Accordingly, a few nights
later, the Cortlandts dined at his handsome residence on the
heights above Culebra. After their return to Panama, the Colonel,
in whom was vested the supreme authority over his nation's
interests, acknowledged that his acquaintance with diplomacy was
as nothing compared with Edith Cortlandt's.
It was to Colonel Bland, in charge of the Atlantic Division, that
he confessed:
"In all my life I never met a woman like her. Cortlandt, as you
know, is a clever fellow, and I flatter myself that I'm no mental
invalid; but we were like children in her hands. He sided with me
at first, but she talked us both around in spite of ourselves. I
agree with her now, perfectly, and I am content to let her have
free rein."
"General Alfarez is the strongest man in the Republic," said
Colonel Bland. "As Governor of Panama Province, he's the logical
next President. Besides that, he has the machinery behind him. I
don't see who there is to defeat him."
"We argued the same thing. She thinks Garavel is the proper man."
"Garavel is a banker; he's not a politician."
The chief-engineer laughed.
"All Spanish-Americans are politicians, Colonel; they can't help
it."
"Would he accept?"
"It is her business to find out.
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