After a moment of silence his clouded face cleared.
"Mrs. Spangler," he began, "your announcement to-day I have considered to be—"
"Premature," she suggested.
The maid returned.
"Mr. Wall says Senator Langdon is wanted at once at the Capitol."
"Great heavens!" exclaimed Langdon, springing to his feet and glancing at the clock. "I'm late! I'm late! I hope to God I'm not too late!"
"Mr. Wall says a carriage is coming for Senator Langdon," concluded the maid.
"We must talk this matter over some other time, Mrs. Spangler," the
Mississippian cried, as he sent a servant for his hat and coat. "I
hope that carriage hurries, else I'll try it on the run for the
Capitol!"
"It's a half hour away on foot," said Mrs. Spangler. "Better wait.
You'll save time."
But to herself she muttered, as though mystified: