“I admired the Cresset speech!” she exclaimed, a sentiment which would have amazed Mrs. Eaton. Jacob laughed. “So do I,” he said, “it was first-class campaign matter, but--well, Di, personal abuse is a little vulgar, isn’t it, just now?” “Not if you deserved it,” she said defiantly. “I’d take any amount if you’d promise not to dance with him again.” “I’m the best judge of my partners,” said Diana, with indignant dignity; “if any one speaks it should be my father.” “Aptly said,” he admitted suavely, “and the colonel is one in a thousand, but you wind him around your little finger.” “You do not know Colonel Royall,” said Colonel Royall’s daughter, with just pride. Jacob lifted his hat. “_Vive le Roi!_” he said. She gave him an indignant glance. “You are a mocker.” “On my soul, no!” “Jacob,” said Diana, “your soul, like the rich man’s, may scarcely pass through the eye of a needle.” “My dear cousin, my soul has been passing through it under your rebukes. What shall I do to please you?” Diana rode on, her chin up. The path was narrow, and Jacob, falling behind, had only the privilege of admiring the long slim lines of her athletic young back, and the way she sat her horse. Beyond the cedars the path forked on the road, and he came up again. “I am chastened,” he said; “shall I be forgiven?” She laughed softly, then her mood changed. “Jacob,” she said, quite seriously, “you are sure that you’ll renominate Governor Aylett?” “My dear Di, I am sure of nothing in this world but death,” he retorted dryly, “but I’ll be--” “Cut it out, Jacob,” she cautioned, her eyes twinkling. “I won’t have Yarnall!” he finished lamely. She nodded. “I understand, but what is this about the backwoodsmen being organized?” “Your friend, the shyster,” he mocked, “he has that line of politics; he speaks well on top of a barrel. I suppose he can empty one, too.” “Not as easily as you could, Jacob,” she retorted ruthlessly. He raised his eyebrows. “I’ve been in love with you these many years, and thus do you trample on my feelings!” “I wish you had feelings,” said Diana calmly; “you have mechanism.” “Upon my word!” he cried; “this is the last straw.” “You should be a successful politician,” she continued; “you are a successful business man. Success is your Moloch; beware, Jacob!” “I am willing to sit at the feet of the prophetess,” he protested. “I’ve served seven years, I--” “Jacob,” said Diana, “don’t be silly. There’s Kingdom-Come at the gate; they are waiting to turn the omelet. Come!” and she galloped down to the high gateway, the rhododendrons clustering at her saddle-bow and the sunshine in her face. Kingdom-Come grinned. “Fo’ de Lawd, Miss Di, I reckon yo’ clean forgot dat folks eats in de mawnin’.” XI THE next morning Judge Hollis walked into Caleb Trench’s little back room.