John
Sullivan, the head of Tammany, the passing idol of the hour, to whom
Arthur was soon to be private secretary. He would have left at once but
that the Senator whispered something in his ear; and presently the two
went into the hall to receive the third personage of the evening, and
came back with him, deeply impressed by the honor of his presence. He
was a short, stocky man, of a military bearing, with a face so strongly
marked as to indicate a certain ferocity of temperament; his deep and
sparkling eyes had eyebrows aslant after the fashion of Mephisto; the
expression a little cynical, all determination, but at that moment
good-natured. The assembly fell into an ecstasy at the sight and the
touch of their hero, for no one failed to recognize the dashing General
Sheridan. They needed only a slight excuse to fall at his feet and adore
him.

Arthur was impressed indeed, but his mother had fallen into a state of
heavenly trance over the greatness which had honored their festival. She
recovered only when the celebrities had departed and the stream of
guests had come to an end. Then came a dance in the garden for the young
people, and the school-friends of Arthur Dillon made demands upon him
for the entertainment of which his boyhood had given such promise; so he
sang his songs with nerve and success, and danced strange dances with
graceful foot, until the common voice declared that he had changed only
in appearance, which was natural, and had kept the promise of his
boyhood for gayety of spirits, sweet singing, and fine dancing.

"I feel more than ever to-night," said Louis at parting, "that all of
you has come home."

Reviewing the events of the day in his own room after midnight, he felt
like an actor whose first appearance has been a success. None of the
guests seemed to have any doubt of his personality, or to feel any
surprise at his appearance. For them Arthur Dillon had come home again
after an adventurous life, and changes were accepted as the natural
result of growth. They took him to their heart without question. He was
loved. What Horace Endicott could not command with all his wealth, the
love of his own kin, a poor, broken adventurer, Arthur Dillon, enjoyed
in plenty. Well, thank God for the good fortune which followed so
unexpectedly his exit from the past. He had a secure place in tender
hearts for the first time since father and mother died. What is life
without love and loving? What are love and lovin