He turned abruptly and left her, the sense of tragic failure crushing his heart. CHAPTER XIX Woman’s political power was hurled solidly against an increase of armaments, and Vassar’s Bill for National Defense was defeated. Waldron’s triumph was complete. His lawyers drew the compromise measure which Congress was permitted to pass a few weeks later. It made provision for a modest increase of the Army, Navy and the National Guard. The banker’s newspapers led the chorus of approval of this absurd program and the nation was congratulated on its happy deliverance from the threatened curse of militarism. Waldron chartered two trains and took the entire delegation of five hundred women members of the Convention as his guests. He entertained them for a week at the best hotels and closed the celebration with a banquet at his palatial home in honor of Virginia Holland. At the close of the dinner when the last speaker had finished a brilliant panegyric of praise for the modern Joan of Arc, the master of the feast whispered in her ear: “Will you remain a few minutes when the others have gone? I’ve something to tell you.” She nodded her consent and Waldron hurried their departure. She wondered vaguely what new scheme his fertile brain had hatched, and followed him into the dimly lighted conservatory without a suspicion of the sensation he was about to spring. In his manner there was not the slightest trace of excitement. He found a seat overlooking an entrancing view of the cold, moonlit river below, and began the conversation in the most matter of fact way. “I have a big announcement to make to you, Miss Holland,” he began evenly. “Indeed?” “My life work is rapidly reaching its consummation. You like this place?” He adjusted his glasses and waved his hand comprehensively. The gesture took in the house, the grounds, the yacht, the river and possibly the city. Virginia started to the apparently irrelevant question. In her surprise she forgot to answer. “You like it?” he repeated. “Your place,” she stammered, “why, yes, of course, it’s beautiful, and I think the banquet a triumph of generosity. Our leaders will never cease sounding your praises. I must say that you’re a master politician. I wonder that you became a banker--” Waldron’s cold smile thawed into something like geniality. “I had good reasons for that choice, you may rest assured. The man who does things, Miss Holland, leaves nothing to chance which his will may determine. It was not by accident that I became a multi-millionaire. It was necessary--” He stopped abruptly and fixed her with his steel-gray eyes. “The triumph of my life work is in sight. I may breathe freely for the first time. I have chosen you to be the queen of this house. I offer you my hand in marriage--”