Mrs. Burrell rose from her seat with quiet dignity. “If you’re goin’ to begin to talk like that,” she said, in a low voice, “I’m goin’ home. I declare, these parties are only an aggravation, anyway. Come on, girls.” She walked toward the little Frenchman and offered her hand. “Good-night, musseer,” she said, with a large smile. The Frenchman bowed low again. “Good-night, madame.” He touched the tips of her fingers with his small, gloved hand. “I don’t believe I like those Frenchmen,” whispered Mrs. Burrell, as the family started to leave the room. “You never can tell whether they’re laughin’ at you or not.” “I guess nearly everybody’s beginning to go,” said Carrie Cora, briskly. “Let’s hurry up, or they’ll think we want to be put out. Oh, say, look out there, will you? There’s that Mr. West, that they say is so attentive to Mrs. Briggs. He’s been drinking champagne and punch all the evening. See how red his face is!” “Hold your tongue, Carrie Cora,” said Burrell. “And talking with Mrs. Briggs, too,” cried the youngest daughter. “Here they come. Let’s get out of the way. They’ll think we’re spying on them.” VIII The Burrells came face to face with their hostess in the wide hall. “I wondered what had happened to you,” said Helen, leaving West, who strolled into the billiard-room, and joining the group. “Have the girls been enjoying themselves?” she asked, turning, with a smile, from the mother to the three daughters. “Oh, yes, we’ve all been having a lovely time!” Mrs. Burrell replied, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. “Oh, yes, lovely!” the girls cried together. “Of course,” Mrs. Burrell went on, with a wistful look, “after my daughters get better acquainted they’ll have more partners.” “Ma!” exclaimed Carrie Cora. “But let me introduce you to some of the gentlemen,” said Helen, solicitously. “We’ll go back into the drawing-room.” “No,” Burrell interposed. “We must go home. We ought to have gone long ago. I’m sorry not to have had a chance to talk with your husband about that law case of mine, Mrs. Briggs.” “I’ll speak to him about it, Mr. Burrell,” said Helen. “Now that Congress is nearly ready to adjourn, he’ll have more time. Is it to come before the New York courts?” The old man nodded. “Those New York men have infringed on my patents, confound ’em! Mrs. Briggs, there ain’t anybody else I’d trust as I do your husband. He’s been a brick to me ever since I come here. He’s the only one of the big fellows in Congress that’s taken any notice of me, an’ I guess I appreciate it. An’ the girls, they think you’re just perfect.” “I’m only sorry I couldn’t do more for you, Mr. Burrell,” said Helen, with a smile. Mrs. Burrell led the way toward the staircase, the others following, with the exception of Carrie Cora. “Oh, Mrs. Briggs!” the girl exclaimed, impulsively, “I have something to tell you. But I--I mustn’t stay a minute.” “What is it, dear?” “He’s come to Washington,” Carrie Cora whispered. “He got here this morning.”