Helm had no woman-talk. He stood--not too awkwardly--and silently gazed at the lovely and radiant young lady so unaccountably transformed from her former cold reserve. And, as the astute Sayler did not fail to note, he looked at her hungrily. Even Carlotta Sayler, the self-absorbed, saw in Helm’s tell-tale face that there was “something or other between those two--though how could it possibly be!” “I was about to ask Mr. Helm to dine with us to-morrow night,” said Sayler. “Yes, do,” cried Carlotta, who never missed a cue. “It’s to be early and most informal--no evening clothes or such nonsense. Won’t it be delightful, Eleanor? Your father will be so pleased to meet one of _our_ coming men.” Poor Helm was framing a refusal when he caught in Eleanor’s eyes a look of appeal--a pleading request that he accept. Nor had he the excuse that Sayler was of the enemy. Sayler had shown him that he harbored no such petty notions of obligation as possess the average man who fancies that his foe ought to become his friend if he does him the honor of giving him a free cigar, or a free dinner, or a free drink. Also, he wished to talk with Sayler again. Sayler, expert at the political game, had in their hour’s talk taught him more than he had learned of all the other men with whom he had discussed politics. And Sayler was--for some mysterious reason--eager to give him the ammunition of facts about the doings of the plutocracy which he most needed. “Thank you, ma’am, I’ll be glad to come,” said Helm. He added, “I’ve heard you’re very dressy out at your place. You’re _sure_ you won’t mind my clothes? I haven’t any dress suits.” “A _man_ can go where he pleases in what he pleases,” said Sayler. “But there’s no truth in that report about us. The women at our place are dressy, of course. They always are everywhere. If they’re not that, they think they’re not anything--and perhaps they’re right. But it’s go-as-you-please with the men.” Sayler discovered that he wished to look at the west wing of the capitol, walked with his wife, thus forcing Helm to walk with Eleanor--and to walk ahead where he could observe. There was plenty to see.