantee; and that this particular article + was actually guaranteed by the national conventions of both political + parties. + </p> + <p> + “Then what you want, Mr. French, is a common school education. You need a + little study of the alphabet. Or if you won't believe me, ask my brother + senators here what chance there is for your Reforms so long as the + American citizen is what he is.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll not get much comfort in my State, Mr. French,” growled the senator + from Pennsylvania, with a sneer; “suppose you come and try.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well!” said the benevolent Mr. Schuyler Clinton, gleaming + benignantly through his gold spectacles; “don't be too hard on French. He + means well. Perhaps he's not very wise, but he does good. I know more + about it than any of you, and I don't deny that the thing is all bad. + Only, as Mr. Ratcliffe says, the difficulty is in the people, not in us. + Go to work on them, French, and let us alone.” + </p> + <p> + French repented of his attack, and contented himself by muttering to + Carrington: “What a set of damned old reprobates they are!” + </p> + <p> + “They are right, though, in one thing,” was Carrington's reply: “their + advice is good. Never ask one of them to reform anything; if you do, you + will be reformed yourself.” + </p> + <p> + The dinner ended as brilliantly as it began, and Schneidekoupon was + delighted with his success. He had made himself particularly agreeable to + Sybil by confiding in her all his hopes and fears about the tariff and the + finances. When the ladies left the table, Ratcliffe could not stay for a + cigar; he must get back to his rooms, where he knew several men were + waiting for him; he would take his leave of the ladies and hurry away. But + when the gentlemen came up nearly an hour afterwards they found Ratcliffe + still taking his leave of the ladies, who were delighted at his + entertaining conversation; and when at last he really departed, he said to + Mrs. Lee, as though it were quite a matter of course: “You are at home as + usual to-morrow evening?” Madeleine smiled, bowed, and he went his way. + </p> + <p> + As the two sisters drove home that night, Madeleine was unusually silent. + </p> + <p> + Sybil yawned convulsively and then apologized: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Schneidekoupon is very nice and good-natured, but a whole evening of + him goes a long way; and that horrid Senator Krebs would not say a word, + and drank a great deal too much wine, though it couldn't make him any more + stupid than he is. I don't think I care for senators.” Then, wearily, + after a pause: “Well, Maude, I do hope you've got what you wanted. I'm + sure you must have had politics enough. Haven't you got to the heart of + your great American mystery yet?” + </p> + <p> + “Pretty near it, I think,” said Madeleine, half to herself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter IV + </h2> + <p> + SUNDAY evening was stormy, and some enthusiasm was required to make one + face its perils for the sake of society. Nevertheless, a few intimates + made their appearance as usual at Mrs. Lee's. The faithful Popoff was + there, and Miss Dare also ran in to pass an hour with her dear Sybil; but + as she passed the whole evening in a corner with Popoff, she must have + been disappointed in her object. Carrington came, and Baron Jacobi. + Schneidekoupon and his sister dined with Mrs. Lee, and remained after + dinner, while Sybil and Julia Schneidekoupon compared conclusions about + Washington society. The happy idea also occurred to Mr. Gore that, + inasmuch as Mrs. Lee's house was but a step from his hotel, he might as + well take the chance of amusement there as the certainty of solitude in + his rooms. Finally, Senator Ratcliffe duly made his appearance, and, + having established himself with a cup of tea by Madeleine's side, was soon + left to enjoy a quiet talk with her, the rest of the party by common + consent occupying themselves with each other. Under cover of the murmur of + conversation in the room, Mr. Ratcliffe quickly became confidential. + </p> + <p> + “I came to suggest that, if you want to hear an interesting debate, you + should come up to the Senate to-morrow. I am told that Garrard, of + Louisiana, means to attack my last speech, and I shall probably in that + case have to answer him. With you for a critic I shall speak better.” + </p> + <p> + “Am I such an amiable critic?” asked Madeleine. + </p> + <p> + “I never heard that amiable critics were the best,” said he; “justice is + the soul of good criticism, and it is only justice that I ask and expect + from you.” + </p> + <p> + “What good does this speaking do?” inquired she. “Are you any nearer the + end of your difficulties by means of your speeches?” + </p> + <p> + “I hardly know yet. Just now we are in dead water; but this can't last + long. In fact, I am not afraid to tell you, though of course you will not + repeat it to any human being, that we have taken measures to force an + issue. Certain gentlemen, myself among the rest, have written letters + meant for the President's eye, though not addressed directly to him, and + intended to draw out an expression of some sort that will show us what to + expect.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” laughed Madeleine, “I knew about that a week ago.” + </p> + <p> + “About what?” + </p> + <p> + “About your letter to Sam Grimes, of North Bend.” + </p> + <p> + “What have you heard about my letter to Sam Grimes, of North Bend?” + ejaculated Ratcliffe, a little abruptly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you do not know how admirably I have organised my secret service + bureau,” said she. “Representative Cutter cross-questioned one of the + Senate pages, and obliged him to confess that he had received from you a + letter to be posted, which letter was addressed to Mr. Grimes, of North + Bend.” + </p> + <p> + “And, of course, he told this to French, and French told you,” said + Ratcliffe; “I see. If I had known this I would not have let French off so + gently last night, for I prefer to tell you my own story without his + embellishments. But it was my fault. I should not have trusted a page. + Nothing is a secret here long. But one thing that Mr. Cutter did not find + out was that several other gentlemen wrote letters at the same time, for + the same purpose. Your friend, Mr. Clinton, wrote; Krebs wrote; and one or + two members.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose I must not ask what you said?” + </p> + <p> + “You may. We agreed that it was best to be very mild and conciliatory, and + to urge the President only to give us some indication of his intentions, + in order that we might not run counter to them. I drew a strong picture of + the effect of the present situation on the party, and hinted that I had no + personal wishes to gratify.” + </p> + <p> + “And what do you think will be the result?” + </p> + <p> + “I think we shall somehow manage to straighten things out,” said + Ratcliffe. + </p> + <p> + “The difficulty is only that the new President has little experience, and + is suspicious. He thinks we shall intrigue to tie his hands, and he means + to tie ours in advance. I don't know him personally, but those who do, and + who are fair judges, say that, though rather narrow and obstinate, he is + honest enough, and will come round. I have no doubt I could settle it all + with him in an hour's talk, but it is out of the question for me to go to + him unless I am asked, and to ask me to come would be itself a + settlement.” + </p> + <p> + “What, then, is the danger you fear?” + </p> + <p> + “That he will offend all the important party leaders in order to + conciliate unimportant ones, perhaps sentimental ones, like your friend + French; that he will make foolish appointments without taking advice. By + the way, have you seen French to-day?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied Madeleine; “I think he must be sore at your treatment of him + last evening. You were very rude to him.” + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit,” said Ratcliffe; “these reformers need it. His attack on me + was meant for a challenge. I saw it in his manner. + </p> + <p> + “But is reform really so impossible as you describe it? Is it quite + hopeless?” + </p> + <p> + “Reform such as he wants is utterly hopeless, and not even desirable.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee, with much earnestness of manner, still pressed her question: + </p> + <p> + “Surely something can be done to check corruption. Are we for ever to be + at the mercy of thieves and ruffians? Is a respectable government + impossible in a democracy?” + </p> + <p> + Her warmth attracted Jacobi's attention, and he spoke across the room. + “What is that you say, Mrs. Lee? What is it about corruption?” + </p> + <p> + All the gentlemen began to listen and gather about them. + </p> + <p> + “I am asking Senator Ratcliffe,” said she, “what is to become of us if + corruption is allowed to go unchecked.” + </p> + <p> + “And may I venture to ask permission to hear Mr. Ratcliffe's reply?” asked + the baron. + </p> + <p> + “My reply,” said Ratcliffe, “is that no representative government can long + be much better or much worse than the society it represents. Purify + society and you purify the government. But try to purify the government + artificially and you only aggravate failure.” + </p> + <p> + “A very statesmanlike reply,” said Baron Jacobi, with a formal bow, but + his tone had a shade of mockery. Carrington, who had listened with a + darkening face, suddenly turned to the baron and asked him what conclusion + he drew from the reply. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” exclaimed the baron, with his wickedest leer, “what for is my + conclusion good? You Americans believe yourselves to be excepted from the + operation of general laws. You care not for experience. I have lived + seventy-five years, and all that time in the midst of corruption. I am + corrupt myself, only I do have courage to proclaim it, and you others have + it not. Rome, Paris, Vienna, Petersburg, London, all are corrupt; only + Washington is pure! Well, I declare to you that in all my experience I + have found no society which has had elements of corruption like the United + States. The children in the street are corrupt, and know how to cheat me. + The cities are all corrupt, and also the towns and the counties and the + States' legislatures and the judges. Everywhere men betray trusts both + public and private, steal money, run away with public funds. Only in the + Senate men take no money. And you gentlemen in the Senate very well + declare that your great United States, which is the head of the civilized + world, can never learn anything from the example of corrupt Europe. You + are right—quite right! The great United States needs not an example. + I do much regret that I have not yet one hundred years to live. If I could + then come back to this city, I should find myself very content—much + more than now. I am always content where there is much corruption, and ma + parole d'honneur!” broke out the old man with fire and gesture, “the + United States will then be more corrupt than Rome under Caligula; more + corrupt than the Church under Leo X.; more corrupt than France under the + Regent!” + </p> + <p> + As the baron closed his little harangue, which he delivered directly at + the senator sitting underneath him, he had the satisfaction to see that + every one was silent and listening with deep attention. He seemed to enjoy + annoying the senator, and he had the satisfaction of seeing that the + senator was visibly annoyed. Ratcliffe looked sternly at the baron and + said, with some curtness, that he saw no reason to accept such + conclusions. + </p> + <p> + Conversation flagged, and all except the baron were relieved when Sybil, + at Schneidekoupon's request, sat down at the piano to sing what she called + a hymn. So soon as the song was over, Ratcliffe, who seemed to have been + curiously thrown off his balance by Jacobi's harangue, pleaded urgent + duties at his rooms, and retired. The others soon afterwards went off in a + body, leaving only Carrington and Gore, who had seated himself by + Madeleine, and was at once dragged by her into a discussion of the subject + which perplexed her, and for the moment threw over her mind a net of + irresistible fascination. + </p> + <p> + “The baron discomfited the senator,” said Gore, with a certain hesitation. + </p> + <p> + “Why did Ratcliffe let himself be trampled upon in that manner?” + </p> + <p> + “I wish you would explain why,” replied Mrs. Lee; “tell me, Mr. Gore—you + who represent cultivation and literary taste hereabouts—please tell + me what to think about Baron Jacobi's speech. Who and what is to be + believed? Mr. Ratcliffe seems honest and wise. Is he a corruptionist? He + believes in the people, or says he does. Is he telling the truth or not?” + </p> + <p> + Gore was too experienced in politics to be caught in such a trap as this. + He evaded the question. “Mr. Ratcliffe has a practical piece of work to + do; his business is to make laws and advise the President; he does it + extremely well. We have no other equally good practical politician; it is + unfair to require him to be a crusader besides.” + </p> + <p> + “No!” interposed Carrington, curtly; “but he need not obstruct crusades. + He need not talk virtue and oppose the punishment of vice.” + </p> + <p> + “He is a shrewd practical politician,” replied Gore, “and he feels first + the weak side of any proposed political tactics.” + </p> + <p> + With a sigh of despair Madeleine went on: “Who, then, is right? How can we + all be right? Half of our wise men declare that the world is going + straight to perdition; the other half that it is fast becoming perfect. + Both cannot be right. There is only one thing in life,” she went on, + laughing, “that I must and will have before I die. I must know whether + America is right or wrong. Just now this question is a very practical one, + for I really want to know whether to believe in Mr. Ratcliffe. If I throw + him overboard, everything must go, for he is only a specimen.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not believe in Mr. Ratcliffe?” said Gore; “I believe in him myself, + and am not afraid to say so.” + </p> + <p> + Carrington, to whom Ratcliffe now began to represent the spirit of evil, + interposed here, and observed that he imagined Mr. Gore had other guides + besides, and steadier ones than Ratcliffe, to believe in; while Madeleine, + with a certain feminine perspicacity, struck at a much weaker point in Mr. + </p> + <p> + Gore's armour, and asked point-blank whether he believed also in what + Ratcliffe represented: “Do you yourself think democracy the best + government, and universal suffrage a success?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gore saw himself pinned to the wall, and he turned at bay with almost + the energy of despair: + </p> + <p> + “These are matters about which I rarely talk in society; they are like the + doctrine of a personal God; of a future life; of revealed religion; + subjects which one naturally reserves for private reflection. But since + you ask for my political creed, you shall have it. I only condition that + it shall be for you alone, never to be repeated or quoted as mine. I + believe in democracy. I accept it. I will faithfully serve and defend it. + I believe in it because it appears to me the inevitable consequence of + what has gone before it. Democracy asserts the fact that the masses are + now raised to a higher intelligence than formerly. All our civilisation + aims at this mark. We want to do what we can to help it. I myself want to + see the result. I grant it is an experiment, but it is the only direction + society can take that is worth its taking; the only conception of its duty + large enough to satisfy its instincts; the only result that is worth an + effort or a risk. Every other possible step is backward, and I do not care + to repeat the past. I am glad to see society grapple with issues in which + no one can afford to be neutral.” + </p> + <p> + “And supposing your experiment fails,” said Mrs. Lee; “suppose society + destroys itself with universal suffrage, corruption, and communism.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish, Mrs. Lee, you would visit the Observatory with me some evening, + and look at Sirius. Did you ever make the acquaintance of a fixed star? I + believe astronomers reckon about twenty millions of them in sight, and an + infinite possibility of invisible millions, each one of which is a sun, + like ours, and may have satellites like our planet. Suppose you see one of + these fixed stars suddenly increase in brightness, and are told that a + satellite has fallen into it and is burning up, its career finished, its + capacities exhausted? Curious, is it not; but what does it matter? Just as + much as the burning up of a moth at your candle.” + </p> + <p> + Madeleine shuddered a little. “I cannot get to the height of your + philosophy,” said she. “You are wandering among the infinites, and I am + finite.” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all! But I have faith; not perhaps in the old dogmas, but in the + new ones; faith in human nature; faith in science; faith in the survival + of the fittest. Let us be true to our time, Mrs. Lee! If our age is to be + beaten, let us die in the ranks. If it is to be victorious, let us be + first to lead the column. Anyway, let us not be skulkers or grumblers. + There! have I repeated my catechism correctly? You would have it! Now + oblige me by forgetting it. I should lose my character at home if it got + out. Good night!” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee duly appeared at the Capitol the next day, as she could not but + do after Senator Ratcliffe's pointed request. She went alone, for Sybil + had positively refused to go near the Capitol again, and Madeleine thought + that on the whole this was not an occasion for enrolling Carrington in her + service. But Ratcliffe did not speak. The debate was unexpectedly + postponed. + </p> + <p> + He joined Mrs. Lee in the gallery, however, sat with her as long as she + would allow, and became still more confidential, telling her that he had + received the expected reply from Grimes, of North Bend, and that it had + enclosed a letter written by the President-elect to Mr. Grimes in regard + to the advances made by Mr. Ratcliffe and his friends. + </p> + <p> + “It is not a handsome letter,” said he; “indeed, a part of it is + positively insulting. I would like to read you one extract from it, and + hear your opinion as to how it should be treated.” Taking the letter from + his pocket, he sought out the passage, and read as follows: “'I cannot + lose sight, too, of the consideration that these three Senators' (he means + Clinton, Krebs, and me) are popularly considered to be the most + influential members of that so-called senatorial ring, which has acquired + such general notoriety. While I shall always receive their communications + with all due respect, I must continue to exercise complete freedom of + action in consulting other political advisers as well as these, and I must + in all cases make it my first object to follow the wishes of the people, + not always most truly represented by their nominal representatives.' What + say you to that precious piece of presidential manners?” + </p> + <p> + “At least I like his courage,” said Mrs. Lee. + </p> + <p> + “Courage is one thing; common sense is another. This letter is a studied + insult. He has knocked me off the track once. He means to do it again. It + is a declaration of war. What ought I to do?” + </p> + <p> + “Whatever is most for the public good.” said Madeleine, gravely. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe looked into her face with such undisguised delight—there + was so little possibility of mistaking or ignoring the expression of his + eyes, that she shrank back with a certain shock. She was not prepared for + so open a demonstration. He hardened his features at once, and went on: + </p> + <p> + “But what is most for the public good?” + </p> + <p> + “That you know better than I,” said Madeleine; “only one thing is clear to + me. If you let yourself be ruled by your private feelings, you will make a + greater mistake than he. Now I must go, for I have visits to make. The + next time I come, Mr. Ratcliffe, you must keep your word better.” + </p> + <p> + When they next met, Ratcliffe read to her a part of his reply to Mr. + Grimes, which ran thus: “It is the lot of every party leader to suffer + from attacks and to commit errors. It is true, as the President says, that + I have been no exception to this law. Believing as I do that great results + can only be accomplished by great parties, I have uniformly yielded my own + personal opinions where they have failed to obtain general assent. I shall + continue to follow this course, and the President may with perfect + confidence count upon my disinterested support of all party measures, even + though I may not be consulted in originating them.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee listened attentively, and then said: “Have you never refused to + go with your party?” + </p> + <p> + “Never!” was Ratcliffe's firm reply. + </p> + <p> + Madeleine still more thoughtfully inquired again: “Is nothing more + powerful than party allegiance?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, except national allegiance,” replied Ratcliffe, still more + firmly. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter V + </h2> + <p> + TO tie a prominent statesman to her train and to lead him about like a + tame bear, is for a young and vivacious woman a more certain amusement + than to tie herself to him and to be dragged about like an Indian squaw. + This fact was Madeleine Lee's first great political discovery in + Washington, and it was worth to her all the German philosophy she had ever + read, with even a complete edition of Herbert Spencer's works into the + bargain. There could be no doubt that the honours and dignities of a + public career were no fair consideration for its pains. She made a little + daily task for herself of reading in succession the lives and letters of + the American Presidents, and of their wives, when she could find that + there was a trace of the latter's existence. What a melancholy spectacle + it was, from George Washington down to the last incumbent; what vexations, + what disappointments, what grievous mistakes, what very objectionable + manners! Not one of them, who had aimed at high purpose, but had been + thwarted, beaten, and habitually insulted! What a gloom lay on the + features of those famous chieftains, Calhoun, Clay, and Webster; what + varied expression of defeat and unsatisfied desire; what a sense of + self-importance and senatorial magniloquence; what a craving for flattery; + what despair at the sentence of fate! And what did they amount to, after + all? + </p> + <p> + They were practical men, these! they had no great problems of thought to + settle, no questions that rose above the ordinary rules of common morals + and homely duty. How they had managed to befog the subject! What elaborate + show-structures they had built up, with no result but to obscure the + horizon! Would not the country have done better without them? Could it + have done worse? What deeper abyss could have opened under the nation's + feet, than that to whose verge they brought it? + </p> + <p> + Madeleine's mind wearied with the monotony of the story. She discussed the + subject with Ratcliffe, who told her frankly that the pleasure of politics + lay in the possession of power. He agreed that the country would do very + well without him. “But here I am,” said he, “and here I mean to stay.” He + had very little sympathy for thin moralising, and a statesmanlike contempt + for philosophical politics. He loved power, and he meant to be President. + </p> + <p> + That was enough. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes the tragic and sometimes the comic side was uppermost in her + mind, and sometimes she did not herself know whether to cry or to laugh. + </p> + <p> + Washington more than any other city in the world swarms with simple-minded + exhibitions of human nature; men and women curiously out of place, whom it + would be cruel to ridicule and ridiculous to weep over. The sadder + exhibitions are fortunately seldom seen by respectable people; only the + little social accidents come under their eyes. One evening Mrs. Lee went + to the President's first evening reception. As Sybil flatly refused to + face the crowd, and Carrington mildly said that he feared he was not + sufficiently reconstructed to appear at home in that august presence, Mrs. + Lee accepted Mr. French for an escort, and walked across the Square with + him to join the throng that was pouring into the doors of the White House. + They took their places in the line of citizens and were at last able to + enter the reception-room. There Madeleine found herself before two + seemingly mechanical figures, which might be wood or wax, for any sign + they showed of life. These two figures were the President and his wife; + they stood stiff and awkward by the door, both their faces stripped of + every sign of intelligence, while the right hands of both extended + themselves to the column of visitors with the mechanical action of toy + dolls. Mrs. Lee for a moment began to laugh, but the laugh died on her + lips. To the President and his wife this was clearly no laughing matter. + There they stood, automata, representatives of the society which streamed + past them. Madeleine seized Mr. French by the arm. + </p> + <p> + “Take me somewhere at once,” said she, “where I can look at it. Here! in + the corner. I had no conception how shocking it was!” + </p> + <p> + Mr. French supposed she was thinking of the queer-looking men and women + who were swarming through the rooms, and he made, after his own delicate + notion of humour, some uncouth jests on those who passed by. Mrs. Lee, + however, was in no humour to explain or even to listen. She stopped him + short:— + </p> + <p> + “There, Mr. French! Now go away and leave me. I want to be alone for half + an hour. Please come for me then.” And there she stood, with her eyes + fixed on the President and his wife, while the endless stream of humanity + passed them, shaking hands. + </p> + <p> + What a strange and solemn spectacle it was, and how the deadly fascination + of it burned the image in upon her mind! What a horrid warning to + ambition! + </p> + <p> + And in all that crowd there was no one besides herself who felt the + mockery of this exhibition. To all the others this task was a regular part + of the President's duty, and there was nothing ridiculous about it. They + thought it a democratic institution, this droll a ping of monarchical + forms. To them the deadly dulness of the show was as natural and proper as + ever to the courtiers of the Philips and Charleses seemed the ceremonies + of the Escurial. To her it had the effect of a nightmare, or of an + opium-eater's vision, She felt a sudden conviction that this was to be the + end of American society; its realisation and dream at once. She groaned in + spirit. + </p> + <p> + “Yes! at last I have reached the end! We shall grow to be wax images, and + our talk will be like the squeaking of toy dolls. We shall all wander + round and round the earth and shake hands. No one will have any object in + this world, and there will be no other. It is worse than anything in the + 'Inferno.' What an awful vision of eternity!” + </p> + <p> + Suddenly, as through a mist, she saw the melancholy face of Lord Skye + approaching. He came to her side, and his voice recalled her to reality. + </p> + <p> + “Does it amuse you, this sort of thing?” he asked in a vague way. + </p> + <p> + “We take our amusement sadly, after the manner of our people,” she + replied; “but it certainly interests me.” + </p> + <p> + They stood for a time in silence, watching the slowly eddying dance of + Democracy, until he resumed: + </p> + <p> + “Whom do you take that man to be—the long, lean one, with a long + woman on each arm?” + </p> + <p> + “That man,” she replied, “I take to be a Washington department-clerk, or + perhaps a member of Congress from Iowa, with a wife and wife's sister. Do + they shock your nobility?” + </p> + <p> + He looked at her with comical resignation. “You mean to tell me that they + are quite as good as dowager-countesses. I grant it. My aristocratic + spirit is broken, Mrs. Lee. I will even ask them to dinner if you bid me, + and if you will come to meet them. But the last time I asked a member of + Congress to dine, he sent me back a note in pencil on my own envelope that + he would bring two of his friends with him, very respectable constituents + from Yahoo city, or some such place; nature's noblemen, he said.” + </p> + <p> + “You should have welcomed them.” + </p> + <p> + “I did. I wanted to see two of nature's noblemen, and I knew they would + probably be pleasanter company than their representative. They came; very + respectable persons, one with a blue necktie, the other with a red one: + both had diamond pins in their shirts, and were carefully brushed in + respect to their hair. They said nothing, ate little, drank less, and were + much better behaved than I am. When they went away, they unanimously asked + me to stay with them when I visited Yahoo city.” + </p> + <p> + “You will not want guests if you always do that.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know. I think it was pure ignorance on their part. They knew no + better, and they seemed modest enough. My only complaint was that I could + get nothing out of them. I wonder whether their wives would have been more + amusing.” + </p> + <p> + “Would they be so in England, Lord Skye?” + </p> + <p> + He looked down at her with half-shut eyes, and drawled: “You know my + countrywomen?” + </p> + <p> + “Hardly at all.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let us discuss some less serious subject.” + </p> + <p> + “Willingly. I have waited for you to explain to me why you have to-night + an expression of such melancholy.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that quite friendly, Mrs. Lee? Do I really look melancholy?” + </p> + <p> + “Unutterably, as I feel. I am consumed with curiosity to know the reason.” + </p> + <p> + The British minister coolly took a complete survey of the whole room, + ending with a prolonged stare at the President and his wife, who were + still mechanically shaking hands; then he looked back into her face, and + said never a word. + </p> + <p> + She insisted: “I must have this riddle answered. It suffocates me. I + should not be sad at seeing these same people at work or at play, if they + ever do play; or in a church or a lecture-room. Why do they weigh on me + like a horrid phantom here?” + </p> + <p> + “I see no riddle, Mrs. Lee. You have answered your own question; they are + neither at work nor at play.” + </p> + <p> + “Then please take me home at once. I shall have hysterics. The sight of + those two suffering images at the door is too mournful to be borne. I am + dizzy with looking at these stalking figures. I don't believe they're + real. I wish the house would take fire. I want an earthquake. I wish some + one would pinch the President, or pull his wife's hair.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee did not repeat the experiment of visiting the White House, and + indeed for some time afterwards she spoke with little enthusiasm of the + presidential office. To Senator Ratcliffe she expressed her opinions + strongly. The Senator tried in vain to argue that the people had a right + to call upon their chief magistrate, and that he was bound to receive + them; this being so, there was no less objectionable way of proceeding + than the one which had been chosen. “Who gave the people any such right?” + asked Mrs. Lee. “Where does it come from? What do they want it for? You + know better, Mr. Ratcliffe! Our chief magistrate is a citizen like any one + else. What puts it into his foolish head to cease being a citizen and to + ape royalty? Our governors never make themselves ridiculous. Why cannot + the wretched being content himself with living like the rest of us, and + minding his own business? Does he know what a figure of fun he is?” And + Mrs. Lee went so far as to declare that she would like to be the + President's wife only to put an end to this folly; nothing should ever + induce her to go through such a performance; and if the public did not + approve of this, Congress might impeach her, and remove her from office; + all she demanded was the right to be heard before the Senate in her own + defence. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, there was a very general impression in Washington that Mrs. + </p> + <p> + Lee would like nothing better than to be in the White House. Known to + comparatively few people, and rarely discussing even with them the + subjects which deeply interested her, Madeleine passed for a clever, + intriguing woman who had her own objects to gain. True it is, beyond + peradventure, that all residents of Washington may be assumed to be in + office or candidates for office; unless they avow their object, they are + guilty of an attempt—and a stupid one—to deceive; yet there is + a small class of apparent exceptions destined at last to fall within the + rule. Mrs. Lee was properly assumed to be a candidate for office. To the + Washingtonians it was a matter of course that Mrs. Lee should marry Silas + P. Ratcliffe. That he should be glad to get a fashionable and intelligent + wife, with twenty or thirty thousand dollars a year, was not surprising. + That she should accept the first public man of the day, with a flattering + chance for the Presidency—a man still comparatively young and not + without good looks—was perfectly natural, and in her undertaking she + had the sympathy of all well-regulated Washington women who were not + possible rivals; for to them the President's wife is of more consequence + than the President; and, indeed, if America only knew it, they are not + very far from the truth. + </p> + <p> + Some there were, however, who did not assent to this good-natured though + worldly view of the proposed match. These ladies were severe in their + comments upon Mrs. Lee's conduct, and did not hesitate to declare their + opinion that she was the calmest and most ambitious minx who had ever come + within their observation. Unfortunately it happened that the respectable + and proper Mrs. Schuyler Clinton took this view of the case, and made + little attempt to conceal her opinion. She was justly indignant at her + cousin's gross worldliness, and possible promotion in rank. + </p> + <p> + “If Madeleine Ross marries that coarse, horrid old Illinois politician,” + said she to her husband, “I never will forgive her so long as I live.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clinton tried to excuse Madeleine, and even went so far as to suggest + that the difference of age was no greater than in their own case; but his + wife trampled ruthlessly on his argument. + </p> + <p> + “At any rate,” said she, “I never came to Washington as a widow on purpose + to set my cap for the first candidate for the Presidency, and I never made + a public spectacle of my indecent eagerness in the very galleries of the + Senate; and Mrs. Lee ought to be ashamed of herself. She is a + cold-blooded, heartless, unfeminine cat.” + </p> + <p> + Little Victoria Dare, who babbled like the winds and streams, with utter + indifference as to what she said or whom she addressed, used to bring + choice bits of this gossip to Mrs. Lee. She always affected a little + stammer when she said anything uncommonly impudent, and put on a manner of + languid simplicity. She felt keenly the satisfaction of seeing Madeleine + charged with her own besetting sins. For years all Washington had agreed + that Victoria was little better than one of the wicked; she had done + nothing but violate every rule of propriety and scandalise every + well-regulated family in the city, and there was no good in her. Yet it + could not be denied that Victoria was amusing, and had a sort of irregular + fascination; consequently she was universally tolerated. To see Mrs. Lee + thrust down to her own level was an unmixed pleasure to her, and she + carefully repeated to Madeleine the choice bits of dialogue which she + picked up in her wanderings. + </p> + <p> + “Your cousin, Mrs. Clinton, says you are a ca-ca-cat, Mrs. Lee.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe it, Victoria. Mrs. Clinton never said anything of the + sort.” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Marston says it is because you have caught a ra-ra-rat, and Senator + Clinton was only a m-m-mouse!” + </p> + <p> + Naturally all this unexpected publicity irritated Mrs. Lee not a little, + especially when short and vague paragraphs, soon followed by longer and + more positive ones, in regard to Senator Ratcliffe's matrimonial + prospects, began to appear in newspapers, along with descriptions of + herself from the pens of enterprising female correspondents for the press, + who had never so much as seen her. At the first sight of one of these + newspaper articles, Madeleine fairly cried with mortification and anger. + She wanted to leave Washington the next day, and she hated the very + thought of Ratcliffe. There was something in the newspaper style so + inscrutably vulgar, something so inexplicably revolting to the sense of + feminine decency, that she shrank under it as though it were a poisonous + spider. But after the first acute shame had passed, her temper was roused, + and she vowed that she would pursue her own path just as she had begun, + without regard to all the malignity and vulgarity in the wide United + States. She did not care to marry Senator Ratcliffe; she liked his society + and was flattered by his confidence; she rather hoped to prevent him from + ever making a formal offer, and if not, she would at least push it off to + the last possible moment; but she was not to be frightened from marrying + him by any amount of spitefulness or gossip, and she did not mean to + refuse him except for stronger reasons than these. She even went so far in + her desperate courage as to laugh at her cousin, Mrs. + </p> + <p> + Clinton, whose venerable husband she allowed and even encouraged to pay + her such public attention and to express sentiments of such youthful + ardour as she well knew would inflame and exasperate the excellent lady + his wife. + </p> + <p> + Carrington was the person most unpleasantly affected by the course which + this affair had taken. He could no longer conceal from himself the fact + that he was as much m love as a dignified Virginian could be. With him, at + all events, she had shown no coquetry, nor had she ever either flattered + or encouraged him. But Carrington, m his solitary struggle against fate, + had found her a warm friend; always ready to assist where assistance was + needed, generous with her money in any cause which he was willing to vouch + for, full of sympathy where sympathy was more than money, and full of + resource and suggestion where money and sympathy failed. Carrington knew + her better than she knew herself. He selected her books; he brought the + last speech or the last report from the Capitol or the departments; he + knew her doubts and her vagaries, and as far as he understood them at all, + helped her to solve them. + </p> + <p> + Carrington was too modest, and perhaps too shy, to act the part of a + declared lover, and he was too proud to let it be thought that he wanted + to exchange his poverty for her wealth. But he was all the more anxious + when he saw the evident attraction which Ratcliffe's strong will and + unscrupulous energy exercised over her. He saw that Ratcliffe was steadily + pushing his advances; that he flattered all Mrs. Lee's weaknesses by the + confidence and deference with which he treated her; and that in a very + short time, Madeleine must either marry him or find herself looked upon as + a heartless coquette. He had his own reasons for thinking ill of Senator + Ratcliffe, and he meant to prevent a marriage; but he had an enemy to deal + with not easily driven from the path, and quite capable of routing any + number of rivals. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe was afraid of no one. He had not fought his own way in life for + nothing, and he knew all the value of a cold head and dogged + self-assurance. + </p> + <p> + Nothing but this robust Americanism and his strong will carried him safely + through the snares and pitfalls of Mrs. Lee's society, where rivals and + enemies beset him on every hand. He was little better than a schoolboy, + when he ventured on their ground, but when he could draw them over upon + his own territory of practical life he rarely failed to trample on his + assailants. + </p> + <p> + It was this practical sense and cool will that won over Mrs. Lee, who was + woman enough to assume that all the graces were well enough employed in + decorating her, and it was enough if the other sex felt her superiority. + Men were valuable only in proportion to their strength and their + appreciation of women. If the senator had only been strong enough always + to control his temper, he would have done very well, but his temper was + under a great strain in these times, and his incessant effort to control + it in politics made him less watchful in private life. Mrs. Lee's tacit + assumption of superior refinement irritated him, and sometimes made him + show his teeth like a bull-dog, at the cost of receiving from Mrs. Lee a + quick stroke in return such as a well-bred tortoise-shell cat administers + to check over-familiarity; innocent to the eye, but drawing blood. One + evening when he was more than commonly out of sorts, after sitting some + time in moody silence, he roused himself, and, taking up a book that lay + on her table, he glanced at its title and turned over the leaves. It + happened by ill luck to be a volume of Darwin that Mrs. Lee had just + borrowed from the library of Congress. + </p> + <p> + “Do you understand this sort of thing?” asked the Senator abruptly, in a + tone that suggested a sneer. + </p> + <p> + “Not very well,” replied Mrs. Lee, rather curtly. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you want to understand it?” persisted the Senator. “What good will + it do you?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps it will teach us to be modest,” answered Madeleine, quite equal + to the occasion. + </p> + <p> + “Because it says we descend from monkeys?” rejoined the Senator, roughly. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think you are descended from monkeys?” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” said Madeleine. + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” repeated Ratcliffe, laughing harshly. “I don't like the + connection. Do you mean to introduce your distant relations into society?” + </p> + <p> + “They would bring more amusement into it than most of its present + members,” rejoined Mrs. Lee, with a gentle smile that threatened mischief. + But Ratcliffe would not be warned; on the contrary, the only effect of + Mrs. Lee's defiance was to exasperate his ill-temper, and whenever he lost + his temper he became senatorial and Websterian. “Such books,” he began, + “disgrace our civilization; they degrade and stultify our divine nature; + they are only suited for Asiatic despotisms where men are reduced to the + level of brutes; that they should be accepted by a man like Baron Jacobi, + I can understand; he and his masters have nothing to do in the world but + to trample on human rights. Mr. Carrington, of course, would approve those + ideas; he believes in the divine doctrine of flogging negroes; but that + you, who profess philanthropy and free principles, should go with them, is + astonishing; it is incredible; it is unworthy of you.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very hard on the monkeys,” replied Madeleine, rather sternly, + when the Senator's oration was ended. “The monkeys never did you any harm; + they are not in public life; they are not even voters; if they were, you + would be enthusiastic about their intelligence and virtue. After all, we + ought to be grateful to them, for what would men do in this melancholy + world if they had not inherited gaiety from the monkeys—as well as + oratory.” + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe, to do him justice, took punishment well, at least when it came + from Mrs. Lee's hands, and his occasional outbursts of insubordination + were sure to be followed by improved discipline; but if he allowed Mrs. + Lee to correct his faults, he had no notion of letting himself be + instructed by her friends, and he lost no chance of telling them so. But + to do this was not always enough. Whether it were that he had few ideas + outside of his own experience, or that he would not trust himself on + doubtful ground, he seemed compelled to bring every discussion down to his + own level. Madeleine puzzled herself in vain to find out whether he did + this because he knew no better, or because he meant to cover his own + ignorance. + </p> + <p> + “The Baron has amused me very much with his account of Bucharest society,” + Mrs. Lee would say: “I had no idea it was so gay.” + </p> + <p> + “I would like to show him our society in Peonia,” was Ratcliffe's reply; + “he would find a very brilliant circle there of nature's true noblemen.” + </p> + <p> + “The Baron says their politicians are precious sharp chaps,” added Mr. + </p> + <p> + French. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there are politicians in Bulgaria, are there?” asked the Senator, + whose ideas of the Roumanian and Bulgarian neighbourhood were vague, and + who had a general notion that all such people lived in tents, wore + sheepskins with the wool inside, and ate curds: “Oh, they have politicians + there! I would like to see them try their sharpness in the west.” + </p> + <p> + “Really!” said Mrs. Lee. “Think of Attila and his hordes running an + Indiana caucus?” + </p> + <p> + “Anyhow,” cried French with a loud laugh, “the Baron said that a set of + bigger political scoundrels than his friends couldn't be found in all + Illinois.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he say that?” exclaimed Ratcliffe angrily. + </p> + <p> + “Didn't he, Mrs. Lee? but I don't believe it; do you? What's your candid + opinion, Ratcliffe? What you don't know about Illinois politics isn't + worth knowing; do you really think those Bulgrascals couldn't run an + Illinois state convention?” + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe did not like to be chaffed, especially on this subject, but he + could not resent French's liberty which was only a moderate return for the + wooden nutmeg. To get the conversation away from Europe, from literature, + from art, was his great object, and chaff was a way of escape. + </p> + <p> + Carrington was very well aware that the weak side of the Senator lay in + his blind ignorance of morals. He flattered himself that Mrs. Lee must see + this and be shocked by it sooner or later, so that nothing more was + necessary than to let Ratcliffe expose himself. Without talking very much, + Carrington always aimed at drawing him out. He soon found, however, that + Ratcliffe understood such tactics perfectly, and instead of injuring, he + rather improved his position. At times the man's audacity was startling, + and even when Carrington thought him hopelessly entangled, he would sweep + away all the hunter's nets with a sheer effort of strength, and walk off + bolder and more dangerous than ever. + </p> + <p> + When Mrs. Lee pressed him too closely, he frankly admitted her charges. + </p> + <p> + “What you say is in great part true. There is much in politics that + disgusts and disheartens; much that is coarse and bad. I grant you there + is dishonesty and corruption. We must try to make the amount as small as + possible.” + </p> + <p> + “You should be able to tell Mrs. Lee how she must go to work,” said + Carrington; “you have had experience. I have heard, it seems to me, that + you were once driven to very hard measures against corruption.” + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe looked ill-pleased at this compliment, and gave Carrington one + of his cold glances that meant mischief. But he took up the challenge on + the spot:— + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I was, and am very sorry for it. The story is this, Mrs. Lee; and it + is well-known to every man, woman, and child in the State of Illinois, so + that I have no reason for softening it. In the worst days of the war there + was almost a certainty that my State would be carried by the peace party, + by fraud, as we thought, although, fraud or not, we were bound to save it. + Had Illinois been lost then, we should certainly have lost the + Presidential election, and with it probably the Union. At any rate, I + believed the fate of the war to depend on the result. I was then Governor, + and upon me the responsibility rested. We had entire control of the + northern counties and of their returns. We ordered the returning officers + in a certain number of counties to make no returns until they heard from + us, and when we had received the votes of all the southern counties and + learned the precise number of votes we needed to give us a majority, we + telegraphed to our northern returning officers to make the vote of their + districts such and such, thereby overbalancing the adverse returns and + giving the State to us. This was done, and as I am now senator I have a + right to suppose that what I did was approved. I am not proud of the + transaction, but I would do it again, and worse than that, if I thought it + would save this country from disunion. But of course I did not expect Mr. + Carrington to approve it. I believe he was then carrying out his reform + principles by bearing arms against the government.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes!” said Carrington drily; “you got the better of me, too. Like the old + Scotchman, you didn't care who made the people's wars provided you made + its ballots.” + </p> + <p> + Carrington had missed his point. The man who has committed a murder for + his country, is a patriot and not an assassin, even when he receives a + seat in the Senate as his share of the plunder. Women cannot be expected + to go behind the motives of that patriot who saves his country and his + election in times of revolution. + </p> + <p> + Carrington's hostility to Ratcliffe was, however, mild, when compared with + that felt by old Baron Jacobi. Why the baron should have taken so violent + a prejudice it is not easy to explain, but a diplomatist and a senator are + natural enemies, and Jacobi, as an avowed admirer of Mrs. Lee, found + Ratcliffe in his way. This prejudiced and immoral old diplomatist despised + and loathed an American senator as the type which, to his bleared European + eyes, combined the utmost pragmatical self-assurance and overbearing + temper with the narrowest education and the meanest personal experience + that ever existed in any considerable government. As Baron Jacobi's + country had no special relations with that of the United States, and its + Legation at Washington was a mere job to create a place for Jacobi to + fill, he had no occasion to disguise his personal antipathies, and he + considered himself in some degree as having a mission to express that + diplomatic contempt for the Senate which his colleagues, if they felt it, + were obliged to conceal. He performed his duties with conscientious + precision. He never missed an opportunity to thrust the sharp point of his + dialectic rapier through the joints of the clumsy and hide-bound + senatorial self-esteem. He delighted in skilfully exposing to Madeleine's + eyes some new side of Ratcliffe's ignorance. His conversation at such + times sparkled with historical allusions, quotations in half a dozen + different languages, references to well-known facts which an old man's + memory could not recall with precision in all their details, but with + which the Honourable Senator was familiarly acquainted, and which he could + readily supply. And his Voltairian face leered politely as he listened to + Ratcliffe's reply, which showed invariable ignorance of common literature, + art, and history. The climax of his triumph came one evening when + Ratcliffe unluckily, tempted by some allusion to Molière which he thought + he understood, made reference to the unfortunate influence of that great + man on the religious opinions of his time. Jacobi, by a flash of + inspiration, divined that he had confused Molière with Voltaire, and + assuming a manner of extreme suavity, he put his victim on the rack, and + tortured him with affected explanations and interrogations, until + Madeleine was in a manner forced to interrupt and end the scene. But even + when the senator was not to be lured into a trap, he could not escape + assault. The baron in such a case would cross the lines and attack him on + his own ground, as on one occasion, when Ratcliffe was defending his + doctrine of party allegiance, Jacobi silenced him by sneering somewhat + thus: + </p> + <p> + “Your principle is quite correct, Mr. Senator. I, too, like yourself, was + once a good party man: my party was that of the Church; I was + ultramontane. Your party system is one of your thefts from our Church; + your National Convention is our OEcumenic Council; you abdicate reason, as + we do, before its decisions; and you yourself, Mr. Ratcliffe, you are a + Cardinal. They are able men, those cardinals; I have known many; they were + our best friends, but they were not reformers. Are you a reformer, Mr. + Senator?” + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe grew to dread and hate the old man, but all his ordinary tactics + were powerless against this impenetrable eighteenth century cynic. If he + resorted to his Congressional practise of browbeating and dogmatism, the + Baron only smiled and turned his back, or made some remark in French which + galled his enemy all the more, because, while he did not understand it, he + knew well that Madeleine did, and that she tried to repress her smile. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe's grey eyes grew colder and stonier than ever as he gradually + perceived that Baron Jacobi was carrying on a set scheme with malignant + ingenuity, to drive him out of Madeleine's house, and he swore a terrible + oath that he would not be beaten by that monkey-faced foreigner. On the + other hand Jacobi had little hope of success: “What can an old man do?” + said he with perfect sincerity to Carrington; “If I were forty years + younger, that great oaf should not have his own way. Ah! I wish I were + young again and we were in Vienna!” From which it was rightly inferred by + Carrington that the venerable diplomatist would, if such acts were still + in fashion, have coolly insulted the Senator, and put a bullet through his + heart. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VI + </h2> + <p> + IN February the weather became warmer and summer-like. In Virginia there + comes often at this season a deceptive gleam of summer, slipping in + between heavy storm-clouds of sleet and snow; days and sometimes weeks + when the temperature is like June; when the earliest plants begin to show + their hardy flowers, and when the bare branches of the forest trees alone + protest against the conduct of the seasons. Then men and women are + languid; life seems, as in Italy, sensuous and glowing with colour; one is + conscious of walking in an atmosphere that is warm, palpable, radiant with + possibilities; a delicate haze hangs over Arlington, and softens even the + harsh white glare of the Capitol; the struggle of existence seems to + abate; Lent throws its calm shadow over society; and youthful + diplomatists, unconscious of their danger, are lured into asking foolish + girls to marry them; the blood thaws in the heart and flows out into the + veins, like the rills of sparkling water that trickle from every lump of + ice or snow, as though all the ice and snow on earth, and all the hardness + of heart, all the heresy and schism, all the works of the devil, had + yielded to the force of love and to the fresh warmth of innocent, + lamb-like, confiding virtue. In such a world there should be no guile—but + there is a great deal of it notwithstanding. Indeed, at no other season is + there so much. This is the moment when the two whited sepulchres at either + end of the Avenue reek with the thick atmosphere of bargain and sale. The + old is going; the new is coming. Wealth, office, power are at auction. Who + bids highest? who hates with most venom? who intrigues with most skill? + who has done the dirtiest, the meanest, the darkest, and the most, + political work? He shall have his reward. + </p> + <p> + Senator Ratcliffe was absorbed and ill at ease. A swarm of applicants for + office dogged his steps and beleaguered his rooms in quest of his + endorsement of their paper characters. The new President was to arrive on + Monday. Intrigues and combinations, of which the Senator was the soul, + were all alive, awaiting this arrival. Newspaper correspondents pestered + him with questions. Brother senators called him to conferences. His mind + was pre-occupied with his own interests. One might have supposed that, at + this instant, nothing could have drawn him away from the political + gaming-table, and yet when Mrs. Lee remarked that she was going to Mount + Vernon on Saturday with a little party, including the British Minister and + an Irish gentleman staying as a guest at the British Legation, the Senator + surprised her by expressing a strong wish to join them. He explained that, + as the political lead was no longer in his hands, the chances were nine in + ten that if he stirred at all he should make a blunder; that his friends + expected him to do something when, in fact, nothing could be done; that + every preparation had already been made, and that for him to go on an + excursion to Mount Vernon, at this moment, with the British Minister, was, + on the whole, about the best use he could make of his time, since it would + hide him for one day at least. + </p> + <p> + Lord Skye had fallen into the habit of consulting Mrs. Lee when his own + social resources were low, and it was she who had suggested this party to + Mount Vernon, with Carrington for a guide and Mr. Gore for variety, to + occupy the time of the Irish friend whom Lord Skye was bravely + entertaining. + </p> + <p> + This gentleman, who bore the title of Dunbeg, was a dilapidated peer, + neither wealthy nor famous. Lord Skye brought him to call on Mrs. Lee, and + in some sort put him under her care. He was young, not ill-looking, quite + intelligent, rather too fond of facts, and not quick at humour. He was + given to smiling in a deprecatory way, and when he talked, he was either + absent or excited; he made vague blunders, and then smiled in deprecation + of offence, or his words blocked their own path in their rush. Perhaps his + manner was a little ridiculous, but he had a good heart, a good head, and + a title. He found favour in the eyes of Sybil and Victoria Dare, who + declined to admit other women to the party, although they offered no + objection to Mr. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe's admission. As for Lord Dunbeg, he was an enthusiastic admirer + of General Washington, and, as he privately intimated, eager to study + phases of American society. He was delighted to go with a small party, and + Miss Dare secretly promised herself that she would show him a phase. + </p> + <p> + The morning was warm, the sky soft, the little steamer lay at the quiet + wharf with a few negroes lazily watching her preparations for departure. + </p> + <p> + Carrington, with Mrs. Lee and the young ladies, arrived first, and stood + leaning against the rail, waiting the arrival of their companions. Then + came Mr. Gore, neatly attired and gloved, with a light spring overcoat; + for Mr. + </p> + <p> + Gore was very careful of his personal appearance, and not a little vain of + his good looks. Then a pretty woman, with blue eyes and blonde hair, + dressed in black, and leading a little girl by the hand, came on board, + and Carrington went to shake hands with her. On his return to Mrs. Lee's + side, she asked about his new acquaintance, and he replied with a + half-laugh, as though he were not proud of her, that she was a client, a + pretty widow, well known in Washington. “Any one at the Capitol would tell + you all about her. She was the wife of a noted lobbyist, who died about + two years ago. Congressmen can refuse nothing to a pretty face, and she + was their idea of feminine perfection. Yet she is a silly little woman, + too. Her husband died after a very short illness, and, to my great + surprise, made me executor under his will. I think he had an idea that he + could trust me with his papers, which were important and compromising, for + he seems to have had no time to go over them and destroy what were best + out of the way. So, you see, I am left with his widow and child to look + after. Luckily, they are well provided for.” + </p> + <p> + “Still you have not told me her name.” + </p> + <p> + “Her name is Baker—Mrs. Sam Baker. But they are casting off, and Mr. + Ratcliffe will be left behind. I'll ask the captain to wait.” About a + dozen passengers had arrived, among them the two Earls, with a footman + carrying a promising lunch-basket, and the planks were actually hauled in + when a carriage dashed up to the wharf, and Mr. Ratcliffe leaped out and + hurried on board. “Off with you as quick as you can!” said he to the + negro-hands, and in another moment the little steamer had begun her + journey, pounding the muddy waters of the Potomac and sending up its small + column of smoke as though it were a newly invented incense-burner + approaching the temple of the national deity. Ratcliffe explained in great + glee how he had barely managed to escape his visitors by telling them that + the British Minister was waiting for him, and that he would be back again + presently. “If they had known where I was going,” said he, “you would have + seen the boat swamped with office-seekers. Illinois alone would have + brought you to a watery grave.” He was in high spirits, bent upon enjoying + his holiday, and as they passed the arsenal with its solitary sentry, and + the navy-yard, with its one unseaworthy wooden war-steamer, he pointed out + these evidences of national grandeur to Lord Skye, threatening, as the + last terror of diplomacy, to send him home in an American frigate. They + were thus indulging in senatorial humour on one side of the boat, while + Sybil and Victoria, with the aid of Mr. Gore and Carrington, were + improving Lord Dunbeg's mind on the other. + </p> + <p> + Miss Dare, finding for herself at last a convenient seat where she could + repose and be mistress of the situation, put on a more than usually demure + expression and waited with gravity until her noble neighbour should give + her an opportunity to show those powers which, as she believed, would + supply a phase in his existence. Miss Dare was one of those young persons, + sometimes to be found in America, who seem to have no object in life, and + while apparently devoted to men, care nothing about them, but find + happiness only in violating rules; she made no parade of whatever virtues + she had, and her chief pleasure was to make fun of all the world and + herself. + </p> + <p> + “What a noble river!” remarked Lord Dunbeg, as the boat passed out upon + the wide stream; “I suppose you often sail on it?” + </p> + <p> + “I never was here in my life till now,” replied the untruthful Miss Dare; + “we don't think much of it; it s too small; we're used to so much larger + rivers.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid you would not like our English rivers then; they are mere + brooks compared with this.” + </p> + <p> + “Are they indeed?” said Victoria, with an appearance of vague surprise; + “how curious! I don't think I care to be an Englishwoman then. I could not + live without big rivers.” + </p> + <p> + Lord Dunbeg stared, and hinted that this was almost unreasonable. + </p> + <p> + “Unless I were a Countess!” continued Victoria, meditatively, looking at + Alexandria, and paying no attention to his lordship; “I think I could + manage if I were a C-c-countess. It is such a pretty title!” + </p> + <p> + “Duchess is commonly thought a prettier one,” stammered Dunbeg, much + embarrassed. The young man was not used to chaff from women. + </p> + <p> + “I should be satisfied with Countess. It sounds well. I am surprised that + you don't like it.” Dunbeg looked about him uneasily for some means of + escape but he was barred in. “I should think you would feel an awful + responsibility in selecting a Countess. How do you do it?” + </p> + <p> + Lord Dunbeg nervously joined in the general laughter as Sybil ejaculated: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Victoria!” but Miss Dare continued without a smile or any elevation + of her monotonous voice: + </p> + <p> + “Now, Sybil, don't interrupt me, please. I am deeply interested in Lord + Dunbeg's conversation. He understands that my interest is purely + scientific, but my happiness requires that I should know how Countesses + are selected. Lord Dunbeg, how would you recommend a friend to choose a + Countess?” + </p> + <p> + Lord Dunbeg began to be amused by her impudence, and he even tried to lay + down for her satisfaction one or two rules for selecting Countesses, but + long before he had invented his first rule, Victoria had darted off to a + new subject. + </p> + <p> + “Which would you rather be, Lord Dunbeg? an Earl or George Washington?” + </p> + <p> + “George Washington, certainly,” was the Earl's courteous though rather + bewildered reply. + </p> + <p> + “Really?” she asked with a languid affectation of surprise; “it is awfully + kind of you to say so, but of course you can't mean it. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed I do mean it.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it possible? I never should have thought it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not, Miss Dare?” + </p> + <p> + “You have not the air of wishing to be George Washington.” + </p> + <p> + “May I again ask, why not?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. Did you ever see George Washington?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course not. He died fifty years before I was born.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought so. You see you don't know him. Now, will you give us an idea + of what you imagine General Washington to have looked like?” + </p> + <p> + Dunbeg gave accordingly a flattering description of General Washington, + compounded of Stuart's portrait and Greenough's statue of Olympian Jove + with Washington's features, in the Capitol Square. Miss Dare listened with + an expression of superiority not unmixed with patience, and then she + enlightened him as follows: + </p> + <p> + “All you have been saying is perfect stuff—excuse the vulgarity of + the expression. When I am a Countess I will correct my language. The truth + is that General Washington was a raw-boned country farmer, very + hard-featured, very awkward, very illiterate and very dull; very bad + tempered, very profane, and generally tipsy after dinner.” + </p> + <p> + “You shock me, Miss Dare!” exclaimed Dunbeg. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I know all about General Washington. My grandfather knew him + intimately, and often stayed at Mount Vernon for weeks together. You must + not believe what you read, and not a word of what Mr. Carrington will say. + He is a Virginian and will tell you no end of fine stories and not a + syllable of truth in one of them. We are all patriotic about Washington + and like to hide his faults. If I weren't quite sure you would never + repeat it, I would not tell you this. The truth is that even when George + Washington was a small boy, his temper was so violent that no one could do + anything with him. He once cut down all his father's fruit-trees in a fit + of passion, and then, just because they wanted to flog him, he threatened + to brain his father with the hatchet. His aged wife suffered agonies from + him. My grandfather often told me how he had seen the General pinch and + swear at her till the poor creature left the room in tears; and how once + at Mount Vernon he saw Washington, when quite an old man, suddenly rush at + an unoffending visitor, and chase him off the place, beating him all the + time over the head with a great stick with knots in it, and all just + because he heard the poor man stammer; he never could abide + s-s-stammering.” + </p> + <p> + Carrington and Gore burst into shouts of laughter over this description of + the Father of his country, but Victoria continued in her gentle drawl to + enlighten Lord Dunbeg in regard to other subjects with information equally + mendacious, until he decided that she was quite the most eccentric person + he had ever met. The boat arrived at Mount Vernon while she was still + engaged in a description of the society and manners of America, and + especially of the rules which made an offer of marriage necessary. + According to her, Lord Dunbeg was in imminent peril; gentlemen, and + especially foreigners, were expected, in all the States south of the + Potomac, to offer themselves to at least one young lady in every city: + “and I had only yesterday,” said Victoria, “a letter from a lovely girl in + North Carolina, a dear friend of mine, who wrote me that she was right put + out because her brothers had called on a young English visitor with shot + guns, and she was afraid he wouldn't recover, and, after all, she says she + should have refused him.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Madeleine, on the other side of the boat, undisturbed by the + laughter that surrounded Miss Dare, chatted soberly and seriously with + Lord Skye and Senator Ratcliffe. Lord Skye, too, a little intoxicated by + the brilliancy of the morning, broke out into admiration of the noble + river, and accused Americans of not appreciating the beauties of their own + country. + </p> + <p> + “Your national mind,” said he, “has no eyelids. It requires a broad glare + and a beaten road. It prefers shadows which you can cut out with a knife. + It doesn't know the beauty of this Virginia winter softness.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee resented the charge. America, she maintained, had not worn her + feelings threadbare like Europe. She had still her story to tell; she was + waiting for her Burns and Scott, her Wordsworth and Byron, her Hogarth and + Turner. “You want peaches in spring,” said she. “Give us our thousand + years of summer, and then complain, if you please, that our peach is not + as mellow as yours. Even our voices may be soft then,” she added, with a + significant look at Lord Skye. + </p> + <p> + “We are at a disadvantage in arguing with Mrs. Lee,” said he to Ratcliffe; + “when she ends as counsel, she begins as witness. The famous Duchess of + Devonshire's lips were not half as convincing as Mrs. Lee's voice.” + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe listened carefully, assenting whenever he saw that Mrs. Lee + wished it. He wished he understood precisely what tones and half-tones, + colours and harmonies, were. + </p> + <p> + They arrived and strolled up the sunny path. At the tomb they halted, as + all good Americans do, and Mr. Gore, in a tone of subdued sorrow, + delivered a short address— + </p> + <p> + “It might be much worse if they improved it,” he said, surveying its + proportions with the æsthetic eye of a cultured Bostonian. “As it stands, + this tomb is a simple misfortune which might befall any of us; we should + not grieve over it too much. What would our feelings be if a Congressional + committee reconstructed it of white marble with Gothic pepper-pots, and + gilded it inside on machine-moulded stucco!” + </p> + <p> + Madeleine, however, insisted that the tomb, as it stood, was the only + restless spot about the quiet landscape, and that it contradicted all her + ideas about repose in the grave. Ratcliffe wondered what she meant. + </p> + <p> + They passed on, wandering across the lawn, and through the house. Their + eyes, weary of the harsh colours and forms of the city, took pleasure in + the worn wainscots and the stained walls. Some of the rooms were still + occupied; fires were burning in the wide fire-places. All were tolerably + furnished, and there was no uncomfortable sense of repair or newness. They + mounted the stairs, and Mrs. Lee fairly laughed when she was shown the + room in which General Washington slept, and where he died. + </p> + <p> + Carrington smiled too. “Our old Virginia houses were mostly like this,” + said he; “suites of great halls below, and these gaunt barracks above. The + Virginia house was a sort of hotel. When there was a race or a wedding, or + a dance, and the house was full, they thought nothing of packing half a + dozen people in one room, and if the room was large, they stretched a + sheet a cross to separate the men from the women. As for toilet, those + were not the mornings of cold baths. With our ancestors a little washing + went a long way.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you still live so in Virginia?” asked Madeleine. + </p> + <p> + “Oh no, it is quite gone. We live now like other country people, and try + to pay our debts, which that generation never did. They lived from hand to + mouth. They kept a stable-full of horses. The young men were always riding + about the country, betting on horse-races, gambling, drinking, fighting, + and making love. No one knew exactly what he was worth until the crash + came about fifty years ago, and the whole thing ran out.” + </p> + <p> + “Just what happened in Ireland!” said Lord Dunbeg, much interested and + full of his article in the Quarterly; “the resemblance is perfect, even + down to the houses.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee asked Carrington bluntly whether he regretted the destruction of + this old social arrangement. + </p> + <p> + “One can't help regretting,” said he, “whatever it was that produced + George Washington, and a crowd of other men like him. But I think we might + produce the men still if we had the same field for them.” + </p> + <p> + “And would you bring the old society back again if you could?” asked she. + </p> + <p> + “What for? It could not hold itself up. General Washington himself could + not save it. Before he died he had lost his hold on Virginia, and his + power was gone.” + </p> + <p> + The party for a while separated, and Mrs. Lee found herself alone in the + great drawing-room. Presently the blonde Mrs. Baker entered, with her + child, who ran about making more noise than Mrs. Washington would have + permitted. + </p> + <p> + Madeleine, who had the usual feminine love of children, called the girl to + her and pointed out the shepherds and shepherdesses carved on the white + Italian marble of the fireplace; she invented a little story about them to + amuse the child, while the mother stood by and at the end thanked the + story-teller with more enthusiasm than seemed called for. Mrs. Lee did not + fancy her effusive manner, or her complexion, and was glad when Dunbeg + appeared at the doorway. + </p> + <p> + “How do you like General Washington at home?” asked she. + </p> + <p> + “Really, I assure you I feel quite at home myself,” replied Dunbeg, with a + more beaming smile than ever. “I am sure General Washington was an + Irishman. I know it from the look of the place. I mean to look it up and + write an article about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then if you have disposed of him,” said Madeleine, “I think we will have + luncheon, and I have taken the liberty to order it to be served outside.” + </p> + <p> + There a table had been improvised, and Miss Dare was inspecting the lunch, + and making comments upon Lord Skye's cuisine and cellar. + </p> + <p> + “I hope it is very dry champagne,” said she, “the taste for sweet + champagne is quite awfully shocking.” + </p> + <p> + The young woman knew no more about dry and sweet champagne than of the + wine of Ulysses, except that she drank both with equal satisfaction, but + she was mimicking a Secretary of the British Legation who had provided her + with supper at her last evening party. Lord Skye begged her to try it, + which she did, and with great gravity remarked that it was about five per + cent. she presumed. This, too, was caught from her Secretary, though she + knew no more what it meant than if she had been a parrot. + </p> + <p> + The luncheon was very lively and very good. When it was over, the + gentlemen were allowed to smoke, and conversation fell into a sober + strain, which at last threatened to become serious. + </p> + <p> + “You want half-tones!” said Madeleine to Lord Skye: “are there not + half-tones enough to suit you on the walls of this house?” + </p> + <p> + Lord Skye suggested that this was probably owing to the fact that + Washington, belonging, as he did, to the universe, was in his taste an + exception to local rules. + </p> + <p> + “Is not the sense of rest here captivating?” she continued. “Look at that + quaint garden, and this ragged lawn, and the great river in front, and the + superannuated fort beyond the river! Everything is peaceful, even down to + the poor old General's little bed-room. One would like to lie down in it + and sleep a century or two. And yet that dreadful Capitol and its + office-seekers are only ten miles off.” + </p> + <p> + “No! that is more than I can bear!” broke in Miss Victoria in a stage + whisper, “that dreadful Capitol! Why, not one of us would be here without + that dreadful Capitol! except, perhaps, myself.” + </p> + <p> + “You would appear very well as Mrs. Washington, Victoria.” + </p> + <p> + “Miss Dare has been so very obliging as to give us her views of General + Washington's character this morning,” said Dunbeg, “but I have not yet had + time to ask Mr. Carrington for his.” + </p> + <p> + “Whatever Miss Dare says is valuable,” replied Carrington, “but her strong + point is facts.” + </p> + <p> + “Never flatter! Mr. Carrington,” drawled Miss Dare; “I do not need it, and + it does not become your style. Tell me, Lord Dunbeg, is not Mr. Carrington + a little your idea of General Washington restored to us in his prime?” + </p> + <p> + “After your account of General Washington, Miss Dare, how can I agree with + you?” + </p> + <p> + “After all,” said Lord Skye, “I think we must agree that Miss Dare is in + the main right about the charms of Mount Vernon. Even Mrs. Lee, on the way + up, agreed that the General, who is the only permanent resident here, has + the air of being confoundedly bored in his tomb. I don't myself love your + dreadful Capitol yonder, but I prefer it to a bucolic life here. And I + account in this way for my want of enthusiasm for your great General. He + liked no kind of life but this. He seems to have been greater in the + character of a home-sick Virginia planter than as General or President. I + forgive him his inordinate dulness, for he was not a diplomatist and it + was not his business to lie, but he might once in a way have forgotten + Mount Vernon.” + </p> + <p> + Dunbeg here burst in with an excited protest; all his words seemed to + shove each other aside in their haste to escape first. “All our greatest + Englishmen have been home-sick country squires. I am a home-sick country + squire myself.” + </p> + <p> + “How interesting!” said Miss Dare under her breath. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gore here joined in: “It is all very well for you gentlemen to measure + General Washington according to your own private twelve-inch carpenter's + rule. But what will you say to us New Englanders who never were country + gentlemen at all, and never had any liking for Virginia? What did + Washington ever do for us? He never even pretended to like us. He never + was more than barely civil to us. I'm not finding fault with him; + everybody knows that he never cared for anything but Mount Vernon. For all + that, we idolize him. To us he is Morality, Justice, Duty, Truth; half a + dozen Roman gods with capital letters. He is austere, solitary, grand; he + ought to be deified. I hardly feel easy, eating, drinking, smoking here on + his portico without his permission, taking liberties with his house, + criticising his bedrooms in his absence. Suppose I heard his horse now + trotting up on the other side, and he suddenly appeared at this door and + looked at us. I should abandon you to his indignation. I should run away + and hide myself on the steamer. The mere thought unmans me.” + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe seemed amused at Gore's half-serious notions. “You recall to + me,” said he, “my own feelings when I was a boy and was made by my father + to learn the Farewell Address by heart. In those days General Washington + was a sort of American Jehovah. But the West is a poor school for + Reverence. Since coming to Congress I have learned more about General + Washington, and have been surprised to find what a narrow base his + reputation rests on. A fair military officer, who made many blunders, and + who never had more men than would make a full army-corps under his + command, he got an enormous reputation in Europe because he did not make + himself king, as though he ever had a chance of doing it. A respectable, + painstaking President, he was treated by the Opposition with an amount of + deference that would have made government easy to a baby, but it worried + him to death. His official papers are fairly done, and contain good + average sense such as a hundred thousand men in the United States would + now write. I suspect that half of his attachment to this spot rose from + his consciousness of inferior powers and his dread of responsibility. This + government can show to-day a dozen men of equal abilities, but we don't + deify them. What I most wonder at in him is not his military or political + genius at all, for I doubt whether he had much, but a curious Yankee + shrewdness in money matters. He thought himself a very rich man, yet he + never spent a dollar foolishly. He was almost the only Virginian I ever + heard of, in public life, who did not die insolvent.” + </p> + <p> + During this long speech, Carrington glanced across at Madeleine, and + caught her eye. Ratcliffe's criticism was not to her taste. Carrington + could see that she thought it unworthy of him, and he knew that it would + irritate her. + </p> + <p> + “I will lay a little trap for Mr. Ratcliffe,” thought he to himself; “we + will see whether he gets out of it.” So Carrington began, and all listened + closely, for, as a Virginian, he was supposed to know much about the + subject, and his family had been deep in the confidence of Washington + himself. + </p> + <p> + “The neighbours hereabout had for many years, and may have still, some + curious stories about General Washington's closeness in money matters. + They said he never bought anything by weight but he had it weighed over + again, nor by tale but he had it counted, and if the weight or number were + not exact, he sent it back. Once, during his absence, his steward had a + room plastered, and paid the plasterer's bill. On the General's return, he + measured the room, and found that the plasterer had charged fifteen + shillings too much. Meanwhile the man had died, and the General made a + claim of fifteen shillings on his estate, which was paid. Again, one of + his tenants brought him the rent. The exact change of fourpence was + required. The man tendered a dollar, and asked the General to credit him + with the balance against the next year's rent. The General refused and + made him ride nine miles to Alexandria and back for the fourpence. On the + other hand, he sent to a shoemaker in Alexandria to come and measure him + for shoes. The man returned word that he did not go to any one's house to + take measures, and the General mounted his horse and rode the nine miles + to him. One of his rules was to pay at taverns the same sum for his + servants' meals as for his own. An inn-keeper brought him a bill of + three-and-ninepence for his own breakfast, and three shillings for his + servant. He insisted upon adding the extra ninepence, as he did not doubt + that the servant had eaten as much as he. What do you say to these + anecdotes? Was this meanness or not?” + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe was amused. “The stories are new to me,” he said. “It is just as + I thought. These are signs of a man who thinks much of trifles; one who + fusses over small matters. We don't do things in that way now that we no + longer have to get crops from granite, as they used to do in New Hampshire + when I was a boy.” + </p> + <p> + Carrington replied that it was unlucky for Virginians that they had not + done things in that way then: if they had, they would not have gone to the + dogs. + </p> + <p> + Gore shook his head seriously; “Did I not tell you so?” said he. “Was not + this man an abstract virtue? I give you my word I stand in awe before him, + and I feel ashamed to pry into these details of his life. What is it to us + how he thought proper to apply his principles to nightcaps and feather + dusters? We are not his body servants, and we care nothing about his + infirmities. It is enough for us to know that he carried his rules of + virtue down to a pin's point, and that we ought, one and all, to be on our + knees before his tomb.” + </p> + <p> + Dunbeg, pondering deeply, at length asked Carrington whether all this did + not make rather a clumsy politician of the father of his country. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Ratcliffe knows more about politics than I. Ask him,” said + Carrington. + </p> + <p> + “Washington was no politician at all, as we understand the word,” replied + Ratcliffe abruptly. “He stood outside of politics. The thing couldn't be + done to-day. The people don't like that sort of royal airs.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't understand!” said Mrs. Lee. “Why could you not do it now?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I should make a fool of myself;” replied Ratcliffe, pleased to + think that Mrs. Lee should put him on a level with Washington. She had + only meant to ask why the thing could not be done, and this little touch + of Ratcliffe's vanity was inimitable. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Ratcliffe means that Washington was too respectable for our time,” + interposed Carrington. + </p> + <p> + This was deliberately meant to irritate Ratcliffe, and it did so all the + more because Mrs. Lee turned to Carrington, and said, with some + bitterness: + </p> + <p> + “Was he then the only honest public man we ever had?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh no!” replied Carrington cheerfully; “there have been one or two + others.” + </p> + <p> + “If the rest of our Presidents had been like him,” said Gore, “we should + have had fewer ugly blots on our short history.” + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe was exasperated at Carrington's habit of drawing discussion to + this point. He felt the remark as a personal insult, and he knew it to be + intended. “Public men,” he broke out, “cannot be dressing themselves + to-day in Washington's old clothes. If Washington were President now, he + would have to learn our ways or lose his next election. Only fools and + theorists imagine that our society can be handled with gloves or long + poles. One must make one's self a part of it. If virtue won't answer our + purpose, we must use vice, or our opponents will put us out of office, and + this was as true in Washington's day as it is now, and always will be.” + </p> + <p> + “Come,” said Lord Skye, who was beginning to fear an open quarrel; “the + conversation verges on treason, and I am accredited to this government. + Why not examine the grounds?” + </p> + <p> + A kind of natural sympathy led Lord Dunbeg to wander by the side of Miss + Dare through the quaint old garden. His mind being much occupied by the + effort of stowing away the impressions he had just received, he was more + than usually absent in his manner, and this want of attention irritated + the young lady. She made some comments on flowers; she invented some new + species with startling names; she asked whether these were known in + Ireland; but Lord Dunbeg was for the moment so vague in his answers that + she saw her case was perilous. + </p> + <p> + “Here is an old sun-dial. Do you have sun-dials in Ireland, Lord Dunbeg?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; oh, certainly! What! sun-dials? Oh, yes! I assure you there are a + great many sun-dials in Ireland, Miss Dare.” + </p> + <p> + “I am so glad. But I suppose they are only for ornament. Here it is just + the other way. Look at this one! they all behave like that. The wear and + tear of our sun is too much for them; they don't last. My uncle, who has a + place at Long Branch, had five sun-dials in ten years.” + </p> + <p> + “How very odd! But really now, Miss Dare, I don't see how a sun—dial + could wear out.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you? How strange! Don't you see, they get soaked with sunshine so + that they can't hold shadow. It's like me, you know. I have such a good + time all the time that I can't be unhappy. Do you ever read the Burlington + Hawkeye, Lord Dunbeg?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't remember; I think not. Is it an American serial?” gasped Dunbeg, + trying hard to keep pace with Miss Dare in her reckless dashes across + country. + </p> + <p> + “No, not serial at all!” replied Virginia; “but I am afraid you would find + it very hard reading. I shouldn't try.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you read it much, Miss Dare?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, always! I am not really as light as I seem. But then I have an + advantage over you because I know the language.” + </p> + <p> + By this time Dunbeg was awake again, and Miss Dare, satisfied with her + success, allowed herself to become more reasonable, until a slight shade + of sentiment began to flicker about their path. + </p> + <p> + The scattered party, however, soon had to unite again. The boat rang its + bell for return, they filed down the paths and settled themselves in their + old places. As they steamed away, Mrs. Lee watched the sunny hill-side and + the peaceful house above, until she could see them no more, and the longer + she looked, the less she was pleased with herself. Was it true, as + Victoria Dare said, that she could not live in so pure an air? Did she + really need the denser fumes of the city? Was she, unknown to herself; + gradually becoming tainted with the life about her? or was Ratcliffe right + in accepting the good and the bad together, and in being of his time since + he was in it? Why was it, she said bitterly to herself; that everything + Washington touched, he purified, even down to the associations of his + house? and why is it that everything we touch seems soiled? Why do I feel + unclean when I look at Mount Vernon? In spite of Mr. Ratcliffe, is it not + better to be a child and to cry for the moon and stars? + </p> + <p> + The little Baker girl came up to her where she stood, and began playing + with her parasol. + </p> + <p> + “Who is your little friend?” asked Ratcliffe. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee rather vaguely replied that she was the daughter of that pretty + woman in black; she believed her name was Baker. + </p> + <p> + “Baker, did you say?” repeated Ratcliffe. + </p> + <p> + “Baker—Mrs. Sam Baker; at least so Mr. Carrington told me; he said + she was a client of his.” + </p> + <p> + In fact Ratcliffe soon saw Carrington go up to her and remain by her side + during the rest of the trip. Ratcliffe watched them sharply and grew more + and more absorbed in his own thoughts as the boat drew nearer and nearer + the shore. + </p> + <p> + Carrington was in high spirits. He thought he had played his cards with + unusual success. Even Miss Dare deigned to acknowledge his charms that + day. + </p> + <p> + She declared herself to be the moral image of Martha Washington, and she + started a discussion whether Carrington or Lord Dunbeg would best suit her + in the rôle of the General. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Carrington is exemplary,” she said, “but oh, what joy to be Martha + Washington and a Countess too!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VII + </h2> + <p> + WHEN he reached his rooms that afternoon, Senator Ratcliffe found there, + as he expected, a choice company of friends and admirers, who had beguiled + their leisure hours since noon by cursing him in every variety of profane + language that experience could suggest and impatience stimulate. On his + part, had he consulted his own feelings only, he would then and there have + turned them out, and locked the doors behind them. So far as silent + maledictions were concerned, no profanity of theirs could hold its own + against the intensity and deliberation with which, as he found himself + approaching his own door, he expressed between his teeth his views in + respect to their eternal interests. Nothing could be less suited to his + present humour than the society which awaited him in his rooms. He groaned + in spirit as he sat down at his writing-table and looked about him. Dozens + of office-seekers were besieging the house; men whose patriotic services + in the last election called loudly for recognition from a grateful + country. + </p> + <p> + They brought their applications to the Senator with an entreaty that he + would endorse and take charge of them. Several members and senators who + felt that Ratcliffe had no reason for existence except to fight their + battle for patronage, were lounging about his room, reading newspapers, or + beguiling their time with tobacco in various forms; at long intervals + making dull remarks, as though they were more weary than their + constituents of the atmosphere that surrounds the grandest government the + sun ever shone upon. + </p> + <p> + Several newspaper correspondents, eager to barter their news for + Ratcliffe's hints or suggestions, appeared from time to time on the scene, + and, dropping into a chair by Ratcliffe's desk, whispered with him in + mysterious tones. + </p> + <p> + Thus the Senator worked on, hour after hour, mechanically doing what was + required of him, signing papers without reading them, answering remarks + without hearing them, hardly looking up from his desk, and appearing + immersed in labour. This was his protection against curiosity and + garrulity. + </p> + <p> + The pretence of work was the curtain he drew between himself and the + world. + </p> + <p> + Behind this curtain his mental operations went on, undisturbed by what was + about him, while he heard all that was said, and said little or nothing + himself. His followers respected this privacy, and left him alone. He was + their prophet, and had a right to seclusion. He was their chieftain, and + while he sat in his monosyllabic solitude, his ragged tail reclined in + various attitudes about him, and occasionally one man spoke, or another + swore. Newspapers and tobacco were their resource in periods of absolute + silence. + </p> + <p> + A shade of depression rested on the faces and the voices of Clan Ratcliffe + that evening, as is not unusual with forces on the eve of battle. Their + remarks came at longer intervals, and were more pointless and random than + usual. There was a want of elasticity in their bearing and tone, partly + coming from sympathy with the evident depression of their chief; partly + from the portents of the time. The President was to arrive within + forty-eight hours, and as yet there was no sign that he properly + appreciated their services; there were signs only too unmistakeable that + he was painfully misled and deluded, that his countenance was turned + wholly in another direction, and that all their sacrifices were counted as + worthless. There was reason to believe that he came with a deliberate + purpose of making war upon Ratcliffe and breaking him down; of refusing to + bestow patronage on them, and of bestowing it wherever it would injure + them most deeply. At the thought that their honestly earned harvest of + foreign missions and consulates, department-bureaus, custom-house and + revenue offices, postmasterships, Indian agencies, and army and navy + contracts, might now be wrung from their grasp by the selfish greed of a + mere accidental intruder—a man whom nobody wanted and every one + ridiculed—their natures rebelled, and they felt that such things + must not be; that there could be no more hope for democratic government if + such things were possible. At this point they invariably became excited, + lost their equanimity, and swore. Then they fell back on their faith in + Ratcliffe: if any man could pull them through, he could; after all, the + President must first reckon with him, and he was an uncommon tough + customer to tackle. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps, however, even their faith in Ratcliffe might have been shaken, + could they at that moment have looked into his mind and understood what + was passing there. Ratcliffe was a man vastly their superior, and he knew + it. He lived in a world of his own and had instincts of refinement. + Whenever his affairs went unfavourably, these instincts revived, and for + the time swept all his nature with them. He was now filled with disgust + and cynical contempt for every form of politics. During long years he had + done his best for his party; he had sold himself to the devil, coined his + heart's blood, toiled with a dogged persistence that no day-labourer ever + conceived; and all for what? To be rejected as its candidate; to be put + under the harrow of a small Indiana farmer who made no secret of the + intention to “corral” him, and, as he elegantly expressed it, to “take his + hide and tallow.” Ratcliffe had no great fear of losing his hide, but he + felt aggrieved that he should be called upon to defend it, and that this + should be the result of twenty years' devotion. Like most men in the same + place, he did not stop to cast up both columns of his account with the + party, nor to ask himself the question that lay at the heart of his + grievance: How far had he served his party and how far himself? He was in + no humour for self-analysis: this requires more repose of mind than he + could then command. As for the President, from whom he had not heard a + whisper since the insolent letter to Grimes, which he had taken care not + to show, the Senator felt only a strong impulse to teach him better sense + and better manners. But as for political life, the events of the last six + months were calculated to make any man doubt its value. He was quite out + of sympathy with it. He hated the sight of his tobacco-chewing, + newspaper-reading satellites, with their hats tipped at every angle except + the right one, and their feet everywhere except on the floor. Their + conversation bored him and their presence was a nuisance. He would not + submit to this slavery longer. He would have given his Senatorship for a + civilized house like Mrs. Lee's, with a woman like Mrs. Lee at its head, + and twenty thousand a year for life. He smiled his only smile that evening + when he thought how rapidly she would rout every man Jack of his political + following out of her parlours, and how meekly they would submit to + banishment into a back-office with an oil-cloth carpet and two cane + chairs. + </p> + <p> + He felt that Mrs. Lee was more necessary to him than the Presidency + itself; he could not go on without her; he needed human companionship; + some Christian comfort for his old age; some avenue of communication with + that social world, which made his present surroundings look cold and foul; + some touch of that refinement of mind and morals beside which his own + seemed coarse. He felt unutterably lonely. He wished Mrs. Lee had asked + him home to dinner; but Mrs. Lee had gone to bed with a headache. He + should not see her again for a week. Then his mind turned back upon their + morning at Mount Vernon, and bethinking himself of Mrs. Sam Baker, he took + a sheet of note-paper, and wrote a line to Wilson Keen, Esq., at + Georgetown, requesting him to call, if possible, the next morning towards + one o'clock at the Senator's rooms on a matter of business. Wilson Keen + was chief of the Secret Service Bureau in the Treasury Department, and, as + the depositary of all secrets, was often called upon for assistance which + he was very good-natured in furnishing to senators, especially if they + were likely to be Secretaries of the Treasury. + </p> + <p> + This note despatched, Mr. Ratcliffe fell back into his reflective mood, + which led him apparently into still lower depths of discontent until, with + a muttered oath, he swore he could “stand no more of this,” and, suddenly + rising, he informed his visitors that he was sorry to leave them, but he + felt rather poorly and was going to bed; and to bed he went, while his + guests departed, each as his business or desires might point him, some to + drink whiskey and some to repose. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday morning Mr. Ratcliffe, as usual, went to church. He always + attended morning service—at the Methodist Episcopal Church—not + wholly on the ground of religious conviction, but because a large number + of his constituents were church-going people and he would not willingly + shock their principles so long as he needed their votes. In church, he + kept his eyes closely fixed upon the clergyman, and at the end of the + sermon he could say with truth that he had not heard a word of it, + although the respectable minister was gratified by the attention his + discourse had received from the Senator from Illinois, an attention all + the more praiseworthy because of the engrossing public cares which must at + that moment have distracted the Senator's mind. In this last idea, the + minister was right. Mr. Ratcliffe's mind was greatly distracted by public + cares, and one of his strongest reasons for going to church at all was + that he might get an hour or two of undisturbed reflection. During the + entire service he was absorbed in carrying on a series of imaginary + conversations with the new President. He brought up in succession every + form of proposition which the President might make to him; every trap + which could be laid for him; every sort of treatment he might expect, so + that he could not be taken by surprise, and his frank, simple nature could + never be at a loss. One object, however, long escaped him. Supposing, what + was more than probable, that the President's opposition to Ratcliffe's + declared friends made it impossible to force any of them into office; it + would then be necessary to try some new man, not obnoxious to the + President, as a candidate for the Cabinet. Who should this be? Ratcliffe + pondered long and deeply, searching out a man who combined the most + powerful interests, with the fewest enmities. This subject was still + uppermost at the moment when service ended. Ratcliffe pondered over it as + he walked back to his rooms. Not until he reached his own door did he come + to a conclusion: + </p> + <p> + Carson would do; Carson of Pennsylvania; the President had probably never + heard of him. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Wilson Keen was waiting the Senator's return, a heavy man with a + square face, and good-natured, active blue eyes; a man of few words and + those well-considered. The interview was brief. After apologising for + breaking in upon Sunday with business, Mr. Ratcliffe excused himself on + the ground that so little time was left before the close of the session. A + bill now before one of his Committees, on which a report must soon be + made, involved matters to which it was believed that the late Samuel + Baker, formerly a well-known lobby-agent in Washington, held the only + clue. He being dead, Mr. Ratcliffe wished to know whether he had left any + papers behind him, and in whose hands these papers were, or whether any + partner or associate of his was acquainted with his affairs. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Keen made a note of the request, merely remarking that he had been + very well acquainted with Baker, and also a little with his wife, who was + supposed to know his affairs as well as he knew them himself; and who was + still in Washington. He thought he could bring the information in a day or + two. As he then rose to go, Mr. Ratcliffe added that entire secrecy was + necessary, as the interests involved in obstructing the search were + considerable, and it was not well to wake them up. Mr. Keen assented and + went his way. + </p> + <p> + All this was natural enough and entirely proper, at least so far as + appeared on the surface. Had Mr. Keen been so curious in other people's + affairs as to look for the particular legislative measure which lay at the + bottom of Mr. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe's inquiries, he might have searched among the papers of Congress + a very long time and found himself greatly puzzled at last. In fact there + was no measure of the kind. The whole story was a fiction. Mr. Ratcliffe + had scarcely thought of Baker since his death, until the day before, when + he had seen his widow on the Mount Vernon steamer and had found her in + relations with Carrington. Something in Carrington's habitual attitude and + manner towards himself had long struck him as peculiar, and this + connection with Mrs. Baker had suggested to the Senator the idea that it + might be well to have an eye on both. Mrs. Baker was a silly woman, as he + knew, and there were old transactions between Ratcliffe and Baker of which + she might be informed, but which Ratcliffe had no wish to see brought + within Mrs. Lee's ken. As for the fiction invented to set Keen in motion, + it was an innocent one. It harmed nobody. Ratcliffe selected this + particular method of inquiry because it was the easiest, safest, and most + effectual. If he were always to wait until he could afford to tell the + precise truth, business would very soon be at a standstill, and his career + at an end. + </p> + <p> + This little matter disposed of; the Senator from Illinois passed his + afternoon in calling upon some of his brother senators, and the first of + those whom he honoured with a visit was Mr. Krebs, of Pennsylvania. There + were many reasons which now made the co-operation of that high-minded + statesman essential to Mr. Ratcliffe. The strongest of them was that the + Pennsylvania delegation in Congress was well disciplined and could be used + with peculiar advantage for purposes of “pressure.” Ratcliffe's success in + his contest with the new President depended on the amount of “pressure” he + could employ. To keep himself in the background, and to fling over the + head of the raw Chief Magistrate a web of intertwined influences, any one + of which alone would be useless, but which taken together were not to be + broken through; to revive the lost art of the Roman retiarius, who from a + safe distance threw his net over his adversary, before attacking with the + dagger; this was Ratcliffe's intention and towards this he had been + directing all his manipulation for weeks past. How much bargaining and how + many promises he found it necessary to make, was known to himself alone. + About this time Mrs. Lee was a little surprised to find Mr. Gore speaking + with entire confidence of having Ratcliffe's support in his application + for the Spanish mission, for she had rather imagined that Gore was not a + favourite with Ratcliffe. She noticed too that Schneidekoupon had come + back again and spoke mysteriously of interviews with Ratcliffe; of + attempts to unite the interests of New York and Pennsylvania; and his + countenance took on a dark and dramatic expression as he proclaimed that + no sacrifice of the principle of protection should be tolerated. + Schneidekoupon disappeared as suddenly as he came, and from Sybil's + innocent complaints of his spirits and temper, Mrs. Lee jumped to the + conclusion that Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. Clinton, and Mr. + </p> + <p> + Krebs had for the moment combined to sit heavily upon poor Schneidekoupon, + and to remove his disturbing influence from the scene, at least until + other men should get what they wanted. These were merely the trifling + incidents that fell within Mrs. Lee's observation. She felt an atmosphere + of bargain and intrigue, but she could only imagine how far it extended. + Even Carrington, when she spoke to him about it, only laughed and shook + his head: + </p> + <p> + “Those matters are private, my dear Mrs. Lee; you and I are not meant to + know such things.” + </p> + <p> + This Sunday afternoon Mr. Ratcliffe's object was to arrange the little + manoeuvre about Carson of Pennsylvania, which had disturbed him in church. + </p> + <p> + His efforts were crowned with success. Krebs accepted Carson and promised + to bring him forward at ten minutes' notice, should the emergency arise. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe was a great statesman. The smoothness of his manipulation was + marvellous. No other man in politics, indeed no other man who had ever + been in politics in this country, could—his admirers said—have + brought together so many hostile interests and made so fantastic a + combination. Some men went so far as to maintain that he would “rope in + the President himself before the old man had time to swap knives with + him.” The beauty of his work consisted in the skill with which he evaded + questions of principle. As he wisely said, the issue now involved was not + one of principle but of power. + </p> + <p> + The fate of that noble party to which they all belonged, and which had a + record that could never be forgotten, depended on their letting principle + alone. Their principle must be the want of principles. There were indeed + individuals who said in reply that Ratcliffe had made promises which never + could be carried out, and there were almost superhuman elements of discord + in the combination, but as Ratcliffe shrewdly rejoined, he only wanted it + to last a week, and he guessed his promises would hold it up for that + time. + </p> + <p> + Such was the situation when on Monday afternoon the President-elect + arrived in Washington, and the comedy began. The new President was, almost + as much as Abraham Lincoln or Franklin Pierce, an unknown quantity in + political mathematics. In the national convention of the party, nine + months before, after some dozens of fruitless ballots in which Ratcliffe + wanted but three votes of a majority, his opponents had done what he was + now doing; they had laid aside their principles and set up for their + candidate a plain Indiana farmer, whose political experience was limited + to stump-speaking in his native State, and to one term as Governor. They + had pitched upon him, not because they thought him competent, but because + they hoped by doing so to detach Indiana from Ratcliffe's following, and + they were so successful that within fifteen minutes Ratcliffe's friends + were routed, and the Presidency had fallen upon this new political Buddha. + </p> + <p> + He had begun his career as a stone-cutter in a quarry, and was, not + unreasonably, proud of the fact. During the campaign this incident had, of + course, filled a large space in the public mind, or, more exactly, in the + public eye. “The Stone-cutter of the Wabash,” he was sometimes called; at + others “the Hoosier Quarryman,” but his favourite appellation was “Old + Granite,” although this last endearing name, owing to an unfortunate + similarity of sound, was seized upon by his opponents, and distorted into + “Old Granny.” He had been painted on many thousand yards of cotton + sheeting, either with a terrific sledge-hammer, smashing the skulls (which + figured as paving-stones) of his political opponents, or splitting by + gigantic blows a huge rock typical of the opposing party. His opponents in + their turn had paraded illuminations representing the Quarryman in the + garb of a State's-prison convict breaking the heads of Ratcliffe and other + well-known political leaders with a very feeble hammer, or as “Old Granny” + in pauper's rags, hopelessly repairing with the same heads the impossible + roads which typified the ill-conditioned and miry ways of his party. But + these violations of decency and good sense were universally reproved by + the virtuous; and it was remarked with satisfaction that the purest and + most highly cultivated newspaper editors on his side, without excepting + those of Boston itself; agreed with one voice that the Stone-cutter was a + noble type of man, perhaps the very noblest that had appeared to adorn + this country since the incomparable Washington. + </p> + <p> + That he was honest, all admitted; that is to say, all who voted for him. + </p> + <p> + This is a general characteristic of all new presidents. He himself took + great pride in his home-spun honesty, which is a quality peculiar to + nature's noblemen. Owing nothing, as he conceived, to politicians, but + sympathising through every fibre of his unselfish nature with the impulses + and aspirations of the people, he affirmed it to be his first duty to + protect the people from those vultures, as he called them, those wolves in + sheep's clothing, those harpies, those hyenas, the politicians; epithets + which, as generally interpreted, meant Ratcliffe and Ratcliffe's friends. + </p> + <p> + His cardinal principle in politics was hostility to Ratcliffe, yet he was + not vindictive. He came to Washington determined to be the Father of his + country; to gain a proud immortality and a re-election. + </p> + <p> + Upon this gentleman Ratcliffe had let loose all the forms of “pressure” + which could be set in motion either in or out of Washington. From the + moment when he had left his humble cottage in Southern Indiana, he had + been captured by Ratcliffe's friends, and smothered in demonstrations of + affection. They had never allowed him to suggest the possibility of + ill-feeling. They had assumed as a matter of course that the most cordial + attachment existed between him and his party. On his arrival in Washington + they systematically cut him off from contact with any influences but their + own. This was not a very difficult thing to do, for great as he was, he + liked to be told of his greatness, and they made him feel himself a + colossus. Even the few personal friends in his company were manipulated + with the utmost care, and their weaknesses put to use before they had been + in Washington a single day. + </p> + <p> + Not that Ratcliffe had anything to do with all this underhand and + grovelling intrigue. Mr. Ratcliffe was a man of dignity and self-respect, + who left details to his subordinates. He waited calmly until the + President, recovered from the fatigues of his journey, should begin to + feel the effect of a Washington atmosphere. Then on Wednesday morning, Mr. + Ratcliffe left his rooms an hour earlier than usual on his way to the + Senate, and called at the President's Hotel: he was ushered into a large + apartment in which the new Chief Magistrate was holding court, although at + sight of Ratcliffe, the other visitors edged away or took their hats and + left the room. The President proved to be a hard-featured man of sixty, + with a hooked nose and thin, straight, iron-gray hair. His voice was + rougher than his features and he received Ratcliffe awkwardly. He had + suffered since his departure from Indiana. Out there it had seemed a mere + flea-bite, as he expressed it, to brush Ratcliffe aside, but in Washington + the thing was somehow different. + </p> + <p> + Even his own Indiana friends looked grave when he talked of it, and shook + their heads. They advised him to be cautious and gain time; to lead + Ratcliffe on, and if possible to throw on him the responsibility of a + quarrel. He was, therefore, like a brown bear undergoing the process of + taming; very ill-tempered, very rough, and at the same time very much + bewildered and a little frightened. Ratcliffe sat ten minutes with him, + and obtained information in regard to pains which the President had + suffered during the previous night, in consequence, as he believed, of an + over-indulgence in fresh lobster, a luxury in which he had found a + diversion from the cares of state. So soon as this matter was explained + and condoled upon, Ratcliffe rose and took leave. + </p> + <p> + Every device known to politicians was now in full play against the Hoosier + Quarryman. State delegations with contradictory requests were poured in + upon him, among which that of Massachusetts presented as its only prayer + the appointment of Mr. Gore to the Spanish mission. Difficulties were + invented to embarrass and worry him. False leads were suggested, and false + information carefully mingled with true. A wild dance was kept up under + his eyes from daylight to midnight, until his brain reeled with the effort + to follow it. Means were also found to convert one of his personal, + confidential friends, who had come with him from Indiana and who had more + brains or less principle than the others; from him every word of the + President was brought directly to Ratcliffe's ear. + </p> + <p> + Early on Friday morning, Mr. Thomas Lord, a rival of the late Samuel + Baker, and heir to his triumphs, appeared in Ratcliffe's rooms while the + Senator was consuming his lonely egg and chop. Mr. Lord had been chosen to + take general charge of the presidential party and to direct all matters + connected with Ratcliffe's interests. Some people might consider this the + work of a spy; he looked on it as a public duty. He reported that “Old + Granny” had at last shown signs of weakness. Late the previous evening + when, according to his custom, he was smoking his pipe in company with his + kitchen-cabinet of followers, he had again fallen upon the subject of + Ratcliffe, and with a volley of oaths had sworn that he would show him his + place yet, and that he meant to offer him a seat in the Cabinet that would + make him “sicker than a stuck hog.” From this remark and some explanatory + hints that followed, it seemed that the Quarryman had abandoned his scheme + of putting Ratcliffe to immediate political death, and had now undertaken + to invite him into a Cabinet which was to be specially constructed to + thwart and humiliate him. + </p> + <p> + The President, it appeared, warmly applauded the remark of one counsellor, + that Ratcliffe was safer in the Cabinet than in the Senate, and that it + would be easy to kick him out when the time came. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe smiled grimly as Mr. Lord, with much clever mimicry, described + the President's peculiarities of language and manner, but he said nothing + and waited for the event. The same evening came a note from the + President's private secretary requesting his attendance, if possible, + to-morrow, Saturday morning, at ten o'clock. The note was curt and cool. + Ratcliffe merely sent back word that he would come, and felt a little + regret that the President should not know enough etiquette to understand + that this verbal answer was intended as a hint to improve his manners. He + did come accordingly, and found the President looking blacker than before. + This time there was no avoiding of tender subjects. The President meant to + show Ratcliffe by the decision of his course, that he was master of the + situation. He broke at once into the middle of the matter: “I sent for + you,” said he, “to consult with you about my Cabinet. Here is a list of + the gentlemen I intend to invite into it. You will see that I have got you + down for the Treasury. Will you look at the list and say what you think of + it?” + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe took the paper, but laid it at once on the table without looking + at it. “I can have no objection,” said he, “to any Cabinet you may + appoint, provided I am not included in it. My wish is to remain where I + am. There I can serve your administration better than in the Cabinet.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you refuse?” growled the President. + </p> + <p> + “By no means. I only decline to offer any advice or even to hear the names + of my proposed colleagues until it is decided that my services are + necessary. If they are, I shall accept without caring with whom I serve.” + </p> + <p> + The President glared at him with an uneasy look. What was to be done next? + </p> + <p> + He wanted time to think, but Ratcliffe was there and must be disposed of. + He involuntarily became more civil: “Mr. Ratcliffe, your refusal would + knock everything on the head. I thought that matter was all fixed. What + more can I do?” + </p> + <p> + But Ratcliffe had no mind to let the President out of his clutches so + easily, and a long conversation followed, during which he forced his + antagonist into the position of urging him to take the Treasury in order + to prevent some undefined but portentous mischief in the Senate. All that + could be agreed upon was that Ratcliffe should give a positive answer + within two days, and on that agreement he took his leave. + </p> + <p> + As he passed through the corridor, a number of gentlemen were waiting for + interviews with the President, and among them was the whole Pennsylvania + delegation, “ready for biz,” as Mr. Tom Lord remarked, with a wink. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe drew Krebs aside and they exchanged a few words as he passed + out. + </p> + <p> + Ten minutes afterwards the delegation was admitted, and some of its + members were a little surprised to hear their spokesman, Senator Krebs, + press with extreme earnestness and in their names, the appointment of + Josiah B. Carson to a place in the Cabinet, when they had been given to + understand that they came to recommend Jared Caldwell as postmaster of + Philadelphia. But Pennsylvania is a great and virtuous State, whose + representatives have entire confidence in their chief. Not one of them so + much as winked. + </p> + <p> + The dance of democracy round the President now began again with wilder + energy. Ratcliffe launched his last bolts. His two-days' delay was a mere + cover for bringing new influences to bear. He needed no delay. He wanted + no time for reflection. The President had undertaken to put him on the + horns of a dilemma; either to force him into a hostile and treacherous + Cabinet, or to throw on him the blame of a refusal and a quarrel. He meant + to embrace one of the horns and to impale the President on it, and he felt + perfect confidence in his own success. He meant to accept the Treasury and + he was ready to back himself with a heavy wager to get the government + entirely into his own hands within six weeks. His contempt for the Hoosier + Stone-cutter was unbounded, and his confidence in himself more absolute + than ever. + </p> + <p> + Busy as he was, the Senator made his appearance the next evening at Mrs. + </p> + <p> + Lee's, and finding her alone with Sybil, who was occupied with her own + little devices, Ratcliffe told Madeleine the story of his week's + experience. + </p> + <p> + He did not dwell on his exploits. On the contrary he quite ignored those + elaborate arrangements which had taken from the President his power of + volition. His picture presented himself; solitary and unprotected, in the + character of that honest beast who was invited to dine with the lion and + saw that all the footmarks of his predecessors led into the lion's cave, + and none away from it. He described in humorous detail his interviews with + the Indiana lion, and the particulars of the surfeit of lobster as given + in the President's dialect; he even repeated to her the story told him by + Mr. Tom Lord, without omitting oaths or gestures; he told her how matters + stood at the moment, and how the President had laid a trap for him which + he could not escape; he must either enter a Cabinet constructed on purpose + to thwart him and with the certainty of ignominious dismissal at the first + opportunity, or he must refuse an offer of friendship which would throw on + him the blame of a quarrel, and enable the President to charge all future + difficulties to the account of Ratcliffe's “insatiable ambition.” “And + now, Mrs. Lee,” he continued, with increasing seriousness of tone; “I want + your advice; what shall I do?” + </p> + <p> + Even this half revelation of the meanness which distorted politics; this + one-sided view of human nature in its naked deformity playing pranks with + the interests of forty million people, disgusted and depressed Madeleine's + mind. Ratclife spared her nothing except the exposure of his own moral + sores. He carefully called her attention to every leprous taint upon his + neighbours' persons, to every rag in their foul clothing, to every slimy + and fetid pool that lay beside their path. It was his way of bringing his + own qualities into relief. He meant that she should go hand in hand with + him through the brimstone lake, and the more repulsive it seemed to her, + the more overwhelming would his superiority become. He meant to destroy + those doubts of his character which Carrington was so carefully fostering, + to rouse her sympathy, to stimulate her feminine sense of self-sacrifice. + </p> + <p> + When he asked this question she looked up at him with an expression of + indignant pride, as she spoke: + </p> + <p> + “I say again, Mr. Ratcliffe, what I said once before. Do whatever is most + for the public good.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is most for the public good?” + </p> + <p> + Madeleine half opened her mouth to reply, then hesitated, and stared + silently into the fire before her. What was indeed most for the public + good? + </p> + <p> + Where did the public good enter at all into this maze of personal + intrigue, this wilderness of stunted natures where no straight road was to + be found, but only the tortuous and aimless tracks of beasts and things + that crawl? + </p> + <p> + Where was she to look for a principle to guide, an ideal to set up and to + point at? + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe resumed his appeal, and his manner was more serious than ever. + </p> + <p> + “I am hard pressed, Mrs. Lee. My enemies encompass me about. They mean to + ruin me. I honestly wish to do my duty. You once said that personal + considerations should have no weight. Very well! throw them away! And now + tell me what I should do.” + </p> + <p> + For the first time, Mrs. Lee began to feel his power. He was simple, + straightforward, earnest. His words moved her. How should she imagine that + he was playing upon her sensitive nature precisely as he played upon the + President's coarse one, and that this heavy western politician had the + instincts of a wild Indian in their sharpness and quickness of perception; + that he divined her character and read it as he read the faces and tones + of thousands from day to day? She was uneasy under his eye. She began a + sentence, hesitated in the middle, and broke down. She lost her command of + thought, and sat dumb-founded. He had to draw her out of the confusion he + had himself made. + </p> + <p> + “I see your meaning in your face. You say that I should accept the duty + and disregard the consequences.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” said Madeleine, hesitatingly; “Yes, I think that would be + my feeling.” + </p> + <p> + “And when I fall a sacrifice to that man's envy and intrigue, what will + you think then, Mrs. Lee? Will you not join the rest of the world and say + that I overreached myself; and walked into this trap with my eyes open, + and for my own objects? Do you think I shall ever be thought better of; + for getting caught here? I don't parade high moral views like our friend + French. I won't cant about virtue. But I do claim that in my public life I + have tried to do right. Will you do me the justice to think so?” + </p> + <p> + Madeleine still struggled to prevent herself from being drawn into + indefinite promises of sympathy with this man. She would keep him at arm's + length whatever her sympathies might be. She would not pledge herself to + espouse his cause. She turned upon him with an effort, and said that her + thoughts, now or at any time, were folly and nonsense, and that the + consciousness of right-doing was the only reward any public man had a + right to expect. + </p> + <p> + “And yet you are a hard critic, Mrs. Lee. If your thoughts are what you + say, your words are not. You judge with the judgment of abstract + principles, and you wield the bolts of divine justice. You look on and + condemn, but you refuse to acquit. When I come to you on the verge of what + is likely to be the fatal plunge of my life, and ask you only for some + clue to the moral principle that ought to guide me, you look on and say + that virtue is its own reward. And you do not even say where virtue lies.” + </p> + <p> + “I confess my sins,” said Madeleine, meekly and despondently; “life is + more complicated than I thought.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be guided by your advice,” said Ratcliffe; “I shall walk into + that den of wild beasts, since you think I ought. But I shall hold you to + your responsibility. You cannot refuse to see me through dangers you have + helped to bring me into.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no!” cried Madeleine, earnestly; “no responsibility. You ask more + than I can give.” + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe looked at her a moment with a troubled and careworn face. His + eyes seemed deep sunk in their dark circles, and his voice was pathetic in + its intensity. “Duty is duty, for you as well as for me. I have a right to + the help of all pure minds. You have no right to refuse it. How can you + reject your own responsibility and hold me to mine?” + </p> + <p> + Almost as he spoke, he rose and took his departure, leaving her no time to + do more than murmur again her ineffectual protest. After he was gone, Mrs. + </p> + <p> + Lee sat long, with her eyes fixed on the fire, reflecting upon what he had + said. Her mind was bewildered by the new suggestions which Ratcliffe had + thrown out. What woman of thirty, with aspirations for the infinite, could + resist an attack like this? What woman with a soul could see before her + the most powerful public man of her time, appealing—with a face + furrowed by anxieties, and a voice vibrating with only half-suppressed + affection—to her for counsel and sympathy, without yielding some + response? and what woman could have helped bowing her head to that rebuke + of her over-confident judgment, coming as it did from one who in the same + breath appealed to that judgment as final? Ratcliffe, too, had a curious + instinct for human weaknesses. No magnetic needle was ever truer than his + finger when he touched the vulnerable spot in an opponent's mind. Mrs. Lee + was not to be reached by an appeal to religious sentiment, to ambition, or + to affection. + </p> + <p> + Any such appeal would have fallen flat on her ears and destroyed its own + hopes. But she was a woman to the very last drop of her blood. She could + not be induced to love Ratcliffe, but she might be deluded into + sacrificing herself for him. She atoned for want of devotion to God, by + devotion to man. + </p> + <p> + She had a woman's natural tendency towards asceticism, self-extinction, + self-abnegation. All through life she had made painful efforts to + understand and follow out her duty. Ratcliffe knew her weak point when he + attacked her from this side. Like all great orators and advocates, he was + an actor; the more effective because of a certain dignified air that + forbade familiarity. + </p> + <p> + He had appealed to her sympathy, her sense of right and of duty, to her + courage, her loyalty, her whole higher nature; and while he made this + appeal he felt more than half convinced that he was all he pretended to + be, and that he really had a right to her devotion. What wonder that she + in her turn was more than half inclined to admit that right. She knew him + now better than Carrington or Jacobi knew him. Surely a man who spoke as + he spoke, had noble instincts and lofty aims? Was not his career a + thousand times more important than hers? If he, in his isolation and his + cares, needed her assistance, had she an excuse for refusing it? What was + there in her aimless and useless life which made it so precious that she + could not afford to fling it into the gutter, if need be, on the bare + chance of enriching some fuller existence? + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VIII + </h2> + <p> + OF all titles ever assumed by prince or potentate, the proudest is that of + the Roman pontiffs: “Servus servorum Dei”—“Servant of the servants + of God.” + </p> + <p> + In former days it was not admitted that the devil's servants could by + right have any share in government. They were to be shut out, punished, + exiled, maimed, and burned. The devil has no servants now; only the people + have servants. There may be some mistake about a doctrine which makes the + wicked, when a majority, the mouthpiece of God against the virtuous, but + the hopes of mankind are staked on it; and if the weak in faith sometimes + quail when they see humanity floating in a shoreless ocean, on this plank, + which experience and religion long since condemned as rotten, mistake or + not, men have thus far floated better by its aid, than the popes ever did + with their prettier principle; so that it will be a long time yet before + society repents. + </p> + <p> + Whether the new President and his chief rival, Mr. Silas P. Ratcliffe, + were or were not servants of the servants of God, is not material here. + Servants they were to some one. No doubt many of those who call themselves + servants of the people are no better than wolves in sheep's clothing, or + asses in lions' skins. One may see scores of them any day in the Capitol + when Congress is in session, making noisy demonstrations, or more usefully + doing nothing. A wiser generation will employ them in manual labour; as it + is, they serve only themselves. But there are two officers, at least, + whose service is real—the President and his Secretary of the + Treasury. The Hoosier Quarryman had not been a week in Washington before + he was heartily home-sick for Indiana. No maid-of-all-work in a cheap + boarding-house was ever more harassed. Everyone conspired against him. His + enemies gave him no peace. All Washington was laughing at his blunders, + and ribald sheets, published on a Sunday, took delight in printing the new + Chief Magistrate's sayings and doings, chronicled with outrageous humour, + and placed by malicious hands where the President could not but see them. + He was sensitive to ridicule, and it mortified him to the heart to find + that remarks and acts, which to him seemed sensible enough, should be + capable of such perversion. Then he was overwhelmed with public business. + It came upon him in a deluge, and he now, in his despair, no longer tried + to control it. He let it pass over him like a wave. His mind was muddied + by the innumerable visitors to whom he had to listen. But his greatest + anxiety was the Inaugural Address which, distracted as he was, he could + not finish, although in another week it must be delivered. He was nervous + about his Cabinet; it seemed to him that he could do nothing until he had + disposed of Ratcliffe. + </p> + <p> + Already, thanks to the President's friends, Ratcliffe had become + indispensable; still an enemy, of course, but one whose hands must be + tied; a sort of Sampson, to be kept in bonds until the time came for + putting him out of the way, but in the meanwhile, to be utilized. This + point being settled, the President had in imagination begun to lean upon + him; for the last few days he had postponed everything till next week, + “when I get my Cabinet arranged;” which meant, when he got Ratcliffe's + assistance; and he fell into a panic whenever he thought of the chance + that Ratcliffe might refuse. + </p> + <p> + He was pacing his room impatiently on Monday morning, an hour before the + time fixed for Ratcliffe's visit. His feelings still fluctuated violently, + and if he recognized the necessity of using Ratcliffe, he was not the less + determined to tie Ratcliffe's hands. He must be made to come into a + Cabinet where every other voice would be against him. He must be prevented + from having any patronage to dispose of. He must be induced to accept + these conditions at the start. How present this to him in such a way as + not to repel him at once? All this was needless, if the President had only + known it, but he thought himself a profound statesman, and that his hand + was guiding the destinies of America to his own re-election. When at + length, on the stroke of ten o'clock, Ratcliffe entered the room, the + President turned to him with nervous eagerness, and almost before offering + his hand, said that he hoped Mr. Ratcliffe had come prepared to begin work + at once. The Senator replied that, if such was the President's decided + wish, he would offer no further opposition. Then the President drew + himself up in the attitude of an American Cato, and delivered a prepared + address, in which he said that he had chosen the members of his Cabinet + with a careful regard to the public interests; that Mr. Ratcliffe was + essential to the combination; that he expected no disagreement on + principles, for there was but one principle which he should consider + fundamental, namely, that there should be no removals from office except + for cause; and that under these circumstances he counted upon Mr. + Ratcliffe's assistance as a matter of patriotic duty. + </p> + <p> + To all this Ratcliffe assented without a word of objection, and the + President, more convinced than ever of his own masterly statesmanship, + breathed more freely than for a week past. Within ten minutes they were + actively at work together, clearing away the mass of accumulated business. + </p> + <p> + The relief of the Quarryman surprised himself. Ratcliffe lifted the weight + of affairs from his shoulders with hardly an effort. He knew everybody and + everything. He took most of the President's visitors at once into his own + hands and dismissed them with great rapidity. He knew what they wanted; he + knew what recommendations were strong and what were weak; who was to be + treated with deference and who was to be sent away abruptly; where a blunt + refusal was safe, and where a pledge was allowable. The President even + trusted him with the unfinished manuscript of the Inaugural Address, which + Ratcliffe returned to him the next day with such notes and suggestions as + left nothing to be done beyond copying them out in a fair hand. With all + this, he proved himself a very agreeable companion. He talked well and + enlivened the work; he was not a hard taskmaster, and when he saw that the + President was tired, he boldly asserted that there was no more business + that could not as well wait a day, and so took the weary Stone-cutter out + to drive for a couple of hours, and let him go peacefully to sleep in the + carriage. They dined together and Ratcliffe took care to send for Tom Lord + to amuse them, for Tom was a wit and a humourist, and kept the President + in a laugh. Mr. Lord ordered the dinner and chose the wines. He could be + coarse enough to suit even the President's palate, and Ratcliffe was not + behindhand. When the new Secretary went away at ten o'clock that night, + his chief; who was in high good humour with his dinner, his champagne, and + his conversation, swore with some unnecessary granite oaths, that + Ratcliffe was “a clever fellow anyhow,” and he was glad “that job was + fixed.” + </p> + <p> + The truth was that Ratcliffe had now precisely ten days before the new + Cabinet could be set in motion, and in these ten days he must establish + his authority over the President so firmly that nothing could shake it. He + was diligent in good works. Very soon the court began to feel his hand. If + a business letter or a written memorial came in, the President found it + easy to endorse: “Referred to the Secretary of the Treasury.” If a visitor + wanted anything for himself or another, the invariable reply came to be: + “Just mention it to Mr. Ratcliffe;” or, “I guess Ratcliffe will see to + that.” + </p> + <p> + Before long he even made jokes in a Catonian manner; jokes that were not + peculiarly witty, but somewhat gruff and boorish, yet significant of a + resigned and self-contented mind. One morning he ordered Ratcliffe to take + an iron-clad ship of war and attack the Sioux in Montana, seeing that he + was in charge of the army and navy and Indians at once, and Jack of all + trades; and again he told a naval officer who wanted a court-martial that + he had better get Ratcliffe to sit on him for he was a whole court-martial + by himself. That Ratcliffe held his chief in no less contempt than before, + was probable but not certain, for he kept silence on the subject before + the world, and looked solemn whenever the President was mentioned. + </p> + <p> + Before three days were over, the President, with a little more than his + usual abruptness, suddenly asked him what he knew about this fellow + Carson, whom the Pennsylvanians were bothering him to put in his Cabinet. + Ratcliffe was guarded: he scarcely knew the man; Mr. Carson was not in + politics, he believed, but was pretty respectable—for a + Pennsylvanian. The President returned to the subject several times; got + out his list of Cabinet officers and figured industriously upon it with a + rather perplexed face; called Ratcliffe to help him; and at last the + “slate” was fairly broken, and Ratcliffe's eyes gleamed when the President + caused his list of nominations to be sent to the Senate on the 5th March, + and Josiah B. Carson, of Pennsylvania, was promptly confirmed as Secretary + of the Interior. + </p> + <p> + But his eyes gleamed still more humorously when, a few days afterwards, + the President gave him a long list of some two score names, and asked him + to find places for them. He assented good-naturedly, with a remark that it + might be necessary to make a few removals to provide for these cases. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well,” said the President, “I guess there's just about as many as + that had ought to go out anyway. These are friends of mine; got to be + looked after. Just stuff 'em in somewhere.” + </p> + <p> + Even he felt a little awkward about it, and, to do him justice, this was + the last that was heard about the fundamental rule of his administration. + </p> + <p> + Removals were fast and furious, until all Indiana became easy in + circumstances. And it was not to be denied that, by one means or another, + Ratcliffe's friends did come into their fair share of the public money. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the President thought it best to wink at such use of the Treasury + patronage for the present, or was already a little overawed by his + Secretary. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe's work was done. The public had, with the help of some clever + intrigue, driven its servants into the traces. Even an Indiana + stone-cutter could be taught that his personal prejudices must yield to + the public service. What mischief the selfishness, the ambition, or the + ignorance of these men might do, was another matter. As the affair stood, + the President was the victim of his own schemes. It remained to be seen + whether, at some future day, Mr. Ratcliffe would think it worth his while + to strangle his chief by some quiet Eastern intrigue, but the time had + gone by when the President could make use of either the bow-string or the + axe upon him. + </p> + <p> + All this passed while Mrs. Lee was quietly puzzling her poor little brain + about her duty and her responsibility to Ratcliffe, who, meanwhile, rarely + failed to find himself on Sunday evenings by her side in her parlour, + where his rights were now so well established that no one presumed to + contest his seat, unless it were old Jacobi, who from time to time + reminded him that he was fallible and mortal. Occasionally, though not + often, Mr. Ratcliffe came at other times, as when he persuaded Mrs. Lee to + be present at the Inauguration, and to call on the President's wife. + Madeleine and Sybil went to the Capitol and had the best places to see and + hear the Inauguration, as well as a cold March wind would allow. Mrs. Lee + found fault with the ceremony; it was of the earth, earthy, she said. An + elderly western farmer, with silver spectacles, new and glossy evening + clothes, bony features, and stiff; thin, gray hair, trying to address a + large crowd of people, under the drawbacks of a piercing wind and a cold + in his head, was not a hero. Sybil's mind was lost in wondering whether + the President would not soon die of pneumonia. Even this experience, + however, was happy when compared with that of the call upon the + President's wife, after which Madeleine decided to leave the new dynasty + alone in future. The lady, who was somewhat stout and coarse-featured, and + whom Mrs. Lee declared she wouldn't engage as a cook, showed qualities + which, seen under that fierce light which beats upon a throne, seemed + ungracious. Her antipathy to Ratcliffe was more violent than her + husband's, and was even more openly expressed, until the President was + quite put out of countenance by it. She extended her hostility to every + one who could be supposed to be Ratcliffe's friend, and the newspapers, as + well as private gossip, had marked out Mrs. Lee as one who, by an alliance + with Ratcliffe, was aiming at supplanting her own rule over the White + House. + </p> + <p> + Hence, when Mrs. Lightfoot Lee was announced, and the two sisters were + ushered into the presidential parlour, she put on a coldly patronizing + air, and in reply to Madeleine's hope that she found Washington agreeable, + she intimated that there was much in Washington which struck her as awful + wicked, especially the women; and, looking at Sybil, she spoke of the + style of dress in this city which she said she meant to do what she could + to put a stop to. She'd heard tell that people sent to Paris for their + gowns, just as though America wasn't good enough to make one's clothes! + Jacob (all Presidents' wives speak of their husbands by their first names) + had promised her to get a law passed against it. In her town in Indiana, a + young woman who was seen on the street in such clothes wouldn't be spoken + to. At these remarks, made with an air and in a temper quite unmistakable, + Madeleine became exasperated beyond measure, and said that “Washington + would be pleased to see the President do something in regard to + dress-reform—or any other reform;” and with this allusion to the + President's ante-election reform speeches, Mrs. Lee turned her back and + left the room, followed by Sybil in convulsions of suppressed laughter, + which would not have been suppressed had she seen the face of their + hostess as the door shut behind them, and the energy with which she shook + her head and said: “See if I don't reform you yet, you—jade!” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee gave Ratcliffe a lively account of this interview, and he laughed + nearly as convulsively as Sybil over it, though he tried to pacify her by + saying that the President's most intimate friends openly declared his wife + to be insane, and that he himself was the person most afraid of her. But + Mrs. Lee declared that the President was as bad as his wife; that an + equally good President and President's wife could be picked up in any + corner-grocery between the Lakes and the Ohio; and that no inducement + should ever make her go near that coarse washerwoman again. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe did not attempt to change Mrs. Lee's opinion. Indeed he knew + better than any man how Presidents were made, and he had his own opinions + in regard to the process as well as the fabric produced. Nothing Mrs. Lee + could say now affected him. He threw off his responsibility and she found + it suddenly resting on her own shoulders. When she spoke with indignation + of the wholesale removals from office with which the new administration + marked its advent to power, he told her the story of the President's + fundamental principle, and asked her what she would have him do. “He meant + to tie my hands,” said Ratcliffe, “and to leave his own free, and I + accepted the condition. Can I resign now on such a ground as this?” And + Madeleine was obliged to agree that he could not. She had no means of + knowing how many removals he made in his own interest, or how far he had + outwitted the President at his own game. He stood before her a victim and + a patriot. Every step he had taken had been taken with her approval. He + was now in office to prevent what evil he could, not to be responsible for + the evil that was done; and he honestly assured her that much worse men + would come in when he went out, as the President would certainly take good + care that he did go out when the moment arrived. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee had the chance now to carry out her scheme in coming to + Washington, for she was already deep in the mire of politics and could see + with every advantage how the great machine floundered about, bespattering + with mud even her own pure garments. Ratcliffe himself, since entering the + Treasury, had begun to talk with a sneer of the way in which laws were + made, and openly said that he wondered how government got on at all. Yet + he declared still that this particular government was the highest + expression of political thought. Mrs. Lee stared at him and wondered + whether he knew what thought was. To her the government seemed to have + less thought in it than one of Sybil's gowns, for if they, like the + government, were monstrously costly, they were at least adapted to their + purpose, the parts fitted together, and they were neither awkward nor + unwieldy. + </p> + <p> + There was nothing very encouraging in all this, but it was better than New + York. At least it gave her something to look at, and to think about. Even + Lord Dunbeg preached practical philanthropy to her by the hour. Ratcliffe, + too, was compelled to drag himself out of the rut of machine politics, and + to justify his right of admission to her house. There Mr. French + discoursed at great length, until the fourth of March sent him home to + Connecticut; and he brought more than one intelligent member of Congress + to Mrs. Lee's parlour. Underneath the scum floating on the surface of + politics, Madeleine felt that there was a sort of healthy ocean current of + honest purpose, which swept the scum before it, and kept the mass pure. + </p> + <p> + This was enough to draw her on. She reconciled herself to accepting the + Ratcliffian morals, for she could see no choice. She herself had approved + every step she had seen him take. She could not deny that there must be + something wrong in a double standard of morality, but where was it? Mr. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe seemed to her to be doing good work with as pure means as he had + at hand. He ought to be encouraged, not reviled. What was she that she + should stand in judgment? + </p> + <p> + Others watched her progress with less satisfaction. Mr. Nathan Gore was + one of these, for he came in one evening, looking much out of temper, and, + sitting down by her side he said he had come to bid good-bye and to thank + her for the kindness she had shown him; he was to leave Washington the + next morning. She too expressed her warm regret, but added that she hoped + he was only going in order to take his passage to Madrid. + </p> + <p> + He shook his head. “I am going to take my passage,” said he, “but not to + Madrid. The fates have cut that thread. The President does not want my + services, and I can't blame him, for if our situations were reversed, I + should certainly not want his. He has an Indiana friend, who, I am told, + wanted to be postmaster at Indianapolis, but as this did not suit the + politicians, he was bought off at the exorbitant price of the Spanish + mission. But I should have no chance even if he were out of the way. The + President does not approve of me. He objects to the cut of my overcoat + which is unfortunately an English one. He also objects to the cut of my + hair. I am afraid that his wife objects to me because I am so happy as to + be thought a friend of yours.” + </p> + <p> + Madeleine could only acknowledge that Mr. Gore's case was a bad one. “But + after all,” said she, “why should politicians be expected to love you + literary gentlemen who write history. Other criminal classes are not + expected to love their judges.” + </p> + <p> + “No, but they have sense enough to fear them,” replied Gore vindictively; + “not one politician living has the brains or the art to defend his own + cause. The ocean of history is foul with the carcases of such statesmen, + dead and forgotten except when some historian fishes one of them up to + gibbet it.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gore was so much out of temper that after this piece of extravagance + he was forced to pause a moment to recover himself. Then he went on:—“You + are perfectly right, and so is the President. I have no business to be + meddling in politics. It is not my place. The next time you hear of me, I + promise it shall not be as an office-seeker.” + </p> + <p> + Then he rapidly changed the subject, saying that he hoped Mrs. Lee was + soon going northward again, and that they might meet at Newport. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” replied Madeleine; “the spring is pleasant here, and we + shall stay till the warm weather, I think.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gore looked grave. “And your politics!” said he; “are you satisfied + with what you have seen?” + </p> + <p> + “I have got so far as to lose the distinction between right and wrong. + Isn't that the first step in politics?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gore had no mind even for serious jesting. He broke out into a long + lecture which sounded like a chapter of some future history: “But Mrs. + Lee, is it possible that you don't see what a wrong path you are on. If + you want to know what the world is really doing to any good purpose, pass + a winter at Samarcand, at Timbuctoo, but not at Washington. Be a + bank-clerk, or a journeyman printer, but not a Congressman. Here you will + find nothing but wasted effort and clumsy intrigue.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think it a pity for me to learn that?” asked Madeleine when his + long essay was ended. + </p> + <p> + “No!” replied Gore, hesitating; “not if you do learn it. But many people + never get so far, or only when too late. I shall be glad to hear that you + are mistress of it and have given up reforming politics. The Spaniards + have a proverb that smells of the stable, but applies to people like you + and me: The man who washes his donkey's head, loses time and soap.” + </p> + <p> + Gore took his leave before Madeleine had time to grasp all the impudence + of this last speech. Not until she was fairly in bed that night did it + suddenly flash on her mind that Mr. Gore had dared to caricature her as + wasting time and soap on Mr. Ratcliffe. At first she was violently angry + and then she laughed in spite of herself; there was truth in the portrait. + In secret, too, she was the less offended because she half thought that it + had depended only on herself to make of Mr. Gore something more than a + friend. If she had overheard his parting words to Carrington, she would + have had still more reason to think that a little jealousy of Ratcliffe's + success sharpened the barb of Gore's enmity. + </p> + <p> + “Take care of Ratcliffe!” was his farewell; “he is a clever dog. He has + set his mark on Mrs. Lee. Look out that he doesn't walk off with her!” + </p> + <p> + A little startled by this sudden confidence, Carrington could only ask + what he could do to prevent it. + </p> + <p> + “Cats that go ratting, don't wear gloves,” replied Gore, who always + carried a Spanish proverb in his pocket. Carrington, after painful + reflection, could only guess that he wanted Ratcliffe's enemies to show + their claws. But how? + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee not long afterwards spoke to Ratcliffe of her regret at Gore's + disappointment and hinted at his disgust. Ratcliffe replied that he had + done what he could for Gore, and had introduced him to the President, who, + after seeing him, had sworn his usual granitic oath that he would sooner + send his nigger farm-hand Jake to Spain than that man-milliner. “You know + how I stand;” added Ratcliffe; “what more could I do?” And Mrs. Lee's + implied reproach was silenced. + </p> + <p> + If Gore was little pleased with Ratcliffe's conduct, poor Schneidekoupon + was still less so. He turned up again at Washington not long after the + Inauguration and had a private interview with the Secretary of the + Treasury. + </p> + <p> + What passed at it was known only to themselves, but, whatever it was, + Schneidekoupon's temper was none the better for it. From his conversations + with Sybil, it seemed that there was some question about appointments in + which his protectionist friends were interested, and he talked very openly + about Ratcliffe's want of good faith, and how he had promised everything + to everybody and had failed to keep a single pledge; if Schneidekoupon's + advice had been taken, this wouldn't have happened. Mrs. Lee told + Ratcliffe that Schneidekoupon seemed out of temper, and asked the reason. + He only laughed and evaded the question, remarking that cattle of this + kind were always complaining unless they were allowed to run the whole + government; Schneidekoupon had nothing to grumble about; no one had ever + made any promises to him. But nevertheless Schneidekoupon confided to + Sybil his antipathy to Ratcliffe and solemnly begged her not to let Mrs. + Lee fall into his hands, to which Sybil answered tartly that she only + wished Mr. + </p> + <p> + Schneidekoupon would tell her how to help it. + </p> + <p> + The reformer French had also been one of Ratcliffe's backers in the fight + over the Treasury. He remained in Washington a few days after the + Inauguration, and then disappeared, leaving cards with P.P.C. in the + corner, at Mrs. Lee's door. Rumour said that he too was disappointed, but + he kept his own counsel, and, if he really wanted the mission to Belgium, + he contented himself with waiting for it. A respectable stage-coach + proprietor from Oregon got the place. + </p> + <p> + As for Jacobi, who was not disappointed, and who had nothing to ask for, + he was bitterest of all. He formally offered his congratulations to + Ratcliffe on his appointment. This little scene occurred in Mrs. Lee's + parlour. The old Baron, with his most suave manner, and his most + Voltairean leer, said that in all his experience, and he had seen a great + many court intrigues, he had never seen anything better managed than that + about the Treasury. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe was furiously angry, and told the Baron outright that foreign + ministers who insulted the governments to which they were accredited ran a + risk of being sent home. + </p> + <p> + “Ce serait toujours un pis aller,” said Jacobi, seating himself with + calmness in Ratcliffe's favourite chair by Mrs. Lee's side. + </p> + <p> + Madeleine, alarmed as she was, could not help interposing, and hastily + asked whether that remark was translatable. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said the Baron; “I can do nothing with your language. You would only + say that it was a choice of evils, to go, or to stay.” + </p> + <p> + “We might translate it by saying: 'One may go farther and fare worse,'” + rejoined Madeleine; and so the storm blew over for the time, and Ratcliffe + sulkily let the subject drop. Nevertheless the two men never met in Mrs. + </p> + <p> + Lee's parlour without her dreading a personal altercation. Little by + little, what with Jacobi's sarcasms and Ratcliffe's roughness, they nearly + ceased to speak, and glared at each other like quarrelsome dogs. Madeleine + was driven to all kinds of expedients to keep the peace, yet at the same + time she could not but be greatly amused by their behaviour, and as their + hatred of each other only stimulated their devotion to her, she was + content to hold an even balance between them. + </p> + <p> + Nor were these all the awkward consequences of Ratcliffe's attentions. Now + that he was distinctly recognized as an intimate friend of Mrs. Lee's, and + possibly her future husband, no one ventured any longer to attack him in + her presence, but nevertheless she was conscious in a thousand ways that + the atmosphere became more and more dense under the shadow of the + Secretary of the Treasury. In spite of herself she sometimes felt uneasy, + as though there were conspiracy in the air. One March afternoon she was + sitting by her fire, with an English Review in her hand, trying to read + the last Symposium on the sympathies of Eternal Punishment, when her + servant brought in a card, and Mrs. Lee had barely time to read the name + of Mrs. Samuel Baker when that lady followed the servant into the room, + forcing the countersign in so effective style that for once Madeleine was + fairly disconcerted. Her manner when thus intruded upon, was cool, but in + this case, on Carrington's account, she tried to smile courteously and + asked her visitor to sit down, which Mrs. Baker was doing without an + invitation, very soon putting her hostess entirely at her ease. She was, + when seen without her veil, a showy woman verging on forty, decidedly + large, tall, over-dressed even in mourning, and with a complexion rather + fresher than nature had made it. + </p> + <p> + There was a geniality in her address, savouring of easy Washington ways, a + fruitiness of smile, and a rich southern accent, that explained on the + spot her success in the lobby. She looked about her with fine + self-possession, and approved Mrs. Lee's surroundings with a cordiality so + different from the northern stinginess of praise, that Madeleine was + rather pleased than offended. Yet when her eye rested on the Corot, + Madeleine's only pride, she was evidently perplexed, and resorted to + eye-glasses, in order, as it seemed, to gain time for reflection. But she + was not to be disconcerted even by Corot's masterpiece: + </p> + <p> + “How pretty! Japanese, isn't it? Sea-weeds seen through a fog. I went to + an auction yesterday, and do you know I bought a tea-pot with a picture + just like that.” + </p> + <p> + Madeleine inquired with extreme interest about the auction, but after + learning all that Mrs. Baker had to tell, she was on the point of being + reduced to silence, when she bethought herself to mention Carrington. Mrs. + </p> + <p> + Baker brightened up at once, if she could be said to brighten where there + was no sign of dimness: + </p> + <p> + “Dear Mr. Carrington! Isn't he sweet? I think he's a delicious man. I + don't know what I should do without him. Since poor Mr. Baker left me, we + have been together all the time. You know my poor husband left directions + that all his papers should be burned, and though I would not say so unless + you were such a friend of Mr. Carrington's, I reckon it's just as well for + some people that he did. I never could tell you what quantities of papers + Mr. Carrington and I have put in the fire; and we read them all too.” + </p> + <p> + Madeleine asked whether this was not dull work. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear, no! You see I know all about it, and told Mr. Carrington the + story of every paper as we went on. It was quite amusing, I assure you.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee then boldly said she had got from Mr. Carrington an idea that + Mrs. + </p> + <p> + Baker was a very skilful diplomatist. + </p> + <p> + “Diplomatist!” echoed the widow with her genial laugh; “Well! it was as + much that as anything, but there's not many diplomatists' wives in this + city ever did as much work as I used to do. Why, I knew half the members + of Congress intimately, and all of them by sight. I knew where they came + from and what they liked best. I could get round the greater part of them, + sooner or later.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee asked what she did with all this knowledge. Mrs. Baker shook her + pink-and-white countenance, and almost paralysed her opposite neighbour by + a sort of Grande Duchesse wink: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my dear! you are new here. If you had seen Washington in war-times + and for a few years afterwards, you wouldn't ask that. We had more + congressional business than all the other agents put together. Every one + came to us then, to get his bill through, or his appropriation watched. We + were hard at work all the time. You see, one can't keep the run of three + hundred men without some trouble. My husband used to make lists of them in + books with a history of each man and all he could learn about him, but I + carried it all in my head.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean that you could get them all to vote as you pleased?” asked + Madeleine. + </p> + <p> + “Well! we got our bills through,” replied Mrs. Baker. + </p> + <p> + “But how did you do it? did they take bribes?” + </p> + <p> + “Some of them did. Some of them liked suppers and cards and theatres and + all sorts of things. Some of them could be led, and some had to be driven + like Paddy's pig who thought he was going the other way. Some of them had + wives who could talk to them, and some—hadn't,” said Mrs. Baker, + with a queer intonation in her abrupt ending. + </p> + <p> + “But surely,” said Mrs. Lee, “many of them must have been above—I + mean, they must have had nothing to get hold of; so that you could manage + them.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Baker laughed cheerfully and remarked that they were very much of a + muchness. + </p> + <p> + “But I can't understand how you did it,” urged Madeleine; “now, how would + you have gone to work to get a respectable senator's vote—a man like + Mr. Ratcliffe, for instance?” + </p> + <p> + “Ratcliffe!” repeated Mrs. Baker with a slight elevation of voice that + gave way to a patronising laugh. “Oh, my dear! don't mention names. I + should get into trouble. Senator Ratcliffe was a good friend of my + husband's. I guess Mr. Carrington could have told you that. But you see, + what we generally wanted was all right enough. We had to know where our + bills were, and jog people's elbows to get them reported in time. + Sometimes we had to convince them that our bill was a proper one, and they + ought to vote for it. Only now and then, when there was a great deal of + money and the vote was close, we had to find out what votes were worth. It + was mostly dining and talking, calling them out into the lobby or asking + them to supper. I wish I could tell you things I have seen, but I don't + dare. It wouldn't be safe. I've told you already more than I ever said to + any one else; but then you are so intimate with Mr. Carrington, that I + always think of you as an old friend.” + </p> + <p> + Thus Mrs. Baker rippled on, while Mrs. Lee listened with more and more + doubt and disgust. The woman was showy, handsome in a coarse style, and + perfectly presentable. Mrs. Lee had seen Duchesses as vulgar. She knew + more about the practical working of government than Mrs. Lee could ever + expect or hope to know. Why then draw back from this interesting lobbyist + with such babyish repulsion? + </p> + <p> + When, after a long, and, as she declared, a most charming call, Mrs. Baker + wended her way elsewhere and Madeleine had given the strictest order that + she should never be admitted again, Carrington entered, and Madeleine + showed him Mrs. Baker's card and gave a lively account of the interview. + </p> + <p> + “What shall I do with the woman?” she asked; “must I return her card?” But + Carrington declined to offer advice on this interesting point. “And she + says that Mr. Ratcliffe was a friend of her husband's and that you could + tell me about that.” + </p> + <p> + “Did she say so?” remarked Carrington vaguely. + </p> + <p> + “Yes! and that she knew every one's weak points and could get all their + votes.” + </p> + <p> + Carrington expressed no surprise, and so evidently preferred to change the + subject, that Mrs. Lee desisted and said no more. + </p> + <p> + But she determined to try the same experiment on Mr. Ratcliffe, and chose + the very next chance that offered. In her most indifferent manner she + remarked that Mrs. Sam Baker had called upon her and had initiated her + into the mysteries of the lobby till she had become quite ambitious to + start on that career. + </p> + <p> + “She said you were a friend of her husband's,” added Madeleine softly. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe's face betrayed no sign. + </p> + <p> + “If you believe what those people tell you,” said he drily, “you will be + wiser than the Queen of Sheba.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter IX + </h2> + <p> + WHENEVER a man reaches the top of the political ladder, his enemies unite + to pull him down. His friends become critical and exacting. Among the many + dangers of this sort which now threatened Ratcliffe, there was one that, + had he known it, might have made him more uneasy than any of those which + were the work of senators and congressmen. Carrington entered into an + alliance, offensive and defensive, with Sybil. It came about in this wise. + Sybil was fond of riding and occasionally, when Carrington could spare the + time, he went as her guide and protector in these country excursions; for + every Virginian, however out at elbows, has a horse, as he has shoes or a + shirt. + </p> + <p> + In a thoughtless moment Carrington had been drawn into a promise that he + would take Sybil to Arlington. The promise was one that he did not hurry + to keep, for there were reasons which made a visit to Arlington anything + but a pleasure to him; but Sybil would listen to no excuses, and so it + came about that, one lovely March morning, when the shrubs and the trees + in the square before the house were just beginning, under the warmer sun, + to show signs of their coming wantonness, Sybil stood at the open window + waiting for him, while her new Kentucky horse before the door showed what + he thought of the delay by curving his neck, tossing his head, and pawing + the pavement. + </p> + <p> + Carrington was late and kept her waiting so long, that the mignonette and + geraniums, which adorned the window, suffered for his slowness, and the + curtain tassels showed signs of wilful damage. Nevertheless he arrived at + length, and they set out together, choosing the streets least enlivened by + horse-cars and provision-carts, until they had crept through the great + metropolis of Georgetown and come upon the bridge which crosses the noble + river just where its bold banks open out to clasp the city of Washington + in their easy embrace. Then reaching the Virginia side they cantered gaily + up the laurel-margined road, with glimpses of woody defiles, each carrying + its trickling stream and rich in promise of summer flowers, while from + point to point they caught glorious glimpses of the distant city and + river. They passed the small military station on the heights, still + dignified by the name of fort, though Sybil silently wondered how a fort + was possible without fortifications, and complained that there was nothing + more warlike than a “nursery of telegraph poles.” The day was blue and + gold; everything smiled and sparkled in the crisp freshness of the + morning. Sybil was in bounding spirits and not at all pleased to find that + her companion became moody and abstracted as they went on. “Poor Mr. + Carrington!” thought she to herself, “he is so nice; but when he puts on + that solemn air, one might as well go to sleep. I am quite certain no nice + woman will ever marry him if he looks like that;” and her practical mind + ran off among all the girls of her acquaintance, in search of one who + would put up with Carrington's melancholy face. She knew his devotion to + her sister, but had long ago rejected this as a hopeless chance. There was + a simplicity about Sybil's way of dealing with life, which had its own + charm. She never troubled herself about the impossible or the unthinkable. + She had feelings, and was rather quick in her sympathies and sorrows, but + she was equally quick in getting over them, and she expected other people + to do likewise. Madeleine dissected her own feelings and was always + wondering whether they were real or not; she had a habit of taking off her + mental clothing, as she might take off a dress, and looking at it as + though it belonged to some one else, and as though sensations were + manufactured like clothes. This seems to be one of the easier ways of + deadening sorrow, as though the mind could teach itself to lop off its + feelers. Sybil particularly disliked this self-inspection. In the first + place she did not understand it, and in the second her mind was all + feelers, and amputation was death. She could no more analyse a feeling + than doubt its existence, both which were habits of her sister. + </p> + <p> + How was Sybil to know what was passing in Carrington's mind? He was + thinking of nothing in which she supposed herself interested. He was + troubled with memories of civil war and of associations still earlier, + belonging to an age already vanishing or vanished; but what could she know + about civil war who had been almost an infant at the time? At this moment, + she happened to be interested in the baffle of Waterloo, for she was + reading “Vanity Fair,” and had cried as she ought for poor little Emmy, + when her husband, George Osborne, lay dead on the field there, with a + bullet through his heart. But how was she to know that here, only a few + rods before her, lay scores and hundreds of George Osbornes, or his + betters, and in their graves the love and hope of many Emmys, not + creatures of the imagination, but flesh and blood, like herself? To her, + there was no more in those associations which made Carrington groan in the + silence of his thoughts, than if he had been old Kaspar, and she the + little Wilhelmine. What was a skull more or less to her? What concern had + she in the famous victory? + </p> + <p> + Yet even Sybil was startled as she rode through the gate and found herself + suddenly met by the long white ranks of head-stones, stretching up and + down the hill-sides by thousands, in order of baffle; as though Cadmus had + reversed his myth, and had sown living men, to come up dragons' teeth. She + drew in her horse with a shiver and a sudden impulse to cry. Here was + something new to her. This was war—wounds, disease, death. She + dropped her voice and with a look almost as serious as Carrington's, asked + what all these graves meant. When Carrington told her, she began for the + first time to catch some dim notion why his face was not quite as gay as + her own. Even now this idea was not very precise, for he said little about + himself, but at least she grappled with the fact that he had actually, + year after year, carried arms against these men who lay at her feet and + who had given their lives for her cause. It suddenly occurred to her as a + new thought that perhaps he himself might have killed one of them with his + own hand. There was a strange shock in this idea. She felt that Carrington + was further from her. He gained dignity in his rebel isolation. She wanted + to ask him how he could have been a traitor, and she did not dare. + Carrington a traitor! + </p> + <p> + Carrington killing her friends! The idea was too large to grasp. She fell + back on the simpler task of wondering how he had looked in his rebel + uniform. + </p> + <p> + They rode slowly round to the door of the house and dismounted, after he + had with some difficulty found a man to hold their horses. From the heavy + brick porch they looked across the superb river to the raw and incoherent + ugliness of the city, idealised into dreamy beauty by the atmosphere, and + the soft background of purple hills behind. Opposite them, with its crude + “thus saith the law” stamped on white dome and fortress-like walls, rose + the Capitol. + </p> + <p> + Carrington stood with her a short time while they looked at the view; then + said he would rather not go into the house himself, and sat down on the + steps while she strolled alone through the rooms. These were bare and + gaunt, so that she, with her feminine sense of fitness, of course + considered what she would do to make them habitable. She had a neat fancy + for furniture, and distributed her tones and half tones and bits of colour + freely about the walls and ceilings, with a high-backed chair here, a + spindle-legged sofa there, and a claw-footed table in the centre, until + her eye was caught by a very dirty deal desk, on which stood an open book, + with an inkstand and some pens. On the leaf she read the last entry: “Eli + M. Grow and lady, Thermopyle Centre.” Not even the graves outside had + brought the horrors of war so near. + </p> + <p> + What a scourge it was! This respectable family turned out of such a lovely + house, and all the pretty old furniture swept away before a horde of + coarse invaders “with ladies.” Did the hosts of Attila write their names + on visiting books in the temple of Vesta and the house of Sallust? What a + new terror they would have added to the name of the scourge of God! Sybil + returned to the portico and sat down by Carrington on the steps. + </p> + <p> + “How awfully sad it is!” said she; “I suppose the house was prettily + furnished when the Lees lived here? Did you ever see it then?” + </p> + <p> + Sybil was not very profound, but she had sympathy, and at this moment + Carrington felt sorely in need of comfort. He wanted some one to share his + feelings, and he turned towards her hungry for companionship. + </p> + <p> + “The Lees were old family friends of mine,” said he. “I used to stay here + when I was a boy, even as late as the spring of 1861. The last time I sat + here, it was with them. We were wild about disunion and talked of nothing + else. I have been trying to recall what was said then. We never thought + there would be war, and as for coercion, it was nonsense. Coercion, + indeed! The idea was ridiculous. I thought so, too, though I was a Union + man and did not want the State to go out. But though I felt sure that + Virginia must suffer, I never thought we could be beaten. Yet now I am + sitting here a pardoned rebel, and the poor Lees are driven away and their + place is a grave-yard.” + </p> + <p> + Sybil became at once absorbed in the Lees and asked many questions, all + which Carrington gladly answered. He told her how he had admired and + followed General Lee through the war. “We thought he was to be our + Washington, you know; and perhaps he had some such idea himself;” and + then, when Sybil wanted to hear about the baffles and the fighting, he + drew a rough map on the gravel path to show her how the two lines had run, + only a few miles away; then he told her how he had carried his musket day + after day over all this country, and where he had seen his battles. Sybil + had everything to learn; the story came to her with all the animation of + real life, for here under her eyes were the graves of her own champions, + and by her side was a rebel who had stood under our fire at Malvern Hill + and at South Mountain, and who was telling her how men looked and what + they thought in face of death. She listened with breathless interest, and + at last summoned courage to ask in an awestruck tone whether Carrington + had ever killed any one himself. She was relieved, although a little + disappointed, when he said that he believed not; he hoped not; though no + private who has discharged a musket in baffle can be quite sure where the + bullet went. “I never tried to kill any one,” said he, “though they tried + to kill me incessantly.” Then Sybil begged to know how they had tried to + kill him, and he told her one or two of those experiences, such as most + soldiers have had, when he had been fired upon and the balls had torn his + clothes or drawn blood. Poor Sybil was quite overcome, and found a deadly + fascination in the horror. As they sat together on the steps with the + glorious view spread before them, her attention was so closely fixed on + his story that she saw neither the view nor even the carriages of tourists + who drove up, looked about, and departed, envying Carrington his + occupation with the lovely girl. + </p> + <p> + She was in imagination rushing with him down the valley of Virginia on the + heels of our flying army, or gloomily toiling back to the Potomac after + the bloody days at Gettysburg, or watching the last grand debâcle on the + road from Richmond to Appomattox. They would have sat there till sunset if + Carrington had not at length insisted that they must go, and then she rose + slowly with a deep sigh and undisguised regret. + </p> + <p> + As they rode away, Carrington, whose thoughts were not devoted to his + companion so entirely as they should have been, ventured to say that he + wished her sister had come with them, but he found that his hint was not + well received. + </p> + <p> + Sybil emphatically rejected the idea: “I'm very glad she didn't come. If + she had, you would have talked with her all the time, and I should have + been left to amuse myself. You would have been discussing things, and I + hate discussions. She would have been hunting for first principles, and + you would have been running about, trying to catch some for her. Besides, + she is coming herself some Sunday with that tiresome Mr. Ratcliffe. I + don't see what she finds in that man to amuse her. Her taste is getting to + be demoralised in Washington. Do you know, Mr. Carrington, I'm not clever + or serious, like Madeleine, and I can't read laws, and hate politics, but + I've more common sense than she has, and she makes me cross with her. I + understand now why young widows are dangerous, and why they're bumed at + their husband's funerals in India. Not that I want to have Madeleine + burned, for she's a dear, good creature, and I love her better than + anything in the world; but she will certainly do herself some dreadful + mischief one of these days; she has the most extravagant notions about + self-sacrifice and duty; if she hadn't luckily thought of taking charge of + me, she would have done some awful thing long ago, and if I could only be + a little wicked, she would be quite happy all the rest of her life in + reforming me; but now she has got hold of that Mr. Ratcliffe, and he is + trying to make her think she can reform him, and if he does, it's all up + with us. Madeleine will just go and break her heart over that odious, + great, coarse brute, who only wants her money.” + </p> + <p> + Sybil delivered this little oration with a degree of energy that went to + Carrington's heart. She did not often make such sustained efforts, and it + was clear that on this subject she had exhausted her whole mind. + Carrington was delighted, and urged her on. “I dislike Mr. Ratcliffe as + much as you do;—more perhaps. So does every one who knows much about + him. But we shall only make the matter worse if we interfere. What can we + do?” + </p> + <p> + “That is just what I tell everybody,” resumed Sybil. “There is Victoria + Dare always telling me I ought to do something; and Mr. Schneidekoupon + too; just as though I could do anything. Madeleine has done nothing but + get into mischief here. Half the people think her worldly and ambitious. + Only last night that spiteful old woman, Mrs. Clinton, said to me: 'Your + sister is quite spoiled by Washington. She is more wild for power than any + human being I ever saw.' I was dreadfully angry and told her she was quite + mistaken—Madeleine was not the least spoiled. But I couldn't say + that she was not fond of power, for she is; but not in the way Mrs. + Clinton meant. You should have seen her the other evening when Mr. + Ratcliffe said about some matter of public business that he would do + whatever she thought right; she spoke up quite sharply for her, with a + scornful little laugh, and said that he had better do what he thought + right. He looked for a moment almost angry, and muttered something about + women's being incomprehensible. He is always trying to tempt her with + power. She might have had long ago all the power he could give her, but I + can see, and he sees too, that she always keeps him at arm's length. He + doesn't like it, but he expects one of these days to find a bribe that + will answer. I wish we had never come to Washington. New York is so much + nicer and the people there are much more amusing; they dance ever so much + better and send one flowers all the time, and then they never talk about + first principles. Maude had her hospitals and paupers and training school, + and got along very well. It was so safe. But when I say so to her, she + only smiles in a patronising kind of way, and tells me that I shall have + as much of Newport as I want; just as though I were a child, and not a + woman of twenty-five. Poor Maude! I can't stay with her if she marries Mr. + Ratcliffe, and it would break my heart to leave her with that man. Do you + think he would beat her? Does he drink? I would almost rather be beaten a + little, if I cared for a man, than be taken out to Peonia. Oh, Mr. + Carrington! you are our only hope. She will listen to you. Don't let her + marry that dreadful politician.” + </p> + <p> + To all this pathetic appeal, some parts of which were as little calculated + to please Carrington as Ratcliffe himself, Carrington answered that he was + ready to do all in his power but that Sybil must tell him when and how to + act. + </p> + <p> + “Then, it's a bargain,” said she; “whenever I want you, I shall call on + you for help, and you shall prevent the marriage.” + </p> + <p> + “Alliance offensive and defensive,” said he, laughing; “war to the knife + on Ratcliffe. We will have his scalp if necessary, but I rather think he + will soon commit hari-kari himself if we leave him alone.” + </p> + <p> + “Madeleine will like him all the better if he does anything Japanese,” + replied Sybil, with great seriousness; “I wish there was more Japanese + bric-à-brac here, or any kind of old pots and pans to talk about. A little + art would be good for her. What a strange place this is, and how people do + stand on their heads in it! Nobody thinks like anyone else. Victoria Dare + says she is trying on principle not to be good, because she wants to keep + some new excitements for the next world. I'm sure she practices as she + preaches. Did you see her at Mrs. Clinton's last night. She behaved more + outrageously than ever. She sat on the stairs all through supper, looking + like a demure yellow cat with two bouquets in her paws—and I know + Lord Dunbeg sent one of them;—and she actually let Mr. French feed + her with ice-cream from a spoon. She says she was showing Lord Dunbeg a + phase, and that he is going to put it into his article on American Manners + and Customs in the Quarterly, but I don't think it's nice, do you, Mr. + Carrington? I wish Madeleine had her to take care of. She would have + enough to do then, I can tell her.” + </p> + <p> + And so, gently prattling, Miss Sybil returned to the city, her alliance + with Carrington completed; and it was a singular fact that she never again + called him dull. There was henceforward a look of more positive pleasure + and cordiality on her face when he made his appearance wherever she might + be; and the next time he suggested a horseback excursion she instantly + agreed to go, although aware that she had promised a younger gentleman of + the diplomatic body to be at home that same afternoon, and the good fellow + swore polyglot oaths on being turned away from her door. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ratcliffe knew nothing of this conspiracy against his peace and + prospects. Even if he had known it, he might only have laughed, and + pursued his own path without a second thought. Yet it was certain that he + did not think Carrington's enmity a thing to be overlooked, and from the + moment of his obtaining a clue to its cause, he had begun to take + precautions against it. Even in the middle of the contest for the + Treasury, he had found time to listen to Mr. Wilson Keens report on the + affairs of the late Samuel Baker. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Keen came to him with a copy of Baker's will and with memoranda of + remarks made by the unsuspecting Mrs. Baker; “from which it appears,” said + he, “that Baker, having no time to put his affairs in order, left special + directions that his executors should carefully destroy all papers that + might be likely to compromise individuals.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the executor's name?” interrupted Ratcliffe. + </p> + <p> + “The executor's name is—John Carrington,” said Keen, methodically + referring to his copy of the will. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe's face was impassive, but the inevitable, “I knew it,” almost + sprang to his lips. He was rather pleased at the instinct which had led + him so directly to the right trail. + </p> + <p> + Keen went on to say that from Mrs. Baker's conversation it was certain + that the testator's directions had been carried out, and that the great + bulk of these papers had been burned. + </p> + <p> + “Then it will be useless to press the inquiry further,” said Ratcliffe; “I + am much obliged to you for your assistance,” and he turned the + conversation to the condition of Mr. Keen's bureau in the Treasury + department. + </p> + <p> + The next time Ratcliffe saw Mrs. Lee, after his appointment to the + Treasury was confirmed, he asked her whether she did not think Carrington + very well suited for public service, and when she warmly assented, he said + it had occurred to him to offer the place of Solicitor of the Treasury to + Mr. + </p> + <p> + Carrington, for although the actual salary might not be very much more + than he earned by his private practice, the incidental advantages to a + Washington lawyer were considerable; and to the Secretary it was + especially necessary to have a solicitor in whom he could place entire + confidence. Mrs. Lee was pleased by this motion of Ratcliffe's, the more + because she had supposed that Ratcliffe had no liking for Carrington. She + doubted whether Carrington would accept the place, but she hoped that it + might modify his dislike for Ratcliffe, and she agreed to sound him on the + subject. There was something a little compromising in thus allowing + herself to appear as the dispenser of Mr. Ratcliffe's patronage, but she + dismissed this objection on the ground that Carrington's interests were + involved, and that it was for him to judge whether he should take the + place or not. Perhaps the world would not be so charitable if the + appointment were made. What then? Mrs. Lee asked herself the question and + did not feel quite at ease. + </p> + <p> + So far as Carrington was concerned, she might have dismissed her doubts. + </p> + <p> + There was not a chance of his taking the place, as very soon appeared. + When she spoke to him on the subject, and repeated what Ratcliffe had + said, his face flushed, and he sat for some moments in silence. He never + thought very rapidly, but now the ideas seemed to come so fast as to + bewilder his mind. + </p> + <p> + The situation flashed before his eyes like electric sparks. His first + impression was that Ratcliffe wanted to buy him; to tie his tongue; to + make him run, like a fastened dog, under the waggon of the Secretary of + the Treasury. His second notion was that Ratcliffe wanted to put Mrs. Lee + under obligations, in order to win her regard; and, again, that he wanted + to raise himself in her esteem by posing as a friend of honest + administration and unassisted virtue. Then suddenly it occurred to him + that the scheme was to make him appear jealous and vindictive; to put him + in an attitude where any reason he might give for declining would bear a + look of meanness, and tend to separate him from Mrs. Lee. Carrington was + so absorbed by these thoughts, and his mind worked so slowly, that he + failed to hear one or two remarks addressed to him by Mrs. Lee, who became + a little alarmed, under the impression that he was unexpectedly paralyzed. + </p> + <p> + When at length he heard her and attempted to frame an answer, his + embarrassment increased. He could only stammer that he was sorry to be + obliged to decline, but this office was one he could not undertake. + </p> + <p> + If Madeleine felt a little relieved by this decision, she did not show it. + </p> + <p> + From her manner one might have supposed it to be her fondest wish that + Carrington should be Solicitor of the Treasury. She cross-questioned him + with obstinacy. Was not the offer a good one?—and he was obliged to + confess that it was. Were the duties such as he could not perform? Not at + all! there was nothing in the duties which alarmed him. Did he object to + it because of his southern prejudices against the administration? Oh, no! + he had no political feeling to stand in his way. What, then, could be his + reason for refusing? + </p> + <p> + Carrington resorted again to silence, until Mrs. Lee, a little + impatiently, asked whether it was possible that his personal dislike to + Racliffe could blind him so far as to make him reject so fair a proposal. + Carrington, finding himself more and more uncomfortable, rose restlessly + from his chair and paced the room. He felt that Ratclife had fairly + out-generaled him, and he was at his wits' end to know what card he could + play that would not lead directly into Ratcliffe's trump suit. To refuse + such an offer was hard enough at best, for a man who wanted money and + professional advancement as he did, but to injure himself and help + Ratcliffe by this refusal, was abominably hard. Nevertheless, he was + obliged to admit that he would rather not take a position so directly + under Ratcliffe's control. Madeleine said no more, but he thought she + looked annoyed, and he felt himself in an intolerably painful situation. + He was not certain that she herself might not have had some share in + proposing the plan, and that his refusal might not have some mortifying + consequences for her. What must she think of him, then? + </p> + <p> + At this very moment he would have given his right arm for a word of real + affection from Mrs. Lee. He adored her. He would willingly enough have + damned himself for her. There was no sacrifice he would not have made to + bring her nearer to him. In his upright, quiet, simple kind of way, he + immolated himself before her. For months his heart had ached with this + hopeless passion. He recognized that it was hopeless. He knew that she + would never love him, and, to do her justice, she never had given him + reason to suppose that it was in her power to love him, r any man. And + here he stood, obliged to appear ungrateful and prejudiced, mean and + vindictive, in her eyes. He took his seat again, looking so unutterably + dejected, his patient face so tragically mournful, that Madeleine, after a + while, began to see the absurd side of the matter, and presently burst + into a laugh “Please do not look so frightfully miserable!” said she; “I + did not mean to make you unhappy. After all, what does it matter? You have + a perfect right to refuse, and, for my part, I have not the least wish to + see you accept.” + </p> + <p> + On this, Carrington brightened, and declared that if she thought him right + in declining, he cared for nothing else. It was only the idea of hurting + her feelings that weighed on his mind. But in saying this, he spoke in a + tone that implied a deeper feeling, and made Mrs. Lee again look grave and + sigh. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Mr. Carrington,” she said, “this world will not run as we want. Do + you suppose the time will ever come when every one will be good and happy + and do just what they ought? I thought this offer might possibly take one + anxiety off your shoulders. I am sorry now that I let myself be led into + making it.” + </p> + <p> + Carrington could not answer her. He dared not trust his voice. He rose to + go, and as she held out her hand, he suddenly raised it to his lips, and + so left her. She sat for a moment with tears in her eyes after he was + gone. She thought she knew all that was in his mind, and with a woman's + readiness to explain every act of men by their consuming passions for her + own sex, she took it as a matter of course that jealousy was the whole + cause of Carrington's hostility to Ratcliffe, and she pardoned it with + charming alacrity. “Ten years ago, I could have loved him,” she thought to + herself, and then, while she was half smiling at the idea, suddenly + another thought flashed upon her, and she threw her hand up before her + face as though some one had struck her a blow. Carrington had reopened the + old wound. + </p> + <p> + When Ratcliffe came to see her again, which he did very shortly + afterwards, glad of so good an excuse, she told him of Carrington's + refusal, adding only that he seemed unwilling to accept any position that + had a political character. Ratcliffe showed no sign of displeasure; he + only said, in a benignant tone, that he was sorry to be unable to do + something for so good a friend of hers; thus establishing, at all events, + his claim on her gratitude. As for Carrington, the offer which Ratcliffe + had made was not intended to be accepted, and Carrington could not have + more embarrassed the secretary than by closing with it. Ratcliffe's object + had been to settle for his own satisfaction the question of Carrington's + hostility, for he knew the man well enough to feel sure that in any event + he would act a perfectly straightforward part. If he accepted, he would at + least be true to his chief. If he refused, as Ratcliffe expected, it would + be a proof that some means must be found of getting him out of the way. In + any case the offer was a new thread in the net that Mr. Ratcliffe + flattered himself he was rapidly winding about the affections and + ambitions of Mrs. Lee. Yet he had reasons of his own for thinking that + Carrington, more easily than any other man, could cut the meshes of this + net if he chose to do so, and therefore that it would be wiser to postpone + action until Carrington were disposed of. + </p> + <p> + Without a moment's delay he made inquiries as to all the vacant or + eligible offices in the gift of the government outside his own department. + Very few of these would answer his purpose. He wanted some temporary law + business that would for a time take its holder away to a distance, say to + Australia or Central Asia, the further the better; it must be highly paid, + and it must be given in such a way as not to excite suspicion that + Ratcliffe was concerned in the matter. Such an office was not easily + found. There is little law business in Central Asia, and at this moment + there was not enough to require a special agent in Australia. Carrington + could hardly be induced to lead an expedition to the sources of the Nile + in search of business merely to please Mr. Ratcliffe, nor could the State + Department offer encouragement to a hope that government would pay the + expenses of such an expedition. The best that Ratcliffe could do was to + select the place of counsel to the Mexican claims-commission which was + soon to meet in the city of Mexico, and which would require about six + months' absence. By a little management he could contrive to get the + counsel sent away in advance of the commission, in order to work up a part + of the case on the spot. Ratcliffe acknowledged that Mexico was too near, + but he drily remarked to himself that if Carrington could get back in time + to dislodge him after he had once got a firm hold on Mrs. Lee, he would + never try to run another caucus. + </p> + <p> + The point once settled in his own mind, Ratcliffe, with his usual rapidity + of action, carried his scheme into effect. In this there was little + difficulty. He dropped in at the office of the Secretary of State within + eight-and-forty hours after his last conversation with Mrs. Lee. During + these early days of every new administration, the absorbing business of + government relates principally to appointments. The Secretary of the + Treasury was always ready to oblige his colleagues in the Cabinet by + taking care of their friends to any reasonable extent. The Secretary of + State was not less courteous. The moment he understood that Mr. Ratcliffe + had a strong wish to secure the appointment of a certain person as counsel + to the Mexican claims-commission, the Secretary of State professed + readiness to gratify him, and when he heard who the proposed person was, + the suggestion was hailed with pleasure, for Carrington was well known and + much liked at the Department, and was indeed an excellent man for the + place. Ratcliffe hardly needed to promise an equivalent. The business was + arranged in ten minutes. + </p> + <p> + “I only need say,” added Ratcliffe, “that if my agency in the affair is + known, Mr. Carrington will certainly refuse the place, for he is one of + your old-fashioned Virginia planters, proud as Lucifer, and willing to + accept nothing by way of favour. I will speak to your Assistant Secretary + about it, and the recommendation shall appear to come from him.” + </p> + <p> + The very next day Carrington received a private note from his old friend, + the Assistant Secretary of State, who was overjoyed to do him a kindness. + </p> + <p> + The note asked him to call at the Department at his earliest convenience. + He went, and the Assistant Secretary announced that he had recommended + Carrington's appointment as counsel to the Mexican claims-commission, and + that the Secretary had approved the recommendation. “We want a Southern + man, a lawyer with a little knowledge of international law, one who can go + at once, and, above all, an honest man. You fit the description to a hair; + so pack your trunk as soon as you like.” + </p> + <p> + Carrington was startled. Coming as it did, this offer was not only + unobjectionable, but tempting. It was hard for him even to imagine a + reason for hesitation. From the first he felt that he must go, and yet to + go was the very last thing he wanted to do. That he should suspect + Ratcliffe to be at the bottom of this scheme of banishment was a matter of + course, and he instantly asked whether any influence had been used in his + favour; but the Assistant Secretary so stoutly averred that the + appointment was made on his recommendation alone, as to block all further + inquiry. Technically this assertion was exact, and it made Carrington feel + that it would be base ingratitude on his part not to accept a favour so + handsomely offered. + </p> + <p> + Yet he could not make up his mind to acceptance. He begged four and twenty + hours' delay, in order, as he said, to see whether he could arrange his + affairs for a six months' absence, although he knew there would be no + difficulty in his doing so. He went away and sat in his office alone, + gloomily wondering what he could do, although from the first he saw that + the situation was only too clear, and there could not be the least dark + corner of a doubt to crawl into. Six months ago he would have jumped at + this offer. + </p> + <p> + What had happened within six months to make it seem a disaster? + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee! There was the whole story. To go away now was to give up Mrs. + Lee, and probably to give her up to Ratcliffe. Carrington gnashed his + teeth when he thought how skilfully Ratcliffe was playing his cards. The + longer he reflected, the more certain he felt that Ratcliffe was at the + bottom of this scheme to get rid of him; and yet, as he studied the + situation, it occurred to him that after all it was possible for Ratcliffe + to make a blunder. This Illinois politician was clever, and understood + men; but a knowledge of men is a very different thing from a knowledge of + women. Carrington himself had no great experience in the article of women, + but he thought he knew more than Ratcliffe, who was evidently relying most + on his usual theory of political corruption as applied to feminine + weaknesses, and who was only puzzled at finding how high a price Mrs. Lee + set on herself. If Ratcliffe were really at the bottom of the scheme for + separating Carrington from her, it could only be because he thought that + six months, or even six weeks, would be enough to answer his purpose. And + on reaching this point in his reflections, Carrington suddenly rose, lit a + cigar, and walked up and down his room steadily for the next hour, with + the air of a general arranging a plan of campaign, or a lawyer + anticipating his opponent's line of argument. + </p> + <p> + On one point his mind was made up. He would accept. If Ratcliffe really + had a hand in this move, he should be gratified. If he had laid a trap, he + should be caught in it. And when the evening came, Carrington took his hat + and walked off to call upon Mrs. Lee. + </p> + <p> + He found the sisters alone and quietly engaged in their occupations. + </p> + <p> + Madeleine was dramatically mending an open-work silk stocking, a delicate + and difficult task which required her whole mind. Sybil was at the piano + as usual, and for the first time since he had known her, she rose when he + came in, and, taking her work-basket, sat down to share in the + conversation. She meant to take her place as a woman, henceforward. She + was tired of playing girl. Mr. Carrington should see that she was not a + fool. + </p> + <p> + Carrington plunged at once into his subject, and announced the offer made + to him, at which Madeleine expressed delight, and asked many questions. + What was the pay? How soon must he go? How long should he be away? Was + there danger from the climate? and finally she added, with a smile, “What + am I to say to Mr. Ratcliffe if you accept this offer after refusing his?” + As for Sybil, she made one reproachful exclamation: “Oh, Mr. Carrington!” + and sank back into silence and consternation. Her first experiment at + taking a stand of her own in the world was not encouraging. She felt + betrayed. + </p> + <p> + Nor was Carrington gay. However modest a man may be, only an idiot can + forget himself entirely in pursuing the moon and the stars. In the bottom + of his soul, he had a lingering hope that when he told his story, + Madeleine might look up with a change of expression, a glance of + unpremeditated regard, a little suffusion of the eyes, a little trembling + of the voice. To see himself relegated to Mexico with such cheerful + alacrity by the woman he loved was not the experience he would have + chosen. He could not help feeling that his hopes were disposed of, and he + watched her with a painful sinking of the heart, which did not lead to + lightness of conversation. Madeleine herself felt that her expressions + needed to be qualified, and she tried to correct her mistake. What should + she do without a tutor? she said. He must let her have a list of books to + read while he was away: they were themselves going north in the middle of + May, and Carrington would be back by the time they returned in December. + After all, they should see as little of him during the summer if he were + in Virginia as if he were in Mexico. + </p> + <p> + Carrington gloomily confessed that he was very unwilling to go; that he + wished the idea had never been suggested; that he should be perfectly + happy if for any reason the scheme broke down; but he gave no explanation + of his feeling, and Madeleine had too much tact to press for one. She + contented herself by arguing against it, and talking as vivaciously as she + could. Her heart really bled for him as she saw his face grow more and + more pathetic in its quiet expression of disappointment. But what could + she say or do? He sat till after ten o'clock; he could not tear himself + away. He felt that this was the end of his pleasure in life; he dreaded + the solitude of his thoughts. Mrs. Lee's resources began to show signs of + exhaustion. Long pauses intervened between her remarks; and at length + Carrington, with a superhuman effort, apologized for inflicting himself + upon her so unmercifully. If she knew, he said, how he dreaded being + alone, she would forgive him. Then he rose to go, and, in taking leave, + asked Sybil if she was inclined to ride the next day; if so, he was at her + service. Sybil's face brightened as she accepted the invitation. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee, a day or two afterwards, did mention Carrington's appointment to + Mr. Ratcliffe, and she told Carrington that the Secretary certainly looked + hurt and mortified, but showed it only by almost instantly changing the + subject. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter X + </h2> + <p> + THE next morning Carrington called at the Department and announced his + acceptance of the post. He was told that his instructions would be ready + in about a fortnight, and that he would be expected to start as soon as he + received them; in the meanwhile, he must devote himself to the study of a + mass of papers in the Department. There was no trifling allowable here. + </p> + <p> + Carrington had to set himself vigorously to work. This did not, however, + prevent him from keeping his appointment with Sybil, and at four o'clock + they started together, passing out into the quiet shadows of Rock Creek, + and seeking still lanes through the woods where their horses walked side + by side, and they themselves could talk without the risk of criticism from + curious eyes. It was the afternoon of one of those sultry and lowering + spring days when life germinates rapidly, but as yet gives no sign, except + perhaps some new leaf or flower pushing its soft head up against the dead + leaves that have sheltered it. The two riders had something of the same + sensation, as though the leafless woods and the laurel thickets, the warm, + moist air and the low clouds, were a protection and a soft shelter. + Somewhat to Carrington's surprise, he found that it was pleasant to have + Sybil's company. He felt towards her as to a sister—a favourite + sister. + </p> + <p> + She at once attacked him for abandoning her and breaking his treaty so + lately made, and he tried to gain her sympathy by saying that if she knew + how much he was troubled, she would forgive him. Then when Sybil asked + whether he really must go and leave her without any friend whom she could + speak to, his feelings got the better of him: he could not resist the + temptation to confide all his troubles in her, since there was no one else + in whom he could confide. He told her plainly that he was in love with her + sister. + </p> + <p> + “You say that love is nonsense, Miss Ross. I tell you it is no such thing. + For weeks and months it is a steady physical pain, an ache about the + heart, never leaving one, by night or by day; a long strain on one's + nerves like toothache or rheumatism, not intolerable at any one instant, + but exhausting by its steady drain on the strength. It is a disease to be + borne with patience, like any other nervous complaint, and to be treated + with counter-irritants. My trip to Mexico will be good for it, but that is + not the reason why I must go.” + </p> + <p> + Then he told her all his private circumstances; the ruin which the war had + brought on him and his family; how, of his two brothers, one had survived + the war only to die at home, a mere wreck of disease, privation, and + wounds; the other had been shot by his side, and bled slowly to death in + his arms during the awful carnage in the Wilderness; how his mother and + two sisters were struggling for a bare subsistence on a wretched Virginian + farm, and how all his exertions barely kept them from beggary. + </p> + <p> + “You have no conception of the poverty to which our southern women are + reduced since the war,” said he; “they are many of them literally without + clothes or bread.” The fee he should earn by going to Mexico would double + his income this year. Could he refuse? Had he a right to refuse? And poor + Carrington added, with a groan, that if he alone were in question, he + would sooner be shot than go. + </p> + <p> + Sybil listened with tears in her eyes. She never before had seen a man + show suffering. The misery she had known in life had been more or less + veiled to her and softened by falling on older and friendly shoulders. She + now got for the first time a clear view of Carrington, apart from the + quiet exterior in which the man was hidden. She felt quite sure, by a + sudden flash of feminine inspiration, that the curious look of patient + endurance on his face was the work of a single night when he had held his + brother in his arms, and knew that the blood was draining drop by drop + from his side, in the dense, tangled woods, beyond the reach of help, hour + after hour, till the voice failed and the limbs grew stiff and cold. When + he had finished his story, she was afraid to speak. She did not know how + to show her sympathy, and she could not bear to seem unsympathetic. In her + embarrassment she fairly broke down and could only dry her eyes in + silence. + </p> + <p> + Having once got this weight of confidence off his mind, Carrington felt + comparatively gay and was ready to make the best of things. He laughed at + himself to drive away the tears of his pretty companion, and obliged her + to take a solemn pledge never to betray him. “Of course your sister knows + it all,” he said; “but she must never know that I told you, and I never + would tell any one but you.” + </p> + <p> + Sybil promised faithfully to keep his confidence to herself, and she went + on to defend her sister. + </p> + <p> + “You must not blame Madeleine,” said she; “if you knew as well as I do + what she has been through, you would not think her cold. You do know how + suddenly her husband died, after only one day's illness, and what a nice + fellow he was. She was very fond of him, and his death seemed to stun her. + We hardly knew what to make of it, she was so quiet and natural. Then just + a week later her little child died of diphtheria, suffering horribly, and + she wild with despair because she could not relieve it. After that, she + was almost insane; indeed, I have always thought she was quite insane for + a time. I know she was excessively violent and wanted to kill herself, and + I never heard any one rave as she did about religion and resignation and + God. After a few weeks she became quiet and stupid and went about like a + machine; and at last she got over it, but has never been what she was + before. You know she was a rather fast New York girl before she married, + and cared no more about politics and philanthropy than I do. It was a very + late thing, all this stuff. But she is not really hard, though she may + seem so. It is all on the surface. I always know when she is thinking + about her husband or child, because her face gets rigid; she looks then as + she used to look after her child died, as though she didn't care what + became of her and she would just as lieve kill herself as not. I don't + think she will ever let herself love any one again. She has a horror of + it. She is much more likely to go in for ambition, or duty, or + self-sacrifice.” + </p> + <p> + They rode on for a while in silence, Carrington perplexed by the problem + how two harmless people such as Madeleine and he could have been made by a + beneficent Providence the sport of such cruel tortures; and Sybil equally + interested in thinking what sort of a brother-in-law Carrington would + make; on the whole, she thought she liked him better as he was. The + silence was only broken by Carrington's bringing the conversation back to + its starting-point: “Something must be done to keep your sister out of + Ratcliffe's power. I have thought about it till I am tired. Can you make + no suggestion?” + </p> + <p> + No! Sybil was helpless and dreadfully alarmed. Mr. Ratcliffe came to the + house as often as he could, and seemed to tell Madeleine everything that + was going on in politics, and ask her advice, and Madeleine did not + discourage him. “I do believe she likes it, and thinks she can do some + good by it. I don't dare speak to her about it. She thinks me a child + still, and treats me as though I were fifteen. What can I do?” + </p> + <p> + Carrington said he had thought of speaking to Mrs. Lee himself, but he did + not know what to say, and if he offended her, he might drive her directly + into Ratcliffe's arms. But Sybil thought she would not be offended if he + went to work in the right way. “She will stand more from you than from any + one else. Tell her openly that you—that you love her,” said Sybil + with a burst of desperate courage; “she can't take offence at that; and + then you can say almost anything.” + </p> + <p> + Carrington looked at Sybil with more admiration than he had ever expected + to feel for her, and began to think that he might do worse than to put + himself under her orders. After all, she had some practical sense, and + what was more to the point, she was handsomer than ever, as she sat erect + on her horse, the rich colour rushing up under the warm skin, at the + impropriety of her speech. “You are certainly right,” said he; “after all, + I have nothing to lose. Whether she marries Ratcliffe or not, she will + never marry me, I suppose.” + </p> + <p> + This speech was a cowardly attempt to beg encouragement from Sybil, and + met with the fate it deserved, for Sybil, highly flattered at Carrington's + implied praise, and bold as a lioness now that it was Carrington's + fingers, and not her own, that were to go into the fire, gave him on the + spot a feminine view of the situation that did not encourage his hopes. + She plainly said that men seemed to take leave of their senses as soon as + women were concerned; for her part, she could not understand what there + was in any woman to make such a fuss about; she thought most women were + horrid; men were ever so much nicer; “and as for Madeleine, whom all of + you are ready to cut each other's throats about, she's a dear, good + sister, as good as gold, and I love her with all my heart, but you + wouldn't like her, any of you, if you married her; she has always had her + own way, and she could not help taking it; she never could learn to take + yours; both of you would be unhappy in a week; and as for that old Mr. + Ratcliffe, she would make his life a burden—and I hope she will,” + concluded Sybil with a spiteful little explosion of hatred. + </p> + <p> + Carrington could not help being amused by Sybil's way of dealing with + affairs of the heart. Emboldened by encouragement, she went on to attack + him pitilessly for going down on his knees before her sister, “just as + though you were not as good as she is,” and openly avowed that, if she + were a man, she would at least have some pride. Men like this kind of + punishment. + </p> + <p> + Carrington did not attempt to defend himself; he even courted Sybil's + attack. They both enjoyed their ride through the bare woods, by the + rippling spring streams, under the languid breath of the moist south wind. + It was a small idyll, all the more pleasant because there was gloom before + and behind it. Sybil's irrepressible gaiety made Carrington doubt whether, + after all, life need be so serious a matter. She had animal spirits in + plenty, and it needed an effort for her to keep them down, while + Carrington's spirits were nearly exhausted after twenty years of strain, + and he required a greater effort to hold himself up. There was every + reason why he should be grateful to Sybil for lending to him from her + superfluity. He enjoyed being laughed at by her. Suppose Madeleine Lee did + refuse to marry him! What of it? + </p> + <p> + “Pooh!” said Sybil; “you men are all just alike. How can you be so silly? + Madeleine and you would be intolerable together. Do find some one who + won't be solemn!” + </p> + <p> + They laid out their little plot against Madeleine and elaborated it + carefully, both as to what Carrington should say and how he should say it, + for Sybil asserted that men were too stupid to be trusted even in making a + declaration of love, and must be taught, like little children to say their + prayers. Carrington enjoyed being taught how to make a declaration of + love. + </p> + <p> + He did not ask where Sybil had learned so much about men's stupidity. He + thought perhaps Schneidekoupon could have thrown light on the subject. At + all events, they were so busily occupied with their schemes and lessons, + that they did not-reach home till Madeleine had become anxious lest they + had met with some accident. The long dusk had become darkness before she + heard the clatter of hoofs on the asphalt pavement, and she went down to + the door to scold them for their delay. Sybil only laughed at her, and + said it was all Mr. Carrington's fault: he had lost his way, and she had + been forced to find it for him. + </p> + <p> + Ten days more passed before their plan was carried into effect. April had + come. Carrington's work was completed and he was ready to start on his + journey. Then at last he appeared one evening at Mrs. Lee's at the very + moment when Sybil, as chance would have it, was going out to pass an hour + or two with her friend Victoria Dare a few doors away. Carrington felt a + little ashamed as she went. This kind of conspiracy behind Mrs. Lee's back + was not to his taste. + </p> + <p> + He resolutely sat down, and plunged at once into his subject. He was + almost ready to go, he said; he had nearly completed his work in the + Department, and he was assured that his instructions and papers would be + ready in two days more; he might not have another chance to see Mrs. Lee + so quietly again, and he wanted to take his leave now, for this was what + lay most heavily on his mind; he should have gone willingly and gladly if + it had not been for uneasiness about her; and yet he had till now been + afraid to speak openly on the subject. Here he paused for a moment as + though to invite some reply. + </p> + <p> + Madeleine laid down her work with a look of regret though not of + annoyance, and said frankly and instantly that he had been too good a + friend to allow of her taking offence at anything he could say; she would + not pretend to misunderstand him. “My affairs,” she added with a shade of + bitterness, “seem to have become public property, and I would rather have + some voice in discussing them myself than to know they are discussed + behind my back.” + </p> + <p> + This was a sharp thrust at the very outset, but Carrington turned it aside + and went quietly on: + </p> + <p> + “You are frank and loyal, as you always are. I will be so too. I can't + help being so. For months I have had no other pleasure than in being near + you. For the first time in my life I have known what it is to forget my + own affairs in loving a woman who seems to me without a fault, and for one + solitary word from whom I would give all I have in life, and perhaps + itself.” + </p> + <p> + Madeleine flushed and bent towards him with an earnestness of manner that + repeated itself in her tone. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Carrington, I am the best friend you have on earth. One of these days + you will thank me with your whole soul for refusing to listen to you now. + You do not know how much misery I am saving you. I have no heart to give. + You want a young, fresh life to help yours; a gay, lively temperament to + enliven your despondency; some one still young enough to absorb herself in + you and make all her existence yours. I could not do it. I can give you + nothing. I have done my best to persuade myself that some day I might + begin life again with the old hopes and feelings, but it is no use. The + fire is burned out. If you married me, you would destroy yourself You + would wake up some day, and find the universe dust and ashes.” + </p> + <p> + Carrington listened in silence. He made no attempt to interrupt or to + contradict her. Only at the end he said with a little bitterness: “My own + life is worth so much to the world and to me, that I suppose it would be + wrong to risk it on such a venture; but I would risk it, nevertheless, if + you gave me the chance. Do you think me wicked for tempting Providence? I + do not mean to annoy you with entreaties. I have a little pride left, and + a great deal of respect for you. Yet I think, in spite of all you have + said or can say, that one disappointed life may be as able to find + happiness and repose in another, as to get them by sucking the young + life-blood of a fresh soul.” + </p> + <p> + To this speech, which was unusually figurative for Carrington, Mrs. Lee + could find no ready answer. She could only reply that Carrington's life + was worth quite as much as his neighbour's, and that it was worth so much + to her, if not to himself, that she would not let him wreck it. + </p> + <p> + Carrington went on: “Forgive my talking in this way. I do not mean to + complain. I shall always love you just as much, whether you care for me or + not, because you are the only woman I have ever met, or am ever likely to + meet, who seems to me perfect.” + </p> + <p> + If this was Sybil's teaching, she had made the best of her time. + </p> + <p> + Carrington's tone and words pierced through all Mrs. Lee's armour as + though they were pointed with the most ingenious cruelty, and designed to + torture her. She felt hard and small before him. Life for life, his had + been, and was now, far less bright than hers, yet he was her superior. He + sat there, a true man, carrying his burden calmly, quietly, without + complaint, ready to face the next shock of life with the same endurance he + had shown against the rest. And he thought her perfect! She felt + humiliated that any brave man should say to her face that he thought her + perfect! She! perfect! In her contrition she was half ready to go down at + his feet and confess her sins; her hysterical dread of sorrow and + suffering, her narrow sympathies, her feeble faith, her miserable + selfishness, her abject cowardice. Every nerve in her body tingled with + shame when she thought what a miserable fraud she was; what a mass of + pretensions unfounded, of deceit ingrained. She was ready to hide her face + in her hands. She was disgusted, outraged with her own image as she saw + it, contrasted with Carrington's single word: Perfect! + </p> + <p> + Nor was this the worst. Carrington was not the first man who had thought + her perfect. To hear this word suddenly used again, which had never been + uttered to her before except by lips now dead and gone, made her brain + reel. She seemed to hear her husband once more telling her that she was + perfect. Yet against this torture, she had a better defence. She had long + since hardened herself to bear these recollections, and they steadied and + strengthened her. + </p> + <p> + She had been called perfect before now, and what had come of it? Two + graves, and a broken life! She drew herself up with a face now grown quite + pale and rigid. In reply to Carrington, she said not a word, but only + shook her head slightly without looking at him. + </p> + <p> + He went on: “After all, it is not my own happiness I am thinking of but + yours. I never was vain enough to think that I was worth your love, or + that I could ever win it. Your happiness is another thing. I care so much + for that as to make me dread going away, for fear that you may yet find + yourself entangled in this wretched political life here, when, perhaps if + I stayed, I might be of some use.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you really think, then, that I am going to fall a victim to Mr. + Ratcliffe?” asked Madeleine, with a cold smile. + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” replied Carrington, in a similar tone. “He can put forward a + strong claim to your sympathy and help, if not to your love. He can offer + you a great field of usefulness which you want. He has been very faithful + to you. Are you quite sure that even now you can refuse him without his + complaining that you have trifled with him?” + </p> + <p> + “And are you quite sure,” added Mrs. Lee, evasively, “that you have not + been judging him much too harshly? I think I know him better than you. He + has many good qualities, and some high ones. What harm can he do me? + Supposing even that he did succeed in persuading me that my life could be + best used in helping his, why should I be afraid of it?” + </p> + <p> + “You and I,” said Carrington, “are wide apart in our estimates of Mr. + Ratcliffe. To you, of course, he shows his best side. He is on his good + behaviour, and knows that any false step will ruin him. I see in him only + a coarse, selfish, unprincipled politician, who would either drag you down + to his own level, or, what is more likely, would very soon disgust you and + make your life a wretched self-immolation before his vulgar ambition, or + compel you to leave him. In either case you would be the victim. You + cannot afford to make another false start in life. Reject me! I have not a + word to say against it. But be on your guard against giving your existence + up to him.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you think so ill of Mr. Ratcliffe?” asked Madeleine; “he always + speaks highly of you. Do you know anything against him that the world does + not?” + </p> + <p> + “His public acts are enough to satisfy me,” replied Carrington, evading a + part of the question. “You know that I have never had but one opinion + about him.” + </p> + <p> + There was a pause in the conversation. Both parties felt that as yet no + good had come of it. At length Madeleine asked, “What would you have me + do? Is it a pledge you want that I will under no circumstances marry Mr. + Ratcliffe?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly not,” was the answer; “you know me better than to think I would + ask that. I only want you to take time and keep out of his influence until + your mind is fairly made up. A year hence I feel certain that you will + think of him as I do.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you will allow me to marry him if I find that you are mistaken,” + said Mrs. Lee, with a marked tone of sarcasm. + </p> + <p> + Carrington looked annoyed, but he answered quietly, “What I fear is his + influence here and now. What I would like to see you do is this: go north + a month earlier than you intended, and without giving him time to act. If + I were sure you were safely in Newport, I should feel no anxiety.” + </p> + <p> + “You seem to have as bad an opinion of Washington as Mr. Gore,” said + Madeleine, with a contemptuous smile. “He gave me the same advice, though + he was afraid to tell me why. I am not a child. I am thirty years old, and + have seen something of the world. I am not afraid, like Mr. Gore, of + Washington malaria, or, like you, of Mr. Ratcliffe's influence. If I fall + a victim I shall deserve my fate, and certainly I shall have no cause to + complain of my friends. They have given me advice enough for a lifetime.” + </p> + <p> + Carrington's face darkened with a deeper shade of regret. The turn which + the conversation had taken was precisely what he had expected, and both + Sybil and he had agreed that Madeleine would probably answer just in this + way. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, he could not but feel acutely the harm he was doing to his + own interests, and it was only by a sheer effort of the will that he + forced himself to a last and more earnest attack. + </p> + <p> + “I know it is an impertinence,” he said; “I wish it were in my power to + show how much it costs me to offend you. This is the first time you ever + had occasion to be offended. If I were to yield to the fear of your anger + and were to hold my tongue now, and by any chance you were to wreck your + life on this rock, I should never forgive myself the cowardice. I should + always think I might have done something to prevent it. This is probably + the last time I shall have the chance to talk openly with you, and I + implore you to listen to me. I want nothing for myself If I knew I should + never see you again, I would still say the same thing. Leave Washington! + Leave it now!—at once!—without giving more than twenty-four + hours' notice! Leave it without letting Mr. Ratcliffe see you again in + private! Come back next winter if you please, and then accept him if you + think proper. I only pray you to think long about it and decide when you + are not here.” + </p> + <p> + Madeleine's eyes flashed, and she threw aside her embroidery with an + impatient gesture: “No! Mr. Carrington! I will not be dictated to! I will + carry out my own plans! I do not mean to marry Mr. Ratcliffe. If I had + meant it, I should have done it before now. But I will not run away from + him or from myself. It would be unladylike, undignified, cowardly.” + </p> + <p> + Carrington could say no more. He had come to the end of his lesson. A long + silence ensued and then he rose to go. “Are you angry with me?” said she + in a softer tone. + </p> + <p> + “I ought to ask that question,” said he. “Can you forgive me? I am afraid + not. No man can say to a woman what I have said to you, and be quite + forgiven. You will never think of me again as you would have done if I had + not spoken. I knew that before I did it. As for me, I can only go on with + my old life. It is not gay, and will not be the gayer for our talk + to-night.” + </p> + <p> + Madeleine relented a little: “Friendships like ours are not so easily + broken,” she said. “Do not do me another injustice. You will see me again + before you go?” + </p> + <p> + He assented and bade good-night. Mrs. Lee, weary and disturbed in mind, + hastened to her room. “When Miss Sybil comes in, tell her that I am not + very well, and have gone to bed,” were her instructions to her maid, and + Sybil thought she knew the cause of this headache. + </p> + <p> + But before Carrington's departure he had one more ride with Sybil, and + reported to her the result of the interview, at which both of them + confessed themselves much depressed. Carrington expressed some hope that + Madeleine meant, after a sort, to give a kind of pledge by saying that she + had no intention of marrying Mr. Ratcliffe, but Sybil shook her head + emphatically: + </p> + <p> + “How can a woman tell whether she is going to accept a man until she is + asked?” said she with entire confidence, as though she were stating the + simplest fact in the world. Carrington looked puzzled, and ventured to ask + whether women did not generally make up their minds beforehand on such an + interesting point; but Sybil overwhelmed him with contempt: “What good + will they do by making up their minds, I should like to know? of course + they would go and do the opposite. Sensible women don't pretend to make up + their minds, Mr. Carrington. But you men are so stupid, and you can't + understand in the least.” + </p> + <p> + Carrington gave it up, and went back to his stale question: Could Sybil + suggest any other resource? and Sybil sadly confessed that she could not. + So far as she could see, they must trust to luck, and she thought it was + cruel tor Mr. Carrington to go away and leave her alone without help. He + had promised to prevent the marriage. + </p> + <p> + “One thing more I mean to do,” said Carrington: “and here everything will + depend on your courage and nerve. You may depend upon it that Mr. + Ratcliffe will offer himself before you go north. He does not suspect you + of making trouble, and he will not think about you in any way if you let + him alone and keep quiet. When he does offer himself you will know it; at + least your sister will tell you if she has accepted him. If she refuses + him point blank, you will have nothing to do but to keep her steady. If + you see her hesitating, you must break in at any cost, and use all your + influence to stop her. Be bold, then, and do your best. If everything + fails and she still clings to him, I must play my last card, or rather you + must play it for me. I shall leave with you a sealed letter which you are + to give her if everything else fails. Do it before she sees Ratcliffe a + second time. See that she reads it and, if necessary, make her read it, no + matter when or where. No one else must know that it exists, and you must + take as much care of it as though it were a diamond. You are not to know + what is in it; it must be a complete secret. Do you understand?” + </p> + <p> + Sybil thought she did, but her heart sank. “When shall you give me this + letter?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “The evening before I start, when I come to bid good-bye; probably next + Sunday. This letter is our last hope. If, after reading that, she does not + give him up, you will have to pack your trunk, my dear Sybil, and find a + new home, for you can never live with them.” + </p> + <p> + He had never before called her by her first name, and it pleased her to + hear it now, though she generally had a strong objection to such + familiarities. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I wish you were not going!” she exclaimed tearfully. “What shall I do + when you are gone?” + </p> + <p> + At this pitiful appeal, Carrington felt a sudden pang. He found that he + was not so old as he had thought. Certainly he had grown to like her frank + honesty and sound common sense, and he had at length discovered that she + was handsome, with a very pretty figure. Was it not something like a + flirtation he had been carrying on with this young person for the last + month? A glimmering of suspicion crossed his mind, though he got rid of it + as quickly as possible. For a man of his age and sobriety to be in love + with two sisters at once was impossible; still more impossible that Sybil + should care for him. + </p> + <p> + As for her, however, there was no doubt about the matter. She had grown to + depend upon him, and she did it with all the blind confidence of youth. To + lose him was a serious disaster. She had never before felt the sensation, + and she thought it most disagreeable. Her youthful diplomatists and + admirers could not at all fill Carrington's place. They danced and + chirruped cheerfully on the hollow crust of society, but they were wholly + useless when one suddenly fell through and found oneself struggling in the + darkness and dangers beneath. Young women, too, are apt to be flattered by + the confidences of older men; they have a keen palate for whatever savours + of experience and adventure. For the first time in her life, Sybil had + found a man who gave some play to her imagination; one who had been a + rebel, and had grown used to the shocks of fate, so as to walk with + calmness into the face of death, and to command or obey with equal + indifference. She felt that he would tell her what to do when the + earthquake came, and would be at hand to consult, which is in a woman's + eyes the great object of men's existence, when trouble comes. She suddenly + conceived that Washington would be intolerable without him, and that she + should never get the courage to fight Mr. Ratcliffe alone, or, if she did, + she should make some fatal mistake. + </p> + <p> + They finished their ride very soberly. She began to show a new interest in + all that concerned him, and asked many questions about his sisters and + their plantation. She wanted to ask him whether she could not do something + to help them, but this seemed too awkward. On his part he made her promise + to write him faithfully all that took place, and this request pleased her, + though she knew his interest was all on her sister's account. + </p> + <p> + The following Sunday evening when he came to bid good-bye, it was still + worse. There was no chance for private talk. Ratcliffe was there, and + several diplomatists, including old Jacobi, who had eyes like a cat and + saw every motion of one's face. Victoria Dare was on the sofa, chattering + with Lord Dunbeg; Sybil would rather have had any ordinary illness, even + to the extent of a light case of scarlet fever or small-pox than let her + know what was the matter. Carrington found means to get Sybil into another + room for a moment and to give her the letter he had promised. Then he bade + her good-bye, and in doing so he reminded her of her promise to write, + pressing her hand and looking into her eyes with an earnestness that made + her heart beat faster, although she said to herself that his interest was + all about her sister; as it was—mostly. The thought did not raise + her spirits, but she went through with her performance like a heroine. + Perhaps she was a little pleased to see that he parted from Madeleine with + much less apparent feeling. One would have said that they were two good + friends who had no troublesome sentiment to worry them. But then every eye + in the room was watching this farewell, and speculating about it. + Ratcliffe looked on with particular interest and was a little perplexed to + account for this too fraternal cordiality. Could he have made a + miscalculation? or was there something behind? He himself insisted upon + shaking hands genially with Carrington and wished him a pleasant journey + and a successful one. + </p> + <p> + That night, for the first time since she was a child, Sybil actually cried + a little after she went to bed, although it is true that her sentiment did + not keep her awake. She felt lonely and weighed down by a great + responsibility. + </p> + <p> + For a day or two afterwards she was nervous and restless. She would not + ride, or make calls, or see guests. She tried to sing a little, and found + it tiresome. She went out and sat for hours in the Square, where the + spring sun was shining warm and bright on the prancing horse of the great + Andrew Jackson. She was a little cross, too, and absent, and spoke so + often about Carrington that at last Madeleine was struck by sudden + suspicion, and began to watch her with anxious care. + </p> + <p> + Tuesday night, after this had gone on for two days, Sybil was in + Madeleine's room, where she often stayed to talk while her sister was at + her toilet. + </p> + <p> + This evening she threw herself listlessly on the couch, and within five + minutes again quoted Carrington. Madeleine turned from the glass before + which she was sitting, and looked her steadily in the face. + </p> + <p> + “Sybil,” said she, “this is the twenty-fourth time you have mentioned Mr. + Carrington since we sat down to dinner. I have waited for the round number + to decide whether I should take any notice of it or not? what does it + mean, my child? Do you care for Mr. Carrington?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Maude!” exclaimed Sybil reproachfully, flushing so violently that, + even by that dim light, her sister could not but see it. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee rose and, crossing the room, sat down by Sybil who was lying on + the couch and turned her face away. Madeleine put her arms round her neck + and kissed her. + </p> + <p> + “My poor—poor child!” said she pityingly. “I never dreamed of this! + What a fool I have been! How could I have been so thoughtless! Tell me!” + she added, with a little hesitation; “has he—does he care for you?” + </p> + <p> + “No! no!” cried Sybil, fairly breaking down into a burst of tears; “no! he + loves you! nobody but you! he never gave a thought to me. I don't care for + him so very much,” she continued, drying her tears; “only it seems so + lonely now he is gone.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee remained on the couch, with her arm round her sister's neck, + silent, gazing into vacancy, the picture of perplexity and consternation. + </p> + <p> + The situation was getting beyond her control. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XI + </h2> + <p> + IN the middle of April a sudden social excitement started the indolent + city of Washington to its feet. The Grand-Duke and Duchess of + Saxe-Baden-Hombourg arrived in America on a tour of pleasure, and in due + course came on to pay their respects to the Chief Magistrate of the Union. + The newspapers hastened to inform their readers that the Grand-Duchess was + a royal princess of England, and, in the want of any other social event, + every one who had any sense of what was due to his or her own dignity, + hastened to show this august couple the respect which all republicans who + have a large income derived from business, feel for English royalty. New + York gave a dinner, at which the most insignificant person present was + worth at least a million dollars, and where the gentlemen who sat by the + Princess entertained her for an hour or two by a calculation of the + aggregate capital represented. New York also gave a ball at which the + Princess appeared in an ill-fitting black silk dress with mock lace and + jet ornaments, among several hundred toilets that proclaimed the refined + republican simplicity of their owners at a cost of various hundred + thousand dollars. After these hospitalities the Grand-ducal pair came on + to Washington, where they became guests of Lord Skye, or, more properly, + Lord Skye became their guest, for he seemed to consider that he handed the + Legation over to them, and he told Mrs. Lee, with true British bluntness + of speech, that they were a great bore and he wished they had stayed in + Saxe-Baden-Hombourg, or wherever they belonged, but as they were here, he + must be their lackey. Mrs. Lee was amused and a little astonished at the + candour with which he talked about them, and she was instructed and + improved by his dry account of the Princess, who, it seemed, made herself + disagreeable by her airs of royalty; who had suffered dreadfully from the + voyage; and who detested America and everything American; but who was, not + without some show of reason, jealous of her husband, and endured endless + sufferings, though with a very bad grace, rather than lose sight of him. + </p> + <p> + Not only was Lord Skye obliged to turn the Legation into an hotel, but in + the full enthusiasm of his loyalty he felt himself called upon to give a + ball. It was, he said, the easiest way of paying off all his debts at + once, and if the Princess was good for nothing else, she could be utilized + as a show by way of “promoting the harmony of the two great nations.” In + other words, Lord Skye meant to exhibit the Princess for his own + diplomatic benefit, and he did so. One would have thought that at this + season, when Congress had adjourned, Washington would hardly have afforded + society enough to fill a ball-room, but this, instead of being a drawback, + was an advantage. It permitted the British Minister to issue invitations + without limit. He asked not only the President and his Cabinet, and the + judges, and the army, and the navy, and all the residents of Washington + who had any claim to consideration, but also all the senators, all the + representatives in Congress, all the governors of States with their + staffs, if they had any, all eminent citizens and their families + throughout the Union and Canada, and finally every private individual, + from the North Pole to the Isthmus of Panama, who had ever shown him a + civility or was able to control interest enough to ask for a card. The + result was that Baltimore promised to come in a body, and Philadelphia was + equally well-disposed; New York provided several scores of guests, and + Boston sent the governor and a delegation; even the well-known millionaire + who represented California in the United States Senate was irritated + because, his invitation having been timed to arrive just one day too late, + he was prevented from bringing his family across the continent with a + choice party in a director's car, to enjoy the smiles of royalty in the + halls of the British lion. It is astonishing what efforts freemen will + make in a just cause. + </p> + <p> + Lord Skye himself treated the whole affair with easy contempt. One + afternoon he strolled into Mrs. Lee's parlour and begged her to give him a + cup of tea. + </p> + <p> + He said he had got rid of his menagerie for a few hours by shunting it off + upon the German Legation, and he was by way of wanting a little human + society. Sybil, who was a great favourite with him, entreated to be told + all about the ball, but he insisted that he knew no more than she did. A + man from New York had taken possession of the Legation, but what he would + do with it was not within the foresight of the wisest; trom the talk of + the young members of his Legation, Lord Skye gathered that the entire city + was to be roofed in and forty millions of people expected, but his own + concern in the affair was limited to the flowers he hoped to receive. + </p> + <p> + “All young and beautiful women,” said he to Sybil, “are to send me + flowers. I prefer Jacqueminot roses, but will accept any handsome variety, + provided they are not wired. It is diplomatic etiquette that each lady who + sends me flowers shall reserve at least one dance for me. You will please + inscribe this at once upon your tablets, Miss Ross.” + </p> + <p> + To Madeleine this ball was a godsend, for it came just in time to divert + Sybil's mind from its troubles. A week had now passed since that + revelation of Sybil's heart which had come like an earthquake upon Mrs. + Lee. Since then Sybil had been nervous and irritable, all the more because + she was conscious of being watched. She was in secret ashamed of her own + conduct, and inclined to be angry with Carrington, as though he were + responsible for her foolishness; but she could not talk with Madeleine on + the subject without discussing Mr. Ratcliffe, and Carrington had expressly + forbidden her to attack Mr. Ratcliffe until it was clear that Ratcliffe + had laid himself open to attack. This reticence deceived poor Mrs. Lee, + who saw in her sister's moods only that unrequited attachment for which + she held herself solely to blame. Her gross negligence in allowing Sybil + to be improperly exposed to such a risk weighed heavily on her mind. With + a saint's capacity for self-torment, Madeleine wielded the scourge over + her own back until the blood came. She saw the roses rapidly fading from + Sybil's cheeks, and by the help of an active imagination she discovered a + hectic look and symptoms of a cough. She became fairly morbid on the + subject, and fretted herself into a fever, upon which Sybil sent, on her + own responsibility, for the medical man, and Madeleine was obliged to dose + herself with quinine. In fact, there was much more reason for anxiety + about her than for her anxiety about Sybil, who, barring a little youthful + nervousness in the face of responsibility, was as healthy and comfortable + a young woman as could be shown in America, and whose sentiment never cost + her five minutes' sleep, although her appetite may have become a shade + more exacting than before. Madeleine was quick to notice this, and + surprised her cook by making daily and almost hourly demands for new and + impossible dishes, which she exhausted a library of cookery-books to + discover. + </p> + <p> + Lord Skye's ball and Sybil's interest in it were a great relief to + Madeleine's mind, and she now turned her whole soul to frivolity. Never, + since she was seventeen, had she thought or talked so much about a ball, + as now about this ball to the Grand-Duchess. She wore out her own brain in + the effort to amuse Sybil. She took her to call on the Princess; she would + have taken her to call on the Grand Lama had he come to Washington. She + instigated her to order and send to Lord Skye a mass of the handsomest + roses New York could afford. She set her at work on her dress several days + before there was any occasion for it, and this famous costume had to be + taken out, examined, criticised, and discussed with unending interest. She + talked about the dress, and the Princess, and the ball, till her tongue + clove to the roof of her mouth, and her brain refused to act. From morning + till night, for one entire week, she ate, drank, breathed, and dreamt of + the ball. Everything that love could suggest or labour carry out, she did, + to amuse and occupy her sister. + </p> + <p> + She knew that all this was only temporary and palliative, and that more + radical measures must be taken to secure Sybil's happiness. On this + subject she thought in secret until both head and heart ached. One thing + and one thing only was clear: if Sybil loved Carrington, she should have + him. How Madeleine expected to bring about this change of heart in + Carrington, was known only to herself. She regarded men as creatures made + for women to dispose of, and capable of being transferred like checks, or + baggage-labels, from one woman to another, as desired. The only condition + was that he should first be completely disabused of the notion that he + could dispose of himself. Mrs. Lee never doubted that she could make + Carrington fall in love with Sybil provided she could place herself beyond + his reach. At all events, come what might, even though she had to accept + the desperate alternative offered by Mr. Ratcliffe, nothing should be + allowed to interfere with Sybil's happiness. And thus it was, that, for + the first time, Mrs. Lee began to ask herself whether it was not better to + find the solution of her perplexities in marriage. + </p> + <p> + Would she ever have been brought to this point without the violent + pressure of her sister's supposed interests? This is one of those + questions which wise men will not ask, because it is one which the wisest + man or woman cannot answer. Upon this theme, an army of ingenious authors + have exhausted their ingenuity in entertaining the public, and their works + are to be found at every book-stall. They have decided that any woman + will, under the right conditions, marry any man at any time, provided her + “higher nature” is properly appealed to. Only with regret can a writer + forbear to moralize on this subject. “Beauty and the Beast,” “Bluebeard,” + “Auld Robin Gray,” have the double charm to authors of being very pleasant + to read, and still easier to dilute with sentiment. But at least ten + thousand modern writers, with Lord Macaulay at their head, have so ravaged + and despoiled the region of fairy-stories and fables, that an allusion + even to the “Arabian Nights” is no longer decent. The capacity of women to + make unsuitable marriages must be considered as the corner-stone of + society. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the ball had, in truth, very nearly driven all thought of + Carrington out of Sybil's mind. The city filled again. The streets swarmed + with fashionable young men and women from the provinces of New York, + Philadelphia, and Boston, who gave Sybil abundance of occupation. She + received bulletins of the progress of affairs. The President and his wife + had consented to be present, out of their high respect for Her Majesty the + Queen and their desire to see and to be seen. All the Cabinet would + accompany the Chief Magistrate. The diplomatic corps would appear in + uniform; so, too, the officers of the army and navy; the Governor-General + of Canada was coming, with a staff. Lord Skye remarked that the + Governor-General was a flat. + </p> + <p> + The day of the ball was a day of anxiety to Sybil, although not on account + of Mr. Ratcliffe or of Mr. Carrington, who were of trifling consequence + compared with the serious problem now before her. The responsibility of + dressing both her sister and herself fell upon Sybil, who was the real + author of all Mrs. Lee's millinery triumphs when they now occurred, except + that Madeleine managed to put character into whatever she wore, which + Sybil repudiated on her own account. On this day Sybil had reasons for + special excitement. All winter two new dresses, one especially a triumph + of Mr. + </p> + <p> + Worth's art, had lain in state upstairs, and Sybil had waited in vain for + an occasion that should warrant the splendour of these garments. + </p> + <p> + One afternoon in early June of the preceding summer, Mr. Worth had + received a letter on the part of the reigning favourite of the King of + Dahomey, directing him to create for her a ball-dress that should + annihilate and utterly destroy with jealousy and despair the hearts of her + seventy-five rivals; she was young and beautiful; expense was not a + consideration. Such were the words of her chamberlain. All that night, the + great genius of the nineteenth century tossed wakefully on his bed + revolving the problem in his mind. Visions of flesh-coloured tints shot + with blood-red perturbed his brain, but he fought against and dismissed + them; that combination would be commonplace in Dahomey. When the first + rays of sunlight showed him the reflection of his careworn face in the + plate-glass mirrored ceiling, he rose and, with an impulse of despair, + flung open the casements. There before his blood-shot eyes lay the pure, + still, new-born, radiant June morning. With a cry of inspiration the great + man leaned out of the casement and rapidly caught the details of his new + conception. Before ten o'clock he was again at his bureau in Paris. An + imperious order brought to his private room every silk, satin, and gauze + within the range of pale pink, pale crocus, pale green, silver and azure. + Then came chromatic scales of colour; combinations meant to vulgarise the + rainbow; sinfonies and fugues; the twittering of birds and the great peace + of dewy nature; maidenhood in her awakening innocence; “The Dawn in June.” + The Master rested content. + </p> + <p> + A week later came an order from Sybil, including “an entirely original + ball-dress,—unlike any other sent to America.” Mr. Worth pondered, + hesitated; recalled Sybil's figure; the original pose of her head; glanced + anxiously at the map, and speculated whether the New York Herald had a + special correspondent at Dahomey; and at last, with a generosity peculiar + to great souls, he duplicated for “Miss S. Ross, New York, U.S. America,” + the order for “L'Aube, Mois de Juin.” + </p> + <p> + The Schneidekoupons and Mr. French, who had reappeared in Washington, came + to dine with Mrs. Lee on the evening of the ball, and Julia Schneidekoupon + sought in vain to discover what Sybil was going to wear. “Be happy, my + dear, in your ignorance!” said Sybil; “the pangs of envy will rankle soon + enough.” + </p> + <p> + An hour later her room, except the fireplace, where a wood fire was gently + smouldering, became an altar of sacrifice to the Deity of Dawn in June. + Her bed, her low couch, her little tables, her chintz arm-chairs, were + covered with portions of the divinity, down to slippers and handkerchief, + gloves and bunches of fresh roses. When at length, after a long effort, + the work was complete, Mrs. Lee took a last critical look at the result, + and enjoyed a glow of satisfaction. Young, happy, sparkling with + consciousness of youth and beauty, Sybil stood, Hebe Anadyomene, rising + from the foam of soft creplisse which swept back beneath the long train of + pale, tender, pink silk, fainting into breadths of delicate primrose, + relieved here and there by facings of June green—or was it the blue + of early morning?—or both? suggesting unutterable freshness. A + modest hint from her maid that “the girls,” as women-servants call each + other in American households, would like to offer their share of incense + at the shrine, was amiably met, and they were allowed a glimpse of the + divinity before she was enveloped in wraps. An admiring group, huddled in + the doorway, murmured approval, from the leading “girl,” who was the cook, + a coloured widow of some sixty winters, whose admiration was + irrepressible, down to a New England spinster whose Anabaptist conscience + wrestled with her instincts, and who, although disapproving of “French + folks,” paid in her heart that secret homage to their gowns and bonnets + which her sterner lips refused. The applause of this audience has, from + generation to generation, cheered the hearts of myriads of young women + starting out on their little adventures, while the domestic laurels + flourish green and fresh for one half hour, until they wither at the + threshold of the ball-room. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee toiled long and earnestly over her sister's toilet, for had not + she herself in her own day been the best-dressed girl in New York?—at + least, she held that opinion, and her old instincts came to life again + whenever Sybil was to be prepared for any great occasion. Madeleine kissed + her sister affectionately, and gave her unusual praise when the “Dawn in + June” was complete. Sybil was at this moment the ideal of blooming youth, + and Mrs. Lee almost dared to hope that her heart was not permanently + broken, and that she might yet survive until Carrington could be brought + back. Her own toilet was a much shorter affair, but Sybil was impatient + long before it was concluded; the carriage was waiting, and she was + obliged to disappoint her household by coming down enveloped in her long + opera-cloak, and hurrying away. + </p> + <p> + When at length the sisters entered the reception-room at the British + Legation, Lord Skye rebuked them for not having come early to receive with + him. His Lordship, with a huge riband across his breast, and a star on his + coat, condescended to express himself vigorously on the subject of the + “Dawn in June.” Schneidekoupon, who was proud of his easy use of the + latest artistic jargon, looked with respect at Mrs. Lee's silver-gray + satin and its Venetian lace, the arrangement of which had been + conscientiously stolen from a picture in the Louvre, and he murmured + audibly, “Nocturne in silver-gray!”—then, turning to Sybil—“and + you? Of course! I see! A song without words!” Mr. French came up and, in + his most fascinating tones, exclaimed, “Why, Mrs. Lee, you look real + handsome to-night!” Jacobi, after a close scrutiny, said that he took the + liberty of an old man in telling them that they were both dressed + absolutely without fault. Even the Grand-Duke was struck by Sybil, and + made Lord Skye introduce him, after which ceremony he terrified her by + asking the pleasure of a waltz. She disappeared from Madeleine's view, not + to be brought back again until Dawn met dawn. + </p> + <p> + The ball was, as the newspapers declared, a brilliant success. Every one + who knows the city of Washington will recollect that, among some scores of + magnificent residences which our own and foreign governments have built + for the comfort of cabinet officers, judges, diplomatists, + vice-presidents, speakers, and senators, the British Legation is by far + the most impressive. + </p> + <p> + Combining in one harmonious whole the proportions of the Pitti Palace with + the decoration of the Casa d'Oro and the dome of an Eastern Mosque, this + architectural triumph offers extraordinary resources for society. Further + description is unnecessary, since anyone may easily refer back to the New + York newspapers of the following morning, where accurate plans of the + house on the ground floor, will be found; while the illustrated newspapers + of the same week contain excellent sketches of the most pleasing scenic + effects, as well as of the ball-room and of the Princess smiling + graciously from her throne. The lady just behind the Princess on her left, + is Mrs. Lee, a poor likeness, but easily distinguishable from the fact + that the artist, for his own objects, has made her rather shorter, and the + Princess rather taller, than was strictly correct, just as he has given + the Princess a gracious smile, which was quite different from her actual + expression. In short, the artist is compelled to exhibit the world rather + as we would wish it to be, than as it was or is, or, indeed, is like + shortly to become. The strangest part of his picture is, however, the fact + that he actually did see Mrs. Lee where he has put her, at the Princess's + elbow, which was almost the last place in the room where any one who knew + Mrs. Lee would have looked for her. + </p> + <p> + The explanation of this curious accident shall be given immediately, since + the facts are not mentioned in the public reports of the ball, which only + said that, “close behind her Royal Highness the Grand-Duchess, stood our + charming and aristocratic countrywoman, Mrs. Lightfoot Lee, who has made + so great a sensation in Washington this winter, and whose name public + rumour has connected with that of the Secretary of the Treasury. To her + the Princess appeared to address most of her conversation.” + </p> + <p> + The show was a very pretty one, and on a pleasant April evening there were + many places less agreeable to be in than this. Much ground outside had + been roofed over, to make a ball-room, large as an opera-house, with a + daïs and a sofa in the centre of one long side, and another daïs with a + second sofa immediately opposite to it in the centre of the other long + side. Each daïs had a canopy of red velvet, one bearing the Lion and the + Unicorn, the other the American Eagle. The Royal Standard was displayed + above the Unicorn; the Stars-and-Stripes, not quite so effectively, waved + above the Eagle. The Princess, being no longer quite a child, found gas + trying to her complexion, and compelled Lord Skye to illuminate her beauty + by one hundred thousand wax candies, more or less, which were arranged to + be becoming about the Grand-ducal throne, and to be showy and unbecoming + about the opposite institution across the way. + </p> + <p> + The exact facts were these. It had happened that the Grand-Duchess, having + been necessarily brought into contact with the President, and particularly + with his wife, during the past week, had conceived for the latter an + antipathy hardly to be expressed in words. Her fixed determination was at + any cost to keep the Presidential party at a distance, and it was only + after a stormy scene that the Grand-Duke and Lord Skye succeeded in + extorting her consent that the President should take her to supper. + Further than this she would not go. She would not speak to “that woman,” + as she called the President's wife, nor be in her neighbourhood. She would + rather stay in her own room all the evening, and she did not care in the + least what the Queen would think of it, for she was no subject of the + Queen's. The case was a hard one for Lord Skye, who was perplexed to know, + from this point of view, why he was entertaining the Princess at all; but, + with the help of the Grand-Duke and Lord Dunbeg, who was very active and + smiled deprecation with some success, he found a way out of it; and this + was the reason why there were two thrones in the ball-room, and why the + British throne was lighted with such careful reference to the Princess's + complexion. Lord Skye immolated himself in the usual effort of British and + American Ministers, to keep the two great powers apart. He and the + Grand-Duke and Lord Dunbeg acted as buffers with watchful diligence, + dexterity, and success. As one resource, Lord Skye had bethought himself + of Mrs. Lee, and he told the Princess the story of Mrs. Lee's relations + with the President's wife, a story which was no secret in Washington, for, + apart from Madeleine's own account, society was left in no doubt of the + light in which Mrs. Lee was regarded by the mistress of the White House, + whom Washington ladles were now in the habit of drawing out on the subject + of Mrs. Lee, and who always rose to the bait with fresh vivacity, to the + amusement and delight of Victoria Dare and other mischief-makers. + </p> + <p> + “She will not trouble you so long as you can keep Mrs. Lee in your + neighbourhood,” said Lord Skye, and the Princess accordingly seized upon + Mrs. Lee and brandished her, as though she were a charm against the evil + eye, in the face of the President's party. She made Mrs. Lee take a place + just behind her as though she were a lady-in-waiting. She even graciously + permitted her to sit down, so near that their chairs touched. Whenever + “that woman” was within sight, which was most of the time, the Princess + directed her conversation entirely to Mrs. Lee and took care to make it + evident. Even before the Presidential party had arrived, Madeleine had + fallen into the Princess's grasp, and when the Princess went forward to + receive the President and his wife, which she did with a bow of stately + and distant dignity, she dragged Madeleine closely by her side. Mrs. Lee + bowed too; she could not well help it; but was cut dead for her pains, + with a glare of contempt and hatred. Lord Skye, who was acting as cavalier + to the President's wife, was panic-stricken, and hastened to march his + democratic potentate away, under pretence of showing her the decorations. + He placed her at last on her own throne, where he and the Grand-Duke + relieved each other in standing guard at intervals throughout the evening. + When the Princess followed with the President, she compelled her husband + to take Mrs. Lee on his arm and conduct her to the British throne, with no + other object than to exasperate the President's wife, who, from her + elevated platform, looked down upon the cortège with a scowl. + </p> + <p> + In all this affair Mrs. Lee was the principal sufferer. No one could + relieve her, and she was literally penned in as she sat. The Princess kept + up an incessant fire of small conversation, principally complaint and + fault-finding, which no one dared to interrupt. Mrs. Lee was painfully + bored, and after a time even the absurdity of the thing ceased to amuse + her. + </p> + <p> + She had, too, the ill-luck to make one or two remarks which appealed to + some hidden sense of humour in the Princess, who laughed and, in the style + of royal personages, gave her to understand that she would like more + amusement of the same sort. Of all things in life, Mrs. Lee held this kind + of court-service in contempt, for she was something more than republican—a + little communistic at heart, and her only serious complaint of the + President and his wife was that they undertook to have a court and to ape + monarchy. + </p> + <p> + She had no notion of admitting social superiority in any one, President or + Prince, and to be suddenly converted into a lady-in-waiting to a small + German Grand-Duchess, was a terrible blow. But what was to be done? Lord + Skye had drafted her into the service and she could not decently refuse to + help him when he came to her side and told her, with his usual calm + directness, what his difficulties were, and how he counted upon her to + help him out. + </p> + <p> + The same play went on at supper, where there was a royal-presidential + table, which held about two dozen guests, and the two great ladies + presiding, as far apart as they could be placed. The Grand-Duke and Lord + Skye, on either side of the President's wife, did their duty like men, and + were rewarded by receiving from her much information about the domestic + arrangements of the White House. The President, however, who sat next the + Princess at the opposite end, was evidently depressed, owing partly to the + fact that the Princess, in defiance of all etiquette, had compelled Lord + Dunbeg to take Mrs. Lee to supper and to place her directly next the + President. Madeleine tried to escape, but was stopped by the Princess, who + addressed her across the President and in a decided tone asked her to sit + precisely there. Mrs. + </p> + <p> + Lee looked timidly at her neighbour, who made no sign, but ate his supper + in silence only broken by an occasional reply to a rare remark. Mrs. Lee + pitied him, and wondered what his wife would say when they reached home. + She caught Ratcliffe's eye down the table, watching her with a smile; she + tried to talk fluently with Dunbeg; but not until supper was long over and + two o'clock was at hand; not until the Presidential party, under all the + proper formalities, had taken their leave of the Grand-ducal party; not + until Lord Skye had escorted them to their carriage and returned to say + that they were gone, did the Princess loose her hold upon Mrs. Lee and + allow her to slip away into obscurity. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the ball had gone on after the manner of balls. As Madeleine sat + in her enforced grandeur she could watch all that passed. She had seen + Sybil whirling about with one man after another, amid a swarm of dancers, + enjoying herself to the utmost and occasionally giving a nod and a smile + to her sister as their eyes met. There, too, was Victoria Dare, who never + appeared flurried even when waltzing with Lord Dunbeg, whose education as + a dancer had been neglected. The fact was now fully recognized that + Victoria was carrying on a systematic flirtation with Dunbeg, and had + undertaken as her latest duty the task of teaching him to waltz. His + struggles and her calmness in assisting them commanded respect. On the + opposite side of the room, by the republican throne, Mrs. Lee had watched + Mr. Ratcliffe standing by the President, who appeared unwilling to let him + out of arm's length and who seemed to make to him most of his few remarks. + Schneidekoupon and his sister were mixed in the throng, dancing as though + England had never countenanced the heresy of free-trade. On the whole, + Mrs. Lee was satisfied. + </p> + <p> + If her own sufferings were great, they were not without reward. She + studied all the women in the ball-room, and if there was one prettier than + Sybil, Madeleine's eyes could not discover her. If there was a more + perfect dress, Madeleine knew nothing of dressing. On these points she + felt the confidence of conviction. Her calm would have been complete, had + she felt quite sure that none of Sybil's gaiety was superficial and that + it would not be followed by reaction. She watched nervously to see whether + her face changed its gay expression, and once she thought it became + depressed, but this was when the Grand-Duke came up to claim his waltz, + and the look rapidly passed away when they got upon the floor and his + Highness began to wheel round the room with a precision and momentum that + would have done honour to a regiment of Life Guards. He seemed pleased + with his experiment, for he was seen again and again careering over the + floor with Sybil until Mrs. Lee herself became nervous, for the Princess + frowned. + </p> + <p> + After her release Madeleine lingered awhile in the ball-room to speak with + her sister and to receive congratulations. For half an hour she was a + greater belle than Sybil. A crowd of men clustered about her, amused at + the part she had played in the evening's entertainment and full of + compliments upon her promotion at Court. Lord Skye himself found time to + offer her his thanks in a more serious tone than he generally affected. + “You have suffered much,” said he, “and I am grateful.” Madeleine laughed + as she answered that her sufferings had seemed nothing to her while she + watched his. But at last she became weary of the noise and glare of the + ball-room, and, accepting the arm of her excellent friend Count Popoff, + she strolled with him back to the house. There at last she sat down on a + sofa in a quiet window-recess where the light was less strong and where a + convenient laurel spread its leaves in front so as to make a bower through + which she could see the passers-by without being seen by them except with + an effort. Had she been a younger woman, this would have been the spot for + a flirtation, but Mrs. Lee never flirted, and the idea of her flirting + with Popoff would have seemed ludicrous to all mankind. + </p> + <p> + He did not sit down, but was leaning against the angle of the wall, + talking with her, when suddenly Mr. Ratcliffe appeared and took the seat + by her side with such deliberation and apparent sense of property that + Popoff incontinently turned and fled. No one knew where the Secretary came + from, or how he learned that she was there. He made no explanation and she + took care to ask for none. She gave him a highly-coloured account of her + evening's service as lady-in-waiting, which he matched by that of his own + trials as gentleman-usher to the President, who, it seemed, had clung + desperately to his old enemy in the absence of any other rock to clutch + at. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe looked the character of Prime Minister sufficiently well at this + moment. He would have held his own, at a pinch, in any Court, not merely + in Europe but in India or China, where dignity is still expected of + gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + Excepting for a certain coarse and animal expression about the mouth, and + an indefinable coldness in the eye, he was a handsome man and still in his + prime. Every one remarked how much he was improved since entering the + Cabinet. He had dropped his senatorial manner. His clothes were no longer + congressional, but those of a respectable man, neat and decent. His shirts + no longer protruded in the wrong places, nor were his shirt-collars frayed + or soiled. His hair did not stray over his eyes, ears, and coat, like that + of a Scotch terrier, but had got itself cut. Having overheard Mrs. Lee + express on one occasion her opinion of people who did not take a cold bath + every morning, he had thought it best to adopt this reform, although he + would not have had it generally known, tot it savoured of caste. He made + an effort not to be dictatorial and to forget that he had been the Prairie + Giant, the bully of the Senate. In short, what with Mrs. Lee's influence + and what with his emancipation from the Senate chamber with its code of + bad manners and worse morals, Mr. Ratcliffe was fast becoming a + respectable member of society whom a man who had never been in prison or + in politics might safely acknowledge as a friend. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Ratcliffe was now evidently bent upon being heard. After charting for + a time with some humour on the President's successes as a man of fashion, + he changed the subject to the merits of the President as a statesman, and + little by little as he spoke he became serious and his voice sank into low + and confidential tones. He plainly said that the President's incapacity + had now become notorious among his followers; that it was only with + difficulty his Cabinet and friends could prevent him from making a fool of + himself fifty times a day; that all the party leaders who had occasion to + deal with him were so thoroughly disgusted that the Cabinet had to pass + its time in trying to pacify them; while this state of things lasted, + Ratcliffe's own influence must be paramount; he had good reason to know + that if the Presidential election were to take place this year, nothing + could prevent his nomination and election; even at three years' distance + the chances in his favour were at least two to one; and after this + exordium he went on in a low tone with increasing earnestness, while Mrs. + Lee sat motionless as the statue of Agrippina, her eyes fixed on the + ground: + </p> + <p> + “I am not one of those who are happy in political life. I am a politician + because I cannot help myself; it is the trade I am fittest for, and + ambition is my resource to make it tolerable. In politics we cannot keep + our hands clean. I have done many things in my political career that are + not defensible. To act with entire honesty and self-respect, one should + always live in a pure atmosphere, and the atmosphere of politics is + impure. Domestic life is the salvation of many public men, but I have for + many years been deprived of it. I have now come to that point where + increasing responsibilities and temptations make me require help. I must + have it. You alone can give it to me. You are kind, thoughtful, + conscientious, high-minded, cultivated, fitted better than any woman I + ever saw, for public duties. Your place is there. You belong among those + who exercise an influence beyond their time. I only ask you to take the + place which is yours.” + </p> + <p> + This desperate appeal to Mrs. Lee's ambition was a calculated part of + Ratcliffe's scheme. He was well aware that he had marked high game, and + that in proportion to this height must be the power of his lure. Nor was + he embarrassed because Mrs. Lee sat still and pale with her eyes fixed on + the ground and her hands twisted together in her lap. The eagle that soars + highest must be longer in descending to the ground than the sparrow or the + partridge. Mrs. Lee had a thousand things to think about in this brief + time, and yet she found that she could not think at all; a succession of + mere images and fragments of thought passed rapidly over her mind, and her + will exercised no control upon their order or their nature. One of these + fleeting reflections was that in all the offers of marriage she had ever + heard, this was the most unsentimental and businesslike. As for his appeal + to her ambition, it fell quite dead upon her ear, but a woman must be more + than a heroine who can listen to flattery so evidently sincere, from a man + who is pre-eminent among men, without being affected by it. To her, + however, the great and overpowering fact was that she found herself unable + to retreat or escape; her tactics were disconcerted, her temporary + barriers beaten down. + </p> + <p> + The offer was made. What should she do with it? + </p> + <p> + She had thought for months on this subject without being able to form a + decision; what hope was there that she should be able to decide now, in a + ball-room, at a minute's notice? When, as occasionally happens, the + conflicting sentiments, prejudices, and passions of a lifetime are + compressed into a single instant, they sometimes overcharge the mind and + it refuses to work. Mrs. Lee sat still and let things take their course; a + dangerous expedient, as thousands of women have learned, for it leaves + them at the mercy of the strong will, bent upon mastery. + </p> + <p> + The music from the ball-room did not stop. Crowds of persons passed by + their retreat. Some glanced in, and not one of these felt a doubt what was + going on there. An unmistakeable atmosphere of mystery and intensity + surrounded the pair. Ratcliffe's eyes were fixed upon Mrs. Lee, and hers + on the ground. Neither seemed to speak or to stir. Old Baron Jacobi, who + never failed to see everything, saw this as he went by, and ejaculated a + foreign oath of frightful import. Victoria Dare saw it and was devoured by + curiosity to such a point as to be hardly capable of containing herself. + </p> + <p> + After a silence which seemed interminable, Ratcliffe went on: “I do not + speak of my own feelings because I know that unless compelled by a strong + sense of duty, you will not be decided by any devotion of mine. But I + honestly say that I have learned to depend on you to a degree I can hardly + express; and when I think of what I should be without you, life seems to + me so intolerably dark that I am ready to make any sacrifice, to accept + any conditions that will keep you by my side.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Victoria Dare, although deeply interested in what Dunbeg was + telling her, had met Sybil and had stopped a single second to whisper in + her ear: “You had better look after your sister, in the window, behind the + laurel with Mr. Ratcliffe!” Sybil was on Lord Skye's arm, enjoying herself + amazingly, though the night was far gone, but when she caught Victoria's + words, the expression of her face wholly changed. All the anxieties and + terrors of the last fortnight, came back upon it. She dragged Lord Skye + across the hall and looked in upon her sister. One glance was enough. + </p> + <p> + Desperately frightened but afraid to hesitate, she went directly up to + Madeleine who was still sitting like a statue, listening to Ratcliffe's + last words. As she hurriedly entered, Mrs. Lee, looking up, caught sight + of her pale face, and started from her seat. + </p> + <p> + “Are you ill, Sybil?” she exclaimed; “is anything the matter?” + </p> + <p> + “A little—fatigued,” gasped Sybil; “I thought you might be ready to + go home.” + </p> + <p> + “I am,” cried Madeleine; “I am quite ready. Good evening, Mr. Ratcliffe. I + will see you to-morrow. Lord Skye, shall I take leave of the Princess?” + </p> + <p> + “The Princess retired half an hour ago,” replied Lord Skye, who saw the + situation and was quite ready to help Sybil; “let me take you to the + dressing-room and order your carriage.” Mr. Ratcliffe found himself + suddenly left alone, while Mrs. Lee hurried away, torn by fresh anxieties. + They had reached the dressing-room and were nearly ready to go home, when + Victoria Dare suddenly dashed in upon them, with an animation of manner + very unusual in her, and, seizing Sybil by the hand, drew her into an + adjoining room and shut the door. “Can you keep a secret?” said she + abruptly. + </p> + <p> + “What!” said Sybil, looking at her with open-mouthed interest; “you don't + mean—are you really—tell me, quick!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes!” said Victoria relapsing into composure; “I am engaged!” + </p> + <p> + “To Lord Dunbeg?” + </p> + <p> + Victoria nodded, and Sybil, whose nerves were strung to the highest pitch + by excitement, flattery, fatigue, perplexity, and terror, burst into a + paroxysm of laughter, that startled even the calm Miss Dare. + </p> + <p> + “Poor Lord Dunbeg! don't be hard on him, Victoria!” she gasped when at + last she found breath; “do you really mean to pass the rest of your life + in Ireland? Oh, how much you will teach them!” + </p> + <p> + “You forget, my dear,” said Victoria, who had placidly enthroned herself + on the foot of a bed, “that I am not a pauper. I am told that Dunbeg + Castle is a romantic summer residence, and in the dull season we shall of + course go to London or somewhere. I shall be civil to you when you come + over. Don't you think a coronet will look well on me?” + </p> + <p> + Sybil burst again into laughter so irrepressible and prolonged that it + puzzled even poor Dunbeg, who was impatiently pacing the corridor outside. + </p> + <p> + It alarmed Madeleine, who suddenly opened the door. Sybil recovered + herself, and, her eyes streaming with tears, presented Victoria to her + sister: + </p> + <p> + “Madeleine, allow me to introduce you to the Countess Dunbeg!” + </p> + <p> + But Mrs. Lee was much too anxious to feel any interest in Lady Dunbeg. A + sudden fear struck her that Sybil was going into hysterics because + Victoria's engagement recalled her own disappointment. She hurried her + sister away to the carriage. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XII + </h2> + <p> + THEY drove home in silence, Mrs. Lee disturbed with anxieties and doubts, + partly caused by her sister, partly by Mr. Ratcliffe; Sybil divided + between amusement at Victoria's conquest, and alarm at her own boldness in + meddling with her sister's affairs. Desperation, however, was stronger + than fear. She made up her mind that further suspense was not to be + endured; she would fight her baffle now before another hour was lost; + surely no time could be better. A few moments brought them to their door. + Mrs. Lee had told her maid not to wait for them, and they were alone. The + fire was still alive on Madeleine's hearth, and she threw more wood upon + it. Then she insisted that Sybil must go to bed at once. But Sybil + refused; she felt quite well, she said, and not in the least sleepy; she + had a great deal to talk about, and wanted to get it off her mind. + Nevertheless, her feminine regard for the “Dawn in June” led her to + postpone what she had to say until with Madeleine's help she had laid the + triumph of the ball carefully aside; then, putting on her dressing-gown, + and hastily plunging Carrington's letter into her breast, like a concealed + weapon, she hurried back to Madeleine's room and established herself in a + chair before the fire. There, after a moment's pause, the two women began + their long-deferred trial of strength, in which the match was so nearly + equal as to make the result doubtful; for, if Madeleine were much the + cleverer, Sybil in this case knew much better what she wanted, and had a + clear idea how she meant to gain it, while Madeleine, unsuspicious of + attack, had no plan of defence at all. + </p> + <p> + “Madeleine,” began Sybil, solemnly, and with a violent palpitation of the + heart, “I want you to tell me something.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it, my child?” said Mrs. Lee, puzzled, and yet half ready to see + that there must be some connection between her sister's coming question + and the sudden illness at the ball, which had disappeared as suddenly as + it came. + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to marry Mr. Ratcliffe?” + </p> + <p> + Poor Mrs. Lee was quite disconcerted by the directness of the attack. This + fatal question met her at every turn. Hardly had she succeeded in escaping + trom it at the ball scarcely an hour ago, by a stroke of good fortune for + which she now began to see she was indebted to Sybil, and here it was + again presented to her face like a pistol. The whole town, then, was + asking it. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe's offer must have been seen by half Washington, and her reply + was awaited by an immense audience, as though she were a political + returning-board. Her disgust was intense, and her first answer to Sybil + was a quick inquiry: + </p> + <p> + “Why do you ask such a question? have you heard anything,—has anyone + talked about it to you?” + </p> + <p> + “No!” replied Sybil; “but I must know; I can see for myself without being + told, that Mr. Racliffe is trying to make you marry him. I don't ask out + of curiosity; this is something that concerns me nearly as much as it does + you yourself. Please tell me! don't treat me like a child any longer! let + me know what you are thinking about! I am so tired of being left in the + dark! You have no idea how much this thing weighs on me. Oh, Maude, I + shall never be happy again until you trust me about this.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee felt a little pang of conscience, and seemed suddenly to become + conscious of a new coil, tightening about her, in this wretched + complication. Unable to see her way, ignorant of her sister's motives, + urged on by the idea that Sybil's happiness was involved, she was now + charged with want of feeling, and called upon for a direct answer to a + plain question. + </p> + <p> + How could she aver that she did not mean to marry Mr. Ratcliffe? to say + this would be to shut the door on all the objects she had at heart. If a + direct answer must be given, it was better to say “Yes!” and have it over; + better to leap blindly and see what came of it. Mrs. Lee, therefore, with + an internal gasp, but with no visible sign of excitement, said, as though + she were in a dream: + </p> + <p> + “Well, Sybil, I will tell you. I would have told you long ago if I had + known myself. Yes! I have made up my mind to marry Mr. Ratcliffe!” + </p> + <p> + Sybil sprang to her feet with a cry: “And have you told him so?” she + asked. + </p> + <p> + “No! you came and interrupted us just as we were speaking. I was glad you + did come, for it gives me a little time to think. But I am decided now. I + shall tell him to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + This was not said with the air or one whose heart beat warmly at the + thought of confessing her love. Mrs. Lee spoke mechanically, and almost + with an effort. Sybil flung herself with all her energy upon her sister; + violently excited, and eager to make herself heard, without waiting for + arguments, she broke out into a torrent of entreaties: “Oh, don't, don't, + don't! Oh, please, please, don't, my dearest, dearest Maude! unless you + want to break my heart, don't marry that man! You can't love him! You can + never be happy with him! he will take you away to Peonia, and you will die + there! I shall never see you again! He will make you unhappy; he will beat + you, I know he will! Oh, if you care for me at all, don't marry him! Send + him away! don't see him again! let us go ourselves, now, in the morning + train, before he comes back. I'm all ready; I'll pack everything for you; + we'll go to Newport; to Europe—anywhere, to be out of his reach!” + </p> + <p> + With this passionate appeal, Sybil threw herself on her knees by her + sister's side, and, clasping her arms around Madeleine's waist, sobbed as + though her heart were already broken. Had Carrington seen her then he must + have admitted that she had carried out his instructions to the letter. She + was quite honest, too, in it all. She meant what she said, and her tears + were real tears that had been pent up for weeks. Unluckily, her logic was + feeble. Her idea of Mr. Ratcliffe's character was vague, and biased by + mere theories of what a Prairie Giant of Peonia should be in his domestic + relations. Her idea of Peonia, too, was indistinct. She was haunted by a + vision of her sister, sitting on a horse-hair sofa before an air-tight + iron stove in a small room with high, bare white walls, a chromolithograph + on each, and at her side a marble-topped table surmounted by a glass vase + containing funereal dried grasses; the only literature, Frank Leslie's + periodical and the New York Ledger, with a strong smell of cooking + everywhere prevalent. Here she saw Madeleine receiving visitors, the wives + of neighbours and constituents, who told her the Peonia news. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding her ignorant and unreasonable prejudice against western + men and women, western towns and prairies, and, in short, everything + western, down to western politics and western politicians, whom she + perversely asserted to be tue lowest ot all western products, there was + still some common sense in Sybil's idea. When that inevitable hour struck + for Mr. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe, which strikes sooner or later for all politicians, and an + ungrateful country permitted him to pine among his friends in Illinois, + what did he propose to do with his wife? Did he seriously suppose that + she, who was bored to death by New York, and had been able to find no + permanent pleasure in Europe, would live quietly in the romantic village + of Peonia? If not, did Mr. Ratcliffe imagine that they could find + happiness in the enjoyment of each other's society, and of Mrs. Lee's + income, in the excitements of Washington? In the ardour of his pursuit, + Mr. Ratcliffe had accepted in advance any conditions which Mrs. Lee might + impose, but if he really imagined that happiness and content lay on the + purple rim of this sunset, he had more confidence in women and in money + than a wider experience was ever likely to justify. + </p> + <p> + Whatever might be Mr. Ratcliffe's schemes for dealing with these obstacles + they could hardly be such as would satisfy Sybil, who, if inaccurate in + her theories about Prairie Giants, yet understood women, and especially + her sister, much better than Mr. Ratcliffe ever could do. Here she was + safe, and it would have been better had she said no more, for Mrs. Lee, + though staggered for a moment by her sister's vehemence, was reassured by + what seemed the absurdity of her fears. Madeleine rebelled against this + hysterical violence of opposition, and became more fixed in her decision. + </p> + <p> + She scolded her sister in good, set terms— + </p> + <p> + “Sybil, Sybil! you must not be so violent. Behave like a woman, and not + like a spoiled child!” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee, like most persons who have to deal with spoiled or unspoiled + children, resorted to severity, not so much because it was the proper way + of dealing with them, as because she knew not what else to do. She was + thoroughly uncomfortable and weary. She was not satisfied with herself or + with her own motives. Doubt encompassed her on all sides, and her worst + opponent was that sister whose happiness had turned the scale against her + own judgment. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless her tactics answered their object of checking Sybil's + vehemence. Her sobs came to an end, and she presently rose with a quieter + air. + </p> + <p> + “Madeleine,” said she, “do you really want to marry Mr. Ratcliffe?” + </p> + <p> + “What else can I do, my dear Sybil? I want to do whatever is for the best. + I thought you might be pleased.” + </p> + <p> + “You thought I might be pleased?” cried Sybil in astonishment. “What a + strange idea! If you had ever spoken to me about it I should have told you + that I hate him, and can't understand how you can abide him. But I would + rather marry him myself than see you marry him. I know that you will kill + yourself with unhappiness when you have done it. Oh, Maude, please tell me + that you won't!” And Sybil began gently sobbing again, while she caressed + her sister. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee was infinitely distressed. To act against the wishes of her + nearest friends was hard enough, but to appear harsh and unfeeling to the + one being whose happiness she had at heart, was intolerable. Yet no + sensible woman, after saying that she meant to marry a man like Mr. + Ratcliffe, could throw him over merely because another woman chose to + behave like a spoiled child. + </p> + <p> + Sybil was more childish than Madeleine herself had supposed. She could not + even see where her own interest lay. She knew no more about Mr. Ratcliffe + and the West than if he were the giant of a fairy-story, and lived at the + top of a bean-stalk. She must be treated as a child; with gentleness, + affection, forbearance, but with firmness and decision. She must be + refused what she asked, for her own good. + </p> + <p> + Thus it came about that at last Mrs. Lee spoke, with an appearance of + decision far from representing her internal tremor. + </p> + <p> + “Sybil, dear, I have made up my mind to marry Mr. Ratcliffe because there + is no other way of making every one happy. You need not be afraid of him. + He is kind and generous. Besides, I can take care of myself; and I will + take care of you too. Now let us not discuss it any more. It is broad + daylight, and we are both tired out.” + </p> + <p> + Sybil grew at once perfectly calm, and standing before her sister, as + though their rôles were henceforward to be reversed, said: + </p> + <p> + “You have really made up your mind, then? Nothing I can say will change + it?” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee, looking at her with more surprise than ever, could not force + herself to speak; but she shook her head slowly and decidedly. + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said Sybil, “there is only one thing more I can do. You must read + this!” and she drew out Carrington's letter, which she held before + Madeleine's face. + </p> + <p> + “Not now, Sybil!” remonstrated Mrs. Lee, dreading another long struggle. + “I will read it after we have had some rest. Go to bed now!” + </p> + <p> + “I do not leave this room, nor will I ever go to bed until you have read + that letter,” answered Sybil, seating herself again before the fire with + the resolution of Queen Elizabeth; “not if I sit here till you are + married. I promised Mr. Carrington that you should read it instantly; it's + all I can do now.” With a sigh, Mrs. Lee drew up the window-curtain, and + in the gray morning light sat down to break the seal and read the + following letter:— + </p> + <p> + “Washington, 2nd April. + </p> + <p> + “My dear Mrs. Lee, + </p> + <p> + “This letter will only come into your hands in case there should be a + necessity for your knowing its contents. Nothing short of necessity would + excuse my writing it. I have to ask your pardon for intruding again upon + your private affairs. In this case, if I did not intrude, you would have + cause for serious complaint against me. + </p> + <p> + “You asked me the other day whether I knew anything against Mr. Ratcliffe + which the world did not know, to account for my low opinion of his + character. I evaded your question then. I was bound by professional rules + not to disclose facts that came to me under a pledge of confidence. I am + going to violate these rules now, only because I owe you a duty which + seems to me to override all others. + </p> + <p> + “I do know facts in regard to Mr. Ratcliffe, which have seemed to me to + warrant a very low opinion of his character, and to mark him as unfit to + be, I will not say your husband, but even your acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + “You know that I am executor to Samuel Baker's will. You know who Samuel + Baker was. You have seen his wife. She has told you herself that I + assisted her in the examination and destruction of all her husband's + private papers according to his special death-bed request. One of the + first facts I learned from these papers and her explanations, was the + following. + </p> + <p> + “Just eight years ago, the great 'Inter-Oceanic Mail Steamship Company,' + wished to extend its service round the world, and, in order to do so, it + applied to Congress for a heavy subsidy. The management of this affair was + put into the hands of Mr. Baker, and all his private letters to the + President of the Company, in press copies, as well as the President's + replies, came into my possession. Baker's letters were, of course, written + in a sort of cypher, several kinds of which he was in the habit of using. + He left among his papers a key to this cypher, but Mrs. Baker could have + explained it without that help. + </p> + <p> + “It appeared from this correspondence that the bill was carried + successfully through the House, and, on reaching the Senate, was referred + to the appropriate Committee. Its ultimate passage was very doubtful; the + end of the session was close at hand; the Senate was very evenly divided, + and the Chairman of the Committee was decidedly hostile. + </p> + <p> + “The Chairman of that Committee was Senator Ratcliffe, always mentioned by + Mr. Baker in cypher, and with every precaution. If you care, however, to + verify the fact, and to trace the history of the Subsidy Bill through all + its stages, together with Mr. Ratcliffe's report, remarks, and votes upon + it, you have only to look into the journals and debates for that year. + </p> + <p> + “At last Mr. Baker wrote that Senator Ratcliffe had put the bill in his + pocket, and unless some means could be found of overcoming his opposition, + there would be no report, and the bill would never come to a vote. All + ordinary kinds of argument and influence had been employed upon him, and + were exhausted. In this exigency Baker suggested that the Company should + give him authority to see what money would do, but he added that it would + be worse than useless to deal with small sums. Unless at least one hundred + thousand dollars could be employed, it was better to leave the thing + alone. + </p> + <p> + “The next mail authorized him to use any required amount of money not + exceeding one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Two days later he wrote + that the bill was reported, and would pass the Senate within forty-eight + hours; and he congratulated the Company on the fact that he had used only + one hundred thousand dollars out of its last credit. + </p> + <p> + “The bill was actually reported, passed, and became law as he foretold, + and the Company has enjoyed its subsidy ever since. Mrs. Baker also + informed me that to her knowledge her husband gave the sum mentioned, in + United States Coupon Bonds, to Senator Ratcliffe. + </p> + <p> + “This transaction, taken in connection with the tortuousness of his public + course, explains the distrust I have always expressed for him. You will, + however, understand that all these papers have been destroyed. Mrs. Baker + could never be induced to hazard her own comfort by revealing the facts to + the public. The officers of the Company in their own interests would never + betray the transaction, and their books were undoubtedly so kept as to + show no trace of it. If I made this charge against Mr. Ratcliffe, I should + be the only sufferer. He would deny and laugh at it. I could prove + nothing. I am therefore more directly interested than he is in keeping + silence. + </p> + <p> + “In trusting this secret to you, I rely firmly upon your mentioning it to + no one else—not even to your sister. You are at liberty, if you + wish, to show this letter to one person only—to Mr. Ratcliffe + himself. That done, you will, I beg, burn it immediately. + </p> + <p> + “With the warmest good wishes, I am, + </p> + <p> + “Ever most truly yours, + </p> + <p> + “John Carrington.” + </p> + <p> + When Mrs. Lee had finished reading this letter, she remained for some time + quite silent, looking out into the square below. The morning had come, and + the sky was bright with the fresh April sunlight. She threw open her + window, and drew in the soft spring air. She needed all the purity and + quiet that nature could give, for her whole soul was in revolt, wounded, + mortified, exasperated. Against the sentiment of all her friends she had + insisted upon believing in this man; she had wrought herself up to the + point of accepting him for her husband; a man who, if law were the same + thing as justice, ought to be in a felon's cell; a man who could take + money to betray his trust. Her anger at first swept away all bounds. She + was impatient for the moment when she should see him again, and tear off + his mask. For once she would express all the loathing she felt for the + whole pack of political hounds. She would see whether the animal was made + like other beings; whether he had a sense of honour; a single clean spot + in his mind. + </p> + <p> + Then it occurred to her that after all there might be a mistake; perhaps + Mr. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe could explain the charge away. But this thought only laid bare + another smarting wound in her pride. Not only did she believe the charge, + but she believed that Mr. Ratcliffe would defend his act. She had been + willing to marry a man whom she thought capable of such a crime, and now + she shuddered at the idea that this charge might have been brought against + her husband, and that she could not dismiss it with instant incredulity, + with indignant contempt. How had this happened? how had she got into so + foul a complication? When she left New York, she had meant to be a mere + spectator in Washington. Had it entered her head that she could be drawn + into any project of a second marriage, she never would have come at all, + for she was proud of her loyalty to her husband's memory, and second + marriages were her abhorrence. In her restlessness and solitude, she had + forgotten this; she had only asked whether any life was worth living for a + woman who had neither husband nor children. Was the family all that life + had to offer? could she find no interest outside the household? And so, + led by this will-of-the-wisp, she had, with her eyes open, walked into the + quagmire of politics, in spite of remonstrance, in spite of conscience. + </p> + <p> + She rose and paced the room, while Sybil lay on the couch, watching her + with eyes half shut. She grew more and more angry with herself, and as her + self-reproach increased, her anger against Ratcliffe faded away. She had + no right to be angry with Ratcliffe. He had never deceived her. He had + always openly enough avowed that he knew no code of morals in politics; + that if virtue did not answer his purpose he used vice. How could she + blame him for acts which he had repeatedly defended in her presence and + with her tacit assent, on principles that warranted this or any other + villainy? + </p> + <p> + The worst was that this discovery had come on her as a blow, not as a + reprieve from execution. At this thought she became furious with herself. + </p> + <p> + She had not known the recesses of her own heart. She had honestly supposed + that Sybil's interests and Sybil's happiness were forcing her to an act of + self-sacrifice; and now she saw that in the depths of her soul very + different motives had been at work: ambition, thirst for power, restless + eagerness to meddle in what did not concern her, blind longing to escape + from the torture of watching other women with full lives and satisfied + instincts, while her own life was hungry and sad. For a time she had + actually, unconscious as she was of the delusion, hugged a hope that a new + field of usefulness was open to her; that great opportunities for doing + good were to supply the aching emptiness of that good which had been taken + away; and that here at last was an object for which there would be almost + a pleasure in squandering the rest of existence even if she knew in + advance that the experiment would fail. Life was emptier than ever now + that this dream was over. Yet the worst was not in that disappointment, + but in the discovery of her own weakness and self-deception. + </p> + <p> + Worn out by long-continued anxiety, excitement and sleeplessness, she was + unfit to struggle with the creatures of her own imagination. Such a strain + could only end in a nervous crisis, and at length it came: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what a vile thing life is!” she cried, throwing up her arms with a + gesture of helpless rage and despair. “Oh, how I wish I were dead! how I + wish the universe were annihilated!” and she flung herself down by Sybil's + side in a frenzy of tears. + </p> + <p> + Sybil, who had watched all this exhibition in silence, waited quietly for + the excitement to pass. There was little to say. She could only soothe. + </p> + <p> + After the paroxysm had exhausted itself Madeleine lay quiet for a time, + until other thoughts began to disturb her. From reproaching herself about + Ratcliffe she went on to reproach herself about Sybil, who really looked + worn and pale, as though almost overcome by fatigue. + </p> + <p> + “Sybil,” said she, “you must go to bed at once. You are tired out. It was + very wrong in me to let you sit up so late. Go now, and get some sleep.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not going to bed till you do, Maude!” replied Sybil, with quiet + obstinacy. + </p> + <p> + “Go, dear! it is all settled. I shall not marry Mr. Ratcliffe. You need + not be anxious about it any more.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you very unhappy?” + </p> + <p> + “Only very angry with myself. I ought to have taken Mr. Carrington's + advice sooner.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Maude!” exclaimed Sybil, with a sudden explosion of energy; “I wish + you had taken him!” + </p> + <p> + This remark roused Mrs. Lee to new interest: “Why, Sybil,” said she, + “surely you are not in earnest?” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, I am,” replied Sybil, very decidedly. “I know you think I am in + love with Mr. Carrington myself, but I'm not. I would a great deal rather + have him for a brother-in-law, and he is so much the nicest man you know, + and you could help his sisters.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee hesitated a moment, for she was not quite certain whether it was + wise to probe a healing wound, but she was anxious to clear this last + weight from her mind, and she dashed recklessly forward: + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure you are telling the truth, Sybil? Why, then, did you say + that you cared for him? and why have you been so miserable ever since he + went away?” + </p> + <p> + “Why? I should think it was plain enough why! Because I thought, as every + one else did, that you were going to marry Mr. Ratcliffe; and because if + you married Mr. Ratcliffe, I must go and live alone; and because you + treated me like a child, and never took me into your confidence at all; + and because Mr. Carrington was the only person I had to advise me, and + after he went away, I was left all alone to fight Mr. Ratcliffe and you + both together, without a human soul to help me in case I made a mistake. + You would have been a great deal more miserable than I if you had been in + my place.” + </p> + <p> + Madeleine looked at her for a moment in doubt. Would this last? did Sybil + herself know the depth of her own wound? But what could Mrs. Lee do now? + </p> + <p> + Perhaps Sybil did deceive herself a little. When this excitement had + passed away, perhaps Carrington's image might recur to her mind a little + too often for her own comfort. The future must take care of itself. Mrs. + Lee drew her sister closer to her, and said: “Sybil, I have made a + horrible mistake, and you must forgive me.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XIII + </h2> + <p> + NOT until afternoon did Mrs. Lee reappear. How much she had slept she did + not say, and she hardly looked like one whose slumbers had been long or + sweet; but if she had slept little, she had made up for the loss by + thinking much, and, while she thought, the storm which had raged so + fiercely in her breast, more and more subsided into calm. If there was not + sunshine yet, there was at least stillness. As she lay, hour after hour, + waiting for the sleep that did not come, she had at first the keen + mortification of reflecting how easily she had been led by mere vanity + into imagining that she could be of use in the world. She even smiled in + her solitude at the picture she drew of herself, reforming Ratcliffe, and + Krebs, and Schuyler Clinton. The ease with which Ratcliffe alone had + twisted her about his finger, now that she saw it, made her writhe, and + the thought of what he might have done, had she married him, and of the + endless succession of moral somersaults she would have had to turn, + chilled her with mortal terror. She had barely escaped being dragged under + the wheels of the machine, and so coming to an untimely end. When she + thought of this, she felt a mad passion to revenge herself on the whole + race of politicians, with Ratcliffe at their head; she passed hours in + framing bitter speeches to be made to his face. + </p> + <p> + Then as she grew calmer, Ratcliffe's sins took on a milder hue; life, + after all, had not been entirely blackened by his arts; there was even + some good in her experience, sharp though it were. Had she not come to + Washington in search of men who cast a shadow, and was not Ratcliffe's + shadow strong enough to satisfy her? Had she not penetrated the deepest + recesses of politics, and learned how easily the mere possession of power + could convert the shadow of a hobby-horse existing only in the brain of a + foolish country farmer, into a lurid nightmare that convulsed the sleep of + nations? The antics of Presidents and Senators had been amusing—so + amusing that she had nearly been persuaded to take part in them. She had + saved herself in time. + </p> + <p> + She had got to the bottom of this business of democratic government, and + found out that it was nothing more than government of any other kind. She + might have known it by her own common sense, but now that experience had + proved it, she was glad to quit the masquerade; to return to the true + democracy of life, her paupers and her prisons, her schools and her + hospitals. As for Mr. Ratcliffe, she felt no difficulty in dealing with + him. + </p> + <p> + Let Mr. Ratcliffe, and his brother giants, wander on their own political + prairie, and hunt for offices, or other profitable game, as they would. + </p> + <p> + Their objects were not her objects, and to join their company was not her + ambition. She was no longer very angry with Mr. Ratcliffe. She had no wish + to insult him, or to quarrel with him. What he had done as a politician, + he had done according to his own moral code, and it was not her business + to judge him; to protect herself was the only right she claimed. She + thought she could easily hold him at arm's length, and although, if + Carrington had written the truth, they could never again be friends, there + need be no difficulty in their remaining acquaintances. If this view of + her duty was narrow, it was at least proof that she had learned something + from Mr. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe; perhaps it was also proof that she had yet to learn Mr. + Ratcliffe himself. + </p> + <p> + Two o'clock had struck before Mrs. Lee came down from her chamber, and + Sybil had not yet made her appearance. Madeleine rang her bell and gave + orders that, if Mr. Ratcliffe called she would see him, but she was at + home to no one else. Then she sat down to write letters and to prepare for + her journey to New York, for she must now hasten her departure in order to + escape the gossip and criticism which she saw hanging like an avalanche + over her head. + </p> + <p> + When Sybil at length came down, looking much fresher than her sister, they + passed an hour together arranging this and other small matters, so that + both of them were again in the best of spirits, and Sybil's face was + wreathed in smiles. + </p> + <p> + A number of visitors came to the door that day, some of them prompted by + friendliness and some by sheer curiosity, for Mrs. Lee's abrupt + disappearance from the ball had excited remark. Against all these her door + was firmly closed. On the other hand, as the afternoon went on, she sent + Sybil away, so that she might have the field entirely to herself, and + Sybil, relieved of all her alarms, sallied out to interrupt Dunbeg's + latest interview with his Countess, and to amuse herself with Victoria's + last “phase.” + </p> + <p> + Towards four o'clock the tall form of Mr. Ratcliffe was seen to issue from + the Treasury Department and to descend the broad steps of its western + front. + </p> + <p> + Turning deliberately towards the Square, the Secretary of the Treasury + crossed the Avenue and stopping at Mrs. Lee's door, rang the bell. He was + immediately admitted. Mrs. Lee was alone in her parlour and rose rather + gravely as he entered, but welcomed him as cordially as she could. She + wanted to put an end to his hopes at once and to do it decisively, but + without hurting his feelings. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Ratcliffe,” said she, when he was seated—“I am sure you will be + better pleased by my speaking instantly and frankly. I could not reply to + you last night. I will do so now without delay. What you wish is + impossible. I would rather not even discuss it. Let us leave it here and + return to our old relations.” + </p> + <p> + She could not force herself to express any sense of gratitude for his + affection, or of regret at being obliged to meet it with so little return. + </p> + <p> + To treat him with tolerable civility was all she thought required of her. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe felt the change of manner. He had been prepared for a struggle, + but not to be met with so blunt a rebuff at the start. His look became + serious and he hesitated a moment before speaking, but when he spoke at + last, it was with a manner as firm and decided as that of Mrs. Lee + herself. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot accept such an answer. I will not say that I have a right to + explanation,—I have no rights which you are bound to respect,—but + from you I conceive that I may at least ask the favour of one, and that + you will not refuse it. Are you willing to tell me your reasons for this + abrupt and harsh decision?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not dispute your right of explanation, Mr. Ratcliffe. You have the + right, if you choose to use it, and I am ready to give you every + explanation in my power; but I hope you will not insist on my doing so. If + I seemed to speak abruptly and harshly, it was merely to spare you the + greater annoyance of doubt. Since I am forced to give you pain, was it not + fairer and more respectful to you to speak at once? We have been friends. + I am very soon going away. I sincerely want to avoid saying or doing + anything that would change our relations.” + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe, however, paid no attention to these words, and gave them no + answer. He was much too old a debater to be misled by such trifles, when + he needed all his faculties to pin his opponent to the wall. He asked:— + </p> + <p> + “Is your decision a new one?” + </p> + <p> + “It is a very old one, Mr. Ratcliffe, which I had let myself lose sight + of, for a time. A night's reflection has brought me back to it.” + </p> + <p> + “May I ask why you have returned to it? surely you would not have + hesitated without strong reasons.” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you frankly. If, by appearing to hesitate, I have misled you, + I am honestly sorry for it. I did not mean to do it. My hesitation was + owing to the doubt whether my life might not really be best used in aiding + you. My decision was owing to the certainty that we are not fitted for + each other. Our lives run in separate grooves. We are both too old to + change them.” + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe shook his head with an air of relief. “Your reasons, Mrs. Lee, + are not sound. There is no such divergence in our lives. On the contrary I + can give to yours the field it needs, and that it can get in no other way; + while you can give to mine everything it now wants. If these are your only + reasons I am sure of being able to remove them.” + </p> + <p> + Madeleine looked as though she were not altogether pleased at this idea, + and became a little dogmatic. “It is no use our arguing on this subject, + Mr. Ratcliffe. You and I take very different views of life. I cannot + accept yours, and you could not practise on mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Show me,” said Ratcliffe, “a single example of such a divergence, and I + will accept your decision without another word.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee hesitated and looked at him for an instant as though to be quite + sure that he was in earnest. There was an effrontery about this challenge + which surprised her, and if she did not check it on the spot, there was no + saying how much trouble it might give her. Then unlocking the drawer of + the writing-desk at her elbow, she took out Carrington's letter and handed + it to Mr. Ratcliffe. + </p> + <p> + “Here is such an example which has come to my knowledge very lately. I + meant to show it to you in any case, but I would rather have waited.” + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe took the letter which she handed to him, opened it deliberately, + looked at the signature, and read. He showed no sign of surprise or + disturbance. No one would have imagined that he had, from the moment he + saw Carrington's name, as precise a knowledge of what was in this letter + as though he had written it himself. His first sensation was only one of + anger that his projects had miscarried. How this had happened he could not + at once understand, for the idea that Sybil could have a hand in it did + not occur to him. He had made up his mind that Sybil was a silly, + frivolous girl, who counted for nothing in her sister's actions. He had + fallen into the usual masculine blunder of mixing up smartness of + intelligence with strength of character. Sybil, without being a + metaphysician, willed anything which she willed at all with more energy + than her sister did, who was worn out with the effort of life. Mr. + Ratcliffe missed this point, and was left to wonder who it was that had + crossed his path, and how Carrington had managed to be present and absent, + to get a good office in Mexico and to baulk his schemes in Washington, at + the same time. He had not given Carrington credit for so much cleverness. + </p> + <p> + He was violently irritated at the check. Another day, he thought, would + have made him safe on this side; and possibly he was right. Had he once + succeeded in getting ever so slight a hold on Mrs. Lee he would have told + her this story with his own colouring, and from his own point of view, and + he fully believed he could do this in such a way as to rouse her sympathy. + Now that her mind was prejudiced, the task would be much more difficult; + yet he did not despair, for it was his theory that Mrs. Lee, in the depths + of her soul, wanted to be at the head of the White House as much as he + wanted to be there himself, and that her apparent coyness was mere + feminine indecision in the face of temptation. His thoughts now turned + upon the best means of giving again the upper hand to her ambition. He + wanted to drive Carrington a second time from the field. + </p> + <p> + Thus it was that, having read the letter once in order to learn what was + in it, he turned back, and slowly read it again in order to gain time. + Then he replaced it in its envelope, and returned it to Mrs. Lee, who, + with equal calmness, as though her interest in it were at an end, tossed + it negligently into the fire, where it was reduced to ashes under + Ratcliffe's eyes. + </p> + <p> + He watched it burn for a moment, and then turning to her, said, with his + usual composure, “I meant to have told you of that affair myself. I am + sorry that Mr. Carrington has thought proper to forestall me. No doubt he + has his own motives for taking my character in charge.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it is true!” said Mrs. Lee, a little more quickly than she had meant + to speak. + </p> + <p> + “True in its leading facts; untrue in some of its details, and in the + impression it creates. During the Presidential election which took place + eight years ago last autumn, there was, as you may remember, a violent + contest and a very close vote. We believed (though I was not so prominent + in the party then as now), that the result of that election would be + almost as important to the nation as the result of the war itself. Our + defeat meant that the government must pass into the blood-stained hands of + rebels, men whose designs were more than doubtful, and who could not, even + if their designs had been good, restrain the violence of their followers. + In consequence we strained every nerve. Money was freely spent, even to an + amount much in excess of our resources. How it was employed, I will not + say. + </p> + <p> + “I do not even know, for I held myself aloof from these details, which + fell to the National Central Committee of which I was not a member. The + great point was that a very large sum had been borrowed on pledged + securities, and must be repaid. The members of the National Committee and + certain senators held discussions on the subject, in which I shared. The + end was that towards the close of the session the head of the committee, + accompanied by two senators, came to me and told me that I must abandon my + opposition to the Steamship Subsidy. They made no open avowal of their + reasons, and I did not press for one. Their declaration, as the + responsible heads of the organization, that certain action on my part was + essential to the interests of the party, satisfied me. I did not consider + myself at liberty to persist in a mere private opinion in regard to a + measure about which I recognized the extreme likelihood of my being in + error. I accordingly reported the bill, and voted for it, as did a large + majority of the party. Mrs. Baker is mistaken in saying that the money was + paid to me. If it was paid at all, of which I have no knowledge except + from this letter, it was paid to the representative of the National + Committee. I received no money. I had nothing to do with the money further + than as I might draw my own conclusions in regard to the subsequent + payment of the campaign debt.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee listened to all this with intense interest. Not until this moment + had she really felt as though she had got to the heart of politics, so + that she could, like a physician with his stethoscope, measure the organic + disease. Now at last she knew why the pulse beat with such unhealthy + irregularity, and why men felt an anxiety which they could not or would + not explain. Her interest in the disease overcame her disgust at the + foulness of the revelation. To say that the discovery gave her actual + pleasure would be doing her injustice; but the excitement of the moment + swept away every other sensation. She did not even think of herself. Not + until afterwards did she fairly grasp the absurdity of Ratcliffe's wish + that in the face of such a story as this, she should still have vanity + enough to undertake the reform of politics. And with his aid too! The + audacity of the man would have seemed sublime if she had felt sure that he + knew the difference between good and evil, between a lie and the truth; + but the more she saw of him, the surer she was that his courage was mere + moral paralysis, and that he talked about virtue and vice as a man who is + colour-blind talks about red and green; he did not see them as she saw + them; if left to choose for himself he would have nothing to guide him. + Was it politics that had caused this atrophy of the moral senses by + disuse? Meanwhile, here she sat face to face with a moral lunatic, who had + not even enough sense of humour to see the absurdity of his own request, + that she should go out to the shore of this ocean of corruption, and + repeat the ancient rôle of King Canute, or Dame Partington with her mop + and her pail. What was to be done with such an animal? + </p> + <p> + The bystander who looked on at this scene with a wider knowledge of facts, + might have found entertainment in another view of the subject, that is to + say, in the guilelessness ot Madeleine Lee. With all her warnings she was + yet a mere baby-in-arms in the face of the great politician. She accepted + his story as true, and she thought it as bad as possible; but had Mr. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe's associates now been present to hear his version of it, they + would have looked at each other with a smile of professional pride, and + would have roundly sworn that he was, beyond a doubt, the ablest man this + country had ever produced, and next to certain of being President. They + would not, however, have told their own side of the story if they could + have helped it, but in talking it over among themselves they might have + assumed the facts to have been nearly as follows: that Ratcliffe had + dragged them into an enormous expenditure to carry his own State, and with + it his own re-election to the Senate; that they had tried to hold him + responsible, and he had tried to shirk the responsibility; that there had + been warm discussions on the subject; that he himself had privately + suggested recourse to Baker, had shaped his conduct accordingly, and had + compelled them, in order to save their own credit, to receive the money. + </p> + <p> + Even if Mrs. Lee had heard this part of the story, though it might have + sharpened her indignation against Mr. Ratcliffe, it would not have altered + her opinions. As it was, she had heard enough, and with a great effort to + control her expression of disgust, she sank back in her chair as Ratcliffe + concluded. Finding that she did not speak, he went on: + </p> + <p> + “I do not undertake to defend this affair. It is the act of my public life + which I most regret—not the doing, but the necessity of doing. I do + not differ from you in opinion on that point. I cannot acknowledge that + there is here any real divergence between us.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid,” said Mrs. Lee, “that I cannot agree with you.” + </p> + <p> + This brief remark, the very brevity of which carried a barb of sarcasm, + escaped from Madeleine's lips before she had fairly intended it. Ratcliffe + felt the sting, and it started him from his studied calmness of manner. + </p> + <p> + Rising from his chair he stood on the hearthrug before Mrs. Lee, and broke + out upon her with an oration in that old senatorial voice and style which + was least calculated to enlist her sympathies: + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Lee,” said he, with harsh emphasis and dogmatic tone, “there are + conflicting duties in all the transactions of life, except the simplest. + However we may act, do what we may, we must violate some moral obligation. + All that can be asked of us is that we should guide ourselves by what we + think the highest. At the time this affair occurred, I was a Senator of + the United States. I was also a trusted member of a great political party + which I looked upon as identical with the nation. In both capacities I + owed duties to my constituents, to the government, to the people. I might + interpret these duties narrowly or broadly. I might say: Perish the + government, perish the Union, perish this people, rather than that I + should soil my hands! Or I might say, as I did, and as I would say again: + Be my fate what it may, this glorious Union, the last hope of suffering + humanity, shall be preserved.” + </p> + <p> + Here he paused, and seeing that Mrs. Lee, after looking for a time at him, + was now regarding the fire, lost in meditation over the strange vagaries + of the senatorial mind, he resumed, in another line of argument. He + rightly judged that there must be some moral defect in his last remarks, + although he could not see it, which made persistence in that direction + useless. + </p> + <p> + “You ought not to blame me—you cannot blame me justly. It is to your + sense of justice I appeal. Have I ever concealed from you my opinions on + this subject? Have I not on the contrary always avowed them? Did I not + here, on this very spot, when challenged once before by this same + Carrington, take credit for an act less defensible than this? Did I not + tell you then that I had even violated the sanctity of a great popular + election and reversed its result? That was my sole act! In comparison with + it, this is a trifle! Who is injured by a steamship company subscribing + one or ten hundred thousand dollars to a campaign fund? Whose rights are + affected by it? Perhaps its stock holders receive one dollar a share in + dividends less than they otherwise would. If they do not complain, who + else can do so? But in that election I deprived a million people of rights + which belonged to them as absolutely as their houses! You could not say + that I had done wrong. Not a word of blame or criticism have you ever + uttered to me on that account. If there was an offence, you condoned it! + You certainly led me to suppose that you saw none. Why are you now so + severe upon the smaller crime?” + </p> + <p> + This shot struck hard. Mrs. Lee visibly shrank under it, and lost her + composure. This was the same reproach she had made against herself, and to + which she had been able to find no reply. With some agitation she + exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Ratcliffe, pray do me justice! I have tried not to be severe. I have + said nothing in the way of attack or blame. I acknowledge that it is not + my place to stand in judgment over your acts. I have more reason to blame + myself than you, and God knows I have blamed myself bitterly.” The tears + stood in her eyes as she said these last words, and her voice trembled. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe saw that he had gained an advantage, and, sitting down nearer to + her, he dropped his voice and urged his suit still more energetically: + </p> + <p> + “You did me justice then; why not do it now? You were convinced then that + I did the best I could. I have always done so. On the other hand I have + never pretended that all my acts could be justified by abstract morality. + Where, then, is the divergence between us?” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee did not undertake to answer this last argument: she only returned + to her old ground. “Mr. Ratcliffe,” she said, “I do not want to argue this + question. I have no doubt that you can overcome me in argument. Perhaps on + my side this is a matter of feeling rather than of reason, but the truth + is only too evident to me that I am not fitted for politics. I should be a + drag upon you. Let me be the judge of my own weakness! Do not insist upon + pressing me, further!” + </p> + <p> + She was ashamed of herself for this appeal to a man whom she could not + respect, as though she were a suppliant at his mercy, but she feared the + reproach of having deceived him, and she tried pitiably to escape it. + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe was only encouraged by her weakness. + </p> + <p> + “I must insist upon pressing it, Mrs. Lee,” replied he, and he became yet + more earnest as he went on; “my future is too deeply involved in your + decision to allow of my accepting your answer as final. I need your aid. + There is nothing I will not do to obtain it. Do you require affection? + mine for you is boundless. I am ready to prove it by a life of devotion. + Do you doubt my sincerity? test it in whatever way you please. Do you fear + being dragged down to the level of ordinary politicians? so far as + concerns myself, my great wish is to have your help in purifying politics. + What higher ambition can there be than to serve one's country for such an + end? Your sense of duty is too keen not to feel that the noblest objects + which can inspire any woman, combine to point out your course.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee was excessively uncomfortable, although not in the least shaken. + </p> + <p> + She began to see that she must take a stronger tone if she meant to bring + this importunity to an end, and she answered:— + </p> + <p> + “I do not doubt your affection or your sincerity, Mr. Ratcliffe. It is + myself I doubt. You have been kind enough to give me much of your + confidence this winter, and if I do not yet know about politics all that + is to be known, I have learned enough to prove that I could do nothing + sillier than to suppose myself competent to reform anything. If I + pretended to think so, I should be a mere worldly, ambitious woman, such + as people think me. The idea of my purifying politics is absurd. I am + sorry to speak so strongly, but I mean it. I do not cling very closely to + life, and do not value my own very highly, but I will not tangle it in + such a way; I will not share the profits of vice; I am not willing to be + made a receiver of stolen goods, or to be put in a position where I am + perpetually obliged to maintain that immorality is a virtue!” + </p> + <p> + As she went on she became more and more animated and her words took a + sharper edge than she had intended. Ratcliffe felt it, and showed his + annoyance. His face grew dark and his eyes looked out at her with their + ugliest expression. He even opened his mouth for an angry retort, but + controlled himself with an effort, and presently resumed his argument. + </p> + <p> + “I had hoped,” he began more solemnly than ever, “that I should find in + you a lofty courage which would disregard such risks. If all the men and + women were to take the tone you have taken, our government would soon + perish. If you consent to share my career, I do not deny that you may find + less satisfaction than I hope, but you will lead a mere death in life if + you place yourself like a saint on a solitary column. I plead what I + believe to be your own cause in pleading mine. Do not sacrifice your + life!” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee was in despair. She could not reply what was on her lips, that to + marry a murderer or a thief was not a sure way of diminishing crime. She + had already said something so much like this that she shrank from speaking + more plainly. So she fell back on her old theme. + </p> + <p> + “We must at all events, Mr. Ratcliffe, use our judgments according to our + own consciences. I can only repeat now what I said at first. I am sorry to + seem insensible to your expressions towards me, but I cannot do what you + wish. Let us maintain our old relations if you will, but do not press me + further on this subject.” + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe grew more and more sombre as he became aware that defeat was + staring him in the face. He was tenacious of purpose, and he had never in + his life abandoned an object which he had so much at heart as this. He + would not abandon it. For the moment, so completely had the fascination of + Mrs. + </p> + <p> + Lee got the control of him, he would rather have abandoned the Presidency + itself than her. He really loved her as earnestly as it was in his nature + to love anything. To her obstinacy he would oppose an obstinacy greater + still; but in the meanwhile his attack was disconcerted, and he was at a + loss what next to do. Was it not possible to change his ground; to offer + inducements that would appeal even more strongly to feminine ambition and + love of display than the Presidency itself? He began again:— + </p> + <p> + “Is there no form of pledge I can give you? no sacrifice I can make? You + dislike politics. Shall I leave political life? I will do anything rather + than lose you. I can probably control the appointment of Minister to + England. The President would rather have me there than here. Suppose I + were to abandon politics and take the English mission. Would that + sacrifice not affect you? You might pass four years in London where there + would be no politics, and where your social position would be the best in + the world; and this would lead to the Presidency almost as surely as the + other.” Then suddenly, seeing that he was making no headway, he threw off + his studied calmness and broke out in an appeal of almost equally studied + violence. + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Lee! Madeleine! I cannot live without you. The sound of your voice—the + touch of your hand—even the rustle of your dress—are like wine + to me. For God's sake, do not throw me over!” + </p> + <p> + He meant to crush opposition by force. More and more vehement as he spoke + he actually bent over and tried to seize her hand. She drew it back as + though he were a reptile. She was exasperated by this obstinate disregard + of her forbearance, this gross attempt to bribe her with office, this + flagrant abandonment of even a pretence of public virtue; the mere thought + of his touch on her person was more repulsive than a loathsome disease. + Bent upon teaching him a lesson he would never forget, she spoke out + abruptly, and with evident signs of contempt in her voice and manner: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Ratcliffe, I am not to be bought. No rank, no dignity, no + consideration, no conceivable expedient would induce me to change my mind. + Let us have no more of this!” + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe had already been more than once, during this conversation, on + the verge of losing his temper. Naturally dictatorial and violent, only + long training and severe experience had taught him self-control, and when + he gave way to passion his bursts of fury were still tremendous. Mrs. + Lee's evident personal disgust, even more than her last sharp rebuke, + passed the bounds of his patience. As he stood before her, even she, + high-spirited as she was, and not in a calm frame of mind, felt a + momentary shock at seeing how his face flushed, his eyes gleamed, and his + hands trembled with rage. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” exclaimed he, turning upon her with a harshness, almost a + savageness, of manner that startled her still more; “I might have known + what to expect! Mrs. Clinton warned me early. She said then that I should + find you a heartless coquette!” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Ratcliffe!” exclaimed Madeleine, rising from her chair, and speaking + in a warning voice almost as passionate as his own. + </p> + <p> + “A heartless coquette!” he repeated, still more harshly than before; “she + said you would do just this! that you meant to deceive me! that you lived + on flattery! that you could never be anything but a coquette, and that if + you married me, I should repent it all my life. I believe her now!” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee's temper, too, was naturally a high one. At this moment she, too, + was flaming with anger, and wild with a passionate impulse to annihilate + this man. Conscious that the mastery was in her own hands, she could the + more easily control her voice, and with an expression of unutterable + contempt she spoke her last words to him, words which had been ringing all + day in her ears: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Ratcliffe! I have listened to you with a great deal more patience and + respect than you deserve. For one long hour I have degraded myself by + discussing with you the question whether I should marry a man who by his + own confession has betrayed the highest trusts that could be placed in + him, who has taken money for his votes as a Senator, and who is now in + public office by means of a successful fraud of his own, when in justice + he should be in a State's prison. I will have no more of this. Understand, + once for all, that there is an impassable gulf between your life and mine. + I do not doubt that you will make yourself President, but whatever or + wherever you are, never speak to me or recognize me again!” + </p> + <p> + He glared a moment into her face with a sort of blind rage, and seemed + about to say more, when she swept past him, and before he realized it, he + was alone. + </p> + <p> + Overmastered by passion, but conscious that he was powerless, Ratcliffe, + after a moment's hesitation, left the room and the house. He let himself + out, shutting the front door behind him, and as he stood on the pavement + old Baron Jacobi, who had special reasons for wishing to know how Mrs. Lee + had recovered from the fatigue and excitements of the ball, came up to the + spot. + </p> + <p> + A single glance at Ratcliffe showed him that something had gone wrong in + the career of that great man, whose fortunes he always followed with so + bitter a sneer of contempt. Impelled by the spirit of evil always at his + elbow, the Baron seized this moment to sound the depth of his friend's + wound. They met at the door so closely that recognition was inevitable, + and Jacobi, with his worst smile, held out his hand, saying at the same + moment with diabolic malignity: + </p> + <p> + “I hope I may offer my felicitations to your Excellency!” + </p> + <p> + Ratcliffe was glad to find some victim on whom he could vent his rage. He + had a long score of humiliations to repay this man, whose last insult was + beyond all endurance. With an oath he dashed Jacobi's hand aside, and, + grasping his shoulder, thrust him out of the path. The Baron, among whose + weaknesses the want of high temper and personal courage was not recorded, + had no mind to tolerate such an insult from such a man. Even while + Ratcliffe's hand was still on his shoulder he had raised his cane, and + before the Secretary saw what was coming, the old man had struck him with + all his force full in the face. For a moment Ratcliffe staggered back and + grew pale, but the shock sobered him. He hesitated a single instant + whether to crush his assailant with a blow, but he felt that for one of + his youth and strength, to attack an infirm diplomatist in a public street + would be a fatal blunder, and while Jacobi stood, violently excited, with + his cane raised ready to strike another blow, Mr. Ratcliffe suddenly + turned his back and without a word, hastened away. + </p> + <p> + When Sybil returned, not long afterwards, she found no one in the parlour. + </p> + <p> + On going to her sister's room she discovered Madeleine lying on the couch, + looking worn and pale, but with a slight smile and a peaceful expression + on her face, as though she had done some act which her conscience + approved. She called Sybil to her side, and, taking her hand, said: + </p> + <p> + “Sybil, dearest, will you go abroad with me again?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I will,” said Sybil; “I will go to the end of the world with + you.” + </p> + <p> + “I want to go to Egypt,” said Madeleine, still smiling faintly; “democracy + has shaken my nerves to pieces. Oh, what rest it would be to live in the + Great Pyramid and look out for ever at the polar star!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_CONC" id="link2H_CONC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Conclusion + </h2> + <p> + SYBIL TO CARRINGTON “May 1st, New York. + </p> + <p> + “My dear Mr. Carrington, + </p> + <p> + “I promised to write you, and so, to keep my promise, and also because my + sister wishes me to tell you about our plans, I send this letter. We have + left Washington—for ever, I am afraid—and are going to Europe + next month. + </p> + <p> + You must know that a fortnight ago, Lord Skye gave a great ball to the + Grand-Duchess of something-or-other quite unspellable. I never can + describe things, but it was all very fine. I wore a lovely new dress, and + was a great success, I assure you. So was Madeleine, though she had to sit + most of the evening by the Princess—such a dowdy! The Duke danced + with me several times; he can't reverse, but that doesn't seem to matter + in a Grand-Duke. + </p> + <p> + Well! things came to a crisis at the end of the evening. I followed your + directions, and after we got home gave your letter to Madeleine. She says + she has burned it. I don't know what happened afterwards—a + tremendous scene, I suspect, but Victoria Dare writes me from Washington + that every one is talking about M.'s refusal of Mr. R., and a dreadful + thing that took place on our very doorstep between Mr. R. and Baron + Jacobi, the day after the ball. She says there was a regular pitched + battle, and the Baron struck him over the face with his cane. You know how + afraid Madeleine was that they would do something of the sort in our + parlour. I'm glad they waited till they were in the street. But isn't it + shocking! They say the Baron is to be sent away, or recalled, or + something. I like the old gentleman, and for his sake am glad duelling is + gone out of fashion, though I don't much believe Mr. Silas P. Ratcliffe + could hit anything. The Baron passed through here three days ago on his + summer trip to Europe. He left his card on us, but we were out, and did + not see him. We are going over in July with the Schneidekoupons, and Mr. + Schneidekoupon has promised to send his yacht to the Mediterranean, so + that we shall sail about there after finishing the Nile, and see Jerusalem + and Gibraltar and Constantinople. I think it will be perfectly lovely. I + hate ruins, but I fancy you can buy delicious things in Constantinople. Of + course, after what has happened, we can never go back to Washington. I + shall miss our rides dreadfully. I read Mr. Browning's 'Last Ride + Together,' as you told me; I think it's beautiful and perfectly easy, all + but a little. I never could understand a word of him before—so I + never tried. Who do you think is engaged? Victoria Dare, to a coronet and + a peat-bog, with Lord Dunbeg attached. Victoria says she is happier than + she ever was before in any of her other engagements, and she is sure this + is the real one. She says she has thirty thousand a year derived from the + poor of America, which may just as well go to relieve one of the poor in + Ireland. + </p> + <p> + You know her father was a claim agent, or some such thing, and is said to + have made his money by cheating his clients out of their claims. She is + perfectly wild to be a countess, and means to make Castle Dunbeg lovely + by-and-by, and entertain us all there. Madeleine says she is just the kind + to be a great success in London. Madeleine is very well, and sends her + kind regards. I believe she is going to add a postscript. I have promised + to let her read this, but I don't think a chaperoned letter is much fun to + write or receive. Hoping to hear from you soon, + </p> + <p> + “Sincerely yours, + </p> + <p> + “Sybil Ross.” + </p> + <p> + Enclosed was a thin strip of paper containing another message from Sybil, + privately inserted at the last moment unknown to Mrs. Lee— + </p> + <p> + “If I were in your place I would try again after she comes home.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lee's P.S. was very short— + </p> + <p> + “The bitterest part of all this horrid story is that nine out of ten of + our countrymen would say I had made a mistake.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Democracy An American Novel, by Henry Adams + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DEMOCRACY AN AMERICAN NOVEL *** + +***** This file should be named 2815-h.htm or 2815-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/1/2815/ + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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