She acted quite dutifully."
"Yes. If she had refused Ramon, I doubt if we could have saved her
father. As it is, the General withdraws and leaves the field
clear, the two young people are reunited, quite as if you had
never appeared, and you--My dear Kirk, now what about you?"
"Oh, I don't count. I never have counted in anything, you know.
That's the trouble with good-natured people. But is it true that
Garavel is practically elected?"
"General Alfarez couldn't very well step in after he had publicly
stepped out, could he? That would be a trifle too treacherous;
he'd lose his support, and our people could then have an excuse to
take a hand. I'm tremendously glad it's all settled finally, I
assure you. It was a strain; and although I'm sorry you got your
fingers pinched between the political wheels, I'm relieved that
the uncertainty is ended."
So far they had been speaking like mere acquaintances, but now
Kirk turned upon her a trifle bitterly.
"I think you worked it very cleverly, Mrs. Cortlandt," he said.
"Of course, I had no chance to win against a person of your
diplomatic gifts. I had my nerve to try."
She regarded him without offence at this candor, then nodded.
"Yes. You see, it meant more to me than to you or to her.
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