"'Thou, too, Brutus!'" she quoted reproachfully. "What will Senator Danvers think of me, with such a reputation as you give." "Suppose I have my name changed," suggested Danvers. "Philip suits you very well," Miss Blair answered, sedately. "You intimated a few minutes ago that you were rather inexperienced," she went on daringly. "If this winter you will try for such a reputation as Mrs. Latimer gave me, I'll agree to meet you on the field of battle." As she concluded the doctor came up and the joke was explained to him. He turned to the Senator. "_You're_ too old to have your name changed, or to affect the tender passion, Phil. Leave that to younger men--to me! I'll have my name changed to Jack, right away; and as for loving, I have always loved thee!" bowing to Winifred. A chorus of shrieks greeted the doctor's declaration. "No," insisted Philip, when his voice could be heard, "I am going to enter the lists, inexperienced as I am." The challenge in his eyes was good to see, but Winifred could not meet them. Delighted at the sight, the doctor changed the subject, and soon the group broke up. As Danvers greeted others, he noticed Eva Latimer in earnest conversation with Mr. William Moore. He bowed in passing, but their lowered voices paused only long enough for the conventional greeting. After making the round of the parlors, Danvers found the doctor and soon afterward they returned to their hotel. [Illustration] Chapter VI Il Trovatore The next morning Judge Latimer was surprised to find his wife taking a sudden interest in politics. "Why is there so much opposition to Mr. Burroughs for United States senator?" she inquired. "Several reasons," he answered, evasively, thinking she would not be interested to pursue the subject. "But he will be elected." "That remains to be seen." "He has thirty pledged out of the whole ninety-four, and several----" "How do you know? Where did you get your information?" Latimer spoke sharply. "Mr. Moore--nobody talked of anything else, it seems to me," amended Mrs. Latimer, with what carelessness she could assume. "Since the legislators have been arriving I have heard nothing discussed so much as Mr. Burroughs' chances of winning the election." "That comes of living in a hotel," said the judge, bitterly. "Burroughs' headquarters are on this floor, too, confound it! I wish we had not given up our home." "I don't," cried Eva. "Politics are lots of fun! I had no idea how much until this winter. It's so exciting!"