ave
found," he said, "Ludwell Cary's visit highly agreeable. He has come
home to Virginia as likely a man as one could find in a summer day. He
adorns the state. I predict for him a long and successful career."

"Yes, indeed," assented Jacqueline. "I like him very much. How well he
talks! And travel has not made him forget the old days here."

The Major plucked another sprig of box. "In the old days, my dear, your
father and your Uncle Dick and I used to plan--well, well, castles in
Spain! castles in Spain! But he's a handsome fellow!"

"He is indeed," said Jacqueline. "His eyes are especially fine. I like
that clear grey--frank and kind."

"He has sense and principle--he has mind."

"That is evident," answered his niece. "He does everything admirably.
Last night after supper he read to Unity and me. He reads extremely
well. The book was the Death of Wallenstein. He made me see that murder!
My heart stood still."

"He is to be admired for standing up to-day against that damned
demagogue, Lewis Rand! No matter if he is defeated. Every gentleman
applauds him. You women adore victory, but let me tell you, a vanquished
Federalist is still the conqueror of any ranting Republican!"

"Did I tell you," asked Jacqueline, "that Mr. Pincornet holds the
dancing class at Fontenoy this week?"

"The dancing class be damned! Ludwell Cary is a man and a gentleman,
Jacqueline--"

"Yes," said Jacqueline.

The Major threw away his sprig of box. "The Sphinx was a woman, and
every woman is an incarnate riddle! Why don't you care for him,
Jacqueline?"

"I do care for him. I like him very much."

"Pshaw!" said the Major irritably. "Don't look at that rose any longer!
It's cankered! And it's time that Dick and I were off. We vote--" he put
his shapely, nervous hand upon his niece's shoulder--"we vote,
Jacqueline, for Ludwell Cary."

"Yes, uncle," said Jacqueline. "I know--I know."

Colonel Dick Churchill, large and beaming, and Major Edward Churchill,
thin and saturnine, rode away, and from between the white pillars Deb
and Jacqueline watched them go. Colonel Dick's wife was an invalid, and
lay always in the cool and spacious "chamber," between dimity bed
curtains, with her key basket on the counterpane.

"Jacqueline," said Deb, "whom do you vote for?"

"Women do not vote, honey."

"But if you _did_ vote, Jacqueline?"

"Do you remember," asked Jacqueline, "how Lady Mary Wortley Montagu
offended Mr. Alexander Pope?"

"A