“Why I laid a little plan for his benefit two weeks ago.  I think he will be tractable, maybe.  He is to come here tonight.”

“Look out for him, my child!  He means mischief, sure.  It is said that he claims to know of improper practices having been used in the interest of this bill, and he thinks be sees a chance to make a great sensation when the bill comes up.  Be wary.  Be very, very careful, my dear.  Do your very-ablest talking, now.  You can convince a man of anything, when you try.  You must convince him that if anything improper has been done, you at least are ignorant of it and sorry for it.  And if you could only persuade him out of his hostility to the bill, too—­but don’t overdo the thing; don’t seem too anxious, dear.”

“I won’t; I’ll be ever so careful.  I’ll talk as sweetly to him as if he were my own child!  You may trust me—­indeed you may.”

The door-bell rang.

“That is the gentleman now,” said Laura.  Senator Dilworthy retired to his study.

Laura welcomed Mr. Trollop, a grave, carefully dressed and very respectable looking man, with a bald head, standing collar and old fashioned watch seals.

“Promptness is a virtue, Mr. Trollop, and I perceive that you have it.  You are always prompt with me.”

“I always meet my engagements, of every kind, Miss Hawkins.”

“It is a quality which is rarer in the world than it has been, I believe.  I wished to see you on business, Mr. Trollop.”

“I judged so.  What can I do for you?”

“You know my bill—­the Knobs University bill?”

“Ah, I believe it is your bill.  I had forgotten.  Yes, I know the bill.”

“Well, would you mind telling me your opinion of it?”

“Indeed, since you seem to ask it without reserve, I am obliged to say that I do not regard it favorably.  I have not seen the bill itself, but from what I can hear, it—­it—­well, it has a bad look about it.  It—­”

“Speak it out—­never fear.”

“Well, it—­they say it contemplates a fraud upon the government.”

“Well?” said Laura tranquilly.

“Well!  I say ‘Well?’ too.”

“Well, suppose it were a fraud—­which I feel able to deny—­would it be the first one?”

“You take a body’s breath away!  Would you—­did you wish me to vote for it?  Was that what you wanted to see me about?”

“Your instinct is correct.  I did want you—­I do want you to vote for it.”

“Vote for a fr—­for a measure which is generally believed to be at least questionable?  I am afraid we cannot come to an understanding, Miss Hawkins.”

“No, I am afraid not—­if you have resumed your principles, Mr. Trollop.”

“Did you send for we merely to insult me?  It is time for me to take my leave, Miss Hawkins.”

“No-wait a moment.  Don’t be offended at a trifle.  Do not be offish and unsociable.  The Steamship Subsidy bill was a fraud on the government.  You voted for it, Mr. Trollop, though you always opposed the measure until after you had an interview one evening with a certain Mrs. McCarter at her house.  She was my agent.  She was acting for me.  Ah, that is right—­sit down again.  You can be sociable, easily enough if you have a mind to.  Well?  I am waiting.  Have you nothing to say?”