Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/74

 "I remember everything," he said.

After a moment's pause Constance, still with a heightened colour, continued:

"I have seen Mr. Crane several times this winter—not only in my own house, but in others. Whenever I am with him I am consumed with pity for him."

"He does not need your pity now," said Thorndyke, grimly. "It is more needed by his senior Senator, who is the fly-wheel of the political machine in his State. The old gentleman, I know, is at this minute walking the floor in his committee-room and gnashing his teeth over Crane's success. The senior Senator took Crane up, send him to Congress, and thought he had secured a really efficient understrapper. I don't think Crane will fill that place after to-day's triumph, and the senior Senator knows it, and has got to discover means, if possible, to garrote Crane politically before the next Congressional campaign."

"I see," replied Constance, who was only interested in the subject because she saw Thorndyke was. "Mr. Crane, by virtue of making your speech, has got beyond the control of his master. By the way