Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/183

 *naturally wished Annette to have the benefit of it.

Crane talked pleasantly with Constance for a few minutes, Annette still sitting in the carriage. He was certainly remarkably handsome, as the declining sun shone on his clear-cut, olive face, with the little rings of dark-brown hair showing on his forehead. Constance thought the Cranes the handsomest couple she had seen for a long time. The children were introduced, behaved well, as American, and especially Western, children seldom do—and then Constance said to Annette:

"I shall soon be closing my house for the season, but before doing so, I hope to have you and Mr. Crane to dinner with me some evening."

"We will come with pleasure," replied Annette; and a date was arranged for the following week.

Constance returned to town, thinking to herself what a fool Crane must be not to be satisfied with such a wife as Annette.