nd, with his foot, to
thrust farther in a burning log.

"An olive branch!" exclaimed Rand, smiling. "This is a whole grove of
olives! I am sorry about the governorship--"

"I have made enquiries," interrupted the other harshly. "You have but to
signify your change of mind to your committee, and your name is up. The
governorship--the governorship is not all! It is but a step from
Richmond to Washington. There's field enough for even a towering
ambition." He looked around him. "And Roselands. This place has always
had a charm. In the old days it was famed for hospitality--for
hospitality and for the beauty of its women."

"In neither respect, sir, has it lost its reputation."

Major Edward made a gesture of acquiescence. "I dare say not, sir, I
dare say not. I am told that Republicans flock here. And Jacqueline is a
beautiful woman. Well, sir, why should not pilgrimages be made to
Roselands as to Monticello? You have begun to improve it. Continue, and
make the place a Garden of Eden, a Farm of Cincinnatus, a--a--what you
will! Dick thinks that you may not be in funds to plant and build as you
desire. If that is so, sir, either he or I might with ease accommodate
you--" He paused.

"I take your offer as it is meant," said Rand, "and thank you both. But
my affairs are in order, and I am not straitened for money."

The Major made a courteous gesture. "It was but a supposition. Well, Mr.
Rand, why not? Why not make the picture real that we are painting?
Eminent in public affairs--eminent in the law--ay, there, sir, I will
praise you unreservedly. You are a great lawyer--worshipped by your
party and in the line of succession to its highest gift, fixed in your
state and county and happy in your home, rounding out your life with all
that makes life worthy to be lived,--

"Honour, love, obedience, troops of friends.

"Is not the picture fair enough, sir? There is in it no mirage, no Fata
Morgana, no marsh fire. You are a man of great abilities, with ample
power to direct those inner forces to outward ends that shall truly gild
your name. Truly, sir, not falsely. Gold, not pinchbeck. Clear glory of
duty highly done, not a cloudy fame whose wings are drenched with blood
and tears. Come, sir, come--make an old man happy!" He dragged his chair
nearer to Rand and held out his hand.

"I cannot accept the nomination for Governor, sir," said Rand. "There
are various considerations which put it out of the question. I cannot