"No--I was a fool. I'll make up for it. I'll go over now and shake hands with the reptile if you say so--" "Nonsense--you'll not do anything of the sort. He's nothing to me. He's the guest of the South--that's all." "Honest now, Jennie--you don't care for any other fellow?" "Nor for you, either!" she laughed. "Of course, I know that--but I can keep on trying, can't I?" "I don't see how I can prevent it!" Dick grinned good-naturedly and Jennie laughed again. "You're in for a siege with me, I'll tell you right now." "It's a free fight, Dick. I'm indifferent to the results." "Then you don't _mind_ if I win?" "Not in the least. At the present moment I'm a curious spectator--that's all." "Lord, I wish I were going with you--" "I wish so, too--" "Honest, Jennie?" "Cross my heart--" Dick laughed aloud. "Say--I tell you what I'm going to do!" "Yes?" "If Virginia don't secede in ten days--I will. I'll resign my job here with old Hunter and join the Confederacy. I don't like this new clerkship business anyhow--expect me in ten days--" Before Jennie could answer he turned suddenly and left the car. At the end of the platform he ran squarely into Socola. He was about to pass without recognition, stopped on an impulse, and extended his hand: "Fine day, Signor!" "Beautiful, M'sieur," was the smooth answer. Dick hesitated. "I'm afraid I was a little rude the other day?" "No offense, I'm sure, Mr. Welford--" "Of course, you can guess I'm in love with Miss Barton--" "I hadn't speculated on that point!" Socola laughed. "Well, I've been speculating about you--" "Indeed?" "Yes--and I'm going to be honest with you--I don't like you--we're enemies from to-day. But I'll play the game fair and the best man wins--" The two held each other's eye steadily for a moment and Socola's white teeth flashed. "The best man wins, M'sieur!" CHAPTER VIII THE STORM CENTER Socola hastened, through Jennie, to cultivate the acquaintance of Senator Davis. "You'll be delighted with Mrs. Davis, too," the girl informed him with enthusiasm. "His second love affair you know--this time, late in life, he married the young accomplished granddaughter of Governor Howell of New Jersey. Their devotion is beautiful--" The train had barely pulled out of the station before Socola found himself in a delightful conversation with the Senator. To his amazement he discovered that the Southerner was a close student of European statesmanship and well informed on the conditions of modern Italy. "I am delighted beyond measure, Signor," he said earnestly, "to learn of the interest of your King in the South. I have long felt that Cavour was one of the greatest statesmen and diplomats of the world. His achievement in establishing the Kingdom of Sardinia in the face of the bitter rivalries and ambitions of Europe, to say nothing of the power of Rome, was in itself enough to mark him as the foremost man of his age."