Summary
In the labyrinthine corridors of early 20th-century Washington, D.C., a tragic narrative of ambition, moral compromise, and eventual redemption unfolds, centered on the enigmatic Mary Dexter. Initially arriving with her idealistic husband, Phillip, whose innovative battleship appliance is meant to revolutionize naval defense, Mary is quickly thrust into the unforgiving reality of a capital steeped in graft and entrenched influence. Phillip, a man of unyielding principle, finds himself utterly thwarted by the pervasive venality, ultimately succumbing to despair and taking his own life—a stark, brutal testament to the system's crushing power. Unbeknownst to him in his final moments, Mary, driven by a desperate love, had already begun to navigate the treacherous political waters, leveraging her striking beauty and formidable charm to secure the attention and a vague promise of assistance from the powerful, yet morally ambiguous, Senator Barring. Left a widow, shattered but not broken, Mary becomes a pawn in Barring's intricate game. Recognizing her potent allure and sharp intellect, Barring, under a veneer of paternalistic kindness, cultivates her as an invaluable political operative. She is drawn into his household, comforted and groomed, eventually becoming his 'velvet paw'—a seemingly soft instrument capable of delivering devastating political blows. Her first significant target is Clifford Drake, a young, incorruptible congressman who steadfastly resists the 'interests' Barring represents. Mary orchestrates a calculated seduction, ensnaring Drake with a mirage of romantic commitment, ultimately compelling him to betray his principles and vote against his conscience. The consequence is Drake's professional ruin and personal descent into a vengeful madness, his career obliterated and his love scorned by Mary, who dismisses his desperate plea for marriage with cruel laughter. Yet, the arrival of Moorehead, a robust, honest Western congressman, introduces an unexpected variable into Barring's meticulously crafted schemes and, more profoundly, into Mary's jaded heart. Despite her initial attempts to manipulate him into opposing the Child Labor Bill, Moorehead's unshakeable integrity and genuine character begin to chip away at Mary's hardened cynicism. His steadfast refusal to compromise his values, even in the face of her compelling charm, ignites a dormant moral compass within her. This burgeoning affection for Moorehead, a man untainted by the very corruption she has embodied, catalyzes a profound awakening. She confronts the full infamy of her actions, realizing the destructive path she has trod. In a climactic race against time, Mary frantically pursues Moorehead, who, true to his word, has absented himself from the crucial vote. Through a desperate, impassioned plea, she convinces him of her genuine change of heart, inspiring him to return to the House and deliver a powerful, decisive address in favor of the Child Labor Bill, securing its passage. This moment of collective triumph is tragically punctuated by Drake's vengeful, drunken shot, intended for Mary, a final, violent echo of her past transgressions. Miraculously, Mary survives with a minor wound, her brush with death affirming her narrow escape from moral ruin and her hard-won redemption, now standing beside Moorehead, ready to fight for a new, principled future.
