Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/266

 the biggest batch of votes for the money of any man in the State"

"Mr. Mulligan!" cried Constance, in horror.

"Yes, there's no denying of it in some States—and there's automobiling and plenty of other clean, dacent pleasures to make up for love. But I tell you, Miss Maitland, there never can be the time, if I'm still single, that you can't be Mrs. Michael Patrick Mulligan, and your money may go to the bow-wows for all I care, and I honour and admire you above all the women I iver knew, I do that. Good-bye. Don't snub the life out of me in Washington if I meet you next winter."

"I shall not, I promise you—good-bye," said Constance, and walking briskly into the summer-*house, while Senator Mulligan turned away, she almost walked into Geoffrey Thorndyke's arms.

"I couldn't help hearing," said Thorndyke, with a burning face. "I couldn't get out—it would have been beastly to the poor devil"

And then both of them suddenly burst into a gale of laughter, nor could they, all that day and evening, meet each other's eyes without laughing mysteriously.