“Why, of course I like you,” she replied, prettily. “Haven’t you ever thought anything else about me?” he went on. “I think you’re very kind,” she went on, even more bashfully; she realized now that he was still holding her hand. “Is that all?” he asked. “Well,” she said, with fluttering eyelids, “isn’t that enough?” He looked at her, and the playful, companionable directness of her answering gaze thrilled him through and through. He studied her face in silence while she turned and twisted, feeling, but scarcely understanding, the deep import of his scrutiny. “Well,” he said at last, “I think you’re a fine girl. Don’t you think I’m a pretty nice man?” “Yes,” said Jennie, promptly. He leaned back in his chair and laughed at the unconscious drollery of her reply. She looked at him curiously, and smiled. “What made you laugh?” she inquired. “Oh, your answer” he returned. “I really ought not to laugh, though. You don’t appreciate me in the least. I don’t believe you like me at all.” “But I do, though,” she replied, earnestly. “I think you’re so good.” Her eyes showed very plainly that she felt what she was saying. “Well,” he said, drawing her gently down to him; then, at the same instant, he pressed his lips to her cheek. “Oh!” she cried, straightening up, at once startled and frightened. It was a new note in their relationship. The senatorial quality vanished in an instant. She recognized in him something that she had not felt before. He seemed younger, too. She was a woman to him, and he was playing the part of a lover. She hesitated, but not knowing just what to do, did nothing at all. “Well,” he said, “did I frighten you?” She looked at him, but moved by her underlying respect for this great man, she said, with a smile, “Yes, you did.” “I did it because I like you so much.” She meditated upon this a moment, and then said, “I think I’d better be going.” “Now then,” he pleaded, “are you going to run away because of that?” “No,” she said, moved by a curious feeling of ingratitude; “but I ought to be going. They’ll be wondering where I am.” “You’re sure you’re not angry about it?” “No,” she replied, and with more of a womanly air than she had ever shown before. It was a novel experience to be in so authoritative a position. It was so remarkable that it was somewhat confusing to both of them. “You’re my girl, anyhow,” the Senator said, rising. “I’m going to take care of you in the future.” Jennie heard this, and it pleased her. He was so well fitted, she thought, to do wondrous things; he was nothing less than a veritable magician. She looked about her and the thought of coming into such a life and such an atmosphere was heavenly. Not that she fully understood his meaning, however. He meant to be good and generous, and to give her fine things. Naturally she was happy. She took up the package that she had come for, not seeing or feeling the incongruity of her position, while he felt it as a direct reproof.