"Of course they are all wild animals to you, but one or two have been
pointed out to me that looked quite like ordinary gentlemen--really."

"Possibly. But no person in official life has ever entered my house. I
do not feel inclined to break the rule merely because the wife of one
of the most objectionable class is an Englishwoman with a title. I
think it very inconsiderate of Lady Barnstaple to have given her a
letter to us."

"Lee, never having lived in Washington, doubtless fancies, like the
rest of the benighted world, that its officials are its aristocracy.
The Senate of the United States is regarded abroad as a sort of House
of Peers. One has to come and live in Washington to hear of the 'Old
Washingtonians,' the 'cave-dwellers,' as Sally calls us; I expected to
see a coat of blue mould on each of them when I returned."

"Really, Betty, I do not understand you this morning." Mrs. Madison
moved uneasily and took out her handkerchief. When her daughter's rich
Southern voice hardened itself to sarcasm, and her brilliant hazel
eyes expressed the brain in a state of cold analysis, Mrs. Madison
braced herself for a contest in which she inevitably must surrender
with what slow dignity she could command. Betty had called her Molly
since she was fourteen months old, and, sweet and gracious in small
matters, invariably pursued her own way when sufficiently roused by
the strength of a desire. Mrs. Madison, however, kept up the fiction
of an authority which she thought was due to herself and her
ancestors. She continued impatiently,--

"You have been standing before that fireplace for ten minutes with
your shoulders thrown back as if you were going to make a speech. It