John laughed suddenly. "And so it is clear which part Vancouver and I played in the business," he said. "But where is the kingdom?" "I did not mean that," said Joe, seriously. "I am not making fun any more. I have not been successful in my chaff to-day. I should think that in your career it would be very important for you to know who are your friends. Is it not?" "Certainly," said John, looking at her curiously. "It is very important; but I think political life is generally much simpler than people suppose. It is rather like fighting. The man who hits you is your enemy. The man who does not is practically your friend. Do you mean in regard to Vancouver?" "Yes." "Vancouver never hit me, that I can swear," said John, "and I am very sure I never hit him." "I dare say I am mistaken," said Joe. "You ought to know best. Let us leave him alone." "With all my heart," answered John. "Tell me what you have been doing, Mr. Harrington," said Joe, after a moment's pause; "all the papers are full of you." "Yes, I have been rather in the passive mood during the last week. I have been standing up to be shot at." "Without shooting back? What are they so angry about?" "The truth," said John, calmly. "They do not like to hear it." "What is truth--in this instance?" "Apparently something so unpleasant that the mere mention of it has roused the bile of every penny-a-liner in the Republican press. I undertook to demonstrate that one of the fifteen millions of the 'ablest men in the country,' whom you are always hearing about, is a swindler. He is, but he does not like to be told so." "I suppose not," said Joe. "I wonder if any one likes unpleasant truths. But what do you mean to do now? Are you going to fight it out? I hope so!" "Of course, in good time. One can hardly retire from such a position as mine; they would make an end of me in a week and quarrel over my bones. But the real fight will be fought by and by, when the elections come on." "How exciting it must all be," said Joe. "I wish I were a man!" "And an American?" asked John, smiling. "How are the mighty fallen! You were laughing at us and our politics the day before yesterday, and now you are wishing you were one of us yourself. I think you must be naturally fond of fighting"-- "Fond of a row?" suggested Miss Thorn, with a laugh. "Yes, I fancy I am. I am fond of all active things. Are not you?" "I do not know," said John. "I never thought much about it. But I suppose I should be called rather an active person." "Is not she beautiful?" ejaculated Miss Thorn, looking across the room at Sybil Brandon, whose fair head was just visible between two groups of people. "Who?" asked John, who was looking at his companion. "Miss Brandon," said Joe. "Look at her, over there. I think she is the most beautiful thing I ever saw." "Yes," said John, "she is very beautiful." CHAPTER IV.