He went into the music-room and left her by the open fire. One of the letters bore the emblem of the Municipal League. She tore it open and read:
"My Dear Miss Van Deusen:
As the daughter of your respected and beloved father and as the hereditary flower of womanhood of Roma, I owe you both allegiance and admiration. But holding, as I do, the sincere conviction that women belittle themselves and lower the standards of all humanity when they enter the public arena, I feel justified in announcing myself your opposition candidate. I have just consented to allow my name to be used, and I feel that I wish you to know it at once.
Yours respectfully,
John Allingham."
And having read it, she placed it on the glowing coals, smiling softly to herself the while.