第1章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Democracy An American Novel",免费读到尾

  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。

点击下载App,搜索"Democracy An American Novel",免费读到尾