Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/76

 Maitland's mind, and, driving away her colour, restored to her the lately vanished years. Silence fell between them for a while, until Constance roused herself, and, affecting cheerfulness, said:

"I shall study the Congressional Record with interest. Everything in one's own country is of interest after a long and painful exile."

"You should read Lord Bolingbroke's defence of exile," replied Thomdyke, moving a little nearer to her, and resting his elbow on the back of the bench so that he could look into her pensive, changing face.

"And yet, I daresay, Lord Bolingbroke pined in his exile. Nobody believed him when he said he did not mind. Mine, however, was complete. My uncle, von Hesselt, who was an honourable man in his way, thought he was carrying out my aunt's wishes by keeping me wholly away from all Americans and wholly with foreigners."

"But you could have left him after you were of age."

"Ah, you do not know! He was the most terrible sufferer you can imagine, for fifteen years. And what was worse, he was surrounded by people, his