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 should come to her under the circumstances. Perhaps it was only nervousness, the relaxation after great tension. With this in mind, she said pleasantly, as they seated themselves:

"So you waked this morning and found yourself famous."

"My speech appears to have been well received by the country," replied Crane, in a strained voice, after a pause.

"It is a pity Mrs. Crane was not present to enjoy your triumph," she said.

"Mrs. Crane does not care for politics," replied Crane, still in a strange voice.

"I cannot say that I am especially interested in politics," replied Constance, "but I am interested in contemporary history of all sorts."

"And interested in your friends, Miss Maitland, when they are in public life."

"Extremely. I was at the House yesterday to hear you speak, and read your speech over again this morning in the Congressional Record."

"Which, no doubt, you received through Thorndyke," Crane answered, pointedly, after a moment.

Constance felt an inclination, as she often did,