Stevens’ reply, to effect that probably Haines would consent to be “taken care of” if judiciously approached, was derided by the observant Peabody.  “A young reformer grows fat on notoriety,” he laughed, “and think what a scandal he would have for his newspaper if we took a chance on disclosing our hand to him.  No, no, Stevens; we must have him watched and try to discredit him in some way.  Perhaps we can make Langdon believe that his secretary is dishonest.”

Congressman Norton was another man who was dismayed at the formation of the firm of Langdon and Haines.  Young Randolph, too, could not forget the defeat and humiliation he had previously suffered at Haines’ hands and grew more bitter as the reporter’s influence over his father grew stronger.  But Haines’ most effective enemy had arisen in the person he would be the last to suspect; one whom he unceasingly admired, one whose very words he had come to cherish.  And possibly it was not all her own fault that Carolina Langdon had enlisted her services, subtle and quite overwhelming (owing to Haines’ fervent worship of her), against the secretary.  Perhaps the social system of which she had become a part in Washington had something to do with the craving to become a leader in that fascinating world whose dazzling variety and infinite diversion seemed to fill her soul with all that it yearned for.  Love she had, for she had now promised to wed Congressman Norton.  She loved him fondly, she had confessed to him, and gradually she came to work desperately against Haines, who, she had been convinced by Norton and Randolph, would prove a stumbling-block to them, to her father, to herself in her career at the capital, if his influence over the Senator should be permitted to exist or to increase.  And so on the surface Carolina Langdon was most amiable to the secretary, encouraged him in his attentions to her, led him surely into her power, Norton having prevailed, on her to keep the knowledge of their engagement secret from every one, even her father.

The days and nights became filled with important work for Senator Langdon and his secretary.  Together they went over the important measures, outlined what appeared to be the best course of procedure, and carried it into effect as far as possible.  Langdon became a prominent figure in the Senate, owing to his consistent support of measures that fitted in with the public policy, or what should be the public policy, of the nation.  He had learned that the only practicable way to outwit or to cope with the members of the dominating machine, made up, he was surprised to see, of members of both the parties—­the only two in Washington—­was to oppose what the machine wanted with enough power to force it to grant him what he believed the public ought to have.  He was described by some of the hide-bound “insiders” on Capitol Hill as “the only brainy man who had fought the machine in thirty years.”