They had assumed as a matter of course that the most cordial attachment existed between him and his party.

On his arrival in Washington they systematically cut him off from contact with any influences but their own.

This was not a very difficult thing to do, for great as he was, he liked to be told of his greatness, and they made him feel himself a colossus.

Even the few personal friends in his company were manipulated with the utmost care, and their weaknesses put to use before they had been in Washington a single day.
Not that Ratcliffe had anything to do with all this underhand and grovelling intrigue.

Mr.Ratcliffe was a man of dignity and self-respect, who left details to his subordinates.