If she had sent ever such a little note to bid him come! But she had made no sign.
Then Jaqueline Mason was very angry. She would not believe any man actually in love could so hold aloof. It was an insult! And while her passion was at white heat the next morning she penned a sharp note of dismissal. He should not plume himself upon having given her up.
Mr. Mason came to Washington according to agreement, and was very well satisfied with his prospective son-in-law.
"But do not go on too fast," he advised. "Matters look squally ahead. And if we should have war—"
"It will hardly invade us, when there are more important cities open to attack. And I cannot really think it. As the capital of the nation we must plan and build for the future. L'Enfant planned magnificently; it is for us to carry it out. And we younger men, who have not had our tempers so tried with all the disputes, will continue it with greater enthusiasm. It must be the grandest place in the whole country."
Mr. Mason smiled thoughtfully.
"I hope it may be. We had a hard fight for it in the beginning. I want the wisdom of our choice apparent."
"It will be the city of my adoption, and I shall bend all my energies, and whatever money I can spare, to its advancement. Having won my wife here, it will always keep a charm for me. I should like to be married as soon as is convenient. Patricia will be very happy here, I am sure."
Patricia was a fortunate girl, her father thought. Fathers had their daughters' interests at heart in those days, when there was time to live.
"What is this?" he asked of Jaqueline on the morning of their departure, holding a brief note before her eyes. "You don't mean that you have dismissed Mr. Carrington?"