The occasion of her visit was a presidential inauguration.  The new President owed his nomination mainly to the votes of the Southern delegates in the convention, and was believed to be correspondingly well disposed to the race from which the Southern delegates were for the most part recruited.  Friends of rival and unsuccessful candidates for the nomination had more than hinted that the Southern delegates were very substantially rewarded for their support at the time when it was given; whether this was true or not the parties concerned know best.  At any rate the colored politicians did not see it in that light, for they were gathered from near and far to press their claims for recognition and patronage.  On the evening following the White House inaugural ball, the colored people of Washington gave an “inaugural” ball at a large public hall.  It was under the management of their leading citizens, among them several high officials holding over from the last administration, and a number of professional and business men.  This ball was the most noteworthy social event that colored circles up to that time had ever known.  There were many visitors from various parts of the country.  Miss Clayton attended the ball, the honors of which she carried away easily.  She danced with several partners, and was introduced to innumerable people whom she had never seen before, and whom she hardly expected ever to meet again.  She went away from the ball, at four o’clock in the morning, in a glow of triumph, and with a confused impression of senators and representatives and lawyers and doctors of all shades, who had sought an introduction, led her through the dance, and overwhelmed her with compliments.  She returned home the next day but one, after the most delightful week of her life.

II

One afternoon, about three weeks after her return from Washington, Alice received a letter through the mail.  The envelope bore the words “House of Representatives” printed in one corner, and in the opposite corner, in a bold running hand, a Congressman’s frank, “Hamilton M. Brown, M.C.”  The letter read as follows:——­

House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C., March 30, 187-.

Miss Alice Clayton, Groveland.

Dear Friend (if I may be permitted to call you so after so brief an acquaintance),—­I remember with sincerest pleasure our recent meeting at the inaugural ball, and the sensation created by your beauty, your amiable manners, and your graceful dancing.  Time has so strengthened the impression I then received, that I should have felt inconsolable had I thought it impossible ever to again behold the charms which had brightened the occasion of our meeting and eclipsed by their brilliancy the leading belles of the capital.  I had hoped, however, to have the pleasure of meeting you again, and circumstances have fortunately placed it in my power to do so at an early date.  You