"Of course we know that, Senor Garavel, and of course there are grave reasons why we wished to talk with you. As Stephen has said, General Alfarez cannot be President--" "Madame," he said, coldly, "Panama is a republic. The voice of the people is supreme." "Down in your heart do you really think so?" She was still smiling at him. "No! The United States is supreme." "Ah! That day will come, perhaps--I have said so; I look forward to it as the best solution, but--" "The day has come." "Even so, Alfarez is an honorable man, a strong man, and the wealthiest man in our country. He is a politician--" "But he is not a friend of our country." "I am not so sure." Garavel frowned at his cigar for a moment, while the room became silent. "What has this to do with me, madame?" he asked, at last. "Can't you guess?" The intensity of her look caused him to rise hurriedly and cast a quick glance from one to the other. "You are also a rich man, a man of ability," said Cortlandt, quick to seize the momentary advantage. "Your name is second to none in all Central America. The next President must possess intelligence, honor, ability; he must be a friend of our people. There is no one better--" "Impossible!" exclaimed the banker, in a strange voice. "_I_? No, no!" "And why not? Have you never had political aspirations?" "Of course. All men have dreams. I was Secretary of Finance under Amador, but the Garavels have never really been public men. Politics have been a curse to our house. My grandfather--" "I know," broke in Mrs. Cortlandt. "But times have changed. Panama has seen her last revolution, and she needs a business man at her head. Presidents are not made now by rifle and sword, and the man with the machete must give way to the man with a capacity for handling big affairs. There will be no more swineherd Presidents like your Guatemalan countryman Corera, nor tyrants like Zelaya. Panama is a healthy country, with no national debt; she is growing, developing. She holds the gateway to the Western World, and her finances must be administered wisely. You, Mr. Garavel, are one of the few who are clear-headed enough to see that her destiny is linked with ours, and there is no one who can direct her so well as you." "It is impossible!" repeated Garavel, his agitation growing more pronounced. "General Alfarez is my friend. His son will be my son." "Ramon! Is Ramon engaged to your daughter?" "Yes," exclaimed the banker, shortly. He began to pace the room. "What difference would that make, if the young people love each other?" "Certainly," Cortlandt agreed. "They are not children." "As for love, Ramon loves, and--my daughter will love also, once she is married, for she is a Garavel." "If Ramon isn't satisfactory to her, ought you to force her inclination?" Mrs. Cortlandt offered, eagerly. But the banker flung his arms aloft in a gesture of half-humorous despair.