Page:The leopard's spots - a romance of the white man's burden-1865-1900 (IA leopardsspotsrom00dixo).pdf/292

 "And your faith in me has been my highest incentive to give the lie to my enemies and succeed. And I will. I will be the master of this state within two years. And I want you to remember that I lay it all at your feet. The world need not know it,—you know it." He spoke with intense earnestness.

"But I don't want you to make such a success at the price of Negro equality. I feel a sense of unspeakable degradation for you when I hear your name hissed. At least I was your teacher once. Come Allan, give up Negro politics and devote yourself to an honourable career in law!"

He shook his head with calm persistence.

"No, this is my calling."

"Then take a nobler one."

"To succeed grandly is the only title to nobility here."

"Is the Doctor on speaking terms with you now?"

"Oh! yes, I joke him about his hide-bound Bourbonism, and he tells me I am all sorts of a villain. But we have made an agreement to hate one another in a polite sort of way as becomes a teacher in Israel and a statesman with responsibilities. By the way, I saw him driving to the Springs with a bevy of pretty girls a few hours ago."

"Indeed, I didn't know it!"

"Yes, he seemed to be having a royal time and to have renewed his youth."

An angry flush came to her face and she made no reply. McLeod glanced at her furtively and smiled at this evidence that his shot had gone home.

"Would you drive with me to the Springs? We will get there before this party starts back." She hesitated, and answered, "yes."