“Will he play fair with us, or will he simply make this an occasion to break into our ranks?” What they both did was to break out into laughter at least feignedly hearty.  The Kentuckian resolved to put everything upon one hazard.

“I was just saying,” he remarked, “that we have been told the adorable countess perhaps contemplates only a short visit in America after all.  She might be easy to lead back to Europe, If necessary, you shall have a dignified errand made for you abroad—­entirely what you yourself would call fitting.  You must see to that.  Your reward will come somewhere this side of Heaven.”

“Again you have forgotten about—­”

“I have forgotten nothing, and to show you that I speak with authority, I will tell you this:  Within the hour the Countess St. Auban will leave her entertainment at the theater and return to her hotel.  You see, we are advised of all her movements.  We give you an hour to meet her at her hotel; an hour to persuade her.  There the curtain drops.

“No one in Washington or in New York seeks to look beyond that curtain,” he concluded slowly.  “No one counsels you what to do, and indeed, no one can suggest.  Only take this woman away, and lose her,—­that is all!  A few days or weeks will do, but for ever would be better.  It is no light errand that is offered to you, and we are not fools or children to look at this altogether lightly.  There is risk, and there is no security.  Customarily the rewards of large risks and poor security are great—­when there are any rewards.”

[Illustration:  “Only take this woman away and lose her.”]

The gentleman from Kentucky rose as he spoke and, adroit in managing men, reached out his hand as though to take the other’s and so to clench the matter.  Yet his heart leaped in surprise—­a surprise which did not leave him wholly clear as to the other’s motives—­when the latter met his hand with so hearty a grasp of affirmation.

“It should not be so difficult,” he said.  “It is only a case of logical argument.  It is long since I have addressed the people, or addressed a lady, but I shall try my skill once more to-night!  All that is necessary is to explain to this young lady that our political ambitions are quite the same, and that I might be of service did we share the same public means of travel in a Journey already planned by both.  I was intending a visit to Europe this very summer.”

“Sir, there is no other man owner both of the skill and courage to handle this matter.  I hesitated to put it before you, but the method you suggest seems almost plausible.  I trust you to make it appear wholly so to the fair lady herself.”

“We might be younger and fare better at that sort of thing.”