sons, and he adored a daughter who died four years ago. Rumor has it
that more than one charming woman has consoled him for domestic
afflictions and political trials, but I do not pay much attention to
rumours of that sort. How odd that I, an alien, should be instructing
a Washingtonian in politics and the personalities of her Senators; but
I quite understand. I do hope Mrs. Madison will not object to your
coming to-morrow night."

"I shall come. And go now. I feel a brute to have let you talk so
much, but I never have been so interested!"

The two women kissed and parted; and Lady Mary's dreams that night
were undisturbed by any vision of herself in the ranks of the Fates.




IV



Betty returned home much elated with the success of her visit. She
heard the voice of her cousin Jack Emory in the parlor and went at
once to her room to dress. The voice sounded solemn, and so did her
mother's; they doubtless were sitting in conference upon her. She
selected her evening gown with some care; her cousin was an old story,
but he was a very attractive man, and coquetry would hold its own in
her, become she never so intellectual.

Jack Emory had been her undeclared lover since his middle teens.