ChapterI
FORreasonswhichmanypersonsthoughtridiculous，Mrs。
LightfootLeedecidedtopassthewinterinWashington。Shewasinexcellenthealth，butshesaidthattheclimatewoulddohergood。InNewYorkshehadtroopsoffriends，butshesuddenlybecameeagertoseeagaintheverysmallnumberofthosewholivedonthePotomac。Itwasonlytoherclosestintimatesthatshehonestlyacknowledgedherselftobetorturedbyennui。Sinceherhusband\'sdeath，fiveyearsbefore，shehadlosthertasteforNewYorksociety；shehadfeltnointerestinthepriceofstocks，andverylittleinthemenwhodealtinthem；shehadbecomeserious。
Whatwasitallworth，thiswildernessofmenandwomenasmonotonousasthebrownstonehousestheylivedin？Inherdespairshehadresortedtodesperatemeasures。ShehadreadphilosophyintheoriginalGerman，andthemoresheread，themoreshewasdisheartenedthatsomuchcultureshouldleadtonothing——nothing。
AftertalkingofHerbertSpencerforanentireeveningwithaveryliterarytranscendentalcommission-merchant，shecouldnotseethathertimehadbeenbetteremployedthanwheninformerdaysshehadpasseditinflirtingwithaveryagreeableyoungstock-broker；indeed，therewasanevidentprooftothecontrary，fortheflirtationmightleadtosomething——had，infact，ledtomarriage；whilethephilosophycouldleadtonothing，unlessitwereperhapstoanothereveningofthesamekind，becausetranscendentalphilosophersaremostlyelderlymen，usuallymarried，and，whenengagedinbusiness，somewhatapttobesleepytowardsevening。NeverthelessMrs。Leedidherbesttoturnherstudytopracticaluse。Sheplungedintophilanthropy，visitedprisons，inspectedhospitals，readtheliteratureofpauperismandcrime，saturatedherselfwiththestatisticsofvice，untilhermindhadnearlylostsightofvirtue。Atlastitroseinrebellionagainsther，andshecametothelimitofherstrength。Thispath，too，seemedtoleadnowhere。Shedeclaredthatshehadlostthesenseofduty，andthat，sofarasconcernedher，allthepaupersandcriminalsinNewYorkmighthenceforwardriseintheirmajestyandmanageeveryrailwayonthecontinent。Whyshouldshecare？
Whatwasthecitytoher？Shecouldfindnothinginitthatseemedtodemandsalvation。Whatgavepeculiarsanctitytonumbers？
Whywereamillionpeople，whoallresembledeachother，anywaymoreinterestingthanoneperson？Whataspirationcouldshehelptoputintothemindofthisgreatmillion-armedmonsterthatwouldmakeitworthherloveorrespect？Religion？Athousandpowerfulchurchesweredoingtheirbest，andshecouldseenochanceforanewfaithofwhichshewastobetheinspiredprophet。
Ambition？Highpopularideals？Passionforwhateverisloftyandpure？Theverywordsirritatedher。Wasshenotherselfdevouredbyambition，andwasshenotnoweatingherheartoutbecauseshecouldfindnooneobjectworthasacrifice？
Wasitambition——realambition——orwasitmererestlessnessthatmadeMrs。LightfootLeesobitteragainstNewYorkandPhiladelphia，BaltimoreandBoston，Americanlifeingeneralandalllifeinparticular？Whatdidshewant？Notsocialposition，forsheherselfwasaneminentlyrespectablePhiladelphianbybirth；
herfatherafamousclergyman；andherhusbandhadbeenequallyirreproachable，adescendantofonebranchoftheVirginiaLees，whichhaddriftedtoNewYorkinsearchoffortune，andhadfoundit，orenoughofittokeeptheyoungmanthere。Hiswidowhadherownplaceinsocietywhichnoonedisputed。Thoughnotbrighterthanherneighbours，theworldpersistedinclassingheramongcleverwomen；shehadwealth，oratleastenoughofittogiveherallthatmoneycangivebywayofpleasuretoasensiblewomaninanAmericancity；shehadherhouseandhercarriage；shedressedwell；hertablewasgood，andherfurniturewasneverallowedtofallbehindthelateststandardofdecorativeart。ShehadtravelledinEurope，andafterseveralvisits，coveringsomeyearsoftime，hadretumedhome，carryinginonehand，asitwere，agreen-greylandscape，aremarkablypleasingspecimenofCorot，andintheothersomebalesofPersianandSyrianrugsandembroideries，Japanesebronzesandporcelain。WiththisshedeclaredEuropetobeexhausted，andshefranklyavowedthatshewasAmericantothetipsofherfingers；sheneitherknewnorgreatlycaredwhetherAmericaorEuropewerebesttolivein；shehadnoviolentloveforeither，andshehadnoobjectiontoabusingboth；butshemeanttogetallthatAmericanlifehadtooffer，goodorbad，andtodrinkitdowntothedregs，fullydeterminedthatwhatevertherewasinitshewouldhave，andthatwhatevercouldbemadeoutofitshewouldmanufacture。“Iknow，“saidshe，“thatAmericaproducespetroleumandpigs；Ihaveseenbothonthesteamers；andIamtolditproducessilverandgold。Thereischoiceenoughforanywoman。“
Yet，ashasbeenalreadysaid，Mrs。Lee\'sfirstexperiencewasnotasuccess。ShesoondeclaredthatNewYorkmightrepresentthepetroleumorthepigs，butthegoldoflifewasnottobediscoveredtherebyhereyes。
Notbutthattherewasvarietyenough；avarietyofpeople，occupations，aims，andthoughts；butthatallthese，aftergrowingtoacertainheight，stoppedshort。Theyfoundnothingtoholdthemup。Sheknew，moreorlessintimately，adozenmenwhosefortunesrangedbetweenonemillionandfortymillions。Whatdidtheydowiththeirmoney？Whatcouldtheydowithitthatwasdifferentfromwhatothermendid？Afterall，itisabsurdtospendmoremoneythanisenoughtosatisfyallone\'swants；itisvulgartoliveintwohousesinthesamestreet，andtodrivesixhorsesabreast。Yet，aftersettingasideacertainincomesufficientforallone\'swants，whatwastobedonewiththerest？Toletitaccumulatewastoownone\'sfailure；Mrs。Lee\'sgreatgrievancewasthatitdidaccumulate，withoutchangingorimprovingthequalityofitsowners。Tospenditincharityandpublicworkswasdoubtlesspraiseworthy，butwasitwise？Mrs。Leehadreadenoughpoliticaleconomyandpauperreportstobenearlyconvincedthatpublicworkshouldbepublicduty，andthatgreatbenefactionsdoharmaswellasgood。
Andevensupposingitspentontheseobjects，howcoulditdomorethanincreaseandperpetuatethatsamekindofhumannaturewhichwashergreatgrievance？HerNewYorkfriendscouldnotmeetthisquestionexceptbyfallingbackupontheirnativecommonplaces，whichsherecklesslytrampledupon，averringthat，muchassheadmiredthegeniusofthefamoustraveller，Mr。
Gulliver，sheneverhadbeenable，sinceshebecameawidow，toaccepttheBrobdingnagiandoctrinethathewhomadetwobladesofgrassgrowwhereonlyonegrewbeforedeservedbetterofmankindthanthewholeraceofpoliticians。Shewouldnotfindfaultwiththephilosopherhadherequiredthatthegrassshouldbeofanimprovedquality；“but，“saidshe，“IcannothonestlypretendthatIshouldbepleasedtoseetwoNewYorkmenwhereInowseeone；theideaistooridiculous；morethanoneandahalfwouldbefataltome。“
ThencameherBostonfriends，whosuggestedthathighereducationwaspreciselywhatshewanted；sheshouldthrowherselfintoacrusadeforuniversitiesandart-schools。Mrs。Leeturneduponthemwithasweetsmile；“Doyouknow，“saidshe，“thatwehaveinNewYorkalreadytherichestuniversityinAmerica，andthatitsonlytroublehasalwaysbeenthatitcangetnoscholarsevenbypayingforthem？Doyouwantmetogooutintothestreetsandwaylayboys？Iftheheathenrefusetobeconverted，canyougivemepoweroverthestakeandtheswordtocompelthemtocomein？Andsupposeyoucan？SupposeImarchalltheboysinFifthAvenuedowntotheuniversityandhavethemallproperlytaughtGreekandLatin，Englishliterature，ethics，andGermanphilosophy。Whatthen？YoudoitinBoston。Nowtellmehonestlywhatcomesofit。Isupposeyouhavethereabrilliantsociety；
numbersofpoets，scholars，philosophers，statesmen，allupanddownBeaconStreet。Youreveningsmustbesparkling。Yourpressmustscintillate。HowisitthatweNewYorkersneverhearofit？
Wedon\'tgomuchintoyoursociety；butwhenwedo，itdoesn\'tseemsoverymuchbetterthanourown。Youarejustliketherestofus。Yougrowsixincheshigh，andthenyoustop。Whywillnotsomebodygrowtobeatreeandcastashadow？”
TheaveragememberofNewYorksociety，althoughnotunusedtothiscontemptuouskindoftreatmentfromhisleaders，retaliatedinhisblind，common-senseway。“Whatdoesthewomanwant？”hesaid。“IsherheadturnedwiththeTulieriesandMarlboroughHouse？Doesshethinkherselfmadeforathrone？Whydoesshenotlectureforwomen\'srights？Whynotgoonthestage？Ifshecannotbecontentedlikeotherpeople，whatneedisthereforabusingusjustbecauseshefeelsherselfnotallerthanweare？
Whatdoessheexpecttogetfromhersharptongue？Whatdoessheknow，anyway？”
Mrs。Leecertainlyknewverylittle。Shehadreadvoraciouslyandpromiscuouslyonesubjectafteranother。RuskinandTainehaddancedmerrilythroughhermind，handinhandwithDarwinandStuartMill，GustaveDrozandAlgernonSwinburne。Shehadevenlabouredovertheliteratureofherowncountry。Shewasperhaps，theonlywomaninNewYorkwhoknewsomethingofAmericanhistory。CertainlyshecouldnothaverepeatedthelistofPresidentsintheirorder，butsheknewthattheConstitutiondividedthegoverumentintoExecutive，Legislative，andJudiciary；shewasawarethatthePresident，theSpeaker，andtheChiefJusticewereimportantpersonages，andinstinctivelyshewonderedwhethertheymightnotsolveherproblem；whethertheyweretheshadetreeswhichshesawinherdreams。
Here，then，wastheexplanationofherrestlessness，discontent，ambition，——callitwhatyouwill。Itwasthefeelingofapassengeronanoceansteamerwhosemindwillnotgivehimrestuntilhehasbeenintheengine-roomandtalkedwiththeengineer。Shewantedtoseewithherowneyestheactionofprimaryforces；totouchwithherownhandthemassivemachineryofsociety；tomeasurewithherownmindthecapacityofthemotivepower。ShewasbentupongettingtotheheartofthegreatAmericanmysteryofdemocracyandgovernment。Shecaredlittlewhereherpursuitmightleadher，forsheputnoextravagantvalueuponlife，havingalready，asshesaid，exhaustedatleasttwolives，andbeingfairlyhardenedtoinsensibilityintheprocess。“Toloseahusbandandababy，“saidshe，“andkeepone\'scourageandreason，onemustbecomeveryhardorverysoft。Iamnowpuresteel。Youmaybeatmyheartwithatrip-hammeranditwillbeatthetrip-hammerbackagain。“
Perhapsafterexhaustingthepoliticalworldshemighttryagainelsewhere；shedidnotpretendtosaywhereshemightthengo，orwhatsheshoulddo；butatpresentshemeanttoseewhatamusementtheremightbeinpolitics。
HerfriendsaskedwhatkindofamusementsheexpectedtofindamongtheilliterateswarmofordinarypeoplewhoinWashingtonrepresentedconstituenciessodrearythatincomparisonNewYorkwasaNewJerusalem，andBroadStreetagroveofAcademe。SherepliedthatifWashingtonsocietyweresobadasthis，sheshouldhavegainedallshewanted，foritwouldbeapleasuretoreturn，——preciselythefeelingshelongedfor。Inherownmind，however，shefrownedontheideaofseekingformen。Whatshewishedtosee，shethought，wastheclashofinterests，theinterestsoffortymillionsofpeopleandawholecontinent，centeringatWashington；guided，restrained，controlled，orunrestrainedanduncontrollable，bymenofordinarymould；thetremendousforcesofgovernment，andthemachineryofsociety，atwork。Whatshewanted，wasPOWER。
Perhapstheforceoftheenginewasalittleconfusedinhermindwiththatoftheengineer，thepowerwiththemenwhowieldedit。
Perhapsthehumaninterestofpoliticswasafterallwhatreallyattractedher，and，howeverstronglyshemightdenyit，thepassionforexercisingpower，foritsownsake，mightdazzleandmisleadawomanwhohadexhaustedalltheordinaryfeminineresources。
Butwhyspeculateabouthermotives？Thestagewasbeforeher，thecurtainwasrising，theactorswerereadytoenter；shehadonlytogoquietlyonamongthesupernumerariesandseehowtheplaywasactedandthestageeffectswereproduced；howthegreattragediansmouthed，andthestage-managerswore。
ChapterII
ONthefirstofDecember，Mrs。LeetookthetrainforWashington，andbeforefiveo\'clockthateveningshewasenteringhernewlyhiredhouseonLafayetteSquare。Sheshruggedhershoulderswithamingledexpressionofcontemptandgriefatthecuriousbarbarismofthecurtainsandthewall-papers，andhernexttwodayswereoccupiedwithalife-and-deathstruggletogetthemasteryoverhersurroundings。Inthisawfulcontesttheinteriorofthedoomedhousesufferedasthoughademonwereinit；notachair，notamirror，notacarpet，wasleftuntouched，andinthemidstoftheworstconfusionthenewmistresssat，calmasthestatueofAndrewJacksoninthesquareunderhereyes，andissuedherorderswithasmuchdecisionasthatherohadevershown。
Towardsthecloseofthesecondday，victorycrownedherforehead。Anewera，anoblerconceptionofdutyandexistence，haddawneduponthatbenightedandheathenresidence。ThewealthofSyriaandPersiawaspouredoutuponthemelancholyWiltoncarpets；embroideredcometsandwovengoldfromJapanandTeherandependedfromandcoveredovereverysadstuff-curtain；astrangemedleyofsketches，paintings，fans，embroideries，andporcelainwashung，nailed，pinned，orstuckagainstthewall；finallythedomesticaltarpiece，themysticalCorotlandscape，washoistedtoitsplaceovertheparlourfire，andthenallwasover。Thesettingsunstreamedsoftlyinatthewindows，andpeacereignedinthatredeemedhouseandintheheartofitsmistress。
“Ithinkitwilldonow，Sybil，“saidshe，surveyingthescene。
“Itmust，“repliedSybil。“Youhaven\'taplateorafanorcolouredscarfleft。Youmustsendoutandbuysomeoftheseoldnegro-women\'sbandannasifyouaregoingtocoveranythingelse。
Whatistheuse？DoyousupposeanyhumanbeinginWashingtonwilllikeit？Theywillthinkyoudemented。“
“Thereissuchathingasself-respect，“repliedhersister，calmly。
Sybil——MissSybilRoss——wasMadeleineLee\'ssister。Thekeenestpsychologistcouldnothavedetectedasinglefeaturequalitywhichtheyhadincommon，andforthatreasontheyweredevotedfriends。Madeleinewasthirty，Sybiltwenty-four。Madeleinewasindescribable；Sybilwastransparent。Madeleinewasofmediumheightwithagracefulfigure，awell-sethead，andenoughgolden-brownhairtoframeafacefullofvaryingexpression。Hereyeswereneverfortwoconsecutivehoursofthesameshade，butweremoreoftenbluethangrey。Peoplewhoenviedhersmilesaidthatshecultivatedasenseofhumourinordertoshowherteeth。
Perhapstheywereright；buttherewasnodoubtthatherhabitoftalkingwithgesticulationwouldneverhavegrownuponherunlessshehadknownthatherhandswerenotonlybeautifulbutexpressive。ShedressedasskilfullyasNewYorkwomendo，butingrowingoldershebegantoshowsymptomsofdangerousunconventionality。ShehadbeenheardtoexpressalowopinionofhercountrywomenwhoblindlyfelldownbeforethegoldencalfofMr。Worth，andshehadevenfoughtabattleofgreatseverity，whileitlasted，withoneofherbest-dressedfriendswhohadbeeninvited——andhadgone——toMr。Worth\'safternoontea-parties。ThesecretwasthatMrs。Leehadartistictendencies，andunlesstheywerecheckedintime，therewasnoknowingwhatmightbetheconsequence。Butasyettheyhaddonenoharm；indeed，theyratherhelpedtogiveherthatsortofatmospherewhichbelongsonlytocertainwomen；asindescribableastheafterglow；asimpalpableasanIndiansummermist；andnon-existentexcepttopeoplewhofeelratherthanreason。Sybilhadnoneofit。Theimaginationgaveupallattemptstosoarwhereshecame。Amorestraightforward，downright，gay，sympathetic，shallow，warm-hearted，sternlypracticalyoungwomanhasrarelytouchedthisplanet。Hermindhadroomforneithergrave-stonesnorguide-books；shecouldnothavelivedinthepastorthefutureifshehadspentherdaysinchurchesandhernightsintombs。“Shewasnotclever，likeMadeleine，thankHeaven。“Madeleinewasnotanorthodoxmemberofthechurch；sermonsboredher，andclergymenneverfailedtoirritateeverynerveinherexcitablesystem。Sybilwasasimpleanddevoutworshipperattheritualisticaltar；shebenthumblybeforethePaulistfathers。Whenshewenttoaballshealwayshadthebestpartnerintheroom，andtookitasamatterofcourse；butthen，shealwaysprayedforone；somehowitstrengthenedherfaith。Hersistertookcarenevertolaughatheronthisscore，ortoshockherreligiousopinions。“Timeenough，“saidshe，“forhertoforgetreligionwhenreligionfailsher。“Asforregularattendanceatchurch，Madeleinewasabletoreconciletheirhabitswithouttrouble。Sheherselfhadnotenteredachurchforyears；shesaiditgaveherunchristianfeelings；butSybilhadavoiceofexcellentquality，welltrainedandcultivated：Madeleineinsistedthatsheshouldsinginthechoir，andbythislittlemanoeuvre，thedivergenceoftheirpathswasmadelessevident。
Madeleinedidnotsing，andthereforecouldnotgotochurchwithSybil。Thisoutrageousfallacyseemedperfectlytoansweritspurpose，andSybilacceptedit，ingoodfaith，asafairworkingprinciplewhichexplaineditself。
Madeleinewassoberinhertastes。Shewastednomoney。Shemadenodisplay。
Shewalkedratherthandrove，andworeneitherdiamondsnorbrocades。Butthegeneralimpressionshemadewasneverthelessoneofluxury。Ontheotherhand，hersisterhadherdressesfromParis，andworethemandherornamentsaccordingtoalltheformulas；shewasgood-naturedlycorrect，andbentherroundwhiteshoulderstowhateverburdentheParisianautocratchosetoputuponthem。Madeleineneverinterfered，andalwayspaidthebills。
BeforetheyhadbeentendaysinWashington，theyfellgentlyintotheirplaceandwerecarriedalongwithoutaneffortonthestreamofsociallife。
Societywaskind；therewasnoreasonforitsbeingotherwise。Mrs。
Leeandhersisterhadnoenemies，heldnooffices，anddidtheirbesttomakethemselvespopular。SybilhadnotpassedsummersatNewportandwintersinNewYorkinvain；andneitherherfacenorherfigure，hervoicenorherdancing，neededapology。Politicswerenotherstrongpoint。ShewasinducedtogooncetotheCapitolandtosittenminutesinthegalleryoftheSenate。Nooneeverknewwhatherimpressionswere；withfemininetactshemanagednottobetrayherselfBut，intruth，hernotionoflegislativebodieswasvague，floatingbetweenherexperienceatchurchandattheopera，sothattheideaofaperformanceofsomekindwasneveroutofherhead。TohermindtheSenatewasaplacewherepeoplewenttorecitespeeches，andshenaivelyassumedthatthespeecheswereusefulandhadapurpose，butastheydidnotinteresthersheneverwentagain。ThisisaverycommonconceptionofCongress；manyCongressmenshareit。
Hersisterwasmorepatientandbolder。ShewenttotheCapitolnearlyeverydayforatleasttwoweeks。Attheendofthattimeherinterestbegantoflag，andshethoughtitbettertoreadthedebateseverymorningintheCongressionalRecord。Findingthisalaboriousandnotalwaysaninstructivetask，shebegantoskipthedullparts；andintheabsenceofanyexcitingquestion，sheatlastresignedherselftoskippingthewhole。NeverthelessshestillhadenergytovisittheSenategalleryoccasionallywhenshewastoldthatasplendidoratorwasabouttospeakonaquestionofdeepinteresttohiscountry。Shelistenedwithalittledispositiontoadmire，ifshecould；and，whenevershecould，shedidadmire。Shesaidnothing，butshelistenedsharply。Shewantedtolearnhowthemachineryofgovernmentworked，andwhatwasthequalityofthemenwhocontrolledit。Onebyone，shepassedthemthroughhercrucibles，andtestedthembyacidsandbyfire。
Afewsurvivedhertestsandcameoutalive，thoughmoreorlessdisfigured，whereshehadfoundimpurities。Ofthewholenumber，onlyoneretainedunderthisprocessenoughcharactertointeresther。
IntheseearlyvisitstoCongress，Mrs。LeesometimeshadthecompanyofJohnCarrington，aWashingtonlawyeraboutfortyyearsold，who，byvirtueofbeingaVirginianandadistantconnectionofherhusband，calledhimselfacousin，andtookatoneofsemi-intimacy，whichMrs。LeeacceptedbecauseCarringtonwasamanwhomsheliked，andbecausehewasonewhomlifehadtreatedhardly。Hewasofthatunfortunategenerationinthesouthwhichbeganexistencewithcivilwar，andhewasperhapsthemoreunfortunatebecause，likemosteducatedVirginiansoftheoldWashingtonschool，hehadseenfromthefirstthat，whateverissuethewartook，Virginiaandhemustberuined。Attwenty-twohehadgoneintotherebelarmyasaprivateandcarriedhismusketmodestlythroughacampaignortwo，afterwhichheslowlyrosetotherankofseniorcaptaininhisregiment，andclosedhisservicesonthestaffofamajor-general，alwaysdoingscrupulouslyenoughwhatheconceivedtobehisduty，andneverdoingitwithenthusiasm。Whentherebelarmiessurrendered，herodeawaytohisfamilyplantation——notadifficultthingtodo，foritwasonlyafewmilesfromAppomatox——andatoncebegantostudylaw；then，leavinghismotherandsisterstodowhattheycouldwiththeworn-outplantation，hebeganthepracticeoflawinWashington，hopingthustosupporthimselfandthem。Hehadsucceededafterafashion，andforthefirsttimethefutureseemednotabsolutelydark。Mrs。Lee\'shousewasanoasistohim，andhefoundhimself，tohissurprise，aimostgayinhercompany。Thegaietywasofaveryquletkind，andSybil，whilefriendlywithhim，averredthathewascertainlydull；butthisdulnesshadafascinationforMadeleine，who，havingtastedmanymorekindsofthewineoflifethanSybil，hadlearnedtovaluecertaindelicaciesofageandflavourthatwerelostuponyoungerandcoarserpalates。Hetalkedratherslowlyandalmostwitheffort，buthehadsomethingofthedignity——otherscallitstiffness——oftheoldVirginiaschool，andtwentyyearsofconstantresponsibilityanddeferredhopehadaddedatouchofcarethatborderedcloselyonsadness。Hisgreatattractionwasthathenevertalkedorseemedtothinkofhimself。Mrs。Leetrustedinhimbyinstinct。“Heisatype！”saidshe；“heismyideaofGeorgeWashingtonatthirty。“
OnemorninginDecember，CarringtonenteredMrs。Lee\'sparlourtowardsnoon，andaskedifshecaredtovisittheCapitol。
“Youwillhaveachanceofhearingto-daywhatmaybethelastgreatspeechofourgreateststatesman，“saidhe；“youshouldcome。“
“Asplendidsampleofourna-tiverawmaterial，sir？”askedshe，freshfromareadingofDickens，andhisfamouspictureofAmericanstatesmanship。
“Preciselyso，“saidCarrington；“thePrairieGiantofPeonia，theFavouriteSonofIllinois；themanwhocamewithinthreevotesofgettingthepartynominationforthePresidencylastspring，andwasonlydefeatedbecausetensmallintriguersaresharperthanonebigone。TheHonourableSilasP。
Ratcliffe，SenatorfromIllinois；hewillberunforthePresidencyyet。“
“WhatdoestheP。standfor？”askedSybil。
“Idon\'trememberevertohaveheardhismiddlename，“saidCarrington。
“PerhapsitisPeoniaorPrairie；Ican\'tsay。“
“HeisthemanwhoseappearancestruckmesomuchwhenwewereintheSenatelastweek，ishenot？Agreat，ponderousman，oversixfeethigh，verysenatorialanddignified，withalargeheadandrathergoodfeatures？”inquiredMrs。Lee。
“Thesame，“repliedCarrington。“Byallmeanshearhimspeak。Heisthestumbling-blockofthenewPresident，whoistobeallowednopeaceunlesshemakestermswithRatcliffe；andsoeveryonethinksthatthePrairieGiantofPeoniawillhavethechoiceoftheStateorTreasuryDepartment。IfhetakeseitheritwillbetheTreasury，forheisadesperatepoliticalmanager，andwillwantthepatronageforthenextnationalconvention。“
Mrs。Leewasdelightedtohearthedebate，andCarringtonwasdelightedtositthroughitbyherside，andtoexchangerunningcommentswithheronthespeechesandthespeakers。
“HaveyouevermettheSenator？”askedshe。
“Ihaveactedseveraltimesascounselbeforehiscommittees。Heisanexcellentchairman，alwaysattentiveandgenerallycivil。“
“Wherewasheborn？”
“ThefamilyisaNewEnglandone，andIbelieverespectable。Hecame，Ithink，fromsomeplaceintheConnecticutValley，butwhetherVermont，NewHampshire，orMassachusetts，Idon\'tknow。“
“Isheaneducatedman？”
“Hegotakindofclassicaleducationatoneofthecountrycollegesthere。
Isuspecthehasasmucheducationasisgoodforhim。ButhewentWestverysoonafterleavingcollege，andbeingthenyoungandfreshfromthathot-bedofabolition，hethrewhimselfintotheanti-slaverymovementmIllinois，andafteralongstruggleherosewiththewave。Hewouldnotdothesamethingnow。“
“Whynot？”
“Heisolder，moreexperienced，andnotsowise。Besides，hehasnolongerthetimetowait。Canyouseehiseyesfromhere？IcallthemYankeeeyes。“
“Don\'tabusetheYankees，“saidMrs。Lee；“IamhalfYankeemyself。“
“Isthatabuse？Doyoumeantodenythattheyhaveeyes？”
“Iconcedethattheremaybeeyesamongthem；butVirginiansarenotfairjudgesoftheirexpression。“
“Coldeyes，“hecontinued；“steelgrey，rathersmall，notunpleasantingood-humour，diabolicinapassion，butworstwhenalittlesuspicious；thentheywatchyouasthoughyouwereayoungrattle-snake，tobekilledwhenconvenient。“
“Doeshenotlookyouintheface？”
“Yes；butnotasthoughhelikedyou。Hiseyesonlyseemtoaskthepossibleusesyoumightbeputto。Ah，thevice-presidenthasgivenhimthefloor；nowweshallhaveit。Hardvoice，isitnot？likehiseyes。Hardmanner，likehisvoice。Hardallthrough。“
“Whatapityheissodreadfullysenatorial！”saidMrs。Lee；
“otherwiseIratheradmirehim。“
“Nowheissettlingdowntohiswork，“continuedCarrington。“Seehowhedodgesallthesharpissues。WhatathingitistobeaYankee！Whatageniusthefellowhasforleadingaparty！Doyouseehowwellitisalldone？ThenewPresidentflatteredandconciliated，thepartyunitedandgivenastronglead。AndnowweshallseehowthePresidentwilldealwithhim。TentooneonRatcliffe。Come，thereisthatstupidassfromMissourigettingup。
Letusgo。“
AstheypasseddownthestepsandoutintotheAvenue，Mrs。LeeturnedtoCarringtonasthoughshehadbeenreflectingdeeplyandhadatlengthreachedadecision。
“Mr。Carrington，“saidshe，“IwanttoknowSenatorRatcliffe。“
“Youwillmeethimto-morrowevening，“repliedCarrington，“atyoursenatorialdinner。“
TheSenatorfromNewYork，theHonourableSchuylerClinton，wasanoldadmirerofMrs。Lee，andhiswifewasacousinofhers，moreorlessdistant。Theyhadlostnotimeinhonouringtheletterofcreditshethushaduponthem，andinvitedherandhersistertoasolemndinner，asimposingaspoliticaldignitycouldmakeit。Mr。
Carrington，asaconnectionofhers，wasoneoftheparty，andalmosttheonlyoneamongthetwentypersonsattablewhohadneitheranoffice，noratitle，noraconstituency。
SenatorClintonreceivedMrs。Leeandhersisterwithtenderenthusiasm，fortheywereattractivespecimensofhisconstituents。
Hepressedtheirhandsandevidentlyrestrainedhimselfonlybyaneffortfromembracingthem，fortheSenatorhadamarkedregardforprettywomen，andhadmadelovetoeverygirlwithanypretensionstobeautythathadappearedintheStateofNewYorkforfullyhalfacentury。Atthesametimehewhisperedanapologyinherear；heregrettedsomuchthathewasobligedtoforegothepleasureoftakinghertodinner；WashingtonwastheonlycityinAmericawherethiscouldhavehappened，butitwasafactthatladiesherewereverygreatstickiersforetiquette；ontheotherhandhehadthesadconsolationthatshewouldbethegainer，forhehadallottedtoherLordSkye，theBritishMinister，“amostagreeablemanandnotmarried，asIhavethemisfortunetobe；“
andontheotherside“IhaveventuredtoplaceSenatorRatcliffe，ofIllinois，whoseadmirablespeechIsawyoulisteningtowithsuchraptattentionyesterday。Ithoughtyoumightliketoknowhim。DidIdoright？”
Madeleineassuredhimthathehaddivinedherinmostwishes，andheturnedwithevenmorewarmthofaffectiontohersister：“Asforyou，mydear——dearSybil，whatcanIdotomakeyourdinneragreeable？IfIgiveyoursisteracoronet，Iamonlysorrynottohaveadiademforyou。ButIhavedoneeverythinginmypower。
ThefirstSecretaryoftheRussianLegation，CountPopoff，willtakeyouin；acharmingyoungman，mydearSybil；andonyourothersideIhaveplacedtheAssistantSecretaryofState，whomyouknow。“
Andso，aftertheduedelay，thepartysettledthemselvesatthedinner-table，andMrs。LeefoundSenatorRatcliffe\'sgreyeyesrestingonherfaceforamomentastheysatdown。
LordSkyewasveryagreeable，and，atalmostanyothermomentofherlife，Mrs。Leewouldhavelikednothingbetterthantotalkwithhimfromthebeginningtotheendofherdinner。Tall，slender，bald-headed，awkward，andstammeringwithhiselaborateBritishstammerwheneveritsuitedhisconveniencetodoso；asharpobserverwhohadwitwhichhecommonlyconcealed；ahumouristwhowassatisfiedtolaughsilentlyathisownhumour；adiplomatistwhousedthemaskoffranknesswithgreateffect；LordSkyewasoneofthemostpopularmeninWashington。EveryoneknewthathewasaruthlesscriticofAmericanmanners，buthehadthearttocombineridiculewithgood-humour，andhewasallthemorepopularaccordingly。HewasanoutspokenadmirerofAmericanwomenineverythingexcepttheirvoices，andhedidnotevenshrinkfromoccasionallyquizzingalittlethenationalpeculiaritiesofhisowncountrywomen；asurepieceofflatterytotheirAmericancousins。HewouldgladlyhavedevotedhimselftoMrs。Lee，butdecentcivilityrequiredthatheshouldpaysomeattentiontohishostess，andhewastoogoodadiplomatistnottobeattentivetoahostesswhowasthewifeofaSenator，andthatSenatorthechairmanofthecommitteeofforeignrelations。
Themomenthisheadwasturned，Mrs。LeedashedatherPeoniaGiant，whowasthenconsuminghisfish，andwishingheunderstoodwhytheBritishMinisterhadwornnogloves，whilehehimselfhadsacrificedhisconvictionsbywearingthelargestandwhitestpairofFrenchkidsthatcouldbeboughtformoneyonPennsylvaniaAvenue。Therewasalittletouchofmortificationintheideathathewasnotquiteathomeamongfashionablepeople，andatthisinstanthefeltthattruehappinesswasonlytobefoundamongthesimpleandhonestsonsanddaughtersoftoil。AcertainsecretjealousyoftheBritishMinisterisalwayslurkinginthebreastofeveryAmericanSenator，ifheistrulydemocratic；fordemocracy，rightlyunderstood，isthegovernmentofthepeople，bythepeople，forthebenefitofSenators，andthereisalwaysadangerthattheBritishMinistermaynotunderstandthispoliticalprincipleasheshould。LordSkyehadruntheriskofmakingtwoblunders；
ofoffendingtheSenatorfromNewYorkbyneglectinghiswife，andtheSenatorfromIllinoisbyengrossingtheattentionofMrs。
Lee。AyoungEnglishmanwouldhavedoneboth，butLordSkyehadstudiedtheAmericanconstitution。ThewifeoftheSenatorfromNewYorknowthoughthimmostagreeable，andatthesamemomenttheSenatorfromIllinoisawoketotheconvictionthatafterall，eveninfrivolousandfashionablecircles，truedignityisinnodangerofneglect；anAmericanSenatorrepresentsasovereignstate；thegreatstateofIllinoisisasbigasEngland——withtheconvenientomissionofWales，Scotland，Ireland，Canada，India，Australia，andafewothercontinentsandislands；andinshort，itwasperfectlyclearthatLordSkyewasnotformidabletohim，eveninlightsociety；hadnotMrs。LeeherselfasgoodassaidthatnopositionequaHedthatofanAmericanSenator？
IntenminutesMrs。Leehadthisdevotedstatesmanatherfeet。ShehadnotstudiedtheSenatewithoutapurpose。ShehadreadwithunerringinstinctonegeneralcharacteristicofallSenators，aboundlessandguilelessthirstforflattery，engenderedbydailydraughtsfrompoliticalfriendsordependents，thenbecominganecessitylikeadram，andswallowedwithaheavysmileofineffablecontent。AsingleglanceatMr。Ratcliffe\'sfaceshowedMadeleinethatsheneednotbeafraidofflatteringtoogrossly；herownself-respect，nothis，wastheonlyrestraintuponheruseofthisfemininebait。
Sheopeneduponhimwithanapparentsimplicityandgravity，aquietreposeofmanner，andanevidentconsciousnessofherownstrength，whichmeantthatshewasmostdangerous。
“Iheardyourspeechyesterday，Mr。Ratcliffe。IamgladtohaveachanceoftellingyouhowmuchIwasimpressedbyit。Itseemedtomemasterly。Doyounotfindthatithashadagreateffect？”
“Ithankyou，madam。Ihopeitwillhelptounitetheparty，butasyetwehavehadnotimetomeasureitsresults。Thatwillrequireseveraldaysmore。“TheSenatorspokeinhissenatorialmanner，elaborate，condescending，andalittleonhisguard。
“Doyouknow，“saidMrs。Lee，turningtowardshimasthoughhewereavaluedfriend，andlookingdeepintohiseyes，“DoyouknowthateveryonetoldmeIshouldbeshockedbythefallingoffinpoliticalabilityatWashington？Ididnotbelievethem，andsincehearingyourspeechIamsuretheyaremistaken。DoyouyourselfthinkthereislessabilityinCongressthanthereusedtobe？”
“Well，madam，itisdifficulttoanswerthatquestion。Governmentisnotsoeasynowasitwasformerly。Therearedifferentcustoms。
Therearemanymenoffairabilitiesinpubliclife；manymorethanthereusedtobe；andthereissharpercriticismandmoreofit。“
“WasIrightinthinkingthatyouhaveastrongresemblancetoDanielWebsterinyourwayofspeaking？Youcomefromthesameneighbourhood，doyounot？”
Mrs。LeeherehitonRatcliffe\'sweakpoint；theoutlineofhisheadhad，infact，acertainresemblancetothatofWebster，andhepridedhimselfuponit，andonadistantrelationshiptotheExpounderoftheConstitution；hebegantothinkthatMrs。Leewasaveryintelligentperson。HismodestadmissionoftheresemblancegavehertheopportunitytotalkofWebster\'soratory，andtheconversationsoonspreadtoadiscussionofthemeritsofClayandCalhoun。TheSenatorfoundthathisneighbour——afashionableNewYorkwoman，exquisitelydressed，andwithavoiceandmannerseductivelysoftandgentle——hadreadthespeechesofWebsterandCalhoun。ShedidnotthinkitnecessarytotellhimthatshehadpersuadedthehonestCarringtontobringherthevolumesandtomarksuchpassagesaswereworthherreading；
butshetookcaretoleadtheconversation，andshecriticisedwithsomeskillandmorehumourtheweakpointsinWebsterianoratory，sayingwithalittlelaughandaglanceintohisdelightedeyes：
“Myjudgmentmaynotbeworthmuch，Mr。Senator，butitdoesseemtomethatourfathersthoughttoomuchofthemselves，andtillyouteachmebetterIshallcontinuetothinkthatthepassageinyourspeechofyesterdaywhichbeganwith，\'Ourstrengthliesinthistwistedandtangledmassofisolatedprinciples，thehairofthehalf-sleepinggiantofParty，\'isbothforlanguageandimageryquiteequaltoanythingofWebster\'s。“
TheSenatorfromIllinoisrosetothisgaudyflylikeahuge，two-hundred-poundsalmon；hiswhitewaistcoatgaveoutamildsilverreflectionasheslowlycametothesurfaceandgorgedthehook。Hemadenotevenaplunge，notoneperceptibleefforttotearoutthebarbedweapon，but，floatinggentlytoherfeet，allowedhimselftobelandedasthoughitwereapleasure。OnlymiserablecasuistswillaskwhetherthiswasfairplayonMadeleine\'spart；
whetherflatterysogrosscostherconsciencenotwinge，andwhetheranywomancanwithoutself-abasementbeguiltyofsuchshamelessfalsehood。She，however，scornedtheideaoffalsehood。
ShewouldhavedefendedherselfbysayingthatshehadnotsomuchpraisedRatcliffeasdepreciatedWebster，andthatshewashonestinheropinionoftheold-fashionedAmericanoratory。ButshecouldnotdenythatshehadwilfullyallowedtheSenatortodrawconclusionsverydifferentfromanysheactuallyheld。Shecouldnotdenythatshehadintendedtoflatterhimtotheextentnecessaryforherpurpose，andthatshewaspleasedathersuccess。
BeforetheyrosefromtabletheSenatorhadquiteunbenthimself；
hewastalkingnaturally，shrewdly，andwithsomehumour；hehadtoldherIllinoisstories；spokenwithextraordinaryfreedomabouthispoliticalsituation；andexpressedthewishtocalluponMrs。
Lee，ifhecouldeverhopetofindherathome。
“IamalwaysathomeonSundayevenings，“saidshe。
Tohereyeshewasthehigh-priestofAmericanpolitics；hewaschargedwiththemeaningofthemysteries，thecluetopoliticalhieroglyphics。Throughhimshehopedtosoundthedepthsofstatesmanshipandtobringupfromitsoozybedthatpearlofwhichshewasinsearch；themysteriousgemwhichmustliehiddensomewhereinpolitics。Shewantedtounderstandthisman；
toturnhiminsideout；toexperimentonhimandusehimasyoungphysiologistsusefrogsandkittens。Iftherewasgoodorbadinhim，shemeanttofinditsmeaning。
Andhewasawesternwidoweroffifty；hisquartersinWashingtonwereingauntboarding-houserooms，furnishedonlywithpublicdocumentsandenlivenedbywesternpoliticiansandoffice-seekers。Inthesummerheretiredtoasolitary，whiteframehousewithgreenblinds，surroundedbyafewfeetofuncared-forgrassandawhitefence；itsinteriormoredrearystill，withironstoves，oil-clothcarpets，coldwhitewalls，andonelargeengravingofAbrahamLincolnintheparlour；allinPeonia，Illinois！Whatequalitywastherebetweenthesetwocombatants？
whathopeforhim？whatriskforher？AndyetMadeleineLeehadfullyhermatchinMr。SilasP。Ratcliffe。
ChapterIII
MRS。Leesoonbecamepopular。Herparlourwasafavouritehauntofcertainmenandwomenwhohadtheartoffindingitsmistressathome；anartwhichseemednottobewithinthepowersofeverybody。Carringtonwasapttobetheremoreoftenthananyoneelse，sothathewaslookedonasalmostapartofthefamily，andifMadeleinewantedabookfromthelibrary，oranextramanatherdinner-table，Carringtonwasprettycertaintohelphertotheoneortheother。OldBaronJacobi，theBulgarianminister，fellmadlyinlovewithbothsisters，ashecommonlydidwitheveryprettyfaceandneatfigure。Hewasawitty，cynical，broken-downParisianroué，keptinWashingtonforyearspastbyhisdebtsandhissalary；alwaysgrumblingbecausetherewasnoopera，andmysteriouslydisappearingonvisitstoNewYork；avoraciousdevourerofFrenchandGermanliterature，especiallyofnovels；amanwhoseemedtohavemeteverynotedornotoriouspersonageofthecentury，andwhosemmdwasamagazineofamusinginformation；anexcellentmusicalcritic，whowasnotafraidtocriticiseSybil\'ssinging；aconnoisseurinbric-à-brac，wholaughedatMadeleine\'sdisplayofoddsandends，andoccasionallybroughtheraPersianplateorabitofembroidery，whichhesaidwasgoodandwoulddohercredit。Thisoldsinnerbelievedineverythingthatwasperverseandwicked，butheacceptedtheprejudicesofAnglo-Saxonsociety，andwastooclevertoobtrudehisopinionsuponothers。
Hewouldhavemarriedbothsistersatoncemorewillinglythaneitheralone，butashefeelinglysaid，“IfIwerefortyyearsyounger，mademoiselle，youshouldnotsingtomesocalmly。“HisfriendPopoff，anintelligent，vivaciousRussian，withveryCalmuckfeatures，susceptibleasagirl，andpassionatelyfondofmusic，hungoverSybil\'spianobythehour；hebroughtRussianairswhichhetaughthertosing，and，ifthetruthwereknown，heboredMadeleinedesperately，forsheundertooktoactthepartofduennatoheryoungersister。
AverydifferentvisitorwasMr。C。C。French，ayoungmemberofCongressfromConnecticut，whoaspiredtoactthepartoftheeducatedgentlemaninpolitics，andtopurifythepublictone。Hehadreformprinciplesandanunfortunatelyconceitedmaimer；hewasratherwealthy，ratherclever，ratherwell-educated，ratherhonest，andrathervulgar。HisallegiancewasdividedbetweenMrs。
Leeandhersister，whomheinfuriatedbyaddressingas“MissSybil“withpatronisingfamiliarity。Hewasparticularlystronginwhathecalled“badinaige，“andhisplayfulbutungainlyattemptsatwitdroveMrs。
Leebeyondtheboundsofpatience。Wheninasolemnmood，hetalkedasthoughhewerepractisingfortheearofacollegedebatingsociety，andwithastillworseeffectonthepatience；butwithallthishewasuseful，alwaysbubblingwiththelatestpoliticalgossip，anddeeplyinterestedinthefateofpartystakes。
QuiteanothersortofpersonwasMr。HartbeestSchneidekoupon，acitizenofPhiladelphia，thoughcommonlyresidentinNewYork，wherehehadfallenavictimtoSybil\'scharms，andmadeeffortstowinheryoungaffectionsbyinstructingherinthemysteriesofcurrencyandprotection，tobothwhichsubjectshewasdevoted。
ToforwardthesetwointerestsandtowatchoverMissRoss\'swelfare，hemadeperiodicalvisitstoWashington，whereheclosetedhimselfwithcommittee-menandgaveexpensivedinnerstomembersofCongress。Mr。Schneidekouponwasrich，andaboutthirtyyearsold，tallandthin，withbrighteyesandsmoothface，elaboratemannersandmuchloquacity。Hehadthereputationofturningrapidintellectualsomersaults，partlytoamusehimselfandpartlytostartlesociety。Atonemomenthewasartistic，anddiscoursedscientificallyabouthisownpaintings；atanotherhewasliterary，andwroteabookon“NobleLiving，“withahumanitarianpurpose；atanotherhewasdevotedtosport，rodeasteeplechase，playedpolo，andsetupafour-in-hand；hislastoccupationwastoestablishinPhiladelphiatheProtectiveReview，aperiodicalintheinterestsofAmericanindustry，whichheeditedhimself，asastepping-stonetoCongress，theCabinet，andthePresidency。Ataboutthesametimeheboughtayacht，andheavybetswerependingamonghissportingfriendswhetherhewouldmanagetosinkfirsthisRevieworhisyacht。Buthewasanamiableandexcellentfellowthroughallhiseccentricities，andhebroughttoMrs。Leethesimpleoutpouringsoftheamateurpolitician。
AmuchhighertypeofcharacterwasMr。NathanGore，ofMassachusetts，ahandsomemanwithagreybeard，astraight，sharplycutnose，andafine，penetratingeye；inhisyouthasuccessfulpoetwhosesatiresmadeanoiseintheirday，andarestillrememberedforthepungencyandwitofafewverses；thenadeepstudentinEuropeformanyyears，untilhisfamous“HistoryofSpaininAmerica“placedhiminstantlyattheheadofAmericanhistorians，andmadehimministeratMadrid，whereheremainedfouryearstohisentiresatisfaction，thisbeingthenearestapproachtoapatentofnobilityandagovernmentpensionwhichtheAmericancitizencanattain。Achangeofadministrationhadreducedhimtoprivatelifeagain，andaftersomeyearsofretirementhewasnowinWashington，willingtoberestoredtohisoldmission。EveryPresidentthinksitrespectabletohaveatleastoneliterarymaninhispay，andMr。Gore\'sprospectswerefairforobtaininghisobject，ashehadtheactivesupportofamajorityoftheMassachusettsdelegation。Hewasabominablyselfish，colossallyegoistic，andnotalittlevain；buthewasshrewd；heknewhowtoholdhistongue；hecouldflatterdexterously，andhehadlearnedtoeschewsatire。Onlyinconfidenceandamongfriendshewouldstilltalkfreely，butMrs。Leewasnotyetonthosetermswithhim。Thesewereallmen，andtherewasnowantofwomeninMrs。
Lee\'sparlour；but，afterall，theyareabletodescribethemselvesbetterthananypoornovelistcandescribethem。Generallytwocurrentsofconversationranontogether——oneroundSybil，theotheraboutMadeleine。
“MeesRoss，“saidCountPopoff，leadinginahandsomeyoungforeigner，“IhaveyourpermissiontopresenttoyoumyfriendCountOrsini，SecretaryoftheItalianLegation。Areyouathomethisafternoon？CountOrsinisingsalso。“
“WearecharmedtoseeCountOrsini。Itiswellyoucamesolate，forIhavethismomentcomeinfrommakingCabinetcalls。Theyweresoqueer！Ihavebeencryingwithlaughterforanhourpast。“
“Doyoufindthesecallsamusing？”askedPopoff，gravelyanddiplomatically。“IndeedIdo！IwentwithJuliaSchneidekoupon，youknow，Madeleine；theSchneidekouponsaredescendedfromalltheKingsofIsrael，andareprouderthanSolomoninhisglory。
AndwhenwegotintothehouseofsomedreadfulwomanfromHeavenknowswhere，imaginemyfeelingsatoverhearingthisconversation：\'Whatmaybeyourfamilyname，ma\'am？\'
\'Schneidekouponismyname，\'repliesJulia，verytallandstraight。
\'HaveyouanyfriendswhomIshouldlikelyknow？\'\'Ithinknot，\'
saysJulia，severely。\'Wal！Idon\'tseemtorememberofeverhavingheerdthename。ButIs\'poseit\'sallright。Iliketoknowwhocalls。\'
Ialmosthadhystericswhenwegotintothestreet，butJuliacouldnotseethejokeatall。“
CountOrsiniwasnotquitesurethathehimselfsawthejoke，soheonlysmiledbecominglyandshowedhisteeth。Forsimple，childlikevanityandself-consciousnessnothingequalsanItalianSecretaryofLegationattwenty-five。Yetconsciousthattheeffectofhispersonalbeautywouldperhapsbediminishedbypermanentsilence，heventuredtomurmurpresently：
“Doyounotfinditverystrange，thissocietyinAmerica？”
“Society！”laughedSybilwithgaycontempt。“TherearenosnakesinAmerica，anymorethaninNorway。“
“Snakes，mademoiselle！”repeatedOrsini，withthedoubtfulexpressionofonewhoisnotquitecertainwhetherheshallriskwalkingonthinice，anddecidestogosoftly：“Snakes！IndeedtheywouldratherbedovesIwouldcallthem。“
AkindlaughfromSybilstrengthenedintoconvictionhishopethathehadmadeajokeinthisunknowntongue。Hisfacebrightened，hisconfidencereturned；onceortwicehesoftlyrepeatedtohimself：“Notsnakes；theywouldbedoves！”ButMrs。Lee\'ssensitiveearhadcaughtSybil\'sremark，anddetectedinitacertaintoneofcondescensionwhichwasnottohertaste。
TheimpassivecountenancesoftheseblandyoungSecretariesofLegationseemedtoacquiescefartoomuchasamatterofcourseintheideathattherewasnosocietyexceptintheoldworld。Shebrokeintotheconversationwithanemphasisthatflutteredthedove-cote：
“SocietyinAmerica？IndeedthereissocietyinAmerica，andverygoodsocietytoo；butithasacodeofitsown，andnew-comersseldomunderstandit。Iwilltellyouwhatitis，Mr。Orsini，andyouwillneverbeindangerofmakinganymistake。\'Society\'inAmericameansallthehonest，kindly-mannered，pleasant-voicedwomen，andallthegood，brave，unassumingmen，betweentheAtlanticandthePacific。Eachofthesehasafreepassineverycityandvillage，\'goodforthisgenerationonly，\'anditdependsoneachtomakeuseofthispassornotasitmayhappentosuithisorherfancy。Tothisruletherearenoexceptions，andthosewhosay\'Abrahamisourfather\'willsurelyfurnishfoodforthathumourwhichisthestapleproductofourcountry。“
Thealarmedyouths，whodidnotintheleastunderstandthemeaningofthisdemonstration，lookedonwithafeebleattemptatacquiescence，whileMrs。
Leebrandishedhersugar-tongsintheactoftransferringalumpofsugartohercup，quiteunconsciousoftheslightabsurdityofthegesture，whileSybilstaredinamazement，foritwasnotoftenthathersisterwavedthestarsandstripessoenergetically。Whatevertheirsilentcriticismsmightbe，however，Mrs。Leewastoomuchinearnesttobeconsciousofthem，or，indeed，tocareforanythingbutwhatshewassaying。Therewasamoment\'spausewhenshecametotheendofherspeech，andthenthethreadoftalkwasquietlytakenupagainwhereSybil\'sincipientsneerhadbrokenit。
Carringtoncamein。“WhathaveyoubeendoingattheCapitol？”
askedMadeleine。
“Lobbying！”wasthereply，giveninthesemi-serioustoneofCarrington\'shumour。
“Sosoon，andCongressonlytwodaysold？”exclaimedMrs。Lee。
“Madam，“rejoinedCarrington，withhisquietestmalice，“Congressmenarelikebirdsoftheair，whicharecaughtonlybytheearlyworm。““Goodafternoon，Mrs。Lee。MissSybil，howdoyoudoagain？Whichofthesegentlemen\'sheartsareyoufeedinguponnow？”ThiswastherefinedstyleofMr。French，indulginginwhathewaspleasedtoterm“badinaige。“He，too，wasonhiswayfromtheCapitol，andhadcomeinforacupofteaandalittlehumansociety。SybilmadeafacewhichplainlyexpressedalongingtoinflictonMr。Frenchsomegrievouspersonalwrong，butshepretendednottohear。HesatdownbyMadeleine，andasked，“DidyouseeRatcliffeyesterday？”
“Yes，“saidMadeleine；“hewasherelasteveningwithMr。
Carringtonandoneortwoothers。“
“Didhesayanythingaboutpolitics？”
“Notaword。Wetalkedmostlyaboutbooks。“
“Books！Whatdoesheknowaboutbooks？”
“Youmustaskhim。“
“Well，thisisthemostridiculoussituationweareallin。NooneknowsanythingaboutthenewPresident。Youcouldtakeyouroaththateverybodyisinthedark。Ratcliffesaysheknowsaslittleastherestofus，butitcan\'tbetrue；heistoooldapoliticiannottohavewiresinhishand；andonlyto-dayoneofthepagesoftheSenatetoldmycolleagueCutterthatalettersentoffbyhimyesterdaywasdirectedtoSamGrimes，ofNorthBend，who，aseveryoneknows，belongstothePresident\'sparticularcrowd——
Why，Mr。Schneidekoupon！Howdoyoudo？Whendidyoucomeon？”
“Thankyou；thismorning，“repliedMr。Schneidekoupon，justenteringtheroom。“Sogladtoseeyouagain，Mrs。Lee。HowdoyouandyoursisterlikeWashington？DoyouknowIhavebroughtJuliaonforavisit？IthoughtIshouldfindherhere。
“Shehasjustgone。ShehasbeenalltheafternoonwithSybil，makingcalls。
Shesaysyouwantherheretolobbyforyou，Mr。Schneidekoupon。
Isittrue？”
“SoIdid，“repliedhe，withalaugh，“butsheispreciouslittleuse。
SoI\'vecometodraftyouintotheservice。“
“Me！”
“Yes；youknowweallexpectSenatorRatcliffetobeSecretaryoftheTreasury，anditisveryimportantforustokeephimstraightonthecurrencyandthetariff。SoIhavecomeontoestablishmoreintimaterelationswithhim，astheysayindiplomacy。IwanttogethimtodinewithmeatWelckley\'s，butasIknowhekeepsveryshyofpoliticsIthoughtmyonlychancewastomakeitaladies\'
dinner，soIbroughtonJulia。IshalltryandgetMrs。SchuylerClinton，andIdependuponyouandyoursistertohelpJuliaout。“
“Me！atalobbydinner！Isthatproper？”
“Whynot？Youshallchoosetheguests。“
“Ineverheardofsuchathing；butitwouldcertainlybeamusing。
Sybilmustnotgo，butImight。““Excuseme；JuliadependsuponMissRoss，andwillnotgototablewithouther。“
“Well，“assentedMrs。Lee，hesitatingly，“perhapsifyougetMrs。
Clinton，andifyoursisteristhereAndwhoelse？”
“Chooseyourowncompany。“
“Iknownoone。“
“Ohyes；hereisFrench，notquitesoundonthetariff，butgoodforwhatwewantjustnow。ThenwecangetMr。Gore；hehashislittlehatchettogrindtoo，andwillbegladtohelpgrindours。Weonlywanttwoorthreemore，andIwillhaveanextramanorsotofillup。“
“DoasktheSpeaker。Iwanttoknowhim。“
“Iwill，andCarrington，andmyPennsylvaniaSenator。Thatwilldonobly。
Remember，Welckley\'s，Saturdayatseven。“
MeanwhileSybilhadbeenatthepiano，andwhenshehadsungforatime，Orsiniwasinducedtotakeherplace，andshowthatitwaspossibletosingwithoutinjurytoone\'sbeauty。BaronJacobicameinandfoundfaultwiththemboth。LittleMissDare——commonlyknownamonghermalefriendsaslittleDaredevil——whowasalwaysabsorbedinsomeflirtationwithaSecretaryofLegation，camein，quiteunawarethatPopoffwaspresent，andretiredwithhimintoacorner，whileOrsiniandJacobibulliedpoorSybil，andfoughtwitheachotheratthepiano；everybodywastalkingwithverylittlereferencetoanyreply，whenatlastMrs。Leedrovethemalloutoftheroom：“Wearequietpeople，“saidshe，“andwedineathalf-pastsix。“
SenatorRatcliffehadnotfailedtomakehisSundayeveningcalluponMrs。
Lee。Perhapsitwasnotstrictlycorrecttosaythattheyhadtalkedbooksalltheevening，butwhatevertheconversationwas，ithadonlyconfirmedMr。Ratcliffe\'sadmirationforMrs。Lee，who，withoutintendingtodoso，hadactedamoredangerouspartthanifshehadbeenthemostaccomplishedofcoquettes。NothingcouldbemorefascinatingtothewearypoliticianinhissolitudethanthereposeofMrs。Lee\'sparlour，andwhenSybilsangforhimoneortwosimpleairs——shesaidtheywereforeignhymns，theSenatorbeing，orbeingconsidered，orthodox——Mr。Ratcliffe\'sheartyearnedtowardthecharminggirlquitewiththesensationsofafather，orevenofanelderbrother。
HisbrothersenatorsverysoonbegantoremarkthatthePrairieGianthadacquiredatrickoflookinguptotheladies\'gallery。OnedayMr。JonathanAndrews，thespecialcorrespondentoftheNewYorkSiderealSystem，averyfriendlyorgan，approachedSenatorSchuylerClintonwithapuzzledlookonhisface。
“Canyoutellme，“saidhe，“whathashappenedtoSilasP。
Ratcliffe？OnlyamomentagoIwastalkingwithhimathisseatonaveryimportantsubject，aboutwhichImustsendhisopinionsofftoNewYorkto-night，when，inthemiddleofasentence，hestoppedshort，gotupwithoutlookingatme，andlefttheSenateChamber，andnowIseehiminthegallerytalkingwithaladywhosefaceIdon\'tknow。“
SenatorClintonslowlyadjustedhisgoldeye-glassesandlookedupattheplaceindicated：“Ah！Mrs。LightfootLee！IthinkIwillsayawordtohermyself；“andturninghisbackonthespecialcorrespondent，heskippedawaywithyouthfulagilityaftertheSenatorfromIllinois。
“Devil！”mutteredMr。Andrews；“whathasgotintotheoldfools？”
andinastilllessaudiblemurmurashelookeduptoMrs。Lee，thenincloseconversationwithRatcliffe：“HadIbettermakeanitemofthat？”
WhenyoungMr。SchneidekouponcalleduponSenatorRatcliffetoinvitehimtothedinneratWelckley\'s，hefoundthatgentlemanoverwhelmedwithwork，asheaverred，andverylittledisposedtoconverse。No！hedidnotnowgoouttodinner。Inthepresentconditionofthepublicbusinesshefounditimpossibletosparethetimeforsuchamusements。HeregrettedtodeclineMr。
Schneidekoupon\'scivility，buttherewereimperativereasonswhyheshouldabstainforthepresentfromsocialentertainments；hehadmadebutoneexceptiontohisrule，andonlyatthepressingrequestofhisoldfriendSenatorClinton，andonaveryspecialoccasion。
Mr。Schneidekouponwasdeeplyvexed——themore，hesaid，becausehehadmeanttobegMr。andMrs。Clintontobeoftheparty，aswellasaverycharmingladywhorarelywentintosociety，butwhohadalmostconsentedtocome。
“Whoisthat？”inquiredtheSenator。
“AMrs。LightfootLee，ofNewYork。ProbablyyoudonotknowherwellenoughtoadmireherasIdo；butIthinkherquitethemostintelligentwomanIevermet。“
TheSenator\'scoldeyesrestedforamomentontheyoungman\'sopenfacewithapeculiarexpressionofdistrust。Thenhesolemnlysaid，inhisdeepestsenatorialtones：
“Myyoungfriend，atmytimeoflifemenhaveotherthingstooccupythemthanwomen，howeverintelligenttheymaybe。Whoelseistobeofyourparty？”
Mr。Schneidekouponnamedhislist。
“AndforSaturdayeveningatseven，didyousay？”
“Saturdayatseven。“
“Ifearthereislittlechanceofmyattending，butIwillnotabsolutelydecline。Perhapswhenthemomentarrives，Imayfindmyselfabletobethere。Butdonotcountuponme——donotcountuponme。Goodday，Mr。
Schneidekoupon。“
Schneidekouponwasratherasimple-mindedyoungman，whosawnodeeperthanhisneighboursintothesecretsoftheuniverse，andhewentoffswearingroundlyat“theinfernalairsthesesenatorsgivethemselves。“HetoldMrs。
Leealltheconversation，asindeedhewascompelledtodounderpenaltyofbringinghertohispartyunderfalsepretences。
“Justmyluck，“saidhe；“hereIamforcedtoasknoendofpeopletomeetaman，whoatthesametimesaysheshallprobablynotcome。Why，underthestars，couldn\'thesay，likeotherpeople，whetherhewascomingornot？
I\'veknowndozensofsenators，Mrs。Lee，andthey\'realllikethat。
Theyneverthinkofanyonebutthemselves。“
Mrs。Leesmiledratheraforcedsmile，andsoothedhiswoundedfeelings；shehadnodoubtthedinnerwouldbeveryagreeablewhethertheSenatorwerethereornot；atanyrateshewoulddoallshecouldtocarryitoffwell，andSybilshouldwearhernewestdress。Stillshewasalittlegrave，andMr。Schneidekouponcouldonlydeclarethatshewasatrump；thathehadtoldRatcliffeshewasthecleverestwomanheevermet，andhemighthaveaddedthemostobliging，andRatcliffehadonlylookedathimasthoughhewereagreenape。AtallwhichMrs。Leelaughedgood-naturedly，andsenthimawayassoonasshecould。
Whenhewasgone，shewalkedupanddowntheroomandthought。ShesawthemeaningofRatcliffe\'ssuddenchangeintone。
Shehadnomoredoubtofhiscomingtothedinnerthanshehadofthereasonwhyhecame。Andwasitpossiblethatshewasbeingdrawnintosomethingverynearaflirtationwithamantwentyyearshersenior；apoliticianfromIllinois；ahuge，ponderous，grey-eyed，baldsenator，withaWebsterianhead，wholivedinPeonia？Theideawasalmosttooabsurdtobecredited；butonthewholethethingitselfwasratheramusing。“Isupposesenatorscanlookoutforthemselveslikeothermen，“washerfinalconclusion。
Shethoughtonlyofhisdanger，andshefeltasortofcompassionforhimasshereflectedonthepossibleconsequencesofagreat，absorbingloveathistimeoflife。
Herconsciencewasalittleuneasy；butofherselfsheneverthought。Yetitisahistoricalfactthatelderlysenatorshavehadacuriousfascinationforyoungandhandsomewomen。Hadtheylookedoutforthemselvestoo？Andwhichpartiesmostneededtobelookedafter？
WhenMadeleineandhersisterarrivedatWelckley\'s\'sthenextSaturdayevening，theyfoundpoorSchneidekouponinatemperveryunbecomingahost。
“Hewon\'tcome！Itoldyouhewouldn\'tcome！”saidhetoMadeleine，ashehandedherintothehouse。“IfIeverturncommunist，itwillbeforthefunofmurderingasenator。“
Madeleineconsoledhimgently，buthecontinuedtouse，behindMr。Clinton\'sback，languagethemostoffensiveandimpropertowardstheSenate，andatlast，ringingthebell，hesharplyorderedtheheadwaitertoservedinner。
Atthatverymomentthedooropened，andSenatorRatcliffe\'sstatelyfigureappearedonthethreshold。HiseyeinstantlycaughtMadeleine\'s，andshealmostlaughedaloud，forshesawthattheSenatorwasdressedwithveryunsenatorialneatness；thathehadactuallyaflowerinhisburton-holeandnogloves！
AftertheenthusiasticdescriptionwhichSchneidekouponhadgivenofMrs。
Lee\'scharms，hecoulddonolessthanaskSenatorRatcliffetotakeherintodinner，whichhedidwithoutdelay。Eitherthis，orthechampagne，orsomeoccultinfluence，hadanextraordinaryeffectuponhim。Heappearedtenyearsyoungerthanusual；hisfacewasilluminated；hiseyesglowed；heseemedbentonprovinghiskinshiptotheimmortalWebsterbyrivallinghisconvivialpowers。
Hedashedintotheconversation；laughed，jested，andridiculed；
toldstoriesinYankeeandWesterndialect；gavesharplittlesketchesofamusingpoliticalexperiences。
“Neverwasmoresurprisedinmylife，“whisperedSenatorKrebs，ofPennsylvania，acrossthetabletoSchneidekoupon。“Hadn\'tanideathatRatcliffewassoentertaining。“
AndMr。Clinton，whosatbyMadeleineontheotherside，whisperedlowintoherear：“Iamafraid，mydearMrs。Lee，thatyouareresponsibleforthis。
HenevertalkssototheSenate。“
Nay，heevenrosetoahigherflight，andtoldthestoryofPresidentLincoln\'sdeath-bedwithadegreeoffeelingthatbroughttearsintotheireyes。Theotherguestsmadenofigureatall。TheSpeakerconsumedhissolitaryduckandhislonelychampagneinacornerwithoutgivingasign。
EvenMr。Gore，whowasnotwonttohidehislightunderanykindofextinguisher，madenoattempttoclaimthefloor，andapplaudedwithenthusiasmtheconversationofhisoppositeneighbour。
Ill-naturedpeoplemightsaythatMr。GoresawinSenatorRatcliffeapossibleSecretaryofState；bethisasitmay，hecertainlysaidtoMrs。Clinton，inanasidethatwasperfectlyaudibletoeveryoneatthetable：“Howbrilliant！whatanoriginalmind！whatasensationhewouldmakeabroad！”Anditwasquitetrue，apartfromthemeremomentaryeffectofdinner-tabletalk，thattherewasacertainbignessabouttheman；akeenpracticalsagacity；aboldfreedomofself-assertion；abroadwayofdealingwithwhatheknew。
Carringtonwastheonlypersonattablewholookedonwithaperfectlycoolhead，andwhocriticisedinahostilespirit。
Carrington\'simpressionofRatcliffewasperhapsbeginningtobewarpedbyashadeofjealousy，forhewasinapeculiarlybadtemperthisevening，andhisirritationwasnotwhollyconcealed。
“Ifoneonlyhadanyconfidenceintheman！”hemutteredtoFrench，whosatbyhim。
ThisunluckyremarksetFrenchtothinkinghowhecoulddrawRatcliffeout，andaccordingly，withhisusualhappymanner，combiningself-conceitandhighprinciples，hebegantoattacktheSenatorwithsome“badinaige“onthedelicatesubjectofCivilServiceReform，asubjectalmostasdangerousinpoliticalconversationatWashingtonasslaveryitselfinolddaysbeforethewar。Frenchwasareformer，andlostnooccasionofimpressinghisviews；butunluckilyhewasaverylightweight，andhismannerwasalittleridiculous，sothatevenMrs。Lee，whowasherselfawarmreformer，sometimeswentovertotheothersidewhenhetalked。NosoonerhadhenowshothislittlearrowattheSenator，thanthatastutemansawhisopportunity，andpromisedhimselfthepleasureofadministeringtoMr。
Frenchpunishmentsuchasheknewwoulddelightthecompany。
ReformerasMrs。Leewas，andalittlealarmedattheroughnessofRatcliffe\'streatment，shecouldnotblamethePrairieGiant，assheought，who，afterknockingpoorFrenchdown，rolledhimoverandoverinthemud。
“Areyoufinancierenough，Mr。French，toknowwhatarethemostfamousproductsofConnecticut？”
Mr。Frenchmodestlysuggestedthathethoughtitsstatesmenbestansweredthatdescription。
“No，sir！eventhereyou\'rewrong。Theshowmenbeatyouonyourownground。
ButeverychildintheunionknowsthatthemostfamousproductsofConnecticutareYankeenotions，nutmegsmadeofwoodandclocksthatwon\'tgo。Now，yourCivilServiceReformisjustsuchanotherYankeenotion；it\'sawoodennutmeg；it\'saclockwithashowcaseandshamworks。Andyouknowit！Youarepreciselytheold-schoolConnecticutpeddler。YouhavegoneaboutpeddlingyourwoodennutmegsuntilyouhavegotyourselfintoCongress，andnowyoupullthemoutofyourpocketsandnotonlywantustotakethematyourownprice，butyoulectureusonoursinsifwedon\'t。
Well！wedon\'tmindyourdoingthatathome。Abuseusasmuchasyouliketoyourconstituents。Getasmanyvotesasyoucan。Butdon\'telectioneerhere，becauseweknowyouintimately，andwe\'veallbeenalittleinthewoodennutmegbusinessourselves。“
SenatorClintonandSenatorKrebschuckiedhighapprovaloverthispunishmentofpoorFrench，whichwasontheleveloftheirideaofwit。Theywereallinthenutmegbusiness，asRatcliffesaid。
