“And we’ll miss YOU.”  She said more brightly, “I know you will do us much honor ... there in the nation’s capital.”  Her hand went half way out toward him and drew back.  “You’ll fight always ... for the right alone ...  Dave Broderick.”

He took a step toward her.  “By God!  I will promise you that.  I’m through with ward politics, with tricks and intriguing.  I’m going to fight for Freedom ... against Slavery.  They’re trying to fasten Slavery onto Kansas.  President Buchanan is a Pennsylvanian but he’s dominated by the Southern men.  Washington is dominated by them.  There aren’t more than half a dozen who are not afraid of them.”  He drew himself up.  “But I’m one.  Douglas of Illinois is another.  And Seward of New York.  I’ve heard from them.  We stand together.”

He laughed a shade bitterly.  “It’s difficult to fancy, isn’t it?  Dave Broderick, the son of a stone mason, a former fireman, bartender, ward-boss—­fighting for an ideal?  Against the Solid South?”

She came closer.  “Dave, you must not say such things.”  She looked about her.  They were alone in the room, for Benito had gone out with Robert.  “Dave, we’re proud of you....  And I—­I shall always see you, standing in the Senate Chamber, battling, like a Knight of Old....”

Her face was upturned to his.  His hands clenched themselves.  With a swift movement he caught up his hat and stick.  Fled from the house without a good-bye.

As he went down the hill with long strides, his mind was torn between a fierce pride in his proven strength and a heart-wrecked yearning.

He started the next morning for Washington.

CHAPTER LII

A TRIP TO CHINATOWN

Samuel Brannan brought the first news from Washington.  Gwin, who owed his place to Broderick, had after all betrayed him.  The bargained-for double patronage was not forthcoming.  Broderick was grievously disappointed in Buchanan.  There had been a clash between them.  No Democratic Senator, the President had said, could quarrel profitably with the Administration.  Which meant that Broderick must sustain the Lecompton Resolution or lose face and favor in the nation’s forum.  Things were at a bitter pass.

“What’s the Lecompton Resolution?” Alice asked.

“It’s a long story,” Brannan answered.  “In brief, it means forcing slavery on Kansas, whose people don’t want it.  And on the Lecompton Resolution hinges more or less the balance of power, which will keep us, here, in the free States, or give us, bound and gagged, to the South.”

“And you say Gwin has repudiated his pact?”

“Either that ... or Buchanan has refused to sanction it.  The result is the same.  David doesn’t get his patronage.”

“I’m glad!  I’m glad!” cried Alice.

Brannan looked at her astonished.  “But ... you don’t know what it means.  His men, awaiting their political rewards!  His organization here ... it will be weakened.  You don’t understand, Mrs. Windham.”