“Suppose you try at once,” she said, for his kind was well known to her, as to any pretty girl. His chin dropped. “Take in my card, please,” she said. The young man revised his estimate. She was pretty, but she was _class_. Class, in his dictionary, meant anyone who could not be approached by the likes of himself. She might even be important. Sometimes women were important. They had rich or influential fathers or husbands. At any rate, here was one it would be unsafe to approach with blandishments. She was able to peg him neatly in the board as an understrapper. He took her card and disappeared through an adjoining door. Presently he reappeared. “His secretary will see you,” he said, and as she walked past him he scowled again, and hated her for showing him his lack of importance in the world. The Governor’s secretary arose courteously as she entered. She appraised him at once; recognized him for what he was, for the mark was strong upon him--a newspaper man, rewarded for services by his position. He was young, intelligent, sure of himself. She knew he would have no awe of personages. “Miss Lee?” he said, glancing at her card. “I wish to see the Governor.” “You have no appointment?” “None. I drove from Gibeon on a matter of grave importance--almost of life and death to our town. I must see him.” “A pardon case?” he asked. “No.” “If you will state your business, I will see what can be done. The Governor is very busy, of course, and cannot see everyone.” “My business is private. I can tell it only to the Governor himself--and I must see him.... I must see him.” His face was not unfriendly as he regarded her for an instant. “The Governor is not here. He has gone. However, if you will come back at--say--ten o’clock to-morrow, I will see that you get a minute with him.” “I must see him now--to-night. To-morrow will not do.” “I’m very sorry, but you can’t possibly see him. He is giving a dinner in the Executive Mansion, and a ball this evening. You can see for yourself.... He could not be disturbed. There are important guests. Our Senator is here.” She could see. The Governor’s day’s work was ended. His social day--an important social day--was beginning, and in such circumstances it would be impossible to penetrate to him.... She twisted her hands together and bit her lip.... By this time Abner Fownes’s train would be arriving in the city. _He_, doubtless, would have access to the Governor at any time. Possibly he was to be a guest at the function.... If he were, if he found the Governor’s ear, her mission would come to nothing. “Is there no way--no way?” she asked. “None, I am afraid.... But at ten to-morrow....” “Thank you,” she said, heavily. Then, “Is it a large party?” “Not a public function. Not small, but very exclusive. Our senior Senator, you know, is very important socially.”