" She
had read the Secretary aright--and now she asked: "Am I not correct,
your Excellency?"
"I think you are," the Secretary replied, "We all are obligated and
quite ready to give our lives for our country, if the sacrifice will
benefit it in the very least; yet I can't see the obligation in this
instance, can you Harleston?"
"None in the least, sir, provided your life were at issue," Harleston
answered. "For my part, I think it isn't even seriously threatened. If
Mrs. Spencer will shift her aim to me, I'll take a chance."
Mrs. Clephane gave a suppressed exclamation and an involuntary motion of
protest--and Mrs. Spencer saw her.
"Mrs. Clephane seems to be concerned lest I accept!" she jeered.
Mrs. Clephane blushed ravishingly, and Harleston caught her in the act;
whereupon she blushed still more, and turned away.
"Play acting!" mocked Madeline Spencer--then, shrugging the matter
aside, she turned to the Secretary. "Since we two are of one mind in the
affair before us, your Excellency," she observed, "I fancy I may take it
as settled. Nevertheless you will pardon me if I don't depress my aim
until we have attended to a little matter; it will occupy us but a
moment," making a step nearer the desk and away from the others, yet
still holding them in her eye.
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