illa,
because of important engagements in the city touching the alliance and
the freedom of Erin; and the same tremendous interests would take them
far away the next morning to be absent for months; but the winter would
find them in the city and, when they would be fairly settled, Arthur was
bid to come and dine with them often. On the last boat the White Lady
sailed away with her lord and father, and Anne watched the boat out of
sight, sighing like one who has been ravished to the third heaven, and
finds it a distressing job to get a grip on earth again.

Arthur noticed that his mother dressed particularly well for the visits
of the politicians, and entertained them sumptuously. Was she planning
for his career? Delicious thought! But no, the web was weaving for the
Senator. When the last knot was tied, she threw it over his head in
perfect style. He complimented her on her latest costume. She swung
about the room with mock airs and graces to display it more perfectly,
and the men applauded. Good fortune had brought her back a likeness of
her former beauty, angles and wrinkles had vanished, there was luster in
her hair, and her melting eyes shone clear blue, a trifle faded. In her
old age the coquette of twenty years back was returning with a charm
which caught brother and son.

"I shall wear one like it at your inauguration, Senator," said she
brightly.

"For President? Thank you. But the dress reminds me, Anne," the Senator
added with feeling, "of what you were twenty years ago: the sweetest and
prettiest girl in the city."

"Oh, you always have the golden word," said she, "and thank you. But
you'll not be elected president, only mayor of our own city."

"It might come--in time," the Senator thought.

"And now is the time," cried she so emphatically that he jumped.
"Vandervelt told me that no man could be elected unless you said the
word. Why shouldn't you say it for yourself? He told me in the same
breath he'd like to see you in the place afore any friend he had,
because you were a man o' your word, and no wan could lose be your
election."

"Did he say all that?"

"Every word, and twice as much," she declared with eagerness. "Now think
it over with all your clever brains, Senator dear, and lift up the
Dillon name to the first place in the city. Oh, I'd give me life to see
that glory."

"And to win it," Arthur added under his breath.

The Senator was impressed, and Arthur had a feeling akin to awe. Who ca