“The old English saying that ’people who can’t mind their own business invariably mind some one’s else,’ seems applicable,” said Watts.

“But is it not very humiliating to you to have to be friends with such men?” said Mrs. D’Alloi.

“You know Mr. Drewitt?” asked Peter.

“Yes,” said all but madame.

“Do you take pleasure in knowing him?”

“Of course,” said Watts.  “He’s very amusing and a regular parlor pet.”

“That is the reason I took him.  For ten years that man was notoriously one of the worst influences in New York State politics.  At Albany, in the interest of a great corporation, he was responsible for every job and bit of lobbying done in its behalf.  I don’t mean to say that he really bribed men himself, for he had lieutenants for the actual dirty work, but every dollar spent passed through his hands, and he knew for what purpose it was used.  At the end of that time, so well had he done his work, that he was made president of the corporation.  Because of that position, and because he is clever, New York society swallowed him and has ever since delighted to fete him.  I find it no harder to shake hands and associate with the men he bribed, than you do to shake hands and associate with the man who gave the bribe.”

“Even supposing the great breweries, and railroads, and other interests to be chiefly responsible for bribery, that makes it all the more necessary to elect men above the possibility of being bribed,” said Le Grand.  “Why not do as they do in Parliament?  Elect only men of such high character and wealth, that money has no temptation for them.”

“The rich man is no better than the poor man, except that in place of being bribed by other men’s money, he allows his own money to bribe him.  Look at the course of the House of Lords on the corn-laws.  The slave-holders’ course on secession.  The millionaire silver senators’ course on silver.  The one was willing to make every poor man in England pay a half more for his bread than need be, in order that land might rent for higher prices.  The slave-owner was willing to destroy his own country, rather than see justice done.  The last are willing to force a great commercial panic, ruining hundreds and throwing thousands out of employment, if they can only get a few cents more per ounce for their silver.  Were they voting honestly in the interest of their fellow-men?  Or were their votes bribed?”

Mrs. D’Alloi rose, saying, “Peter.  We came early and we must go early.  I’m afraid we’ve disgraced ourselves both ways.”

Peter went down with them to their carriage.  He said to Leonore in the descent, “I’m afraid the politics were rather dull to you.  I lectured because I wanted to make some things clear to you.”

“Why?” questioned Leonore.

“Because, in the next few months you’ll see a great deal about bosses in the papers, and I don’t want you to think so badly of us as many do.”