For the first time in his knowledge of her he suddenly grasped what was, perhaps, the true conception of her character.

Looking at her clearly now, he understood the meaning of those pliant graces, so unaffected and yet always controlled by the reasoning of an unbiased intellect; her frank speech and plausible intonations! Before him stood the true-born daughter of a long race of politicians! All that he had heard of their dexterity, tact, and expediency rose here incarnate, with the added grace of womanhood.

A strange sense of relief--perhaps a dawning of hope--stole over him.
"But how will this insure Cato's safety hereafter, or give protection to the others ?" he said, fixing his eyes upon her.
"The future won't concern YO' much, co'nnle, if as yo' say here yo'r resignation is sent in, and yo'r successor appointed," she replied, with more gravity than she had previously shown.
"But you do not think I will leave YOU in this uncertainty," he said passionately.

He stopped suddenly, his brow darkened.

"I forgot," he added coldly, "you will be well protected.