Carolina looked appealingly to Haines to rid her of the presence of this man, whose last words she knew Haines would not believe.
But Norton had had his say. He retreated to the door.
"Miss Langdon," he cried, as he backed out and away, "you have an idea that I am dishonest, but kindly remember that, whatever you think I am, I never was a hypocrite."
Haines advanced and procured a chair for Miss Langdon.
"I'm very sorry to have come back at such a time," he began.
The girl cut him short with a gesture.
"I want to say to you," she said, then halted—"that I want to be friends with you. I want you to forget the happenings of yesterday—last evening—so far as I was concerned in them. I want to work together with you and father—and so does Randolph. Father and you are standing together to uphold the honor of the Langdons of Mississippi, and Randolph and I, no matter the cost of our former folly, want to share in that work."
Before Haines could reply Senator Langdon burst into the room.
"Bud! Bud!" he cried, "I've got it! I've got it!"
"You've got what, Senator?" exclaimed the secretary.