But the best aristocracy of the three Washington castes, and really the most powerful, by far, was that of the Middle Ground:  It was made up of the families of public men from nearly every state in the Union—­men who held positions in both the executive and legislative branches of the government, and whose characters had been for years blemishless, both at home and at the capital.  These gentlemen and their households were unostentatious people; they were educated and refined; they troubled themselves but little about the two other orders of nobility, but moved serenely in their wide orbit, confident in their own strength and well aware of the potency of their influence.  They had no troublesome appearances to keep up, no rivalries which they cared to distress themselves about, no jealousies to fret over.  They could afford to mind their own affairs and leave other combinations to do the same or do otherwise, just as they chose.  They were people who were beyond reproach, and that was sufficient.

Senator Dilworthy never came into collision with any of these factions.  He labored for them all and with them all.  He said that all men were brethren and all were entitled to the honest unselfish help and countenance of a Christian laborer in the public vineyard.

Laura concluded, after reflection, to let circumstances determine the course it might be best for her to pursue as regarded the several aristocracies.

Now it might occur to the reader that perhaps Laura had been somewhat rudely suggestive in her remarks to Mrs. Oreille when the subject of corals was under discussion, but it did not occur to Laura herself.  She was not a person of exaggerated refinement; indeed, the society and the influences that had formed her character had not been of a nature calculated to make her so; she thought that “give and take was fair play,” and that to parry an offensive thrust with a sarcasm was a neat and legitimate thing to do.  She some times talked to people in a way which some ladies would consider, actually shocking; but Laura rather prided herself upon some of her exploits of that character.  We are sorry we cannot make her a faultless heroine; but we cannot, for the reason that she was human.

She considered herself a superior conversationist.  Long ago, when the possibility had first been brought before her mind that some day she might move in Washington society, she had recognized the fact that practiced conversational powers would be a necessary weapon in that field; she had also recognized the fact that since her dealings there must be mainly with men, and men whom she supposed to be exceptionally cultivated and able, she would need heavier shot in her magazine than mere brilliant “society” nothings; whereupon she had at once entered upon a tireless and elaborate course of reading, and had never since ceased to devote every unoccupied moment to this sort of preparation.  Having now acquired a happy