ghtly.
There is risk, and there is no security. Customarily the rewards
of large risks and poor security are great--when there are any
rewards."

[Illustration: "Only take this woman away and lose her."]

The gentleman from Kentucky rose as he spoke and, adroit in
managing men, reached out his hand as though to take the other's
and so to clench the matter. Yet his heart leaped in surprise--a
surprise which did not leave him wholly clear as to the other's
motives--when the latter met his hand with so hearty a grasp of
affirmation.

"It should not be so difficult," he said. "It is only a case of
logical argument. It is long since I have addressed the people, or
addressed a lady, but I shall try my skill once more to-night! All
that is necessary is to explain to this young lady that our
political ambitions are quite the same, and that I might be of
service did we share the same public means of travel in a Journey
already planned by both. I was intending a visit to Europe this
very summer."

"Sir, there is no other man owner both of the skill and courage to
handle this matter. I hesitated to put it before you, but the
method you suggest seems almost plausible. I trust you to make it
appear wholly so to the fair lady herself."

"We might be younger and fare better at that sort of thing."

"Altogether to the contrary, my friend! Do not mistake this lady.
Youth would be an absolute bar to success. Age, dignity, a public
reputation such as yours,--these are the only things which by any
possibility could gain success; and, frankly, even these may fail.
At least, I honestly wish you success, and there has been no jest
in what I said about the support of Mr. Fillmore's family and his
party. You know that there is honesty even in politics, sometimes;
and there is silence, I promise that. Take my advice. Put her in
a sack, drop her overboard in mid-ocean. In return, all I ask of
you is not to throw overboard the sack anywhere close to this
country's shore! It was done once before, on the Ohio River, but
the sack was not tied tightly enough. Here she is again!
Wherefore, have a care with your sack strings, I beseech you.

"Louis, my hat; and get my carriage! Have a second carriage
waiting here at once."

CHAPTER XXVI

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK

Meantime, the Countess St. Auban, innocent of these plans which had
gone forward regarding her, completed her attendance at the
entertain