Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/80

 *the two perfectly matched cobs, the silver-mounted harness of Spanish leather, the miniature brougham with "C. M." in cipher on the panels—the whole must have cost about half his yearly income. This, together with Crane's remarkable triumph, made him surly, and he said, stiffly, as he assisted Constance into the brougham:

"You gave me permission to call to-day."

"Yes, but I withdraw it. It is now nearly three o'clock. I have not had my luncheon, I am tired, and I must rest this afternoon, and I go out to dinner. To-morrow at five."

Her tone and manner discounted her words. It was as if she were saying: "I must save something for to-morrow—I will not be a spendthrift of my joys." Thorndyke, finding nothing to discompose him in her words, replied, in a very good humour:

"It is always to-morrow—but to-morrow is better than not at all. Good-bye."

The brougham rolled off, and Thorndyke stepped aboard a street-car bound for the West End.

At the Capitol plaza a great crowd got on, among them the two gentlemen whom Thorndyke affectionately described as his boss and Crane's boss.