delusion that they had bought an honour with nothing beneath it: a man
who presumed on his wealth in the Senate would fare as badly as a boy
at Eton who presumed on his title. Beyond all, are the nonentities
that are in every body. So, you see, it is worth while to aim for
the first place and to keep it."

"There are certainly all sorts to choose from! I'll never mistrust my
instincts again. I am glad I shall meet Senator North to-morrow. I
suppose he is a courtly person of the old school with a Websterian
intellect."

"I don't know anything about Webster; I can't read your history and
live in it, too; but certainly there is nothing of the old school
about Senator North. He is very modern and has a truly Republican--or
shall I say aristocratic?--simplicity--although no one could dress
better--combined with a cold manner to most men and a warm manner to
most women."

"Tell me all about him!" exclaimed Betty, sipping her tea. "I never
was so happy and excited in my life. I feel as if I was Theodosia
Burr, or Nelly Custis, or Dolly Madison come to life. And now I'm
going to know an American statesman before his coat has turned to
calf-skin. Quick! How old is he?"

"Just sixty, and looks much younger, as most of the Senators do. He is
a hard worker--he is Chairman of one Committee and a member of five
others; a brilliant debater, the most accomplished legislator in the
Senate, unyielding in his convictions, and absolutely independent. He
is not popular, as it has never occurred to him to conciliate anybody.
He is very kind and attentive to his invalid wife and proud of his