“Certainly; a reception is the proper thing.  Sit down immediately and write the letter and I ’ll mail it first thing in the morning, so he ’ll get it before he has time to make other arrangements.  And you and your mother put your heads together and make out a list of guests, and I ’ll have the invitations printed to-morrow.  We will show the darkeys of Groveland how to entertain a Congressman.”

It will be noted that in moments of abstraction or excitement Mr. Clayton sometimes relapsed into forms of speech not entirely consistent with his principles.  But some allowance must be made for his atmosphere; he could no more escape from it than the leopard can change his spots, or the—­In deference to Mr. Clayton’s feelings the quotation will be left incomplete.

Alice wrote the letter on the spot and it was duly mailed, and sped on its winged way to Washington.

The preparations for the reception were made as thoroughly and elaborately as possible on so short a notice.  The invitations were issued; the house was cleaned from attic to cellar; an orchestra was engaged for the evening; elaborate floral decorations were planned and the flowers ordered.  Even the refreshments, which ordinarily, in the household of a caterer, would be mere matter of familiar detail, became a subject of serious consultation and study.

The approaching event was a matter of very much interest to the fortunate ones who were honored with invitations, and this for several reasons.  They were anxious to meet this sole representative of their race in the —­th Congress, and as he was not one of the old-line colored leaders, but a new star risen on the political horizon, there was a special curiosity to see who he was and what he looked like.  Moreover, the Claytons did not often entertain a large company, but when they did, it was on a scale commensurate with their means and position, and to be present on such an occasion was a thing to remember and to talk about.  And, most important consideration of all, some remarks dropped by members of the Clayton family had given rise to the rumor that the Congressman was seeking a wife.  This invested his visit with a romantic interest, and gave the reception a practical value; for there were other marriageable girls besides Miss Clayton, and if one was left another might be taken.

III

On the evening of April 3d, at fifteen minutes of six o’clock, Mr. Clayton, accompanied by Jack, entered the livery carriage waiting at his gate and ordered the coachman to drive to the Union Depot.  He had taken Jack along, partly for company, and partly that Jack might relieve the Congressman of any trouble about his baggage, and make himself useful in case of emergency.  Jack was willing enough to go, for he had foreseen in the visitor a rival for Alice’s hand,—­indeed he had heard more or less of the subject for several days,—­and was glad to make a reconnaissance before the enemy arrived upon the field of battle.  He had made—­at least he had thought so—­considerable progress with Alice during the three weeks since her return from Washington, and once or twice Alice had been perilously near the tender stage.  This visit had disturbed the situation and threatened to ruin his chances; but he did not mean to give up without a struggle.