As Haines resumed his work Carolina Langdon entered.
Avoiding the secretary's direct gaze, she asked for her father.
"He ought to be back shortly, Miss Langdon," responded Haines. "You can wait here. I must ask pardon for leaving, as I must run over to the library."
As the secretary bowed himself out of the door he almost collided with
Congressman Norton. Both glared at each other and remained silent.
"Carolina," spoke Norton, as he entered, "I hope—I know you won't allow your father to influence you against me—because of last night. I—"
Carolina would rather not have met Charles Norton on this morning. She had hardly slept for the night. She had fought a battle with herself. Her father had shown her plainly the mistake she had made. She saw that her influence had not been without effect on Randolph. Probably for the first time she realized that there are glory and luxury, pleasure and prestige for which too big a price can be paid.
The Senator's daughter turned slowly and faced the man she had promised to marry.
"Charlie, I have come to a decision. I came here to talk with father about it."
Norton started toward Carolina, a look of apprehension on his face. He gathered from the trend of her words and her demeanor that she had turned against him.
"You couldn't be so cruel, Carolina," he protested.