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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Rose of Old St. Louis, by Mary Dillon,
+Illustrated by André Castaigne and C. M. Relyea
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Rose of Old St. Louis
+
+
+Author: Mary Dillon
+
+
+
+Release Date: March 26, 2007  [eBook #20911]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROSE OF OLD ST. LOUIS***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Audrey Longhurst, Diane Monico, and the Project
+Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 20911-h.htm or 20911-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/9/1/20911/20911-h/20911-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/9/1/20911/20911-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+THE ROSE OF OLD ST. LOUIS
+
+by
+
+MARY DILLON
+
+With Illustrations by André Castaigne and C. M. Relyea
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "'Very well, I shall expect to hear from you'"]
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+New York
+Grosset & Dunlap
+Publishers
+
+Copyright, 1904, by
+The Century Co.
+Published July, 1904
+Reprinted July, 1904, August, 1904,
+September, 1904, October, 1904,
+December, 1904, January, 1906,
+February, 1907
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER                                                 PAGE
+
+I      I MAKE MY BOW IN CAHOKIA                           3
+
+II     I PROPOSE A TOAST                                 17
+
+III    I MEET AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE                        31
+
+IV     I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT                              44
+
+V      I GO TO A PICNIC ON CHOUTEAU'S POND               55
+
+VI     WHIPPOORWILLS                                     79
+
+VII    I TWINE CHRISTMAS GREENS                          92
+
+VIII   I GO TO MIDNIGHT MASS                            104
+
+IX     MADAME CHOUTEAU'S BALL                           119
+
+X      LA GUIGNOLÉE                                     135
+
+XI     CHOISSEZ LE ROI                                  147
+
+XII    A MIDNIGHT FRAY                                  157
+
+XIII   "A PRETTY BOY!"                                  168
+
+XIV    A CREOLE LOVE-SONG                               181
+
+XV     "AU REVOIR"                                      203
+
+XVI    A VIRGINIA FARMER                                212
+
+XVII   A GREAT DEBATE                                   225
+
+XVIII  A MAGIC COACH                                    245
+
+XIX    CHECK TO THE ABBÉ!                               266
+
+XX     BONAPARTE GIVES ENGLAND A RIVAL                  281
+
+XXI    A TEMPEST IN A BATH-TUB                          308
+
+XXII   MR. MONROE ARRIVES!                              328
+
+XXIII  THE CONSUL'S SENTENCE                            338
+
+XXIV   A NEW CHEVALIER OF FRANCE                        363
+
+XXV    THE COMTESSE DE BALOIT SENDS FOR HER HUNTER      375
+
+XXVI   THE CONSUL'S COMMISSION                          386
+
+XXVII  "GOOD-BY, SWEETHEART!"                           397
+
+XXVIII EXIT LE CHEVALIER                                414
+
+XXIX   UNDER THE OLD FLAG                               426
+
+XXX    THE ROSE OF ST. LOUIS                            448
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+                                                       PAGE
+
+"'Very well, I shall expect to hear from you'"      Frontispiece
+
+"In solitary dignity stood Black Hawk"                  152
+
+"He stopped and turned suddenly to the two ministers"   295
+
+The Signing of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty by
+  Marbois, Livingston, and Monroe                       370
+
+
+
+
+FOREWORD
+
+
+My story does not claim to be history, but in every important
+historical detail it is absolutely faithful to the records of the
+times as I have found them. Every word of the debate in Congress,
+every word of Marbois, Livingston, Decrés, Napoleon, and his two
+brothers on the subject of the Louisiana Cession is verbatim from the
+most authentic accounts. I am indebted for the historical part of my
+story to Gayarré's "History of Louisiana," to Martin's "History of
+Louisiana," to James K. Hosmer's "History of the Louisiana Purchase,"
+to Lucien Bonaparte's "Memoirs," to numerous lives of Napoleon,
+Jefferson, Talleyrand, and others, and particularly to Marbois
+himself, whose account of the negotiations on the subject of the
+cession is preserved in his own handwriting in the St. Louis
+Mercantile Library.
+
+As to the local color of old St. Louis, both in its topographical
+setting and in its customs, I have also tried to be exact. And here I
+am very largely indebted to that simple and charming old writer, H.
+M. Brackenridge, in his "Recollections of the West" and in his "Views
+of Louisiana"; and also to Timothy Flint in his "Recollections"; to J.
+Thomas Scharf's interesting "History of St. Louis," and especially to
+Mr. Frederic L. Billon, St. Louis's historian _par eminence_. I make
+also the same claim for exactness as to the local color of Washington
+at that early day; for which I have made so many gleanings in many
+fields--a little here, a little there--that it seems hardly worth
+while to give special credit to each.
+
+In non-essential points I have occasionally taken the liberty
+belonging to a writer of fiction, having condensed into one several
+debates in Congress, as well as several interviews between Talleyrand
+and Livingston, and two interviews between Bonaparte and Marbois.
+
+Nor have I hesitated to use the names of the early St. Louis settlers,
+because they are names still well known and honored in the city which
+they helped to found. I have touched upon them but lightly, and have
+tried to make those touches true to the characters of those estimable
+gentlemen and gentlewomen of the old French régime.
+
+            MARY DILLON.
+
+
+
+
+THE ROSE OF
+OLD ST. LOUIS
+
+
+
+
+THE ROSE OF OLD ST. LOUIS
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+I MAKE MY BOW IN CAHOKIA
+
+    "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men
+          Gang aft a-gley."
+
+
+"And this is the village of St. Louis, sir?"
+
+I bowed respectfully to my captain standing in the prow of the boat
+and looking across an expanse of swirling muddy water to the village
+on the bluffs beyond. I spoke more after the manner of making polite
+conversation than because I was desirous of information, for I knew
+without asking that it could be none other.
+
+My captain answered me: "Yes, my lad, yonder is St. Louis, and this is
+De Soto's river; what dost think of it?"
+
+"I think, sir, 'tis a great river, though not so clear a stream as the
+Delaware, and muddier even than the Ohio."
+
+I spoke calmly, but my heart was beating fast, and I could feel the
+blood rushing through my veins. I had been ill with what the boatmen
+call river fever, and had lain in the bottom of the boat wrapped in
+my blanket, alternately shivering with chills and burning with fever,
+oblivious to all about me, so that I had not known when we swept out
+of the Ohio into the Mississippi, past Fort Massac, nor when we had
+tied up at Kaskaskia for a long rest.
+
+We had landed late the evening before at Cahokia, and been most
+hospitably entertained by Mr. Gratiot. There had been a great banquet
+in honor of Captain Clarke, with dancing far into the night, and many
+guests from St. Louis. I, being still an invalid, had been put to bed
+in Mr. Gratiot's beautiful guest-chamber, and given a hot posset that
+put me to sleep at once, though not so soundly but that I could
+dreamily catch occasional strains of the fiddles and the rhythmic
+sound of feet on the waxed walnut, and many voices and much laughter.
+
+Had I been well, it would have vexed me sore not to have been able to
+lead in the minuet one of the beauties of Cahokia, whose fame had
+reached even my distant home in Philadelphia, for I had been carefully
+trained in the steps and the figures, and was young enough to be proud
+of my skill in the dance. But feeling ill as I did, the sounds of
+revelry combined with the posset only to soothe me into a heavy
+slumber.
+
+I woke in the early dawn to find Yorke, Captain Clarke's big black,
+standing beside my bed, with a bowl of smoking gruel. He showed a
+formidable array of white ivory as he grinned amiably in response to
+my questioning look:
+
+"Mars' Gratiot send you de gruel wid his complimen's, sah, and he and
+de capen bofe say you's not to git up dis mohnen, sah."
+
+Yorke always considered that to state a request of "de capen" was
+sufficient to insure compliance. He could not dream of any one setting
+his authority at naught. With me, too, Captain Clarke's authority was
+paramount. It had only been by a promise of absolute submission to
+that authority that I had persuaded my kinsman in Kentucky to allow me
+to accompany the captain on his mission to the governor of Illinois at
+St. Louis.
+
+So, when Yorke said the captain had ordered me to remain in bed, I
+thought for a moment I would have to obey; but having swallowed the
+hot gruel, into which Yorke had put a modicum of good Orleans ratafia,
+I was straightway infused with new spirit (I meant not that for wit),
+and such strength flowed through my limbs as I had not felt for days.
+
+"Yorke," I said, springing out of bed with a haste that made me
+light-headed for a moment, "help me into my clothes, and be quick
+about it; I think I hear sounds below that betoken getting ready for
+departure."
+
+Even as I spoke I ran to a stand on which stood a basin and a small
+ewer of water. I filled the basin, and plunged my head into the icy
+water. I drew it out, sputtering and shivering, and, seizing a towel,
+gave my head and neck and hair so vigorous a rubbing that I did not
+see Yorke slip out of the room. When I turned to speak to him I found
+him gone, afraid either of being a partner in my disobedience to the
+captain, or of being left behind if he delayed longer.
+
+Left to myself, I did my best to hurry with my clothing. I had not
+much experience in dressing myself, but I had been compelled to leave
+behind me in Philadelphia the black boy who had never before, since I
+could remember, been absent from me a day. I had been eager enough to
+part with him, thinking it ill befitted a soldier of fortune, as I
+intended to be, to be coddled by a valet, and I had not missed him
+much, for Yorke had been always ready to lend a helping hand when I
+needed it. Now I was of a mind to curse the vanity that had led me to
+fit myself out with doeskins that were of so snug a cut they needed
+much tugging to get into them, and with endless lacings with which my
+awkward fingers, clumsier than ever from the icy water and the
+trembling the fever had left me in, fumbled desperately.
+
+But I was ready at last, and seizing my sword-belt in one hand and my
+hat in the other, I started with hot haste for the door, fearing I
+might be, after all, too late. As I opened it, a sound smote my ears
+that struck terror to my heart: the voices and the laughter of young
+maidens. I stepped back involuntarily. I had not thought of the
+possibility of meeting any one at that early hour but my host and my
+captain, and I had not given a thought to my appearance. Now I took an
+anxious survey of myself in the small French mirror that hung above
+the stand. I was vexed beyond measure at what I saw.
+
+"They will take me for a girl," I muttered between my teeth, "and
+flout me accordingly."
+
+It had ever been a source of extreme mortification to me that I should
+have rosy cheeks like any maiden's, but now, owing to the hard
+scrubbing I had given them, they were all aflame, and their color was
+heightened by the pallor my recent illness had given to brow and
+temples. My hair, from its wetting, was curling in ringlets all around
+my head. I seized a brush and tried desperately to reduce them to
+straightness, but the brushing served only to bring out in stronger
+relief the glint of gold that I despised, and certainly my eyes had
+never looked more blue and shining.
+
+"They will think me a girl or a baby!" I muttered once more, and was
+in such disgust with myself I was ready to go back to bed. But
+bethinking me that would only leave me the longer in this House of
+Dames, I seized my belt once more, buckled it on with a vicious
+twitch, and strode boldly to the door.
+
+There I stopped a moment to collect all my courage, soothing myself
+with the reflection that I stood a good six feet in my moccasins, and
+though I carried no superfluous flesh, my shoulders were as broad as
+my captain's and my muscles like whip-cords. Fortified by these
+considerations, I strode on boldly to the landing at the head of the
+wide staircase leading down to the great hall.
+
+There I stopped again; for while the landing was in gloom, the hall
+was brilliantly illuminated by a roaring, blazing lightwood fire,
+looking cheery enough in the gray light of the frosty morning, and
+throwing into strong relief two groups on either side of the
+fireplace. On one side stood my captain, evidently ready for a start,
+and making his adieus to his host. I glanced eagerly at Mr. Gratiot
+and at the elderly man who stood beside him, who, I thought, was
+likely to be none other than Mr. Francis Vigo. I had heard much of
+these two men from General George Rogers Clarke, whose lonely retreat
+on the Ohio I had often visited during my stay in Kentucky. They had
+been General Clarke's best friends and helpers in the early days of
+the war, when he had made that daring attack on Vincennes, and I knew
+Captain Clarke's mission to St. Louis had something to do with
+discharging his brother's obligation to them. They were smaller men
+than my captain, of a slender, graceful build, and the hair of both
+was quite white, but from my post of observation I could see that they
+were men of courtly manners, well used to the ways of the world, and
+talking now quite eagerly with all the wealth of gesture and
+expression natural to Frenchmen.
+
+The firelight played strongly on the face of my captain, whom I had
+already begun to adore, as did every one who came into close
+companionship with him. I gazed admiringly at his broad, white brow,
+clear-cut features, and firmly knit figure, a little square of build,
+but looking every inch the frontier soldier in his leathern doublet
+and leggings and high-laced moccasins. Over one shoulder he had thrown
+his blue military cloak, for the trip across the river promised to be
+a cold one, and he carried in his hand a hat with a drooping plume. I
+wondered if the merry group of girls on the other side of the
+fireplace was not impressed by such a handsome and soldierly stranger,
+and a bachelor to boot. I thought I could detect an occasional
+conscious glance in his direction and a furtive preening of skirts and
+fluttering of fans, that betokened they were not insensible to the
+presence of the brave captain.
+
+There were six of the young maidens, and all but two of them were in
+ball costume; flowered silks, and arms and shoulders gleaming white
+through fine lace, powdered hair, and patches and paint, they might
+have stepped out of a Philadelphia ball-room, I thought, and was
+astonished at the thought. I had not expected to find court beauties
+on the frontier, yet the Chouteaus, the Gratiots, and the Papins were
+names I had often heard in my own home as men of wealth and vast
+emprise.
+
+The six girls were chatting gaily in French, and I was so absorbed in
+my contemplation of them that I did not at first consider the
+strangeness of their appearance in that costume so early in the
+morning. When it did occur to me, I concluded the four must have come
+over from St. Louis to attend the ball and had no other dress to
+return in, and the other two were doubtless Mr. Gratiot's daughters,
+which I learned afterward was the true explanation.
+
+But now bethinking me it was high time to make my descent, and running
+quickly over in my mind the way to make it most effective,--for I
+wished to bear myself bravely before the young maidens,--I determined
+to place my left hand on the hilt of my sword, to hold my hat, which
+also bore a sweeping plume, in my right hand pressed close to my
+heart, and with head held high and borne a little backward, to descend
+with the stately minuet step. I flattered myself that with such a
+manner as I felt sure I could assume those saucy maidens would forget
+my rosy cheeks and my curls and think only of my air of _grand
+seigneur_.
+
+I glanced down to see that my costume was all right, and now I was
+glad that my doeskins fitted so perfectly, even if they were hard to
+get into in a hurry, that my high moccasins were so beautifully and
+elaborately beaded in purple and yellow, with broad slashes of fringe
+falling from the tops of them, and that my leathern doublet sat so
+well, as my peep into the mirror had convinced me it did.
+
+As I started down, feeling well satisfied with my costume, yet
+trembling inwardly at the thought of the array of bright eyes I was to
+encounter, my glance fell on an untied lacing at one knee. I stooped
+to retie it, and at that moment heard what seemed to me the sweetest
+voice I had ever listened to, call:
+
+"À moi, Leon, à moi," followed by a clear, soft whistle.
+
+I was still clumsily fumbling with my lacers (my fingers have ever
+been all thumbs when there is any dainty task to be performed) when I
+heard a rush of soft, padded feet, and down the corridor behind me, in
+response to that clear whistle, bounded a great dog. Through the arch
+that my bent limbs made in stooping he saw the glow of the firelight
+from below and made straight for it. But alas! the arch was narrower
+than he thought, and dog and man went rolling and tumbling down the
+staircase, bumping and bounding from stair to stair, a wild mêlée of
+doeskin legs and shaggy paws and clanging sword and wildly brandished
+arms, making vain clutches at the air to stay the headlong descent.
+
+Deep-mouthed yelps voiced the terror of the dog at this unexpected
+Sindbad who refused to be shaken off. No words could voice the
+overwhelming shame of the man at this unmannerly presentation of
+himself before a group of young maidens, when so dignified an entrance
+had been planned.
+
+As we struck the polished walnut of the hall floor, I disentangled
+myself and sprang to my feet, where I stood, scarlet with shame, head
+drooping, a pitiable object indeed. There had been an amazed, and
+perhaps on the maidens' side a terrified, silence during our noisy
+descent. Now from the maidens there arose first a suppressed giggle
+and then an irresistible peal of laughter, joined to the hearty
+guffaws of the men. My shame was fast giving place to rising wrath, in
+no degree appeased by the consciousness of the spectacle I presented.
+The dog, a magnificent mastiff, by that time recovering from his
+confusion, and feeling as keenly as I, no doubt, the derogation of his
+dignity, and, with a dog's unreason, regarding me as the agent of his
+humiliation when I was in fact the victim of his own stupidity, sprang
+at me with a vicious growl.
+
+Here was an occasion to vent my boiling wrath. Quick as thought my
+sword sprang from its sheath and came down flat-sided with a ringing
+blow on the brute's head. I have ever been a merciful man to all
+beasts, and dogs and horses I have loved and they have loved me; and
+even in my wrath and the quick necessity of defense I remembered to
+use the flat of my sword; yet such is the strength of my sword-arm
+from much practice, increased, I fear, by a venom instigated by those
+silvery peals of laughter, that I bowled the brute over as easily as
+if he had been a ninepin.
+
+With a howl of mingled rage and pain he recovered himself instantly
+and crouched to spring upon me once more, with such bloodthirst in his
+eyes that I saw now I would have to defend myself in earnest. But as
+he was almost in the act of springing, from among the group of maidens
+there rushed what seemed to my dazzled vision a small whirlwind of
+satins and laces and velvets and jewels, and flung itself upon the dog
+with a ringing cry of "À bas, Leon! tais-toi, mon ange!"
+
+The brute yielded obedience at once to the restraining arm and tones
+of command, though still regarding me with vicious eyes and uttering
+threatening growls.
+
+As for me, I stood as if turned to stone, still in an attitude of
+defense, the weight of my body thrown forward on the right foot, the
+hilt of my sword pressed against my breast, the point presented to
+receive the onslaught of the brute. In that attitude I stood frozen,
+for never had I beheld such a vision of loveliness. The arm that
+encircled the shaggy neck of the dog was bare almost to the shoulder,
+the sleeve of finest lace having fallen back in the energy of her
+action, and never have I seen an arm so white, so round, or tapering
+so finely to the slender wrist and exquisite little hand clutching a
+lock of Leon's mane. Masses of wavy dark hair were drawn loosely back
+from a brow of dazzling whiteness into a cluster of soft curls on top
+of the head, where it seemed to be caught by a jeweled aigret, which
+yet permitted tiny ringlets to escape about the temples and the nape
+of the snowy neck. She had thrown herself with such abandon on the
+dog, and was holding him with such exertion of strength, that the
+narrow skirt of her satin gown, flowered in palest pink and silver,
+revealed every line of a most exquisite figure down to the little foot
+extending backward from her skirts and showing the high arch of the
+instep in its stocking of embroidered silk.
+
+I had gazed with impunity, for the drooping white lids and the long,
+dark lashes sweeping the perfect curve of the cheek showed all her
+looks were for the dog, to whom she incessantly murmured in French
+mingled words of command and endearment. But suddenly she lifted her
+little head and flung it proudly back, with such a blaze of
+indignation and scorn in her dark eyes I felt withered under it. The
+scarlet curve of her lips fell away to disclose two rows of pearly
+teeth, close set, and through them, with a vicious snap, came the one
+word:
+
+"Bête!"
+
+I could not for a moment think that the word was meant for the dog,
+and such a rage slowly welled in my veins as restored me at once to
+my self-command. I dropped the point of my sword to the floor and
+straightened myself to as proud a pose as hers.
+
+"I pray you pardon, Mademoiselle," I said haughtily. The words were
+meek enough, but not the tone nor the manner, and so enraged was I
+that I hesitated not a moment over my French. My accent, I knew, was
+good, for, my aunt having married Monsieur Barbé Marbois, I was thrown
+much with French people; but I had been ever careless of my grammar,
+and in a moment of less excitement I might have hesitated in venturing
+on the native tongue of so fair a creature. But now my French poured
+from me in an angry torrent:
+
+"I pray you pardon. Danger alone is my excuse. I do not doubt a dog is
+worth much more to Mademoiselle than the life of an American
+gentleman. I make you, Mademoiselle, my compliments and my excuses."
+
+Then returning my sword to its scabbard with an angry ring, I made her
+a low and sweeping bow of ironical courtesy and strode hotly from the
+room. I was in such a tumult of rage and mortification that not until
+I reached the landing on the banks of Cahokia Creek, where the boats
+were tied and the men busily making ready for the departure, did I
+bethink me that I had left the house without a word of adieus or
+thanks to my host for his courtesy. I began to fear that my sense of
+self-respect would compel my return, and rather would I have faced a
+battalion of the British than another flash from those dark eyes; nor
+could I hope to make another so masterly a retreat as I plumed myself
+this one had been. But as I glanced back toward the house on the
+bluffs that had proved my undoing, to my intense relief I saw that the
+three gentlemen had followed not far behind me and were even now
+descending the pathway to the creek. I hastened to meet them and make
+my apologies.
+
+A more courteous gentleman than Mr. Gratiot I never met. He spoke very
+good English indeed, his accent I believe not so good as my French
+one, but his grammar much better.
+
+"My dear young gentleman, you acquitted yourself nobly," he was kind
+enough to say. "In the eyes of the young ladies, if I may possibly
+except Mademoiselle Pelagie, you are a hero. But they are much
+chagrined that you should have left them without giving them a chance
+to express their sympathy or their admiration."
+
+The sound of those silvery peals of laughter was too vividly in my
+remembrance to permit me to accept Mr. Gratiot's compliments without a
+large grain of allowance for a Frenchman's courtesy, but I bowed low
+in seeming to accept them. Then he introduced me to his companion, who
+proved not to be Mr. Vigo after all, but Dr. Saugrain, the French
+émigré so renowned for his learning. I looked at him keenly as I made
+my bow, for I had heard something of him in Philadelphia, and in
+Kentucky there had been so many tales of the wonderful things he could
+do that I think most people looked upon him as a dealer in black arts.
+But he was in no respect my idea of a Mephisto. He was small and wiry
+of build, and dressed in black small-clothes, with ruffles of finest
+lace at wrist and knee.
+
+Black silk stockings showed a well-turned calf in no whit shrunken
+with age, and his silver shoe-buckles glittered with brilliants. His
+hair, iron-gray and curly, was tied in a short queue with a black
+satin ribbon, and beneath a rather narrow and high brow beamed two as
+kindly blue eyes as it had ever been my lot to meet.
+
+His greeting was most cordial, though there was a merry twinkle in his
+eye while speaking to me that made me feel he might still be laughing
+inwardly at my ridiculous descent of Mr. Gratiot's staircase. With a
+very grand manner indeed, and with much use of his hands, as is the
+fashion of Frenchmen, he said:
+
+"My dear sir, it mek me mos' proud and mos' 'appy to know you. Vous
+êtes véritablement un brave. Le capitaine dîne chez moi to-day; I
+s'all be désolé and inconsolable if he bring not also his ver' dear
+young frien'." Then, with a sudden and entire change of manner, he
+laid his finger beside his nose and said in a loud whisper:
+
+"My frien', I would not min' you kill that dog, moi! I lofe 'im not."
+
+But while his words did not sound kind to me, who am such a lover of
+dogs that nothing but the necessity of self-defense would ever make me
+lift a hand against one, yet, all the time he spoke, his eyes twinkled
+more merrily than ever, and I wondered at the man whose manner could
+change so quickly from the grand seigneur's to that of a king's
+jester, and I puzzled my brains mightily to know what his connection
+with the dog could be.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+I PROPOSE A TOAST
+
+"The rose that all are praising."
+
+
+"And this is the village of St. Louis, sir?"
+
+My discomfiture, my mortification, my rage, the vision of dainty
+beauty, the strange little savant--every remembrance of my brief visit
+to Cahokia had been swept away by the rushing waters of the great
+river of which I had read and heard so much.
+
+My brain was teeming with tales of the Spanish adventurer De Soto; of
+the French trader Joliet; of the devoted and saintly Jesuit, beloved
+of the Indians, Père Marquette; and of the bold Norman La Salle, who
+hated and feared all Jesuits. I saw the river through a veil of
+romance that gilded its turbid waters, but it was something far other
+than its romantic past that set my pulses to beating, and the blood
+rushing through my veins so that I hardly heard my captain's answer,
+and hardly knew what I replied to him.
+
+Through the months of my sojourn in Kentucky there had been one
+all-absorbing theme--the closing of the Mississippi to American boats
+by the Spanish, and their refusal to grant us a right of deposit on
+the Isle of New Orleans. Feeling had run so high that there were
+muttered threats against the government at Washington.
+
+There were two factions, each acting secretly and each numbering
+thousands. One was for setting off at once down the river to capture
+New Orleans and take exclusive possession of both sides of the river;
+and if the government at Washington would not help them, or, still
+worse, forbade them the emprise, they would set up an independent
+government of the West. The other faction, inspired by secret agents
+of the Spanish government, was for floating the Spanish flag and
+proclaiming themselves subjects of Charles of Aragon. Spain's secret
+emissaries were eloquent of the neglect of the home government in the
+East, and its powerlessness to help the Westerners if it would, and it
+was said they clenched their arguments with chink of Spanish gold.
+Treason and patriotism, a wild indignation at wrongs unredressed, and
+a wilder enthusiasm for conquest sent the blood of Kentucky to
+fever-heat. Passions were inflamed until it needed but a spark from a
+tinder to set them ablaze.
+
+With me, friend and distant kinsman of the Clarkes, there was no
+possibility of being touched by the taint of treason. But while it
+would be treason of the blackest dye, and most abhorrent to my soul,
+to submit to Spain's rule, to my young blood there could be no treason
+in compelling Spain at the point of the sword to submit to our
+demands. I was all for war, and when the cooler judgment of General
+Clarke and his brother, my captain, prevailed to calm for a time the
+wild tumult of war, I was bitterly disappointed.
+
+Now for the first time I was beholding the river that had aroused the
+mighty tempest in Kentucky, and it was not the tales of De Soto and La
+Salle, of Joliet and Père Marquette, that sent the blood rushing
+through my veins, but the thought that this was the mighty river
+forbidden to our commerce, that the swirling brown water at my feet
+was rushing down to the Spanish city on the Gulf, and I longed to be
+one of an army rushing with it to secure our natural and inalienable
+rights by conquest.
+
+I knew that Captain Clarke was visiting St. Louis to make some
+arrangements for his brother's debts--debts incurred principally to
+Mr. Gratiot and Mr. Vigo for no benefit to himself, but in rescuing
+and protecting the people of Illinois from the Indians and the
+British; debts belonging of right to the government, but repudiated by
+it, and left to be borne by the noble man who, almost alone, by a
+heroism and genius for war unparalleled had saved all that Western
+country to the Union.
+
+I knew this was my captain's errand, yet I hoped there might be some
+touching on the question of the river navigation with the Spanish
+governor of St. Louis, and I had visions of returning to Kentucky and,
+amid the acclaims of our fellow-citizens, announcing that Captain
+Clarke, assisted by his young kinsman, had succeeded in convincing the
+Spanish governor Delassus of the wrongs inflicted upon American
+commerce by the unjust interdiction; that Delassus had thereupon
+remonstrated with the intendant at New Orleans, and, as a result, the
+river was thrown open to the Gulf, and a port of deposit granted on
+the Isle of New Orleans where our merchants might store the goods they
+brought down the river for sale.
+
+It was because my brain was teeming with such sweet dreams of glory
+that I answered my captain so absent-mindedly and so little to the
+point. It was still so early that the low morning sun at our backs had
+just begun to gild the bluffs before us. We could not have had a finer
+first view of the Spanish town of which we had heard so much. High and
+dry on its limestone bluffs, where no floods for which the great river
+is so famous could ever reach it, it extended in a straggling line for
+a mile and a half. Its dwellings, some of them of imposing size, were
+embowered in trees, and, at that distance, seemed to stand in the
+midst of large gardens. Behind the village rose another hill, on the
+summit of which stood a fort, and from the fort, in either direction,
+palisades curved around the town, interrupted at intervals by
+demilunes, and terminating at the bluffs in stone towers. Behind this
+second terrace the land continued to rise in a succession of terraces,
+covered partly with low bushes and shrubs and partly with high, waving
+woods, giving an impression of indescribable richness to the
+landscape, every detail of which the level rays of the bright morning
+sun brought out in strong relief. The whole made a most impressive
+appearance, more like the picture of walled towns on the Rhine than
+like anything I had seen in our country.
+
+We were now so far out in the stream that the men could no longer use
+their poles, and were trusting to the great sail they had spread to
+catch a stiff south-eastern breeze, assisted by vigorous strokes of
+their paddles, and I could see that against the swift current they
+were straining every nerve and yet were steadily being borne below the
+village and the landing-place.
+
+Paddling on the Schuylkill and the Delaware was ever a favorite
+pastime with me, and I doubt not I was a little proud of my skill.
+Forgetting my recent illness and the weak state it had left me in, I
+seized the paddle from a young fellow who seemed to me well-nigh
+giving over, and unceremoniously tumbled him out of his seat into the
+bottom of the boat, while I took his place. To my astonishment, I
+found this was an entirely different stream from the steadily flowing
+rivers of the East. My paddle was like to be snatched from my hand at
+the first dip into the powerful current, and though I saved it by a
+mad and desperate clutch, yet it felt like a feather in my hands, and
+I saw my captain (who had witnessed my peremptory usurpation of the
+paddle) trying to suppress a sly smile, while my mortified ears caught
+the sound of derisive snickers behind me, and Yorke, the impudent
+black, grinned openly from ear to ear.
+
+The worst of it was, I myself could see we were losing ground more
+rapidly than before. Now, I had ever a horror of owning myself beaten
+(unless it were in argument, for I have no skill with words). I would
+fight to the last gasp, but I would never surrender, which is
+sometimes a foolish way, but more often wins victory out of defeat.
+With my captain looking on, I felt that defeat even in so small a
+matter would be a disgrace I could never survive. And so, admonishing
+myself to keep cool, and remembering a turn of the wrist that an old
+Indian had taught me in Pennsylvania, I very soon caught the trick of
+the blade and found myself holding my own. Hope returned, and I
+gradually put forth more and more strength, until, to my great
+satisfaction, I at last saw that we were no longer drifting
+down-stream, but steadily making head against the current, with fair
+promise of reaching our landing-place. Then, indeed, did I feel
+exultant, and such courage leaped through my veins, and so swift and
+sure and strong were my strokes, that I felt I could alone, with my
+single arm, bring the great boat to harbor. But for the second time
+that morning was my vanity my undoing. We did indeed make the landing,
+where a great concourse of people had gathered to meet us, among them
+a stately Spanish don (who, I had no doubt, was the governor)
+surrounded by a retinue of officers; but as the keel of our boat
+grounded in the soft mud and my captain called me to come with him to
+meet the governor, and I arose in my place to obey him, suddenly a
+great blackness and dizziness seized me, and I knew no more until I
+opened my eyes to find myself being borne, on the shoulders of four
+men, up the steep bluff toward the village street. I insisted in the
+most forcible terms on being put upon my feet at once, but as I spoke
+in English, and the soldiers were either Spanish or creole French, my
+entreaties and imprecations were lost upon them. Nor did my kicking
+and pushing avail me any better; they but held me the more firmly for
+my struggles. Then I called out lustily for help, and the ever-ready
+Yorke (but with the grin that I had learned at times to consider
+detestable) ran to my aid.
+
+"Yorke!" I shouted to him; "make the rascals put me down this minute,
+and do you, sir, shut that _domtiferous_ mouth of yours. I warn you,
+sir, you grin at your peril!"
+
+My mother had ever a horror of the oaths with which gentlemen lard
+their conversation, and because I loved and honored her greatly, I had
+resolved that I would never, to use her words, "sully my mouth" with
+one. But often feeling the need of some more emphatic expressions than
+our language provides except in the form of oaths, I had coined for
+myself a small vocabulary to be used on occasions requiring great
+emphasis. Since these words all began with a _d_, I had the
+satisfaction of feeling that I was sufficiently emphatic without
+violating the respect due my mother.
+
+Whether it was the strangeness of the form of my imprecations or the
+length of my adjective that scared Yorke, certain it is that he was
+sobered at once, and with the solemnity of the Spanish don himself he
+soon made the soldiers understand that they must put me down. Once on
+my own feet, though I still felt a little shaky, I was able, by
+availing myself of Yorke's arm, to climb the steep path leading up the
+bluff, and soon found myself in the main street of the village, which
+the _habitans_ called the Rue Royale.
+
+We had come out into a large square or marketplace, filled with the
+throng of people I had seen at the landing and many more, so that, as
+the people surged backward and forward to get a nearer view, the whole
+open space looked like a great posy-bed of many-hued flowers waving in
+a summer breeze. And if St. Louis had had a foreign look to me when
+viewed from a distance, still more did I feel as if I were in a
+strange town in a strange land as I heard the babble of strange
+tongues about me and saw the picturesque costumes of the habitans, so
+unlike anything I had ever seen in Philadelphia or Kentucky. Negroes
+were chattering their queer creole patois, and Indians of many nations
+were gathered into groups, some of them bedizened with the cheap
+finery of the stores, some of them wearing only bright-hued blankets,
+but with wonderful head-dresses of eagle feathers, and all of them
+looking gravely on with a curiosity as silent as that of the habitans
+was noisy and babbling. The presence of so many Indians and on such
+friendly terms struck me as strange, for in Kentucky there were no
+such friendly relations between Indians and whites, and the presence
+of so many of them would have betokened danger and caused much
+uneasiness.
+
+It thrilled me much that our coming should have made so great
+excitement in the village, and doubtless my vanity would have taken
+fire again if I had not known that it was my captain these people had
+come to see, and not myself, of whom they had never heard. Even my
+captain I knew must shine in a reflected glory, as the brother of
+General George Rogers Clarke, whom the people of St. Louis worshiped
+as their savior in the affair of 1780, when the Osages surprised the
+men at work in the fields, and whom all the Indians of Illinois
+regarded with fear and reverence as the great "Captain of the Long
+Knives." Yet I could see that many of their curious glances fell on me
+also, and I let go of Yorke's arm and walked steadily with my head in
+the air, as befitted the friend of Captain Clarke.
+
+We had stopped in front of a large stone building set inside a walled
+inclosure. My captain, who was in advance with the governor and his
+party, as he entered the inclosure turned and beckoned to Yorke and me
+to follow him. The throng parted to let us through, and as we entered
+the gates I saw that the governor had stopped on the wide gallery that
+ran round the four sides of the building, and with a stately flourish
+was bidding my captain welcome to Government House.
+
+With Yorke close at my footsteps, I followed the governor's party
+through a wide door into a great room that extended through the house
+(as I could see by the open doors and windows at the rear), and that
+was almost as wide as it was long, with doors opening into rooms on
+both sides. Here I was presented to Governor Delassus, who received me
+cordially, and who, with his dark eyes and punctilious manners, was my
+idea of a Spanish don.
+
+On either side of him stood two men who also greeted me cordially, but
+without the punctiliousness of the Spaniard. They were the two
+Chouteaus, Auguste and Jean Pierre. I had heard much of them, both in
+Philadelphia and in Kentucky, and I found it difficult to conceal the
+curiosity with which I regarded them. I had expected to find two rough
+frontiersmen, somewhat after the manner of Daniel Boone or Simon
+Kenyon, both of whom I had seen at General Clarke's; but they were
+very far from that. Auguste, the elder, and who, almost more than his
+step-father, Laclede, was the founder of St. Louis, was the graver of
+the two, with keen, shrewd eyes that betokened the successful man of
+business. Pierre (as everybody called the younger) looked not at all
+like his brother: taller and slenderer of build, his flashing dark
+eyes and gay manners must have been inherited from his father,
+Laclede, for Madame Chouteau (whom I came to know very well later) was
+even graver and sterner in manner than her eldest son, Auguste.
+
+But interested as I was in meeting these men,--and there were many
+others of whom I had heard, Manuel Lisa, Gabriel Cerré, Francis Vigo,
+and Josef Marie Papin,--I could not resist casting many a furtive
+glance toward a table set in the rear of the great room. My bowl of
+gruel in the early morning had satisfied me at the time, but I was
+still weak from illness and much fasting, and my hard pull at the
+paddles had left me famished indeed. It was now, I was quite sure by
+the sun and the shadows, nearly eleven o'clock, and I began to feel
+the dizziness once more, and to be seized with a terrible fear that I
+should again be overcome. It was with a great joy, therefore, that I
+began to observe black servants bringing in smoking viands and
+arranging them upon the table, and no words ever sounded more pleasant
+in my ears than the governor's invitation to breakfast.
+
+As we were about to sit down, my captain on the governor's right, and
+I very kindly placed on his left, with Mr. Pierre Chouteau beside me,
+there was a noise at the door, and Mr. Gratiot and Dr. Saugrain
+entered. They were welcomed in such fashion it was easy to see they
+were both prime favorites in that society. In response to my captain's
+inquiries, they said they had left Cahokia very shortly after us,
+bringing the young ladies over in two small boats, and the boats being
+light and easily handled, they had nearly overtaken us.
+
+At the mention of the young ladies I felt myself flush painfully, and
+I almost thought the little doctor regarded me with a wicked twinkle
+in his eyes. But I was not sure, and I resolutely put the thought of
+them out of my mind, while I devoted myself to the more serious
+matters of the table.
+
+And, indeed, seldom has it been my lot to sit down to a more delicious
+meal. It was my first taste of French cookery, and I proved then, what
+I had often heard, that the French have a talent for savors and
+seasonings, and for dainty service, denied to us Anglo-Saxons. It may
+be, also, that my long fasting (for my light breakfast had hardly
+broken my fast) added a sauce to the viands more potent than any
+Frenchman's skill, for my appetite had come back with a rush, and for
+the first time in many days I ate like a well man, and a very hungry
+one. So well, forsooth, did I ply my knife and fork that Pierre
+Chouteau could not forbear congratulating me, in his polished French
+manner, on my prowess as a trencherman; at which I had the grace to
+blush.
+
+And now, having taken the edge off my hunger, I had leisure to enjoy
+the swift exchange of wit and repartee flashing back and forth across
+the table in mixed English, French, and Spanish. There had been many
+toasts, most courteously worded and delicately drunk, for I noticed
+these Frenchmen were not deep drinkers, and did not feel it necessary
+to drain their glasses at every toast, as is the manner in Kentucky.
+My captain's health had been drunk and he had responded with the
+governor's (nor did our polite hosts forget to honor me), and the
+gaiety began to grow somewhat noisy, when a youngster, who had, no
+doubt, been drinking a little more than was good for him, sprang to
+his feet. Waving his goblet toward Yorke (who stood behind Captain
+Clarke's chair grinning delightedly at every flash of wit, whether he
+understood it or not), he called out:
+
+"I drink to the health of Monsieur Yorke, gentlemen, tallest and most
+smiling of sable Mercurys. May his inches never be fewer nor his
+smiles grow less."
+
+I saw my captain frown, and Yorke, who did not understand one word
+that was said, since it was all in French, easily understood the
+gesture toward him, and the hesitating glances in his direction, and
+the half-lifted glasses as their owners were in doubt whether the
+toast was to be taken in jest or earnest. His eyes rolled in terror
+from the proposer of the toast to Captain Clarke, and back again. I
+knew my captain would never brook the indignity of having his health
+drunk at the same table and by the same people who afterward drank his
+slave's, and fearing an awkward _contretemps_, I sprang to my feet to
+avert it. I lifted my glass high as I cried:
+
+"Listen to me, messieurs! Is there no fair lady to whose honor your
+young men would drink? For never could we drink to the ladies after
+drinking to a negro and a slave. I give you, messieurs, the fairest
+lady in St. Louis!"
+
+As I said it, for one fleeting moment I had a vision of a round white
+arm bare to the shoulder, a slender hand grasping a tawny mane, and
+black eyes flashing with scorn. Perhaps it was due to that vision that
+my voice had a ring in it that brought every man to his feet, and as
+glasses clinked, each man drank to the lady of his love with a rousing
+cheer.
+
+As we brought our glasses to the table, rims down, the young man who
+had proposed Yorke's health said, with a bow of apology to me:
+
+"I accept my rebuke, and if the gentleman permit I would like to
+repeat his toast: To the fairest lady in St. Louis--Dr. Saugrain's
+ward!"
+
+"Fill up your glasses, gentlemen, drain them to the lees, and throw
+them over your shoulders; 'tis a worthy toast," cried the governor;
+and, filling his to the brim, and draining it at one draught, he flung
+it over his shoulder--an example which the others, benedict and
+bachelor, followed with ardor. In the midst of the crashing of glass,
+I thought I caught Dr. Saugrain's and Mr. Gratiot's eyes fixed
+curiously on me. I turned to Mr. Pierre Chouteau:
+
+"Dr. Saugrain's ward must be fair indeed, to rouse such enthusiasm," I
+said.
+
+"Vraiment," returned Pierre, "she is the Rose of St. Louis. But you
+dine with Dr. Saugrain to-day: you will see, and then you will know.
+Young Josef Papin yonder, who proposed the toast, is wild about her.
+And so are half the young men of the village."
+
+"Vraiment," I murmured to myself, "if she is fairer than the scornful
+Mademoiselle Pelagie, she is fair indeed!"
+
+And yet I found myself looking forward to Dr. Saugrain's dinner with
+suppressed excitement, while I puzzled my brains to interpret his and
+Mr. Gratiot's enigmatical glances in my direction.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+I MEET AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE
+
+    "I am his Highness's dog at Kew;
+    Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you?"
+
+
+"Allons!" said Mr. Pierre Chouteau, "I will show you the village.
+There are yet two hours before Dr. Saugrain's dinner-hour arrives."
+
+We were standing on the wide gallery of Government House, looking up
+the Rue de la Tour to the "Fort on the Hill" with its massive round
+towers of stone and high stockade. We had made our adieus to Governor
+Delassus, and we were quite ready to accept Mr. Chouteau's invitation.
+Mr. Gratiot and Mr. Auguste Chouteau excused themselves from
+accompanying us on the ground of pressing business, but Mr. Auguste
+Chouteau said he hoped soon to see us at his own house, and Mr.
+Gratiot promised to meet us at dinner at Dr. Saugrain's.
+
+So it was only four of us who set out (or five, if you count the black
+as one), Mr. Chouteau and my captain leading, Dr. Saugrain and I
+following, with Yorke trailing in the rear; for Captain Clarke did not
+dare leave that ingenious black to his own devices, being well assured
+that it would certainly result in disaster to himself or to some of
+the habitans.
+
+Diagonally across the street, at the corner of the Rue de la Tour and
+the Rue Royale, was a large garden, shut in by solid stone walls
+higher than a man's head. Over the top of the walls fell branches of
+fruit-trees, and grape-vines still with a few clusters of late grapes
+hanging from them. Beyond were the tops of lofty shade-trees, and
+between the branches, where the foliage was rapidly thinning, we could
+catch glimpses of the stone chimneys and dormer-windows of a great
+house.
+
+We turned into the Rue Royale and walked by the stone wall stretching
+north a long distance. The morning had been frosty, but the noon sun
+was hot, and we were glad to shelter ourselves under the overhanging
+boughs. It was Auguste Chouteau's place, but Pierre said he would let
+his brother have the pleasure of showing it to us; and we were about
+to pass the wide entrance-gate half-way down the long wall when we
+were stopped by a strange procession. Out of the gate filed slowly,
+solemnly, one at a time, a long line of fantastically dressed Indians.
+The two in front were attired alike in shabby old United States
+uniforms, with gold epaulets much tarnished and worn, dilapidated gold
+lace on collars and sleeves, and wearing on their heads military hats
+with long draggled plumes. From thigh to the low moccasins their legs
+were entirely unclothed, and a more ludicrous combination than the
+civilized coats and the bare brown legs I had never seen. The two in
+military coats were evidently chiefs, and were followed by a long line
+of braves sweltering under heavy Mackinac blankets, each armed with a
+scarlet umbrella in one hand and a palm-leaf fan in the other, to
+protect them from the sun. Apparently they did not glance in our
+direction, but each one as he passed Mr. Chouteau saluted him with a
+guttural "Ugh!" to which Mr. Chouteau responded in the most military
+fashion.
+
+"They are on their way to my place, and we will let them get well
+ahead of us," Mr. Chouteau said, as the last brave passed us. "It
+would hardly be dignified to be trailing in their rear; we will step
+into my brother's garden for a moment and give them time to get out of
+our way."
+
+The massive gates, which, I saw, could be heavily bolted and barred,
+stood open, and we passed through into a park-like inclosure,
+beautifully laid out and kept in perfect order, with velvet turf and
+noble forest trees, and, in one part, a garden of vegetables and
+flowers. Set in the midst was a noble stone mansion some sixty feet in
+front, with wide galleries shaded by a projection of sloping roof,
+which was pierced by dormer-windows. Several smaller stone buildings
+were grouped around it, and from one to the other negroes were passing
+on various errands, giving a cheerful impression of industry and
+prosperity. I caught the flutter of a white dress disappearing through
+a wide door opening from the gallery into the house, and I would have
+liked to get a nearer view of the mansion and its inmates. But an
+exclamation from Mr. Chouteau put all thoughts of petticoats out of my
+mind.
+
+"Diable!" he ejaculated, "'tis Black Hawk himself. Now what is the
+meaning of this, think you?"
+
+I followed his glance, and saw coming from one of the outbuildings the
+noblest specimen of a savage I had ever beheld. Unlike the others, he
+was decked in no worn-out finery of the white man, bestowed upon him
+in exchange for valuable furs, but in the fitting costume of a great
+chief, his head-dress of eagle feathers falling back from the top of
+his head almost to his high beaded moccasins. He was far above the
+usual stature of Indians, and what increased his appearance of height
+was the lofty brow and noble dome, beneath which two piercing eyes and
+strong aquiline nose gave additional character to a most striking
+face.
+
+I thought both Mr. Chouteau and Dr. Saugrain looked a little troubled
+for a moment, but as the savage stalked majestically toward us, Pierre
+advanced to meet him, and with a courteous but commanding wave of his
+hand stopped him.
+
+"What has brought my brother from his island on the bosom of the Great
+Father of Waters?" he asked, after both had exchanged formal
+greetings.
+
+Black Hawk turned his piercing eyes upon my captain. "It was whispered
+among my braves," he said, "that the great Captain of the Long Knives
+had sent his brother to St. Louis. I bring him a greeting from my
+people."
+
+Most men would have been abashed by the ceremonial tone and gestures
+with which Black Hawk accompanied his speech, but if my captain felt
+any embarrassment he did not show it. With as ceremonious a manner as
+the chief's, he replied at once:
+
+"The great chief of the Sacs has honored my brother and myself. I will
+bear your greeting to the Captain of the Long Knives, and it will fill
+his heart with happiness to know his red brother has not forgotten
+him."
+
+Black Hawk only grunted approval, but I think he was pleased, for he
+turned to Mr. Chouteau with a more condescending manner:
+
+"I will go with my brother to his wigwam. I will eat with him and
+sleep with him."
+
+There was nothing for Mr. Chouteau to do but acquiesce, though when
+his back was turned on Black Hawk he made a queer grimace and said
+rapidly, in English, which probably Black Hawk did not understand:
+
+"There will be trouble, my friends; my yard is full of Mandans,
+Arickarees, and Osages. They love not the Sacs, and Black Hawk is a
+turbulent fellow if any misunderstanding should arise. You see," he
+said to Captain Clarke, lapsing again into French, "these fellows have
+usually started back up the Missouri long before this time, but they
+have all waited this year to see the brother of the great Captain of
+the Long Knives. They planned their exit from Auguste's yard at the
+exact moment to get a good look at you."
+
+My captain laughed his hearty laugh.
+
+"And then they glanced not in my direction even, after all."
+
+"Do not deceive yourself, mon capitaine; they looked you over
+thoroughly. Not one of them but would know you again among a thousand.
+But they timed their exit also with the hope of making an impression
+on you, and to that end, as you saw, had donned their finest toggery."
+
+We had left Auguste Chouteau's yard and were going north again along
+the stone wall, Black Hawk stalking majestically beside Captain
+Clarke, upon whom he from time to time looked down and bestowed a
+grunt of approval. Across the street from us now was an open square
+(La Place Publique, Mr. Chouteau called it), and drawn up around it
+were many queer little French _charrettes_, loaded with cord-wood and
+drawn by small mustangs. The owners of the charrettes were most of
+them taking a noonday nap under the shade of the trees in La Place,
+and their mustangs were nodding drowsily in their shafts in sympathy
+with their owners. This was the same open place we had first come upon
+after climbing the bluff, and now, as we came to the corner of La
+Place, and the street leading down to the river (Mr. Chouteau said the
+street was called La Rue Bonhomme), I looked down the steep road and
+saw at the foot of it the landing-place, and our boats tied to great
+posts, with some of our men in charge.
+
+I could distinguish on the great flatboat that had followed us,
+carrying our provisions and our horses, my own mare, Fatima, with her
+proudly arched neck. Before I had time to think of my manners I had
+put my fingers to my lips and uttered through them the shrill whistle
+with which I had used to call her. Instantly her head was flung
+swiftly up, and I saw her start as if to come to me, while up the
+bluff was borne her shrill whinnies, high above the shouts of the men,
+who had as much as they could do to keep her from breaking halter in
+her mad plunge for liberty to answer the call she had never disobeyed.
+
+I was ashamed of my boyish trick, and apologized at once to the two
+gentlemen and to my captain. But Dr. Saugrain said it was a fortunate
+reminder: if we cared to send for our horses they could meet us at Mr.
+Chouteau's, for it would be a long and hot walk from there to his
+house at the extreme southern end of the village. So Yorke was
+despatched for the two horses, and right glad was I at the thought of
+being on Fatima's back once more, for it was a full two weeks since I
+had mounted her.
+
+We were on the next block now, skirting another stone wall with
+overhanging boughs. Mr. Chouteau said it was his mother's place, and
+he would have to insist upon our stopping to pay our respects to her.
+
+"You know," he said, "madame ma mère is a sort of mother to the
+village, and she would feel herself deeply aggrieved should such
+distinguished guests pass her by."
+
+We entered another inclosure beautifully embowered in trees, and found
+a long, low building, not of stone, like her son's house, but built,
+in the French fashion, of upright logs. On the wide gallery sat Madame
+Chouteau herself, dressed in the style of the habitans who had filled
+the streets on our arrival, but in richer materials. Her petticoat
+was of black satin, and her short gown, or jacket, was of purple
+velvet with wide lace in sleeves and at the neck, and gorgeously
+beaded moccasins on her feet. But it was her head-dress which struck
+me as the most remarkable part of her costume, and Pierre Chouteau
+whispered to us, with a droll grimace:
+
+"Regardez the head-dress of madame; she expects us, is it not? She is
+en fête."
+
+It seemed to be a handkerchief of some thin material, purple in color,
+and worn like a turban, but entwined with ribbons and flowers until it
+became a gorgeous coronet, and added indescribably to the majesty of
+her presence. Already over seventy, with white hair, she was yet as
+erect as a girl, and her eye was as keen as an eagle's. Even my
+captain was abashed before its glances, which seemed to be taking a
+complete inventory of his physical, mental, and moral qualities. It
+was a bad quarter of an hour for me (whom she hardly deigned to
+notice), in spite of the good ratafia and delicious _croquecignolles_
+a small black boy brought out on a tray and placed on a stand at her
+side, and which she served to us with stately courtesy.
+
+As for Black Hawk, it was more than he could stand when her severely
+questioning glance fell upon him. Without losing an ace of his
+dignified solemnity of demeanor, he turned his back abruptly on the
+old lady, and stalked slowly and majestically down the path and out
+the gate. We hoped we had rid ourselves of him, but we found him
+waiting for us when we had made our formal adieus to madame. Just
+before we reached Pierre Chouteau's house he dropped back and walked
+beside Dr. Saugrain and myself. I thought he wished to pay me some of
+the respect he had been showing my captain, and I felt flattered
+accordingly. But I was mistaken; he had something to say to Dr.
+Saugrain. With many premonitory grunts he said it finally, and it had
+a startling effect upon the little doctor.
+
+"Let great medicine-man watch," said Black Hawk, solemnly; "White Wolf
+will steal Little Black Eyes. Black Hawk has many ears and many eyes;
+he has seen White Wolf talking to Red Dog, and he has heard their
+whispers."
+
+Such was the doctor's agitation that, although we were just entering
+Mr. Chouteau's great yard (so filled with all manner of buildings,
+warehouses, shops, and cabins for negroes and Indians that it seemed
+like a separate village of itself), he called to my captain and Mr.
+Chouteau and begged them to excuse him. He felt that he must return
+home at once and assure himself of the safety of his ward, he said,
+though we need not cut short our visit to Mr. Chouteau, but come to
+him later, in time for dinner. But Yorke coming up at that moment with
+our horses, and riding his own, Captain Clarke bade him dismount and
+give his horse to Dr. Saugrain, and insisted upon accompanying him
+home. Mr. Chouteau readily excused us, only courteously making a
+condition that the visit cut short now should be renewed at our
+earliest convenience.
+
+As for me, I was a little sorry not to see more of Mr. Chouteau's
+place, for everywhere there were throngs of Indians in picturesque
+costume, and on the gallery of the great house a bevy of young maidens
+evidently awaiting our approach. But Fatima was calling me frantically
+with her delighted neighs, and the moment I was on her back, and felt
+her silken muscles stretch and tighten rhythmically beneath me, I
+cared no more for Mr. Chouteau's interesting place with its Indians
+and young maidens, and only longed for a right to leave my companions
+and have one good dash with Fatima across country, over fences and
+ditches. I would not have been afraid, in my present mood, to have put
+her at the high stone walls with which every one in St. Louis seemed
+to fence in his place, and so wild with delight was Fatima at meeting
+her master once more I think she would have taken them like a bird.
+
+But the doctor was more impatient than I, and first taking Black Hawk
+aside for a minute's low-toned consultation, he made his hasty adieus
+to our host, and bidding us follow him, he was off. Turning off the
+Rue Royale into the Rue Bonhomme, he went up the hill a long block to
+the Rue de l'Église, and then, turning to the left, he called back to
+us:
+
+"'Tis a straight road from here on, messieurs; shall we race for it?
+It may mean more than life to a fair lady."
+
+For answer I laid the reins on Fatima's glossy neck and whispered to
+her:
+
+"Get up, Sweetheart!"
+
+In a flash she had passed the two other horses and her dainty hoofs
+were flinging the soft dirt of the road in their faces. It was more a
+country lane than a village street, with scattered houses
+tree-embowered, and just back of Auguste Chouteau's place, which I
+recognized from the rear, was a church, and behind it the crosses of
+many graves, and beside it a priest's house with two black-robed
+priests taking a noonday siesta in comfortable chairs on the shady,
+vine-covered gallery. They awoke with a start as Fatima thundered by,
+and the two other horses, now well in the rear, pounded after, and I
+doubt not they thought it was the beginning of another 1780 affair, so
+frightened did they look.
+
+It did not take Fatima long to cover that mile and a half, and when I
+saw that we were approaching the stockade at the end of the road, with
+only one house between (which, like the Chouteaus', was set in a great
+yard inclosed with high stone walls), I drew rein under a
+wide-spreading oak and waited for the others. And as I waited I began
+once more to wonder what kind of creature Dr. Saugrain's ward could
+be: the acknowledged belle of St. Louis and now in some extreme danger
+from a white villain and a rascally Indian, for so I had easily
+understood Black Hawk's figurative language--the White Wolf and the
+Red Dog.
+
+I could hear the soft thrumming of a guitar, and a low voice crooning
+songs, of which I could now and then catch a word of the creole
+French. I did not doubt it was the doctor's ward who thus beguiled
+the hours with melody, and I grew vastly impatient to meet the
+loveliest lady in St. Louis and the sweetest of singers, if I could
+judge from the snatches of song that floated to my ears.
+
+In a minute more the doctor himself rode up, shouting lustily before
+he reached the gate, "Narcisse, Narcisse!" which put a sudden end to
+the music. As a black boy ran out in answer to his call, the doctor
+sprang as nimbly from his horse as I myself could have done, and flung
+the boy his reins with a sharp command to take care of the horses. He
+started swiftly for the house, but stopped suddenly and turned to
+Narcisse.
+
+"Where are your mistress and mademoiselle?" he asked, in a tone so
+sharp and excited the boy was frightened and stammered as he answered:
+
+"In the house, sir."
+
+"You are sure?"
+
+"Yes, sir; 'fore God, sir, they're in the living-room this minute."
+
+"Thank God!" ejaculated the doctor, and then I saw, to my
+astonishment, that he was all white and trembling. He recovered
+himself in a moment and turned to us with the suavity of a genial
+host:
+
+"Gentlemen, I fear that rascal Black Hawk has played us a scurvy
+trick; very likely for reasons of his own he wanted to get rid of me.
+He has given me a bad quarter of an hour, but otherwise he has only
+given me the pleasure of welcoming you a little earlier to Émigré's
+Retreat. Let us go find the ladies."
+
+Before we had time to reply, round the corner of the house sauntered
+slowly a huge mastiff, and as I caught a glimpse of him my heart sank
+into my boots, and there seemed to rise into my throat a tumultuous
+beating that was nigh to choking me: not from fear of the dog, though
+the moment he caught sight of me he stopped, every muscle tense, the
+hair on his mane erect, his eyes red, glowing, vicious, while he
+uttered one deep angry growl after another.
+
+It was not fear of the brute that set my pulses throbbing painfully:
+it was the truth that flashed upon me for the first time--_Dr.
+Saugrain's ward was Mademoiselle Pelagie_! At that moment through the
+open door came a clear whistle and the sweetest voice I had ever
+heard, calling in ringing tones of command:
+
+"À moi, Leon!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT
+
+    "A rosebud set with little wilful thorns"
+
+
+It was too late to beat a retreat. I caught once more a merry twinkle
+in the little doctor's eyes as we followed the dog, who, obedient to
+his mistress's voice, had rushed before us into the house. I felt the
+red blood surging to the roots of my hair, and I knew when I stopped
+on the threshold beside my captain to make my grand bow that I looked
+more like an awkward country lout than the fine gentleman I was in the
+habit of considering myself.
+
+I hardly dared raise my eyes, and yet I saw very distinctly that if
+Mademoiselle Pelagie in ball costume was bewitching, Mademoiselle
+Pelagie in simple morning dress was an angel. The room was a long, low
+one, cool and shady from the sheltering galleries outside, and with
+many windows, all open to catch the southern breezes that kept the
+dimity curtains bellying like white sails. On a low seat beside one of
+the open windows, looking out into cool depths of dusky green, sat
+Mademoiselle Pelagie. Her white dress, short of skirt and reaching
+hardly to the daintiest of ankles, was just low enough in the neck to
+show the round, white throat, and just short enough in the sleeve to
+leave uncovered below the elbow the beautifully molded arm. Across her
+shoulders was a broad blue ribbon that held the guitar to whose soft
+thrumming I had been listening, and one restraining hand was laid on
+Leon's head, who sat beside her, erect on his haunches, regarding me
+with angry suspicion.
+
+She rose as we entered, and still holding her guitar with one arm,
+while the other hand lifted her skirt daintily, she made us the
+deepest and most graceful of curtsies. Then she lifted her dark eyes
+shyly to Captain Clarke and with a ravishing smile bade him welcome in
+broken English. To me she vouchsafed not even a glance. I stood by
+stiff as any martinet while she made soft speeches to the captain in
+her adorable baby-English, and the captain responded in his most
+gallant fashion.
+
+I grew more rigid and more gauche every minute, and I know not what
+would have become of me if the doctor, who had left the room to look
+for his wife, had not come to my relief. He came in, bringing Madame
+Saugrain with him, and a sweet and simple little old lady she proved
+to be. Her cap was almost as flowery as Madame Chouteau's, but she was
+as warm and cordial in her manner as the other was stern and
+forbidding. She greeted my captain first, of course, but she was as
+cordial to me as to him, and in her motherly way she called me "My
+son," which, after my icy reception from another lady, went straight
+to my heart. I was grateful to her in spite of the fear I felt that
+it was my very youthful appearance had called forth the endearing
+term.
+
+We were all comfortably seated, Captain Clarke chatting gaily with
+Mademoiselle Pelagie, I pointedly addressing all my conversation to
+Dr. Saugrain and madame, when Narcisse came in with a tray of cooling
+drinks--a mild and pleasant beverage made of raspberry conserves and
+lime-juice mixed with some spirits and plenty of cold spring water. I
+liked it well, and would have taken another glass, for I was thirsty
+and our ride had been a warm one, and Madame Saugrain urged it upon
+me, but as I was about to take it I heard a saucy voice saying:
+
+"'Tis no wonder that you empty not your glass, Captain Clarke; 'tis a
+drink much more suited to maidens and to young boys than to men."
+
+My glass was half extended, but I drew it back hastily, and then was
+angry with myself, for I heard a mocking laugh that I was sure was
+intended for me, and for the life of me I could not refrain from
+glancing quickly in mademoiselle's direction. Her eyes met mine with
+more of scorn in their dark depths than I could well stand. I gazed
+steadily into them for as much as half a second with all the defiance
+in my glance I knew how to convey, and then I turned again to Madame
+Saugrain:
+
+"If you will permit me to change my mind, madame," I said, "I would
+like another glass of your delicious beverage."
+
+And then, lifting it to my lips, I added:
+
+"I drink to the ladies: they add fragrance and beauty to our lives,
+like the red berries; comfort and strength, like this good ratafia;
+sweetness, like the sugar; and if sometimes they also add bitterness
+and acid, like the limes, it is doubtless for our good."
+
+The gentlemen both touched glasses with me as they drank to my toast,
+the little doctor preternaturally solemn, and my captain almost as
+grave, but for a wicked twinkle in his eye. I knew they thought my
+toast a boyish one, and doubtless understood its inspiration, while
+they struggled to preserve their gravity out of courtesy to me.
+Whether mademoiselle's eyes were more mocking than ever I did not
+know, for I looked not in her direction. But madame glowed with
+genuine pleasure and declared 'twas a pretty toast, and she thanked me
+for her share in it. Whereupon mademoiselle said in the gravest voice:
+
+"I also, monsieur, thank you for my share in it, for I suppose the
+lime-juice is mine," and, to my amazement, when, as in duty bound, I
+glanced at her, since she spoke directly to me, I saw that her eyes
+were downcast, and the richest color had flamed into the warm white of
+her cheeks.
+
+I know not what I might have said or done, so repentant was I at once
+for having caused her annoyance, had not a short, sharp exclamation
+from Dr. Saugrain startled us all:
+
+"'Tis that skulking Osage again. What does he here, Narcisse?"
+
+"He bring note, m'seh, for La Petite," answered Narcisse, rolling his
+eyes at the unwonted sharpness in his master's tones.
+
+Dr. Saugrain turned at once to mademoiselle.
+
+"Pelagie," he said, "what does this mean? Who is sending you notes by
+Red Jean?"
+
+Mademoiselle looked up half defiantly, half inclined not to reply to
+such peremptory questioning in the presence of strangers. But on
+second thought she answered quite submissively:
+
+"It was the young Chevalier Le Moyne who is staying at Gabriel
+Cerré's."
+
+"Now, I like not that," said the doctor, hastily; and then bethinking
+himself, he ordered Narcisse to take away the empty glasses and keep
+an eye on Red Jean.
+
+"Don't let him get out of your sight as long as he stays about the
+place; he will be stealing the horses if you don't watch him."
+
+The moment Narcisse had left the room the doctor repeated:
+
+"I like not that; I begin to think Black Hawk may have had good reason
+to warn us against the White Wolf and the Red Dog."
+
+Then, turning to mademoiselle, he added more gently:
+
+"I like not to inquire into mademoiselle's little affairs, but this is
+of the gravest importance. Will you tell us the contents of that note,
+ma chère?"
+
+Mademoiselle hesitated, and glanced almost unconsciously at the
+captain and at me. We both sprang to our feet at the same moment, and
+the captain spoke:
+
+"The lad and I will step out on the gallery, where, if you permit, we
+will light our pipes."
+
+But with a quick gesture of dissent, mademoiselle also sprang to her
+feet.
+
+"No, no! mon capitaine, no, no! Meestaire, it is not'ing, not'ing. I
+will say all before you. 'Tis only that the chevalier asks may he
+escort me to the peek-neek on Chouteau's Pond."
+
+"Sit down, gentlemen, if you please," said the doctor; "I think it
+wise for us to hold a council of war. I shall need your advice much,
+possibly your help. First, I want to say that some weeks ago I
+received letters from France warning me of a plot to capture
+Mademoiselle Pelagie and carry her back to France. A week ago this
+mysterious stranger arrived in St. Louis. Gabriel Cerré picked him up
+in Ste. Genevieve and brought him home with him, and that is about all
+any one knows of him, except that he claims to be of an old French
+family, who has saved enough from the wreck to permit him to travel
+and see the world. When he has finished this trip he declares he will
+return and settle on his estates on the Loire which he says have been
+returned to him by Bonaparte. Whether Black Hawk meant him when he
+bade me beware of the White Wolf I know not. I could get very little
+information when I spoke to him before leaving Pierre Chouteau's, and
+I am not sure he had any to give me, yet I think he knows something. I
+confess I have been suspicious of this fellow from the first,
+arriving, as he did, on the heels of my letter of warning. And now
+what think you 'tis best to do?"
+
+I was eager enough to say what I thought best to do, but I knew my
+place better than to speak before my elders, and so I waited for my
+captain. Mademoiselle was not so modest, or perhaps she thought no one
+had a better right than herself to speak on a subject so nearly
+concerning her.
+
+"I think, sir," she said, lapsing into her native tongue, "you wrong
+the Chevalier Le Moyne. I have seen much of him in the week of his
+stay at Gabriel Cerré's, and he has been invariably respectful and
+most gentleman-like in all his demeanor."
+
+"'Tis the very fact of his seeing so much of you, my child, that first
+roused my suspicions. He is forever hanging round you at dance and
+dinner; not even Josef Papin gets much chance to come nigh you."
+
+Mademoiselle flushed slightly at the mention of Josef Papin's name--a
+name I was beginning, for some reason, to dislike.
+
+"I should think," she said demurely, "there might be other reasons for
+that than suspicious ones"; and then she laughed merrily when I
+murmured, "Vraiment!" and touched my heart with my handkerchief. I
+thought she was mocking me again.
+
+"Mademoiselle is quite right," said Captain Clarke, gravely; "there
+are doubtless very natural reasons for the chevalier's devotion, yet I
+think it would be well, nevertheless, to act on Dr. Saugrain's
+suspicions. May I inquire whether mademoiselle has accepted the
+chevalier's offer of escort?"
+
+We all listened eagerly for the answer.
+
+"No," said mademoiselle; "I had just received the note when you
+arrived, and I would not answer it until I had consulted my guardian.
+He is very stern with me, messieurs," turning to us with a witching
+smile that I could see pleased the good doctor greatly.
+
+"Then," continued the captain, "it would be a very easy matter, I
+suppose, to decline his escort."
+
+But La Petite pouted.
+
+"Not so easy, mon capitaine. I have no reason to offer, and it would
+shut me off from accepting a second invitation."
+
+"I think," said Dr. Saugrain, "it would be better that you should not
+go to the picnic. Chouteau's Pond is beyond the stockade, and shut in
+by the woods; it would be an ideal spot for a surprise and a capture.
+There are always plenty of rascally Osages to be hired for a trifle to
+carry out any such villainy."
+
+"Not go!" exclaimed mademoiselle, in dismay. "But it is given for me!
+It is my fête! Josef Papin planned it entirely for me, he said."
+
+Mademoiselle was now growing rosy red, for, with a child's eagerness
+to carry her point at all hazards, she had said more than she meant
+to.
+
+"Then why did not Josef offer himself as your escort?"
+
+"He will, probably, later; but," and she tossed her head like the
+spoiled beauty she was, "it will serve him right, for being so slow,
+to find that I have accepted another. Besides which," and she shrugged
+her shoulders with all the airs of a Parisian dame, "you know your
+bourgeois etiquette. I cannot accept another: it would be a just
+cause for a duel au pistolets."
+
+"C'est vrai," said the doctor, with an answering shrug, and looking
+woefully perplexed.
+
+"Now, if you will permit me," suggested the captain, "since
+mademoiselle is so sure Mr. Papin will ask her later, why can she not
+plead to the chevalier a previous engagement?"
+
+But not for a moment would mademoiselle listen to that.
+
+"And be the laughing-stock of all St. Louis when it gets about, as it
+surely will. I refuse the chevalier because I prefer to wait for
+Monsieur Papin. Monsieur Papin hears of it and invites some one else
+to teach me not to be so sure, or," primly, "I have given him undue
+encouragement."
+
+"Then," said the doctor, gravely, "I see nothing for it but that you
+stay away from the picnic and write the chevalier that you have
+decided not to go. Unless," he added hastily, seeing the gathering
+storm on Pelagie's brow, "unless--" and then he hesitated, much
+embarrassed. "Perhaps our young friend here would like to attend one
+of our rural picnics, and would be willing to look after you and give
+you the opportunity of writing to the chevalier that you have a
+previous engagement."
+
+It was now my turn to blush. I had been ardently longing to offer my
+services, but not for a moment had I thought of daring. Now it was
+thrust upon me.
+
+"If mademoiselle would be so good," I murmured, bowing low, "I am her
+obedient servant."
+
+But mademoiselle was speechless. One moment she turned white, and the
+next she turned red, and then white again. When she found her voice
+she said, looking not at all at me, but straight at Dr. Saugrain:
+
+"I will remain at home, monsieur. I care not to be a burden upon
+unwilling hands."
+
+And then rising to her feet, with her head held high, her guitar on
+one arm, and the other hand still on the mastiff's head, she said:
+
+"Allons, Leon!" and was sweeping proudly from the room.
+
+I was in such consternation that probably I would have sat like any
+bumpkin and let her go, if not that, as she passed me, although her
+head was turned from me, it was not quite so much turned but that I
+caught a sudden quiver of the little chin, held proudly in air, and
+something bright glistening on the long, dark lashes. I sprang quickly
+before her. There was an angry growl from Leon, who no doubt thought I
+intended to serve his mistress the same trick I had served him, but I
+did not heed it.
+
+"Mademoiselle!" I entreated, "I beg you will reconsider. Nothing could
+give me more pride and pleasure. Besides," adopting an argumentative
+tone, "you know it would be my only chance for attending the picnic,
+and I have a vast desire to engage in some of your St. Louis
+festivities, and to meet some of the young maidens I was deprived of
+meeting last night."
+
+She was compelled to stop,--I barred her way; but for a few moments
+she showed no signs of relenting. She dashed away the shining drops
+from her lashes, and quieted Leon with a low "Taise-toi." But
+gradually I saw her face change, and then, still holding herself
+proudly, and with the air of a queen graciously condescending to
+bestow a favor upon a suppliant, but also with a smile of radiant
+sweetness, she spoke, and her voice was like the song of the thrush
+beside running waters:
+
+"Very well, monsieur; if I am not to be considered as putting myself
+under obligations to a stranger, I will go and write the chevalier
+that I have a previous engagement."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+I GO TO A PICNIC ON CHOUTEAU'S POND
+
+    "Many a youth and many a maid
+    Dancing in the chequered shade."
+
+
+The good doctor uttered a sigh of relief as mademoiselle left the
+room, followed by madame, who no doubt, in the goodness of her heart,
+went out to praise the young lady for having done as she ought, and to
+condole with her for being obliged to go to the picnic with a man she
+knew so slightly, and knew but to dislike.
+
+The sigh was quickly followed by a frown.
+
+"I wish that my ward had not so strong a will of her own. I scarce
+think it safe for her to go to Chouteau's Pond at all if, as I fear,
+her enemies are plotting to capture her."
+
+"I will defend her with my life, sir," I hastened to aver, "since you
+are so good as to intrust her to me."
+
+The doctor smiled at my boyish ardor, but said kindly:
+
+"I would trust her with you sooner than with most, my lad, for I
+believe I have seen enough of you to know that you are brave to a
+fault, and entirely trustworthy. But you know not the wiles of these
+treacherous Osages, and if this Chevalier Le Moyne is the man I fear
+he is, he is a much to be dreaded villain."
+
+"Whom do you fear him to be?" the captain and I uttered in one breath.
+
+The good doctor hesitated a moment and then seemed to take a sudden
+determination.
+
+"I am afraid I have no right to be letting you into my confidence, for
+it is not mine alone. In what I am about to say to you it is my
+country reposing a confidence as well. But our brief acquaintance has
+inspired me with trust in you both, and I have need of advice and help
+in this emergency, and perhaps of a good sword, if one of you be free
+to offer it. It is not the fortunes of a simple maid, such as my
+little Pelagie seems to be, that are alone involved, and yet I am not
+at liberty to tell you what great issues are at stake. We will say, by
+way of illustration, it would be to the advantage of an Orleanist to
+get rid of all possible Bourbon claimants to the throne of France,
+would it not? Merely by way of further illustration, suppose there
+were some young Orleanist, far removed from any pretensions to the
+throne, who by marrying a young Bourbon maid much closer to the
+throne, but, of course, barred from it by her sex, should prevent her
+marrying royalty and so having a son who might succeed to the throne.
+Do you follow me?"
+
+We both bowed our comprehension, for we were too eager to interrupt
+him by a word. The doctor went on:
+
+"And suppose by such a marriage he removed one more obstacle from the
+path of a powerful kinsman in his progress toward the throne. And if
+this young Orleanist were penniless and the Bourbon maid rich in
+prospect, he would save his kinsman the necessity of providing for
+him. And if he were dissolute and unprincipled, he would hesitate at
+no means to accomplish his ends. And if he were handsome, after a
+fashion, and accomplished in all Parisian arts, there would be
+reasonable chance of his success with a young maiden but little versed
+in the wiles of the world. Although I have used this merely as an
+illustration, this is very much the situation that confronts Pelagie's
+friends. You see, I have some reason to feel alarmed, and I fear I
+have no right to permit her to go to this picnic. Yet," with a
+grimace, "what can I? Where a wilful maiden will, a man is helpless.
+
+"And now, messieurs, you see how fully I have trusted you, not only
+with my affairs, but the affairs of France. I am not asking for a
+pledge of secrecy, for I feel no such pledge is necessary. Pelagie and
+her interests and the interests of her house in France I believe to be
+as safe in your hands as in my own."
+
+As the doctor uttered these last words he sprang to his feet, and
+betrayed the intensity of his feeling by the mist in his eyes, the
+tremor in his voice, and the dramatic clasping of his hands.
+
+By a simultaneous emotion of sympathy, both the captain and I found
+ourselves on our feet also. The captain extended his hand, and, like
+the straightforward, simple-minded gentleman he is, said only:
+
+"Your trust is not misplaced, Dr. Saugrain; your secret is safe."
+
+I was almost too deeply moved for words; I could only murmur as I
+bowed low over the hilt of my sword:
+
+"Safe as my honor!"
+
+I know not with what emotions my captain had listened to this long
+recital. As for me, I had been intensely interested. Yet I could not
+tell why it should not please me to find that this scornful little
+lady was presumptive heiress to wealth and titles, probably even of
+royal rank, for so I could not but understand the doctor's
+illustration.
+
+"Does Mademoiselle Pelagie know all this?" inquired the captain. "Does
+she know her rank and prospects? Is it permitted to speak of them to
+her?"
+
+"Oh, no, no, no!" uttered the doctor, rapidly, with vigorous
+protestations of head and hands. "Pelagie knows nothing but that
+almost longer ago than she can remember she lived in a beautiful house
+with many servants, and with a father and mother who idolized her, but
+who went away from her one day never to return. Of course she knows
+now why they never returned, but that is all. She has lived with us in
+America nearly ten years, and I think she has learned to love Madame
+Saugrain and me almost as if we were indeed her father and mother, and
+we could not love child of our own more tenderly.
+
+"And so you see, my dear young sir," regarding me with affectionate
+concern, "what a weighty responsibility I have put upon your young
+shoulders. If the burden is too great for you, I absolve you from
+your offer as escort, and Pelagie shall stay at home whether she will
+or not. I think it would be far the better way."
+
+"Oh, no, no, sir!" I protested eagerly. "I am proud you think me
+worthy such a responsibility. I will never let her out of my sight for
+one moment, and I promise to bring her back to you in safety."
+
+"Thank you," said the doctor, gravely; "that is what I would wish. Do
+not let her out of your sight if it is possible. Even if she seems to
+be fretted by your espionage I hope you will bear with her
+temper,--which I know to be a royal one,--and persist in your
+watchfulness. I shall be deeply grateful to you."
+
+By the time the day of the picnic arrived, I flattered myself I had
+made some slight progress in Mademoiselle Pelagie's regard. Very
+slight, to be sure, yet I thought she did not treat me with quite the
+disdain she had shown at first. Indeed, I even thought I sometimes
+detected that she was listening with interest when Madame Saugrain or
+the good doctor was questioning me about my life at home in
+Philadelphia.
+
+Twice a day at least we were brought together at the table, for the
+captain and I had taken up our abode at Dr. Saugrain's. It was not
+without much demur that we had, at last, accepted the doctor's urgent
+invitations to do so. To be sure, there was no hostelry in the
+village, except the low tavern where the disreputable Indians and
+rough river-men congregated, and we would have been obliged to accept
+some of the many hospitable invitations extended us by the Chouteaus,
+the Papins, the Cerrés, indeed by nearly every leading citizen of St.
+Louis, all eagerly vying with one another for the privilege of
+entertaining General Clarke's brother. I think the captain's hesitancy
+arose from the feeling that he ought to accept Émile Yosti's or Manuel
+Lisa's hospitality, since his business was chiefly concerned with
+them; but with me it was the feeling that it would be intolerable to
+dwell under the same roof with my Lady Disdain, and be subjected to
+countless little ignominies at her hands. Yet when the doctor
+presented it to us as a very great favor to him at this time, when he
+might need our assistance as well as our advice in protecting
+Mademoiselle Pelagie, we could object no further, and I, at least, was
+as eager to stay as I had before been unwilling. To me it seemed the
+more reasonable that he might easily need what assistance our swords
+could give him, if there were really on foot a plan to capture
+mademoiselle, because the doctor's house was set in a large garden, at
+the extreme borders of the village, next to the stockade and with no
+neighbor within hearing.
+
+The day of the picnic rose clear and bright, changing soon to the
+purple haze and soft air of a day in late November. Breakfast was
+hardly over when the picnickers began to pass the house, some of them
+walking in merry groups, some in little French carts drawn by oxen or
+small, hardy ponies, but many of them, I noted with a beating heart,
+on horseback carrying double, the maiden on a pillion holding fast
+with her arm around her escort's waist. Was it thus my Lady Disdain
+expected to be carried to the picnic, I wondered, and could not tell
+for the life of me whether I most hoped it or dreaded it.
+
+But my hopes and fears were alike vain. I sat smoking on the shady
+gallery, and was beginning to wonder when my lady would see fit to
+start, for by now the procession had thinned out to almost none, only
+a straggling couple occasionally hurrying by as if they feared they
+were late and must hasten to be in time for the sport. I began to
+think it possible she had changed her mind and would stay at home
+rather than go with an undesired escort.
+
+I had risen early, and though I had made an unusually careful toilet,
+calling Yorke to my aid to see that every lacer was fresh and securely
+tied, and my buckles shining, yet I had made much haste also, not
+knowing at what hour mademoiselle proposed starting, and fearing
+greatly to annoy her by being one moment tardy. So here had I sat
+smoking on the shady gallery a good two hours awaiting my lady's
+pleasure, and beginning inwardly to fume, for my temper was not such
+as to bear meekly even the caprices of a beautiful maiden--no, not
+though she might be also some great lady in disguise.
+
+But when I had for the tenth time started up to stride angrily up and
+down the gallery, I heard the creaking of wheels, and around the
+corner of the house came a little French charrette, its wooden wheels
+making a great noise, drawn by one ox and Narcisse walking beside it,
+driving. I was filled with dismay, for to me it seemed not a mode of
+conveyance suited to the dignity of the son of one of the proudest
+families of Philadelphia, to say nothing of Mademoiselle Pelagie.
+Besides, I had had visions of the fine figure I was to cut before the
+St. Louis beaus and belles on my prancing and curveting Fatima, whose
+glossy coat was like satin this morning from the extra rubbing I had
+ordered Yorke to give her.
+
+But as Narcisse passed me and pulled off his hat with an amiable grin,
+I saw a great hamper in the charrette, and from a spicy whiff borne to
+my nostrils by a passing breeze I knew he was conveying our dinner to
+the picnic-grounds, and I was duly thankful that neither Fatima nor I
+was to be hampered ('tis a poor pun, and my father hath ever taught me
+'tis the lowest form of wit) with clumsy packages dangling from saddle
+and arm.
+
+In a moment more, around the corner of the house again came a black,
+leading a small Indian horse gaily caparisoned, and fitted with a
+lady's pillion, and immediately behind, Yorke, leading my own Fatima.
+I knew then we were about to start, and my heart began once more its
+silly thumpings. Yet would I not move from my seat, where I had
+assumed an attitude of indifference, until I suddenly heard behind me
+a cool and haughty voice:
+
+"Are you not ready, sir? It is high time, I should think, we were on
+our way, or we will be too late for the déjeuner."
+
+Now was I in wrath indeed, to be spoken to in tones of reproach when I
+had every reason to expect at least an excuse, if not an apology, for
+having been kept so long waiting. I rose to my feet in leisurely
+fashion and made mademoiselle a most elaborate bow, as I replied in a
+voice as cool and haughty as her own:
+
+"Had I been informed at what hour mademoiselle would require my
+presence, I should have been belted and hatted and not have detained
+your ladyship for even a moment, to say nothing of having wasted two
+good hours of my own time in idle waiting."
+
+As I spoke I stooped to pick up my sword-belt from the floor beside my
+chair, and began slowly to buckle it on. My eyes were on my belt, but
+not so closely but that I could see a little smile hover around
+mademoiselle's lips, and I thought she was not displeased to find I
+had a little spirit of my own and was not always to be cowed by her
+scornful airs. I was so elated by the discovery that I, foolishly,
+prolonged the buckling beyond all possible necessity, and
+mademoiselle's good humor was quickly exhausted. She tapped her little
+foot impatiently for a moment and then spoke as icily as before:
+
+"Since monsieur finds difficulty with his belt, I will ask Yorke to
+put me on my horse and then send him to your assistance."
+
+All my foolish elation was gone in a moment, and, between my
+mortification and my impatient haste, I fumbled in earnest. I was in
+desperate haste; for not for a moment did I intend to let Yorke put
+her upon her horse: yet so swiftly had she swept down the long gallery
+and the steps to the driveway a little distance off, and so slow had I
+been with my buckle, that I reached her side just in time to hear her
+say:
+
+"Yorke, put me on my horse, and then go at once and buckle your
+master's belt. We are like to be all day getting to Chouteau's Pond."
+
+"Yes, missy," said Yorke, and flinging Fatima's reins to Narcisse,
+prepared to obey her, though he could only have comprehended by
+intuition, for not a word of her tongue did he understand.
+
+I was restored at once to my equanimity by her impatient tones, and I
+spoke to Yorke with a calm authority he dared not disobey:
+
+"Take care of Fatima, Yorke; I will attend to mademoiselle," and
+without giving her time to object I coolly lifted her to her horse.
+She was only a feather's weight, but I think she liked not that
+fashion of mounting, and was minded for a moment to kick and scream
+like an angry child. But she thought better of it, and though the
+quick flame sprang into her cheek, she bowed her thanks in stately
+fashion, and I springing on Fatima's back and bidding Yorke to follow
+at once, we set forth at a round pace.
+
+Not a word did she speak as we galloped side by side down the
+driveway, through the gate, and along the short bit of road that
+extended to the stockade. When we had passed through, there was not
+much more than a rough foot-path, that began to descend very soon from
+the high bluffs, sometimes by a gentle incline, sometimes by a steep
+and rocky descent, to the valley of La Petite Rivière.
+
+The path was no longer wide enough for two horses, and we were
+compelled to ride in Indian fashion. Fatima was ahead and was picking
+her way daintily and surely, but slowly. The little Indian horse,
+being much more used to such rough paths, would have gone on more
+rapidly, and fretted at being kept back by Fatima. So, no doubt, did
+his rider, for presently, in her formal way, she said:
+
+"If monsieur will permit, I will take the lead. I think my pony knows
+the path better and can show you the way."
+
+But I had been specially warned to keep ever in advance, and it did
+not add to mademoiselle's good humor that I was compelled to refuse
+her the _pas_. I was beginning to feel that my task was a thankless
+one, and the picnic on Chouteau's Pond did not look to me quite so
+alluring as it had looked a few days before. Perhaps my face betrayed
+my feeling; for when we reached the foot of the incline and our path
+broadened out as it turned to follow the windings of the little river
+toward the pond, mademoiselle rode up beside me, and with a very
+pretty air indeed, half arch, half shy, wholly sweet, she said:
+
+"I pray monsieur will not think me ungrateful. I do not forget that
+but for his courtesy I could not have gone to my fête."
+
+Then she added roguishly:
+
+"But I will make amends. I will introduce you to many St. Louis
+belles, the fascinating Pelagie Chouteau, Émilie Gratiot, who dances
+like a fairy, and Marguerite and Marie Papin, the beautiful sisters.
+And there are many more just as beautiful."
+
+I bowed gravely:
+
+"I thank you, mademoiselle. I have heard much of the beauty of the
+St. Louis demoiselles, and have desired much to meet them. You
+remember it was largely for that inducement I consented to undertake
+the difficult task of looking after your ladyship."
+
+Pelagie pouted.
+
+"Why do you persist in calling me 'your ladyship'? I am only
+mademoiselle."
+
+"Indeed!" I said, with affected surprise: "your manner has led me to
+suppose you marquise at least, if not duchesse."
+
+Mademoiselle reddened, but spoke very seriously and very sweetly,
+
+"I am afraid I have very bad manners, and a very bad temper. But I
+intend to be good now, and to remind me I give you permission when I
+am haughty or disagreeable to call me comtesse."
+
+The sycamores and cottonwoods that bordered our path had lost more
+than half their leaves, and the soft haze of the late November sun
+filtering through flecked mademoiselle with pale gold. It touched her
+dark hair and turned it to burnished bronze, it brought a faint rose
+to the warm white of her cheek, and made little golden lights dance in
+the shadows of her eyes uplifted to mine. The mysterious fragrance of
+late autumn, of dying leaves and bare brown earth, and ripening nuts
+and late grapes hanging on the vines, and luscious persimmons on the
+leafless trees, rose like incense to my nostrils and intoxicated me. I
+hardly knew how I answered as I looked deep into her shadowy eyes, and
+I was almost glad that, our way crossing the little river by a steep
+path leading down to a shallow ford, I was compelled once more to
+take the lead.
+
+Half-way across we stopped to let our horses dip their noses in the
+cool water dashing merrily over the stones. Fatima only played with
+it, swashing her muzzle well, and flinging the bright drops over
+mademoiselle's horse, who drank steadily. The opposite bank was more
+heavily wooded, and I became aware, as I sat idly flecking the foam
+from Fatima's flanks with my riding-whip, that I had for some time
+been hearing a whippoorwill calling and its mate replying. The woods
+looked dense enough to be the haunts of the lonely birds, but,
+nevertheless, I felt uneasy and began to listen--for rarely, indeed,
+does one hear a whippoorwill in the daytime. I knew birds well, and I
+soon became convinced that these whippoorwills were like none I had
+ever heard. They were too deliberate in their calls and replies, and
+the varying number of each sounded like a system of signals. I began
+to wish mademoiselle had not been so tardy in starting, that we might
+have had company on our way, and I strained my ears if I might hear
+anything of Yorke, who should be not far behind.
+
+But there were no signs of Yorke; and mademoiselle's horse had
+finished drinking, and there was no excuse for our delaying longer. I
+would not alarm mademoiselle with my suspicions, yet I wanted my
+firearms ready to my hand. I drew my pistol from its holster and laid
+it across my saddle-bow, saying carelessly that if I caught a glimpse
+of that whippoorwill in the woods I should shoot it for my aunt in
+Paris, who was making a collection of American birds.
+
+Mademoiselle Pelagie accepted my explanation without comment, and I
+led the way up the steep bank opposite. Once up, I saw, to my
+satisfaction, that the path was still wide enough for two. I put
+mademoiselle on the side nearest La Petite Rivière, and I rode next
+the woods; and though mademoiselle had suddenly grown talkative, and
+was full of a saucy French wit, I fear I must have seemed very stupid
+to her, for all the while I was trying to keep up my share of repartee
+and quip I was listening, listening. Mademoiselle noticed at last that
+I was somewhat distrait.
+
+"Why do you keep your eyes turned upon the woods, monsieur? In France
+we are taught that it is polite to look at a lady when she speaks."
+
+"Pardon, mademoiselle," I stammered. "I am looking for that
+whippoorwill."
+
+"Your apology is more than sufficient, monsieur," in her haughtiest
+tones. "There will, no doubt, be no other opportunity so suitable for
+adding to your aunt's collection."
+
+I had kept my eyes fixed on the woods even while speaking to her, not
+daring to turn them away, but at her tone I turned quickly toward her.
+
+"Pardon, mademoiselle la comtesse," I began saucily, but went on
+seriously. "Permit me, I beg, to seem rude, though it is farthest from
+my desire to appear so. It is more than the whim of my aunt that is at
+stake. Some day I will explain to you."
+
+Even as I spoke I was startled by a sharp crackle followed by a
+stealthy rustle, as if some one had inadvertently stepped upon a dry
+twig and had then glided quickly away. I turned at once to the woods,
+and could almost have sworn I caught a fleeting glimpse of a
+copper-colored hand, and the flash of a rifle-barrel. But as I gazed
+longer I saw nothing but the dense foliage of the low scrub-oaks that
+grew under the tall forest trees, and I hoped I was mistaken.
+
+A level bit of road stretched ahead of us.
+
+"Will you race with me, mademoiselle, to yonder tree?"
+
+The quicker we got to Chouteau's Pond the better, I thought, and the
+faster we left the whippoorwills behind the better also.
+
+"I will race you and beat you," she said gaily; "my little La Bette is
+fleet of foot. But what shall be the prize?"
+
+"If I win," I said boldly, "the first dance to-day."
+
+I thought a shadow of annoyance passed over her face, but it cleared
+and she answered slyly:
+
+"And if I win, I claim the first whippoorwill you shoot; the second
+may go to your aunt."
+
+"Done!" I said grimly. "Are we off?"
+
+It was evident that fleet as La Bette might be, Fatima was far
+fleeter. But not for worlds would I have left mademoiselle behind; so,
+while seeming to urge Fatima forward, I was, in reality, giving her
+the constant little touch that meant a check. Still I was mindful of
+my prize, and when we were not more than twenty yards from the tree,
+and I thought we were safe, I gave Fatima the rein and passed the tree
+a full length ahead.
+
+I felt a little more comfortable now, for I thought if I had really
+seen a redskin with a gun lurking among the bushes, we must have left
+him well behind, and we fell into a comfortable little jog-trot, side
+by side again. Suddenly I heard once more the ominous crackle of a dry
+twig, and turning quickly, I looked full into a pair of dark eyes
+peering through the bushes. I hesitated not a moment, but raising my
+pistol, leveled it straight at the eyes, and would have fired but that
+a voice called to me in good English:
+
+"Hold, monsieur! Do not fire!"
+
+And from behind the clump of bushes sprang a more elaborately dressed
+man than any I had yet seen in St. Louis. In truth, I thought him too
+foppishly arrayed for the woods, for there were fine ruffles at wrist
+and knee, and beneath his leathern doublet peeped the edges of a satin
+waistcoat, canary-colored. His hair was long and curled and tied with
+a ribbon, but it was not powdered, and over his forehead it fell in
+short, black curls that made his skin look very white and pink;
+indeed, I was not at all sure but the pink of his cheeks and the red
+of his lips were more of art's cunning than nature's mingling. A soft,
+dark mustache on his upper lip, carefully trained and curled, proved
+him a Parisian of the latest mode, and I at once felt an instinctive
+dislike and distrust of him. I had never seen him before, but I was
+not at all surprised when mademoiselle addressed him as Chevalier Le
+Moyne and paid me the compliment of presenting him to me.
+
+There was just a little disapproval in mademoiselle's manner, for the
+chevalier had certainly been caught spying, if nothing worse; and he
+had the grace to be embarrassed, and hastened to make his apologies in
+voluble French, which he seemed to take for granted I did not
+understand.
+
+"I missed mademoiselle from the fête, and I sauntered out to see if
+there were any signs of her approach. Mademoiselle must know that it
+is no fête for me when the queen is away, and the day is _triste_
+indeed that is not lighted by her eyes. I was not sure it was
+mademoiselle when I heard voices, and so I looked through the bushes
+to see before addressing her."
+
+"You spoke just in time," mademoiselle replied. "Monsieur took you for
+a whippoorwill, and a moment more," with an arch glance at me, "he
+might have added you to his aunt's collection."
+
+I thought at first my lady must be heartless indeed to make a jest of
+a very narrow escape from death, but as I glanced at her, I saw little
+tongues of flame leaping in and out of her cheeks, and a great pulse
+beating in her throat, and I knew the light manner was only a mask.
+
+I watched the chevalier narrowly as she spoke of the whippoorwill, and
+I saw him look quickly at her with a startled glance, but her evident
+innocence reassured him. I spoke to him in his own tongue, partly to
+show him I understood it very well and he must be careful what he said
+before me, and partly because I was not sure he understood mine.
+Indeed, I had many times been thankful that my French was almost as
+natural to me as my English, for in this French-and Spanish-speaking
+town there was almost no one could speak my tongue. Once in a great
+while (but not often) mademoiselle attempted it, either to practise
+her English or out of compliment to my captain, who was not quite so
+fluent with his French as I. (And when she did, her pretty broken
+accents made our rough language sweet as the song of birds.)
+
+"Monsieur was fortunate to speak so soon," I said. "I am looking for
+whippoorwills, and I took you for one. A moment more would have been
+too late."
+
+But as I spoke I looked straight into his eyes with a meaning he could
+not misunderstand. His glance fell, and a deep red slowly mounted from
+beneath the artificial pink of his cheeks and spread over his face. He
+recovered himself in a moment, however, and answered me gaily:
+
+"Thanks, monsieur, for a narrow escape. 'Tis the luck of the Le
+Moynes. Perhaps you know the motto of our house?--'By hairbreadth
+escapes we _always win_.'"
+
+And this time he looked straight into my eyes, and conveyed by his
+glance a haughty challenge.
+
+I bowed a mute acceptance of it; and mademoiselle, conscious from our
+manner we were not particularly amiable toward each other, hastened to
+avert any threatening unpleasantness.
+
+"I think the chevalier will excuse us if we hasten on. We are already
+late, and I fear we will keep déjeuner waiting."
+
+The chevalier bowed low, with his hand on his heart, and stepped aside
+to allow us to pass.
+
+It was but a five minutes' ride till we left the woodland path and the
+merry company of the little river and stood on the shores of
+Chouteau's Pond. I had not expected to find such a beautiful woodland
+lake, and at my exclamation of delighted surprise, mademoiselle looked
+pleased indeed.
+
+"We are proud of our pond, which Mr. Auguste Chouteau has made for
+us," she said. "Is it not as beautiful as your Pennsylvania lakes?"
+
+"I have never seen a more beautiful!" I ejaculated fervently, and I
+spoke truly.
+
+We had drawn rein on a point of high land, and at our feet the waters
+of the little river, in foaming rapids and tumbling cascades,
+stretched up to the foot of a high dam, where the waters of the lake
+poured over in a silver flood. To the right, embowered in trees, were
+the vine-covered stone towers of Chouteau's mill, and beyond, gentle
+grassy slopes, with drooping trees dipping their branches in the
+water. To the left rose high banks with overarching foliage, and then
+for a mile or two the lake wound from one embowered cove to another,
+till it was lost in the hazy distance. Directly below us, it lay a
+glorious topaz in the soft November sun, for which the dark porphyry
+of oaks, the tawny gold of cottonwoods, and the emerald of turf and
+darker green of cedars made a jeweled setting richer and more
+harmonious than would have been the flaming scarlet and gold of our
+Eastern woods. On the bosom of the little lake a white sail was
+floating lazily, for there was but little breeze, and two or three
+canoes were darting swiftly from shore to shore, the dip of their
+paddles breaking the lake to flashing silver.
+
+There were no other signs of life, and now mademoiselle took the lead
+and we followed the right shore of the lake behind the stone mill,
+along the shady, grassy slopes, until, after several windings, we came
+out on a little cove where a silvery fountain bubbled up and flowed
+down in a tiny rivulet to the lake. Around the fountain was soft green
+turf, with natural seats of rock, shaded by lofty trees, where the
+deep forest came down to the shores of the cove, and here we found our
+party of merry revelers. Horses, ponies, and oxen were all tethered
+deep in the forest, while young men and maidens were running to and
+fro, arranging tempting piles of broiled fowl, venison, and game
+pasties on the white cloth, spread on the green grass. A delicious
+odor of coffee came from a great caldron, hung over a stone fireplace
+on an improvised crane, and two young men were mixing, in a great
+bowl, a spicy compound of spring water, ratafia, sweet spices, and
+raspberry wine.
+
+They hailed the arrival of mademoiselle with delight, and young Josef
+Papin came running up, and took hold of her horse's bridle-rein, and
+led her to the head of the table, where they had made a throne for the
+queen of the fête out of a flat rock, covered with bright-colored
+capotes, and wreathed with garlands of bright-leaved vines.
+
+He claimed it his due, as giver of the feast, to sit at her right, and
+awarded to me, as a courtesy due her escort, the seat on her left. In
+the merry scramble for places that followed (there was nothing rude in
+it: these French folk are gentle and courteous in their gayest
+frolics) the chevalier was forgotten. When he came in, late (somewhat
+flushed, as if he might have been running when no man was looking, but
+debonair and smiling, with many apologies), there was no place for him
+near mademoiselle, and I was not sorry. Neither, I confess, did he
+seem to be, for he devoted himself pointedly to Mademoiselle Chouteau,
+as fascinating a little coquette as mademoiselle had described her.
+
+Half-way through the meal the chevalier made an excuse for going for a
+cup of water to the spring, and, in passing behind mademoiselle, he
+stopped a moment to ask her, in a low tone, for the first dance. It
+was not so low but that I overheard, and I heard, too, the tone of
+regret with which she told him it was already promised. I might have
+thought the tone only a tribute to politeness had I not caught her
+glance, which said louder than any words, "I had much rather it were
+you," and I said to myself, "Either mademoiselle is a most dangerous
+coquette, or the chevalier has already succeeded in at least winning
+her interest," and for a moment it sprang to the tip of my hasty
+tongue to release her from her promise. But I shut my lips firmly
+before the words were out.
+
+"Ce garçon-çà! The second, then?"
+
+I turned away my head and did not willingly hear any more, but I could
+not quite help overhearing the chevalier once again, in a tone
+intended to be quite cutting, and for that reason, no doubt, more
+distinct:
+
+"If mademoiselle's dances are not taken for the entire afternoon,
+perhaps she will be so kind as to say which one she will graciously
+grant me?"
+
+I did not hear her reply; but I heard his joyful response to it:
+
+"A thousand thanks, ma belle reine; au troisième, donc!"
+
+I was in two minds through the rest of the meal: should I hold
+mademoiselle to her promise, which was, evidently, irksome to her, or
+should I free her from it? I resolved, finally, that the dance was
+fairly mine and I would hold her to it. Yet when the music sounded and
+the line was forming I was a little late in reaching her side, for I
+had been following the chevalier's example and getting my dances
+promised ahead, and Mademoiselle Chouteau had been so full of her
+little French coquetries I had found it hard to get away in time to
+claim mademoiselle's hand. I found her tapping her little foot
+impatiently, and an ominous line between her dark eyes. I made my
+apologies humbly, but mademoiselle was coldly scornful.
+
+"Had I known monsieur would find it so irksome to keep his engagement
+I could have released him. There were others who would have
+appreciated the honor, since it is my duty to open the dance."
+
+"It is inexcusable," I murmured, "but it was unavoidable"; and without
+waiting for further recriminations I led her to the head of the line.
+
+I had never seen the minuet danced with more grace and spirit. These
+Frenchmen have winged feet, and though I knew my steps well and had
+not thought myself particularly awkward, yet now it seemed to me
+impossible, with my great size, not to seem, to mademoiselle at least,
+a clumsy giant. It made me more conscious of my awkwardness that I was
+leading the line with mademoiselle, reine de la fête, and a perfect
+fairy for grace, and that, opposite us, with Mademoiselle Chouteau,
+was the chevalier, full of Parisian airs, which looked a little
+ridiculous to me, but were, no doubt, the admiration of all the
+maidens.
+
+And if anything could have made me more clumsy it was the accident
+that befell me in the sword-figure. It fell to my lot to cross swords
+with the chevalier, and I cannot be sure that he did it wilfully, yet
+so it seemed to me. By a twist of his wrist he loosened my sword from
+its grasp, and it fell clattering to the ground at the very feet of my
+lady. Had I been expecting anything more than the usual crossing of
+points my grasp would have been firmer, and I really think I was not
+to blame. Yet I was covered with confusion, and as I stooped to pick
+it up, necessarily delaying the progress of my lady, who was leading
+her line of maidens under the arch of swords, I glanced at her face,
+expecting nothing less for my gaucherie than the mocking smile I had
+learned to dread. To my amazement, my glance was met with the sweetest
+of smiles, and it was the chevalier who winced this time.
+
+"I hope monsieur will pardon the chevalier's awkwardness," she said;
+"he is, no doubt, more at home in a Parisian ball-room than at a
+rustic dance on the turf."
+
+After that, you may be sure, I carried myself proudly, and so elated
+was I by her unexpected sweetness that I lost all sense of
+awkwardness, and I began to hear murmurs of admiration that I knew
+were intended for my ears, and lent wings to my feet, also.
+
+"A handsome pair!" "What grace!" "He carries his head like a grand
+seigneur!" and Mademoiselle Chouteau was wicked enough, as we crossed
+in the dance, to look up at me and whisper saucily:
+
+"I die with impatience, monsieur, for la troisième!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+WHIPPOORWILLS
+
+    "Is this that haughty, gallant, gay Lothario?"
+
+
+It was in the third dance, in the middle of an intricate figure (and
+Mademoiselle Chouteau was proving herself a most bewitching partner),
+that I suddenly discovered that neither mademoiselle nor the chevalier
+was dancing; nor could I see them anywhere, though my glance shot
+rapidly into every leafy nook and corner.
+
+An unreasoning terror seized me, and with all my might I tried to
+think what I could do. Should I leave my partner and fly in pursuit,
+as I longed to do, the figure would be broken up, and should my fears
+prove unfounded I could never again hold up my head among the St.
+Louis maidens. Yet I thought if I waited until the dance was over
+there would be time for the worst to happen, and I had promised not to
+let mademoiselle out of my sight. Now did I curse my folly (with many
+of my big _d_-inventions) that, since I had come to the picnic solely
+to look after mademoiselle, I had allowed myself to make any
+engagement with any other maiden, however bewitching.
+
+In my agony of indecision, though I was still going through the
+figure in a dazed fashion, great drops of perspiration started out on
+my brow. At that moment there came a pause in the dance, while the
+figure was changing, and above the babble of talk that broke forth I
+heard the distant call of a whippoorwill. It was enough. I bent low
+and whispered to my partner:
+
+"Mademoiselle, do you think you could invent a pretext by which we
+could both be excused from the dance? Could you be taken suddenly
+ill?"
+
+Mademoiselle Chouteau looked up at me quickly; I think for a moment
+she thought I wanted to get her away for a cozy flirtation in a quiet
+little nook, such as some of the other young couples seemed to be
+enjoying. But when she saw my anxious face she spoke quickly, with the
+prompt resource I have ever noted in young maidens:
+
+"Certainly, monsieur! In a moment you will see me grow quite pale, and
+then we will go and ask Gabriel Cerré and Marguerite Papin to take our
+places."
+
+She was as good as her word: in a moment she really seemed to me to
+turn pale, and she said, quite distinctly, so that those standing near
+could hear:
+
+"I am very tired, monsieur; I will have to ask you to excuse me from
+dancing. Perhaps we can persuade another couple to take our places."
+
+I think Gabriel Cerré and Mademoiselle Papin were a little loath to
+give up their pleasant chat, but on Mademoiselle Chouteau's
+representing that the dance would be broken up, and she was really not
+able to take another step, they very amiably consented to take our
+places.
+
+Then I had to explain to Mademoiselle Chouteau, very hurriedly, the
+reason for my strange request, and in doing so I was compelled to
+confide to her somewhat of my fears, and beg her to be silent if any
+one should notice that I too had disappeared. She proved a good ally,
+and, on my expressing my perplexity as to where to look, she suddenly
+remembered that she had seen mademoiselle and the chevalier, as the
+dance was beginning, enter the woodland path that led on around the
+lake to Rock Spring at its head.
+
+"A favorite resort for young people, and especially," she added slyly,
+"les amants."
+
+The dance had been moving rapidly and it was not yet over; they could
+not be so far away but that I could overtake them, and I felt a little
+relieved. Yet I must see Mademoiselle Chouteau disposed of among her
+friends; I could not leave her discourteously, and every second of
+delay fretted me greatly. When that was accomplished, I caught Yorke's
+eye (for he had arrived very shortly after us, and having made himself
+generally useful at the déjeuner, was now watching the dancers with
+grinning delight), and motioned to him to follow me.
+
+I slipped into the woodland path, and Yorke did not keep me waiting
+long. As rapidly as possible I told him my suspicions, and bade him
+slip into the woods where the horses were tethered and bring his own
+horse and Fatima by some roundabout way, so as to be unseen, and
+follow me on the path to the head of the lake.
+
+It was a comfort to feel that Yorke would not be many minutes behind
+me, for impatient as I often was with his pranks and his eternal grin,
+I knew him to be a good fighter, and true as steel. Still more of a
+comfort was it to know Fatima would be within calling of my whistle,
+for I knew not into what I was going, and if those dark forests
+overhanging the cliffs on the opposite shore of the lake were as full
+of the treacherous savages as the frequent call of the whippoorwills
+had led me to think, I might find that the only road to safety for
+both mademoiselle and myself was on Fatima's back.
+
+So it was with better courage (though I will not deny that my heart
+was beating fast) that I set off at a round pace on the woodland path
+toward the head of the lake. I had ever an eye for the beauties of
+nature, and an ear attuned to all its voices, yea, and a nostril for
+its sweet odors, and engrossed as I was (rushing on lest I might be
+too late, yet dreading every step that I fall into some ambush of
+whippoorwills), I still could not but note how softly the November sun
+fell through the half-bare branches, flecking the path with shine and
+shadow; how glowing cardinals and flaming orioles, not yet started
+south, flitted through the trees in rollicking sport; and how the
+sweet odor of dying leaves mingled with the soft call of
+wood-thrushes. The cottonwoods had laid down a path of gold for me to
+walk upon, but, fortunately, it had rained the night before and the
+leaves were still damp and so did not rustle to my tread.
+
+I had hurried on at a breathless pace, following the path that in its
+turn followed the windings of the lake for nearly a mile, when
+suddenly I heard voices at no great distance ahead of me. I stopped
+for a moment, my heart beating so fast I could scarce listen. Yes, it
+was a man's voice and a maiden's, speaking in low tones as if for each
+other's ears alone, and I did not doubt it was mademoiselle and the
+chevalier.
+
+Now it was most distasteful to me to think of playing eavesdropper,
+and I was of half a mind to stop where I was and wait until they had
+finished what they had to say and were ready to return. I would at
+least be near enough at hand to prevent a capture should it be
+attempted. But as I waited, mademoiselle's voice was suddenly raised,
+and I heard her say in a tone of pain:
+
+"Do not make me distrust my guardian! I can believe no wrong of him!
+He has been the only father I have known."
+
+I caught nothing of the chevalier's reply but the two words
+"interested motives"; but I thought, since it was evidently no tender
+interchange of sentiment to which I would have to listen, but the
+rascal was maligning my good friend Dr. Saugrain, it was my duty to
+listen with all my ears. I crept forward softly, fearing lest a
+crackling twig or a dry leaf might betray my presence, and fearing,
+too, since I could not discover whence the voices came, that I might
+come upon them unawares and so reveal myself.
+
+Which I came very near doing. Another step, and I would have stepped
+over the brink of a low bluff which encircled a cup-like depression. A
+cluster of tall oaks rose from the center of the little glen thus
+formed, sheltering a silvery fountain gushing from a great rock and
+then, in a bright rivulet, dancing merrily over moss and stones to the
+lake.
+
+This, then, was Rock Spring, and the source of Chouteau's Pond! A
+sylvan retreat indeed for lovers, and I had heard it was much
+frequented by them. A fringe of crimson sumac-bushes screened the edge
+of the bluff and effectually screened me from two people just below
+me. I liked not to be spying, but I felt that duty and honor both, and
+my pledged word to the doctor, demanded that I keep mademoiselle in
+sight. So I cautiously leaned forward and looked.
+
+Mademoiselle was seated on a boulder with her face turned toward me
+and uplifted to the chevalier, who was standing with his back to me,
+looking down on her. Her dark eyes were wide and startled, full of
+surprise and pain; I was not sure but there were tears in them. Her
+straight brows were drawn together in a deep furrow, and the scarlet
+lips, usually so like a Cupid's bow, were set and stern. I wondered
+what the chevalier could be saying in that low voice of his to move
+her so deeply. As he finished, mademoiselle sprang to her feet,
+generous indignation in her flashing eyes and ringing tones.
+
+"I can never believe it! Either I have no such prospects, or he has
+some good reason for not telling me yet. I will never doubt his truth
+and honesty!"
+
+Then I heard the chevalier's reply, low and distinct:
+
+"Mademoiselle, your friends in France doubt both the friends of your
+father and mother. They have sent me here to find you and bring you
+back with me to your rich estates, to your rank and position, and to
+the friends who love you. But they know well Dr. Saugrain will never
+let go his hold on you, until he can get control of your property
+himself, and so they have instructed me to use all caution and
+secrecy.
+
+"In the woods yonder, on the other side of the lake, is a trusty
+escort to ride to Cape Girardeau, where a boat is waiting to take you
+to New Orleans. In New Orleans is a ship ready to sail the moment
+mademoiselle puts her foot upon its deck, and in a little more than a
+month you will be in Paris, among friends who will receive you with
+outstretched arms, surrounded by every luxury, living the life of
+grande dame as you ought to live, among the great nobles where you
+rightfully belong, and not in this rude, rough country among Indians
+and boors. And mademoiselle will permit me to add, there is no great
+lady in France so fitted by nature to adorn her high station as she.
+She will have all Paris at her feet. Come with me now, mademoiselle!
+There is no time to be lost! Any moment we may be interrupted and it
+may be too late."
+
+My eyes did not leave mademoiselle's face through all this long
+speech, and I saw her expression slowly change. The generous
+indignation was still there, but I saw that the picture that he
+presented of the life that awaited her in Paris began to fascinate
+her. She spoke slowly and doubtfully:
+
+"I will tell Dr. and Madame Saugrain all you have told me, and if it
+is right, they will let me go with you. I will not doubt my friends."
+
+The villain saw that he was gaining ground:
+
+"They are not your friends! They are your bitterest foes. They are
+keeping you from everything that will make your life grand and
+beautiful, with the hope of their own gain some day. They will never
+let you go! If home and Paris and friends and wealth and rank and
+power are to be won at all, it must be at once. Five minutes more may
+be too late. That boy [with infinite scorn] may have discovered your
+absence and come to seek you."
+
+Suddenly the chevalier dropped on one knee, his hand on his heart. I
+turned quickly away (for I would not listen to what I feared would be
+a declaration of love), and, as I turned, I saw Yorke coming up the
+path, leading the two horses, who were picking their way as cautiously
+as if they knew the occasion demanded the utmost secrecy. I motioned
+to Yorke to leave the horses where they were (I knew they were so
+trained they would stand perfectly still without tying) and to come
+silently to me. I felt that the moment of rescue could not be far
+distant.
+
+He had crept cautiously up just as the chevalier ceased speaking. I
+was intent on noting the position of the horses and forming a plan of
+rescue, and so did not observe Yorke, or I might have prevented what
+followed. He had stolen up softly behind me, and, unconscious that he
+was on the edge of a bluff, had stepped a step beyond me. Of course he
+went over at once, heels over head, turning a complete somersault,
+and alighted erect, astride the neck of the kneeling chevalier.
+
+At his terrified cry I turned quickly, just in time to see him alight;
+and if it had been a time for laughing it would have been a funny
+sight indeed: the look of startled terror on mademoiselle's face
+gradually changing in spite of herself to one of convulsive merriment;
+the chevalier, his nose ground in the dust, squirming helplessly and
+sputtering vigorously in French; and, lastly, the big black, the white
+balls of his eyes almost starting from his head in amazement and
+fright, and a ceaseless torrent of ejaculations pouring through his
+white teeth!
+
+"Oh! Oh, Lordy! Oh, my gracious! Oh, de good Lord! Oh, massy!"
+
+Yet he made no effort to rise, and I began to suspect he was enjoying
+the situation, for the more vigorously the Frenchman sputtered the
+louder the negro bellowed.
+
+It was time for me to interpose, but I wished to avoid the appearance
+of having been spying on them, with Yorke, from above, otherwise I
+could easily have leaped down the low bluff. Looking around hastily, I
+discovered, what I had not noted before, that the main path led around
+the foot of the bluff into the little glen from below. I had followed
+a branch of it in coming to the top of the bluff. I ran quickly down
+to the lower entrance of the glen, but there I stopped a moment to
+assume an air as of one leisurely strolling. I did not pretend to see
+the group until I was well into the glen where I could also be seen.
+Then I struck an attitude of intense surprise for mademoiselle's
+benefit (who by this time had caught sight of me), and when I had
+sufficiently recovered from the surprise for utterance, I spoke to
+Yorke in tones of stern command:
+
+"What are you doing, sir, on monsieur's back? Have you taken him for a
+horse? Or a donkey? Off, sir, this moment, and make your humble
+apologies to the chevalier."
+
+Yorke was not much afraid of my stern tone. Still yelling bloody
+murder, he contrived a most audacious wink with the eye next to me,
+but he tumbled off slowly, and then I hastened to help the chevalier
+to his feet. He was a sorry spectacle, and I saw mademoiselle's look
+of suppressed amusement change to pity and concern. Blood was gushing
+from his nose all over his fine clothes, and his face was so begrimed
+and gory it would have been impossible to guess it was the dapper
+Parisian.
+
+But he was in such a blind rage that for once he ignored his clothes.
+Stanching the blood as best he could with his flimsy lace
+handkerchief, he poured out a torrent of abuse in mingled French and
+English, on Yorke and on me, but principally on me. I tried to
+interpose a polite word of regret, but he would not listen to me.
+
+"You air a sneak, a cowaird, sir! You spy on mademoiselle and me!
+Cowair-r-r-d! I will have the satisfaction! Sacré Dieu! You have no
+doubt told the negro to leap upon my back! I will have r-r-r-evenge!"
+
+And as if reminded by that last word, he turned to mademoiselle and
+spoke in French:
+
+"Fly with me at once, mademoiselle! You will not stay to be at the
+mercy of a sneaking spy. See! I will call my red friends. Do not be
+afraid! They will carry you off, but I will be with you, and we will
+find horses and fly."
+
+And without waiting for an answer he turned and imitated three times
+the call of a whippoorwill.
+
+I knew what that meant--that in a moment the Osages would be upon us;
+and hardly had his first call left his lips before I too had turned
+and uttered the shrill whistle that always brought Fatima to my side.
+
+As I knew, the last whippoorwill call had not died away when from the
+woods on the opposite side of the lake, silently, swiftly stole first
+one dark figure and then another, until at least a dozen savages,
+armed and painted, were bearing down upon us with the fleetness of
+deer. In a moment more they would be upon us, and neither Yorke's life
+nor mine would be worth the asking, and, what was far harder to
+contemplate, mademoiselle would be captive in their hands.
+
+She stood for a moment petrified with horror at the sight of the
+swiftly advancing savages, and then she turned to me in an agony of
+entreaty.
+
+"Oh, fly, fly at once!" she said, "you and your black man, before it
+is too late."
+
+I turned to Yorke:
+
+"Go as mademoiselle bids you; get your horse and fly."
+
+Yorke tried to remonstrate, but I would not let him open his lips.
+
+"No; you will only hinder me now. If worse comes to worst, you can at
+least bear the news. Go at once!" And without waiting for further
+orders, Yorke turned, scrambled up the face of the bluff, and was off.
+
+"But you will go, too!" she cried, as I turned again to her.
+
+"And leave you?"
+
+"Oh, do not mind me! They will not hurt me!" And then, as I stood
+perfectly still, with my pistols ready, but with no intention of
+leaving her to the tender mercies of the savages and the savage
+mercies of the chevalier, she grew desperate, grasping my arm and
+trying with her feeble strength to push me toward safety.
+
+"I implore you," she entreated, "if you have any feeling of friendship
+for me, fly before it is too late!"
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "I stir not one step from this spot unless you
+go with me."
+
+"I will but hinder you," she cried, "and prevent all possibility of
+escape. Oh, do not stay for me!"
+
+"Mademoiselle," said the chevalier, who had been enjoying this scene,
+with no attempt at concealing his relish for it, "go with monsieur,
+since he desires it."
+
+Even as he spoke, the first of the Osages darted into the glen; the
+others were close at his heels; but at the same moment from the
+entrance of the glen nearer to us came the thunder of hoofs, and
+Fatima was at my side, her eyes flashing, her hoofs pawing the earth,
+her nostrils snorting with rage: for well she guessed that painted
+savages meant danger to her master.
+
+I was on her back in a moment, and, stooping, lifted mademoiselle
+swiftly to the crupper in front of me. Holding her there with my left
+arm, I wheeled Fatima with the one word of command, "Go!" and turning
+my head as she flew over the rough earth, I leveled my pistol at the
+chevalier.
+
+"Do not stir, monsieur, at the peril of your life!" I called to him,
+and kept him covered as we flew. I knew the savages were running to
+try to head me off but I paid no attention to them until, rounding a
+great boulder, the chevalier (his face ghastly with rage and
+disappointed revenge, for so sudden had it all been he had had no time
+even to draw his pistol to prevent the rescue until too late) was out
+of my range, as we were out of his. Then, turning my pistol swiftly on
+the Osage in the lead,--none too soon, for his rifle was leveled at
+us,--I fired. The poor fellow fell forward with a wild yell that
+turned my heart sick; yet none the less, the others rushing on with
+their wild whoops to avenge him, I drew my second pistol and fired
+once more.
+
+But I knew not with what result, for mademoiselle, with a convulsive
+shudder and a look of mortal woe, cried out:
+
+"You have killed the chevalier!"
+
+"No, mademoiselle," I answered grimly; "I have killed the poor
+whippoorwill you asked me for"; and then had all I could do without
+paying any more attention to the savages, for mademoiselle had fainted
+and lay like one dead on my arm, her white face upturned to mine, her
+long black lashes sweeping the marble cheeks, and the dark curls
+falling backward from the white brow and floating on the wind, as
+Fatima flashed along the woodland path like a swallow on the wing.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+I TWINE CHRISTMAS GREENS
+
+    "Woman's at best a contradiction still."
+
+
+Yorke had reached the picnic-ground just long enough ahead of us to
+create pandemonium. He had reported both mademoiselle and me as killed
+and scalped by this time, and a band of a hundred savages, with the
+chevalier at their head, on their way to the picnic.
+
+The massacre of 1780 was still fresh enough in the memory of St. Louis
+folk to make this seem no improbable tale, and the utmost confusion
+ensued. Some of the young men, with Josef Papin and Gabriel Cerré at
+their head, were for going at once to our rescue; but the maidens
+implored, and Yorke averred it was too late, and reported the savages
+in such numbers as would make such an undertaking only foolhardy. (And
+by this you must not judge Yorke a villain and a coward; he would have
+been the first to volunteer and the loudest to urge on the others, but
+he had heard Fatima's hoofs behind him, and knew we were safe, and,
+rascal that he was, could not resist his practical joke nor his negro
+love of producing a great effect.)
+
+Into this wild pandemonium of women screaming unintelligible cries to
+each other as they hastily got together their belongings and packed
+them into charrettes and saddle-bags, amid sobbings and wailings, and
+men shouting hoarsely to mustang and pony as they struggled with bit
+and bridle, mademoiselle and I rode; and their joy at seeing us alive,
+and our hair still on our heads, knew no bounds.
+
+I told them the true state of the case--that there were not more than
+a dozen or twenty of the savages at the most, and I hardly thought the
+chevalier would bring them down upon us. Yet, knowing that he might be
+in a mood for risking everything to recapture mademoiselle, I
+recommended that the men form themselves into two bands to ride in the
+front and in the rear, with the maidens between the two, and to start
+at once. We could go no faster, of course, than the charrettes could
+go, and the savages could easily overtake us if they desired; but I
+did not believe they would dare, for our numbers were greater than
+theirs, and the young men were all well armed.
+
+Mademoiselle had recovered from her fainting, but was still white and
+weak. And because I did not believe she was able to sit La Bette, I
+recommended that she ride in Josef Papin's charrette with Mademoiselle
+Chouteau and let Josef ride her horse. We two, young Papin and I,
+brought up the rear; and I did not see mademoiselle again except once,
+for a moment, when we were crossing La Petite Rivière, and I rode up
+by her side to see that the charrette went steadily through the water.
+Her head was on Mademoiselle Chouteau's shoulder, who was supporting
+her with her arm. Her eyes were closed, and Mademoiselle Chouteau
+whispered to me, "She is asleep!" but at that she opened her eyes
+quickly and looked up at me. She tried to smile, but I think the
+terror of it all was still strongly with her. She said:
+
+"I have not thanked you, monsieur; but I know I owe you my liberty, if
+not my life, and I am not ungrateful."
+
+It was very sweetly said, but there was a horrible fear at my heart
+that she would rather have been captured by the redskins, and gone
+away with the Chevalier Le Moyne, than to have been rescued by me.
+
+Just at the stockade we met a party of horsemen. Dr. Saugrain and my
+captain were in the lead with Black Hawk, who had reported Red Jean
+with a band of Osages lurking in the woods, and they were on their way
+to clear them out, lest they molest the picnic or the village. Amid a
+babble of excitement, every one trying to talk at once, our tale was
+told. And as Dr. Saugrain and my captain thought it was best to go on
+and try to capture the chevalier and his band, and as our escort was
+no longer needed for the maidens, I turned my horse and rode back with
+them to find the chevalier.
+
+I confess it would have done me good to bring him in a captive, but I
+was doomed to disappointment. We scoured the woods, and the only
+traces we found of him and his band were the prints of horses' hoofs
+going south,--a dozen horses, I should think,--and, just where Rock
+Spring bubbles up in a silver fountain, a torn and bloody lace
+handkerchief. I gave the good doctor a full account of the
+conversation I had listened to, and he ground his teeth with rage at
+the chevalier's duplicity. He was much touched at Pelagie's chivalrous
+defense of him; yet, as delicately as I could, I tried to tell him
+that at the very last I feared the chevalier had succeeded in
+insinuating some seeds of doubt and suspicion in mademoiselle's mind.
+The doctor and my captain both agreed that it was time to tell Pelagie
+the full truth of the matter. She should know all about herself and
+her expectations, and who were her friends and who her foes.
+
+I was curious to see what effect the revelation would have upon her;
+or it could hardly be called a revelation, since the chevalier had
+already revealed it--rather the confirmation of his tale. But in that,
+too, I was doomed to disappointment. She was ill for several days and
+confined to her room,--the effect of the excitement she had passed
+through,--and before she was well enough to be about again, my captain
+and I had set off, with Black Hawk as guide and Yorke as factotum, to
+make a visit to Daniel Boone at his home on the Missouri River.
+
+We found the grand old man as happy as a child in the beautiful home
+he had at last made for himself and his family at the very outposts of
+civilization. We were gone four weeks, exploring the woods and
+mountains and rolling prairies of the beautiful country, and coming
+home on a great flatboat down the swiftly rolling Missouri, past Fort
+Bellefontaine, where the Missouri empties into the Mississippi (where
+we were royally entertained by the Spanish commandant), and so at
+last by the Mississippi back to St. Louis.
+
+I found myself trembling with a mingling of fearful and pleasant
+anticipations as I rode up the steep bluff on Fatima's back, and we
+took the Rue de l'Église to Dr. Saugrain's house.
+
+It was the day before Christmas, and I had not remembered it; but as
+we passed the church in the rear of Auguste Chouteau's place, through
+the open doors we could see young men and maidens winding long
+garlands of Christmas greens and festooning them over doors and
+windows, while shouts of merry laughter floated out to us. I was for
+drawing rein and going in to help with the trimming; but my captain
+(who, I believe, was shy of the maidens) insisted we must first pay
+our respects to our host.
+
+The little doctor met us at the gate with a beaming face, and when
+Narcisse and Yorke had led away our horses we entered once more the
+long, low room we had first entered nearly two months before. The
+windows were no longer open, looking out into cool green foliage, with
+white muslin curtains stirring in the breeze, and there was no maiden
+in a white robe, with the blue ribbon of a guitar across her
+shoulders, singing creole love-songs. Instead, crimson damask curtains
+were falling over the white ones, and a great fire of logs was blazing
+in one end of the room, looking cozy and cheery enough on this crisp
+December day.
+
+Yet, in spite of its coziness, I thought it had a dreary look. Leon
+was lying before the fire, and though he looked at me a little
+doubtfully, as he slowly rose and shook himself, I felt a rush of
+friendliness toward him, and showed it so plainly, as I called him to
+me, that at last he capitulated, and we have ever since been the best
+of friends.
+
+Then Madame Saugrain came running in, flushed and rosy from the
+kitchen, where she had been superintending the baking of Christmas
+tarts and croquecignolles, and bringing with her appetizing whiffs of
+roasting and frying. My captain laughingly told her that the good
+smells made him hungry.
+
+"You shall come and see," she said; and led us into the great kitchen,
+where, on tables as white as snow, were piled heaps of golden-brown
+croquecignolles, cut in curious patterns, and the big black cook was
+dropping still more into the kettle of boiling fat, and bringing out
+puffy and wondrously shaped birds and beasts. Narcisse, on his knees
+on the hearth, was turning two great fowls suspended before the fire,
+from which oozed such rich and savory gravy as made one smack his
+lips. On another table a huge venison pasty and tarts and cakes of
+many kinds were temptingly arrayed, and madame's pride in her
+housewifely preparations for the Christmas feasting was pretty to see.
+She would have us taste her croquecignolles and little cakes, and had
+a glass of gooseberry wine brought out of the store-room for each of
+us, and we drank it standing in the kitchen, and helping ourselves
+from the pile of croquecignolles.
+
+But kind and charming as was madame, and toothsome as were her cakes,
+and much as her gooseberry wine tickled our palates, I was yet on
+nettles to be gone and join the young people at the church. Whether
+madame guessed it or whether it was just one of her kindly thoughts,
+she said in her motherly way:
+
+"But, my son, you should be at the church. The maidens will be vexed
+with me if I keep you talking to an old woman, when they might be
+having your help with the wreaths."
+
+"If you think they need me?" and I tried to look as if only a stern
+sense of duty could induce me to go.
+
+Madame Saugrain laughed, with the merry twinkle in her eye that made
+her as captivating as a young maiden.
+
+"Allons donc!" she said. "Quel garçon!" And with my best bow to her
+and a salute to my captain and the good doctor, I whistled to Leon to
+accompany me and strode quickly down the road toward the little
+church.
+
+But as I neared it I slackened my pace, and but for very shame I would
+have turned and fled again to the shelter of madame's motherly smile.
+I had not seen Mademoiselle Pelagie since the day of the picnic, and I
+was much in doubt whether she regarded me as her rescuer to be
+esteemed with grateful and friendly feeling, or as the cause of the
+loss of a dear friend, perhaps a lover. I felt very sure I would be
+able to tell at our first meeting in which light I was held, and,
+screwing up all my courage, I made a bold dash for the church door.
+
+Scarcely had my shadow darkened the doorway when I was surrounded by
+an eager group, saluting me with every form of friendly welcome back
+to St. Louis; but the face I looked for was not among them.
+Mademoiselle Chouteau and Mademoiselle Papin seized me, one by either
+arm, and led me to a great pile of greens, and would have set me at
+once to work in tying them to long ropes. But I begged them to permit
+me first to pay my respects to the rest of my friends; for over in a
+dark corner I had seen Pelagie at work, with two or three young men
+around her, supplying her with greens for her nimble fingers to weave
+into garlands, and she had not come with the others to greet me. I
+thought at least that little courtesy was due me, for, whether she
+liked or resented my rescuing her, I had risked much in the doing of
+it.
+
+I was filled with bitterness toward her, but could have no more kept
+away from her than the moth from the flame. My bitterness now gave me
+courage, and I sauntered up to her with what I flattered myself was
+quite as grand an air as the chevalier's might have been. Hand on the
+hilt of my sword, hat doffed, with its plume sweeping the ground, I
+bowed low.
+
+"If mademoiselle has not forgotten an old acquaintance, will she
+permit me respectfully to salute her?"
+
+She had been seated on a low seat with the side of her face toward me,
+and may or may not have been aware of my approach. As I spoke, she
+rose quickly and turned toward me, the rich blood rushing over her
+face and neck for a minute, and receding and leaving her almost as
+white as when I had held her in my arms and she had thought the
+chevalier killed.
+
+She did not speak, but she held out her hand, and I bowed low over
+it, and barely touched it with my lips. The young men (among whom was
+of course Josef Papin) crowded around me with friendly greetings, and
+for a few minutes we talked fast, they asking and I answering many
+questions about Daniel Boone and our adventures in the far West.
+
+I did not look at mademoiselle as we talked, but--it is a way I
+have--I saw her all the time. I think it must be because I am so much
+taller than most people that I can see all that goes on around me (or,
+perhaps more truly, beneath me) without seeming to look. I saw
+mademoiselle regard me with a strange glance, as if she were looking
+at some one she did not know, and was trying to explain him to
+herself. Then she sat down and quietly went on with her work, her head
+bent, and not looking at me again.
+
+I talked on for a few minutes, and then turned to make my adieus to
+mademoiselle. She looked up at me with a friendly smile and I saw,
+what I had not noticed before, that she was paler and thinner than
+when I had seen her last, and there was a look in her dark eyes as of
+hidden trouble.
+
+"Will you not stay and help us, monsieur?" she said in that voice
+which, from the first time I had heard it, had always seemed to me the
+sweetest in the world. Of course it set my silly pulses to beating
+faster, but I answered steadily and with an air of cold courtesy:
+
+"I regret that I cannot accept mademoiselle's invitation; I have
+promised my services elsewhere"; and with another low bow I turned on
+my heel and, holding my head high, went back to weave garlands with
+Mademoiselle Chouteau and Marguerite Papin.
+
+And because I was so big and they were so petite, they delighted in
+ordering me around (and I delighted in obeying), and they made me
+mount to the highest beams to suspend garlands, and applauded me when
+I arranged them to suit their fancy, and laughed at me or scolded me
+when I was awkward and stupid, until my back ached and my heart grew
+light; for I forgot for a time that mademoiselle, for whom I had
+risked my life, had not even cared to give me a friendly welcome back
+to St. Louis.
+
+The last garland was fastened in its place, the last stray bit of
+evergreen and rubbish swept from the doors, the church garnished and
+beautiful to behold. There was the noisy bustle of preparing for
+departure and the calling back and forth:
+
+"Be sure you are at midnight mass, Gabriel."
+
+"Au revoir at midnight mass, Pelagie."
+
+"I will see you at midnight mass, monsieur."
+
+And for me there was a moment of embarrassment. Was it my duty to
+offer myself as escort to any of the maidens? For though the hour was
+early it was already dark. Or, since I was going direct to
+mademoiselle's house, would I be expected to accompany her? I glanced
+over to her corner; she had already left the church. I looked through
+the open doorway; she was walking down the Rue de l'Église with Josef
+Papin.
+
+"Mademoiselle Chouteau," I said, "may I have the pleasure of walking
+home with you?"
+
+But all the way up the Rue de l'Église and down the steep incline of
+the Rue Bonhomme, and up the Rue Royale to the great barred gate that
+led into the stone-walled inclosure of Pierre Chouteau, while
+Mademoiselle Chouteau, with her nimble tongue, was flitting from one
+bit of village gossip to another, like a butterfly among the flowers,
+I was saying bitterly to myself:
+
+"And she had even the discourtesy to walk away without waiting to see
+whether the guest of her house was going home or not."
+
+It was a long mile and a half from Pierre Chouteau's house to Dr.
+Saugrain's, and it was a frosty December evening. It was only five
+o'clock, but the stars were out, and through the leafless trees I
+could see lights twinkling from the houses as I passed. Faster and
+faster I walked, as my thoughts grew more and more bitter toward
+mademoiselle, and by the time I had reached the cheery living-room,
+with its blazing lightwood fire, I was in such a glow from exercise
+and indignation as made the fire all unwelcome.
+
+I had quite made up my mind, on my long walk, that mademoiselle should
+find me as cool as herself; and through the evening meal I scarce
+looked at her. But if I had fancied mademoiselle suffering from some
+secret trouble, I changed my mind at supper. She sat between my
+captain and her guardian, and was in such merry mood that she had my
+captain alternately laughing uproariously at her wit, and making fine
+speeches about her beauty, in a fashion that quite amazed me, for I
+had ever considered him a sober-minded fellow, above all such light
+ways.
+
+Nor did she refrain from a slight stab at me whenever it was possible
+to get it in. I took no more notice of these than I could help, yet I
+felt my cheeks, already burning from my frosty walk, grow hotter and
+hotter, until the very tips of my ears were on fire; and I felt it the
+unkindest cut of all when she said, with her pretty accent and air of
+polite condescension to a very young boy:
+
+"'Tis a long walk from Mademoiselle Chouteau's, monsieur, but it has
+given you une grande couleur. What would not our St. Louis belles give
+for such roses!"
+
+I turned toward her just long enough to say gravely, "I thank you,
+mademoiselle," and then renewed at once my conversation with madame.
+But I could see from the tail of my eye that she had the grace to
+blush also, and to be ashamed of her petty persecutions, for she left
+me to myself the remainder of the meal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+I GO TO MIDNIGHT MASS
+
+    "Tender-handed stroke a nettle,
+      And it stings you for your pains;
+    Grasp it like a man of mettle,
+      And it soft as silk remains."
+
+
+In our room, making ready for midnight mass, which all the family,
+including guests, were expected to attend, my captain told me what Dr.
+Saugrain had said to him about mademoiselle. He had told her fully her
+history and expectations (save only her exact rank and title, which he
+had thought best still to withhold from her), and the plans of her
+friends for her future. He had also told her very plainly that he had
+suspected the chevalier of just such an attempt at her capture as he
+had made, and for that reason had been so unwilling that she should go
+to Chouteau's Pond.
+
+Mademoiselle had listened, and had asked him many questions, and had
+at last said that she could not doubt the truth of her guardian, but
+she thought it possible the chevalier was honest also, and misjudged
+Dr. Saugrain because he did not know him. The doctor had tried to
+convince her of the chevalier's duplicity, and showed her the letter
+of warning from France concerning him; but the doctor was not sure
+that mademoiselle was convinced, and he had determined, as soon as
+safe convoy could be found, to send her to her friends in Paris.
+
+In the meantime mademoiselle did not seem happy, and the good doctor
+was much puzzled to know whether it was, as he hoped, regret at
+leaving his wife and himself, who had been father and mother to her,
+or, as he feared, a secret regret for the chevalier, and a lurking
+doubt of the Saugrains.
+
+And now all my bitterness toward mademoiselle had suddenly vanished. I
+seemed to understand fully the state of mind the poor girl was in, and
+there was no room in my heart for anything but a great pity for her.
+The remembrance of her face as I had seen it when the chevalier was
+talking to her, the generous indignation changing to doubt, and then
+the gradual kindling of a desire for the life depicted to her by the
+chevalier (and, perhaps, a touch of a softer emotion for the chevalier
+himself),--it was like reading an open book, and I said to myself:
+
+"Mademoiselle is torn by conflicting emotions: her love for her
+friends here whom she is to leave, and longing for the life in Paris
+which may soon be hers, and, perhaps, love for the chevalier, whom she
+feels she ought to despise. What does it matter if she sometimes vents
+her irritation with herself upon me, whom she regards as but a boy? I
+shall not resent it; but if I find a chance I will try to let her know
+I understand."
+
+But I had no chance on the way to mass. Madame Saugrain seemed to
+take it for granted that Captain Clarke and the doctor would walk with
+mademoiselle, and I was her peculiar property; and I suppose I had
+given her the right to think so by always pointedly devoting myself to
+her.
+
+It was a solemn service at that midnight hour: the bare little church
+made beautiful with our garlands of green, and the twinkle of many
+candles around the altar; the heads bowed in prayer; the subdued
+murmur of voices making the responses; the swelling note of triumph in
+the Gregorian chant; and then coming out under the quiet stars and
+exchanging greetings with friend and neighbor.
+
+And last of all the quiet walk home, and, to my surprise, I was
+walking by mademoiselle's side. I was surprised, for it was not of my
+arranging, and it set my blood to leaping to think it was possibly of
+hers. I made up my mind that no word of mine should mar the
+friendliness of the act, and I plunged quickly into a lively
+discussion of the ball that was to take place at Madame Chouteau's on
+Christmas evening. But she interrupted me almost in the beginning,
+and, as was her habit when she talked with me, she spoke in French. It
+was only rarely she tried her English, though, when she did, it was
+with such a witching grace I could have wished it oftener.
+
+"Monsieur," she said, "I have been so unmaidenly as to inflict my
+company upon you for the walk home when you had not solicited it, but
+I had a reason for so doing. I hope," as if a sudden thought had
+struck her, "I have not interfered with other plans. Had you desired
+to escort some one else home?"
+
+"Certainly not," I said coolly, for I was unaccountably irritated by
+the suggestion. "And I did not solicit the honor of being your escort
+only because I had reason to suppose it would not be agreeable to
+you."
+
+"It was for that I am here without an invitation," she answered
+quickly. "I have many times given you occasion to think me entirely
+without manners. I have often been very rude to you. I wish to ask
+your pardon for my silly speeches at the table, and for all my
+unamiability, and to assure you I have not forgotten your great
+services to me, and I am not ungrateful. It is because I have
+naturally a very bad temper; and now I believe I am not quite well, I
+am so irritable of late."
+
+Several times I had tried to interrupt her; I could not bear to have
+her humiliate herself to me (for I was sure it must be a humiliation
+to one of her haughty temper). But she would not listen to my
+interruptions; she went steadily on with a voice so low and sweet and
+sad it quite unmanned me.
+
+Yet because I thought her voice trembled, and in the moonlight (for
+the late moon was now well up in the sky) I was sure I saw something
+bright glistening on her long lashes, and because my heart was torn
+for her, and I was seized with a horrible fear that she might weep,
+and I would not know what to do--for all these reasons I spoke quickly
+and lightly:
+
+"Mademoiselle, you have the temper of an angel, and if sometimes you
+lose it, I fear it is because only an angel with wings could be
+patient with a blundering giant like me."
+
+"You are no blunderer, monsieur," she said gravely; "and if you are a
+giant, you are one of the good kind who use their strength and their
+courage in rescuing distressed damsels. I hope they will not all
+requite you as badly as I have done."
+
+"Mademoiselle,"--I spoke as gravely as she had spoken,--"I hope you
+will not let the remembrance of any service I have been able to render
+you prove a burden to you. I would risk much more in your service, if
+the occasion offered, than I risked then, and find my delight in so
+doing." And then I added: "I wish you would promise me that if you
+should ever need such service again--if you are ever in peril of any
+kind, and I am in reach--that you will call on me."
+
+Mademoiselle hesitated a moment before she replied:
+
+"You are heaping coals of fire on my head, monsieur; you are far
+kinder to me than I deserve, but--I promise."
+
+"Thank you, mademoiselle; you have given me my reward, and if you were
+ever unamiable to me, you have fully atoned. Sometimes I think,
+mademoiselle," I went on, inwardly trembling but determined, "that you
+did not esteem it so great a service that I rendered you--that perhaps
+you had rather not have been rescued. Am I wrong?"
+
+I was looking down on her and watching her narrowly as I spoke. I
+could see, even by the uncertain light of the moon, that she went
+suddenly white, and there was a perceptible pause before she spoke.
+
+"I hardly think, monsieur, that you have any right to ask me such a
+question, but I am going to answer your question by another." And
+slowly the color crept back into her face, and grew brighter and
+brighter, but she went steadily on. "Did you overhear what the
+Chevalier Le Moyne was saying to me in the glen?"
+
+It was my time to wince. Must I confess to eavesdropping? It was hard
+enough to do that under any circumstances--but she might think I had
+listened too to the chevalier's wooing; it seemed to me I could not so
+outrage her sense of delicacy as to let her think that. I had been
+reared to revere the truth, but for once I thought it not wrong to
+chip a little from its sharp edge.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "I will confess to you. I missed you and the
+chevalier from the dance. I had been warned that the chevalier might
+attempt to carry you off, and I had given my word not to let you out
+of my sight. Of course I went at once in search of you, and because I
+believed the whippoorwills we had heard in the woods to be signal of
+savages, I bade Yorke follow me with the horses. I heard voices, and
+in following them came to the top of the bluff encircling the glen. I
+would scorn to be an eavesdropper under ordinary circumstances, but a
+chance word caught my ear, and when I found the chevalier was not
+pleading a lover's cause, but maligning my friend Dr. Saugrain to the
+maiden he loves as his own daughter, I felt it my duty to listen. Your
+rejection with scorn of the chevalier's base insinuation against Dr.
+Saugrain delighted my heart, but when I found that he was continuing
+with devilish ingenuity to seek to undermine your faith in your
+guardian, I concluded it was time for me to interfere. I told Yorke to
+be ready with the horses, and myself went down to the entrance of the
+glen, intending to interrupt the chevalier, and use my pledge to your
+guardian as authority for requesting your return. Imagine my
+astonishment to find Yorke, whom I had left in charge of the horses,
+astride the chevalier's neck! What followed you know, and now you know
+what I heard and why I listened. Was it wrong?"
+
+Mademoiselle was silent for a minute. I think she was not quite sure
+that I had not heard more than I confessed to, but she was willing to
+hope I had not.
+
+"Monsieur," she said, "you were no doubt justified in listening, if
+one can ever be justified in listening to what is not intended for his
+ears. But you have used some harsh expressions concerning the
+chevalier, and I think it is possible you wrong him, even as he
+wronged my guardian. I do not for one moment believe that my guardian
+has had any but the best of motives in keeping from me all knowledge
+of my rank and wealth; but I might still be ignorant of it, and I know
+not for how much longer, if the chevalier had not revealed it to me.
+Dr. Saugrain corroborated all that he has said. He only refuses to
+believe that the chevalier was sent by my friends to take me back to
+Paris. He accuses him of being in a plot to get possession of my
+person and of my wealth. Yet that is exactly the accusation made by
+the chevalier against Dr. Saugrain. Dr. Saugrain admits that all the
+chevalier said about my present rank and future prospects is true. Why
+should not the rest be true--that he had been sent by my friends to
+bring me back to Paris? Can you not see that he does not necessarily
+seem to me so black as he does to you and my guardian? And it seems a
+hard thing to me that he should be a refugee among savages, leaving a
+blackened reputation behind him (for there is no one in St. Louis who
+does not vilify him), when he was actuated by most chivalrous motives,
+however mistaken they might be; for he thought he was rescuing a
+wronged maiden from those who had unlawful possession of her, and
+restoring her to her friends. I cannot but feel shame and regret that
+I should have caused the chevalier so great a journey, at such cost of
+money and fatigue, in vain, and that he may be even now suffering all
+kinds of exposure from wild savages, if not in peril of his life."
+
+Now here was the opportunity I had desired to assure her of my
+sympathy, and tell her that I understood the difficulties in which she
+was placed; but my tongue clove to the roof of my mouth. When I
+thought of that villain (for whatever mademoiselle might think, I
+never for a moment doubted his villainy) my blood boiled, and,
+instead, I blurted out roughly:
+
+"Mademoiselle, 'tis incomprehensible to me how you can for one moment
+give the word of such a man as the chevalier, whom you have known so
+short a time, equal credence with the word of such a man as Dr.
+Saugrain, thorough Christian gentleman in every fiber of his being,
+and your lifelong friend and benefactor, your more than father."
+
+But I had spoken beyond my right. Mademoiselle turned on me with cold
+fury:
+
+"Monsieur, I have not sought this interview that you should teach me
+my duty to my guardian, nor criticize my attitude toward the
+chevalier. I am sorry we have allowed the others to get so far ahead
+of us, but if we hasten we may overtake them and I will relieve you
+from further attendance." Whereupon she started ahead at a round pace.
+
+"Mademoiselle!" I called to her, "I entreat you to listen to me for a
+moment."
+
+Mademoiselle stopped and turned toward me, and we stood facing each
+other in the middle of the road, alone in the white moonlight, for the
+others were quite out of sight around a bend in the road, and there
+were no houses near. Below us lay the Mississippi, a white flood in
+the moonlight, and far across the river the twinkling lights of
+Cahokia, one of them, no doubt, in Mr. Gratiot's house, where I had
+first seen mademoiselle. Her eyes were flashing scorn at me now, as
+they flashed at me when she knelt with her arms around the great
+shaggy brute, and, looking up in my face, called me "Bête!" There was
+no doubt about it, mademoiselle could be a little fury at times, and
+no doubt she would have liked to call me once more, "Bête!"
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "I am so unhappy as to be always offending
+you. From the moment when I made my descent of Mr. Gratiot's staircase
+on the back of your dog, to the present moment, I seem to have been
+able to make myself only ridiculous or offensive to you! I beg you to
+believe that it is a matter of the deepest regret to me that this
+should be so, and to believe that to offend you is ever farthest from
+my desire. I realize that I was over-zealous for Dr. Saugrain, whom I
+greatly admire and love, and that you certainly had never given me any
+right to take such interest in you and your affairs as I just now
+displayed. I beg you to believe that I shall never again offend in
+like manner, mademoiselle la comtesse."
+
+I saw her face slowly change from its expression of scorn to that same
+wondering look I had noticed in the church, as if she were regarding
+some one she did not know and was trying to understand. As I uttered
+the last words, "mademoiselle la comtesse," another and a swift change
+came over her. Her eyes fell, her head drooped. Still standing there
+in the moonlight, she suddenly buried her face in her hands and sobs
+shook her slender figure.
+
+"Mademoiselle, mademoiselle!" I cried. "I beg, I implore, you to
+forgive me. I am, indeed, a brute!" And as she continued to sob
+drearily, I was beside myself. What could I do? She looked so like a
+little child, and I was so big, to have hurt her seemed cruel and
+shameful. I was in a state of desperation. I begged her and implored
+her not to weep; but it seemed to me she only sobbed the harder. What
+did one do, I wondered, with a weeping maiden? Had it only been a
+child I would have known, for I had ever a way with children; but
+before a weeping maiden I was helpless.
+
+And still mademoiselle sobbed on, her sobs coming faster and harder,
+until, in a paroxysm of grief (or I know not what), she flung herself
+upon a low bank beside the road, moaning and crying aloud.
+
+Instantly my courage returned to me. Mademoiselle was acting like a
+child; I should treat her as one.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said firmly, "I cannot permit you to sit upon the
+cold ground. I am very, very sorry for you, but you must at once arise
+and dry your eyes and tell me what is the matter, so that I can help
+you."
+
+Mademoiselle but wept the louder. There was no help for it; at the
+risk of being rude I must stop her weeping and make her rise from the
+ground.
+
+"Mademoiselle!" I said sternly, "you will oblige me by rising at once
+from that cold ground or you will compel me to go for Madame Saugrain
+and deliver you into her hands."
+
+For a second, amazement at my tone of authority kept her silent, then
+followed a storm of sobs and tears more violent than before.
+
+"I am sorry, mademoiselle," I said, in a tone purposely cool and
+cutting (though it was my own heart I stabbed with my coldness), "that
+you compel me to treat you _comme enfant_. I shall wait one minute,
+and if you do not rise from the ground in that time I shall call your
+friends." Then I drew myself up tall and stiff, like a sentinel,
+turned my back on mademoiselle, and took out my watch to note the time
+by the moon-beams.
+
+There was no answer, but the sobs grew less until there was only an
+occasional convulsive catching of the breath. Then came a moment of
+quiet. There were neither sobs nor moans. Then a small and plaintive
+voice said gently:
+
+"Monsieur, I will be good now."
+
+I turned quickly. Mademoiselle was starting to rise from the low bank;
+I grasped her hands and helped her to her feet and looked down upon
+her. Her face was flushed with weeping; her hood had fallen back and
+her dark curls were in wild disorder; she might have been a beautiful
+child who had been naughty but was now subdued. She adjusted her hood
+and her curls as best she could, and then walked quietly along beside
+me. We neither of us spoke, and we walked rapidly and in a few minutes
+overtook the others and came up to the house together, and into the
+big living-room, where fresh logs piled in the great chimney-place
+were blazing and crackling, and lighting every cranny of the long
+room.
+
+Mademoiselle was paler than usual, but otherwise there were no signs
+of the tempest she had just been through, and I looked at her with
+wonder. Madame Saugrain, noticing her pallor, and thinking she was
+cold, put her down on the wooden settle in the chimney-place to warm
+by the glowing fire, and bustled about helping Narcisse to bring in
+plates of croquecignolles and cups of hot mulled gooseberry wine,
+which was much to my satisfaction, for the frosty air and the lateness
+of the hour had put a keen edge on an appetite that was ever ready for
+trencher service.
+
+Now the settle on which mademoiselle sat had a high back and was
+turned away from the rest of us, so that, as we engaged in helping
+Madame Saugrain, we might easily have forgotten the little figure
+hidden away upon it. Perhaps the others did, but I did not. My mind
+hovered around it all the time; but I was divided between a desire to
+take her some cake and wine, which I was sure would do her good, and a
+fear of my reception if I did, and a baser fear that I might thereby
+lose my own toothsome cake and fragrant wine, which was at that moment
+making most potent appeals to my inner man by way of the nostrils.
+"For," I said to myself, "I know the ways of maidens. They like not to
+see men eat. It seems in their minds a greater compliment to them if a
+man do but nibble and sip and seem to be careless of his victuals and
+drink, which I maintain is a great mistake, for a good trencherman is
+ever a good lover, and a man to be trusted in all the serious business
+of life."
+
+To ease my conscience and my appetite at the same time, I disposed of
+a croquecignolle and my steaming cup of wine with such haste that the
+one stuck in my windpipe and liked to choke me, and the other burnt my
+mouth well and might as well have been boiling water for all the
+pleasure my palate got out of it. Then I pretended to suddenly
+remember mademoiselle, and carried her a plate of cake and a cup of
+wine with fear and trembling.
+
+She refused them, as I thought she would, but looked up at me very
+sweetly and asked me very gently to sit down beside her for a moment,
+and I remember thinking as I did so that I had been wise to secure my
+cake and wine first, else would I have gone hungry, since I could
+scarce have the face to eat if mademoiselle would not eat with me. But
+I still thought it would do her good to have at least a little of the
+wine, and, remembering how well she had yielded to discipline when she
+found she must, I set the wine on the hearth where it would keep warm
+for further use, and then turned to hear what she had to say.
+
+"I only want to say to you, Monsieur, that I am very much ashamed of
+myself this evening, but I am very unhappy, and I have brooded upon my
+unhappiness until I have become nervous and irritable, and, as you saw
+to-night, incapable of self-control. Is that a sufficient excuse for
+behaving like a spoiled child?"
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "it is far more than sufficient, but I am more
+distressed than I can tell you that you should be so unhappy. If you
+would but tell me the cause perhaps I could help you. Is it anything
+you can tell me?"
+
+"Oh, no, no, no!" said Pelagie, hastily, and then seeing perhaps by my
+face that it hurt me that she should think it impossible I could help
+her, she added hesitatingly: "That is, I think not. Perhaps it might
+be possible. I will think about it to-night and to-morrow, and perhaps
+at Madame Chouteau's dance, if I have an opportunity, I may tell you.
+I believe," still more slowly, "if any one could help me, you could."
+
+I am sure I thanked her more with my eyes than with my voice, but I
+know she understood, and then, thinking she had had more than enough
+of serious converse for one evening, I resumed my rôle of stern
+disciplinarian and made her eat a little of the cake and drink most of
+the wine, pretending all the time that she was a naughty child to be
+sternly dealt with. And I could see that the warm wine and the foolish
+play were bringing back the color to her cheeks and the brightness to
+her eyes and the gay ring to her voice, which pleased me greatly. Then
+my captain called to me that it was high time to be saying good night
+to the ladies, or rather good morning, and I rose to go, but I turned
+first and leaned over the back of the tall settle:
+
+"Mademoiselle, at the picnic on Chouteau's Pond I won the first dance
+with you, I think somewhat against your will. If I should ask you for
+the first dance to-morrow night, would you give it to me willingly?"
+
+"Willingly, Monsieur," with a glance into my eyes (which were very
+near her own) by far the sweetest I had yet had from hers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+MADAME CHOUTEAU'S BALL
+
+    "The uncertain glory of an April day."
+
+
+We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast
+when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and
+make merry together. Then I saw for what all the mighty preparations
+of the day before were intended. The roasted fowl and venison pasty,
+smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials
+beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the
+description of such things than for making away with them.
+
+It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour,
+mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such
+pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in. Dr. Saugrain himself had
+always something wise and witty to say, and being a man of deep
+learning and much science, was often, also, most instructive. An hour,
+therefore, passed quickly enough, and I was glad to see that
+mademoiselle was looking more as she had looked before the picnic on
+Chouteau's Pond than I had seen her since my return. But I had chance
+for little more than the good wishes of the day with her, for the
+company was large and my seat, as usual, was near Madame Saugrain, at
+the other end of the table from hers. My thoughts had dwelt much upon
+her when I lay on my bed the night before, a long hour ere sleep
+visited my eyelids. I had lived over the events of the evening, and of
+the weeks that I had known her, and she had seemed to me not one, but
+many maidens. Haughty, meek, scornful, merry, mocking, serious, sad,
+sweet--in how many moods had I not seen her, and in each in turn she
+had seemed to me the sweetest. I always forgot, when I was with her,
+that she was a great lady in France and destined soon to return to her
+home land and her rightful position. I never could think of her as
+anything but Dr. Saugrain's ward: wilful, sweet, and capricious, the
+belle of St. Louis, the toast of the young men and the idol of the
+young maidens. That as a rule she had treated me with scorn or
+indifference did not in the least detract from her charms for me, but
+the unwonted sweetness of the night before had quite gone to my head,
+and I was henceforth her willing slave.
+
+From the breakfast-table we separated; the captain and Dr. Saugrain
+going to the doctor's laboratory, where he was making some wonderful
+experiments with phosphorus, by which one might at any moment obtain a
+light, without the aid of tinder, by means of little sticks of wood
+dipped in the phosphorus! 'Tis not to be wondered at that many people
+think Dr. Saugrain a dealer in black arts when he can accomplish such
+supernatural results by the aid of science!
+
+As for me, I had an engagement with Josef Papin and Gabriel Cerré and
+some other young men to go duck-shooting on the Maramec, a good day's
+tramp, and we did not expect to be back until nearly time for Madame
+Chouteau's dance. I think the matrons and the maidens expected to
+spend the day in going to church and in making visits, which seemed to
+me a dull way to spend Christmas, but no doubt they liked it.
+
+It was a grand day for shooting, the air so clear and dry, just frosty
+enough to send the blood leaping through our bodies; and we came home
+with a great string of prairie-chicken and duck and partridge--enough
+to supply the village for a week. We were a little later than we had
+intended in getting home, and tired enough to go right to bed, but I,
+for one, would not have missed this my first opportunity to appear in
+_grand costume du bal_, to say nothing of the joys of the dance.
+
+There was a hot supper waiting for me, which rested me wonderfully;
+and then, with Yorke's help, I had a quick bath and was into my ball
+dress in a shorter time than I had dared to hope. Yorke had laid out
+my dress for me and looked to the lace ruffles and lacers, so that I
+had only to jump into it and let him tie me up, and I was ready.
+
+I was glad that I had such a becoming costume with me, for, without
+being unduly vain, I knew that the rich plum-colored coat and breeches
+and the lilac satin waistcoat with fine lace frills and a touch of
+gold here and there were a good offset to my yellow hair and rosy
+cheeks, which, much as I despised them at times, I was yet at other
+times well satisfied to endure. I liked, too, the looks of my leg in a
+fine white silk stocking and low pumps with shoe- and knee-buckles of
+brilliants, and was not above being proud of a well-turned calf and
+ankle.
+
+Madame and mademoiselle had gone on ahead in a charrette, as better
+suited to their _costumes du bal_ than horseback-riding, and Dr.
+Saugrain and Captain Clarke had ridden by their side, leaving me to
+finish dressing and hurry after them as soon as I could.
+
+A mad haste seized me before I reached Madame Chouteau's lest the
+first dance should be over and I lose my promised honor. I reflected,
+too, that mademoiselle would think me always tardy in keeping my
+engagements with her, and the thought lent spurs to my movements. I
+entered the great ball-room in breathless haste. The walnut was waxed
+to the last perfection of slipperiness, and not taking heed to my
+steps, my feet slipped up. But I caught myself from falling, though
+not without as many gyrations of long arms and long legs as a Dutch
+windmill might accomplish on a windy day.
+
+My remarkable entry was greeted with a shout of laughter by the young
+men and maidens, who by this time had come to know me well. I did not
+mind that, but I looked hastily toward Mademoiselle Pelagie, and
+there, between the straight black brows, was the ominous little frown
+I had learned to dread. What availed my beautiful plum-colored velvets
+and lavender satin, lace, and buckles, if I only succeeded in being
+an awkward hobbledehoy? I must retrieve myself!
+
+I drew myself up in my grandest manner and walked up to Madame
+Chouteau, sitting in state in a great arm-chair near the
+chimney-piece. With my courtliest bow, in my best French, I made my
+compliments to her as if I had been accustomed to entering rooms in no
+other fashion. Then I made the circuit of the room, talking for a
+minute or two to each of my acquaintances, lingering longest by
+Mademoiselle Chouteau, whose eyes were dancing with mirth, and so
+round the circle, head thrown back (but being careful of my steps),
+until I came to mademoiselle. There I stopped, with another low bow.
+Looking down on her, I was glad to see the frown was no longer there,
+but a look of something far pleasanter, almost like admiration, had
+taken its place.
+
+Of course she was surrounded by young men--that did not displease me:
+I liked to see her admired. She was wearing the same gown she had worn
+at Mr. Gratiot's the first time I saw her, and I said to myself: "I
+know not what her rank in France may be,--comtesse, marquise, or
+duchesse,--but I know she looks every inch la reine." I think my pride
+in her lent stateliness to my steps as I led her out in the dance. I
+know that for her sake I wished to look as much le roi as it was in me
+to look.
+
+But there was no chance during the minuet for mademoiselle's promised
+confidence, and as the evening went on I began to think there would be
+none at all. There had been the old folks' minuet, when Dr. Saugrain
+led out Madame Chouteau on the floor, and his plump little calves,
+silk-robed, had twinkled beside her stately steps in wondrous fashion.
+And then had come supper,--a bounteous feast of delicate cakes and
+sweetmeats and rich salads and cold fowl, with gooseberry wine and a
+sweet punch brewed from New Orleans ratafia,--and I feared that would
+put an end to the festivities, and still there had been no chance.
+
+But 'tis a wonderful thing on what a small matter great matters will
+sometimes turn! Though there may be those who would think it no great
+matter that I should find myself riding home in the moonlight with
+mademoiselle on a pillion behind me, and Fatima going at so slow a
+pace as put her in a constant fret of wonder as to what could be the
+reason that her master kept her down so, and mademoiselle telling me
+her story in a low tone (for being so near my ear she did not have to
+raise her voice), and sometimes trembling so much that the little arm
+which was pretending to circle my great waist to hold on by (but which
+only reached by uttermost stretch a quarter-way around) would almost
+lose its grip.
+
+It seemed a great matter to me, and it happened in this wise: I had
+barely spoken to mademoiselle since our dance, when just as I was
+getting a glass of gooseberry wine and a croquecignolle for
+Mademoiselle Chouteau (she said she had no stomach for salads and
+meats at a dance) mademoiselle came up to me, inquiring most anxiously
+had I seen her capote. 'Twas of heavy silk, and lined with the skins
+of beavers, and would have been very costly in Philadelphia, and
+handsome enough for our greatest dames. I had not seen it, but offered
+to go at once in search of it as soon as I had carried the wine and
+croquecignolle to Mademoiselle Chouteau.
+
+We hunted together in all the most impossible places, and mademoiselle
+growing every moment more anxious, because she was keeping madame and
+Dr. Saugrain waiting. They were tired and longing to get home, and I
+said, half in jest:
+
+"Had I a pillion, Mademoiselle, we would tell madame not to wait, and
+when we had found your capote I could bring you home with me on
+Fatima."
+
+But mademoiselle answered quickly:
+
+"Would you be so good, Monsieur? I doubt not Madame Chouteau would
+lend us a pillion, and it would greatly relieve my anxiety in keeping
+madame waiting."
+
+I hardly knew whether I felt more joy or consternation, but
+mademoiselle gave me no time to decide which, but hurried me with her
+to persuade her guardians not to wait. I thought the arrangement did
+not altogether please the doctor, and he demurred greatly; but his
+good wife, who never differed with mademoiselle (whether through being
+over-fond or a little in awe, I am not sure), persuaded him that it
+was all right and quite the best way.
+
+And five minutes after the charrette, with my captain and the doctor
+accompanying it, drove out of Madame Chouteau's gate, the capote was
+found, mademoiselle herself suddenly remembering where she had laid
+it.
+
+I have never felt quite sure that mademoiselle had not known all the
+time where it was. But I admired so much the cleverness that could
+contrive to accomplish her end (for myself, I could never plan or
+scheme, though quick enough to act if occasion presented) that I
+forgave the little deceit, if there was any--maidens not being like
+men, who must be true and straightforward in even the smallest
+matters, lest their honor be attainted.
+
+But when I had mounted Fatima and lifted mademoiselle to her pillion,
+and felt her little arm steal round my great waist (as it needs must,
+to keep her from falling), my stupid heart began to beat so fast and
+to thump so hard against my waistcoat I feared the buttons would give
+way, and was greatly shamed lest mademoiselle should feel it thumping
+and guess the cause. Yet presently Fatima, not being accustomed to
+petticoats falling over her flanks, pranced on two feet in such a
+fashion as to cause mademoiselle to clutch me convulsively with both
+arms, whereupon I found myself suddenly calm and master of the
+situation. It was the work of a minute or two to reduce Fatima to
+order and make her understand that petticoats and a pillion were
+entirely proper. That being accomplished, and Fatima made to
+understand also that she was to go at her slowest pace, I was ready to
+hear mademoiselle's story, which finally she began:
+
+"Monsieur, I feel that I must take advantage of this opportunity so
+providentially offered me. I had not thought to confide in any one,
+but I am in sore need of advice, and I know not where else to turn."
+
+"I know not, Mademoiselle," I answered, "whether I am good at giving
+advice. I had rather you would ask me to do for you some perilous and
+arduous service. But if it is advice you need most, then such as I can
+I will give you truly and faithfully."
+
+"I thank you, Monsieur"; and then mademoiselle was silent for so long
+a time that I half turned in my saddle to look at her. She looked up
+at me with a pitiful little smile.
+
+"Have patience, Monsieur--I will soon find my courage; but I have need
+to trust you greatly, for I am trusting you with the safety, perhaps
+the life, of a friend. You will not let any harm come to him through
+my betrayal?"
+
+"I promise, Mademoiselle," I said, "to do nothing you will not
+approve. But there should never be any question of a betrayal. If a
+trust has been given and received, then it is sacred, but it is not
+betrayal if it has been forced upon one without his consent."
+
+I said this because I began to have a glimmering of the truth, and I
+did not want mademoiselle to violate her conscience. No good can ever
+come from that, I have found, and much as I wanted to hear what she
+had to tell me, I could not listen comfortably if I thought she were
+really betraying a trust. I was still turned in my saddle, watching
+her face, and I saw it lighten at once, and something like a great
+sigh of relief seemed to come from the depths of her breast.
+
+"I see, Monsieur," she said, "you men understand right and wrong
+better than we maidens. It has troubled me greatly that I should prove
+unfaithful to a trust, and yet I saw no other way. And now, for fear
+my courage will ooze out, I must tell you quickly.
+
+"Two weeks ago I received a letter from the Chevalier Le Moyne, a week
+ago I received a second, and yesterday I received a third. The purport
+of all these letters is the same. I have returned no answer to any of
+them, though each has begged for an answer and given me full
+instructions as to how to send it.
+
+"The chevalier has gone no farther south than Cape Girardeau. He is
+waiting near there, in an Osage camp, to seize an opportunity to
+rescue me, he says, and restore me to my people. If I had replied to
+either of these letters, professing my willingness to go with him,
+then I should have received a note of instructions as to where to be
+on a certain day and at a certain hour. But I have replied to none,
+and the last letter has grown desperate. In it he says if he does not
+hear from me he shall return to St. Louis on the evening of the Jour
+des Rois and be present at the dance, which is by custom a masked
+dance, and will then find means to carry me off. If I am not willing
+to go with him, then I must send him a letter before the Jour de l'An,
+telling him so finally, when he will return to New Orleans and leave
+me to my fate. Now, Monsieur, it will seem to you an easy matter that
+I should write him, finally, that I will not go with him. But a
+woman's heart is a strange thing. I want to go with him, with all my
+heart, and yet I shudder at the very thought of going with him. When I
+let my thoughts dwell on the glories that await me in Paris, wealth
+and power and luxurious living, and the society of the great and the
+noble, such as the chevalier has described it, I feel as if I must go,
+and all this life which has been so sweet to me here on the very
+borders of civilization grows utterly distasteful. Yes, even the
+friends that have been so dear to me begin to seem rude and boorish,
+as the chevalier called them. Sometimes, in some of my wayward moods,
+the very perils of the journey attract me with a strange fascination.
+The ride through the forest with savages for guards; the long journey
+in an open boat on the bosom of the great Father of Waters; and at
+last the perilous voyage by sea, all draw me strangely. At such times
+the chevalier seems to me an angel of light, and my only hope of
+escape from my narrow confines to a broad and beautiful life. But
+there are times when it all seems very different: when the thought of
+leaving my two dear guardians is unbearable, and the life I have known
+and loved from childhood, among sweet, true friends, the only life I
+desire. Ah, Monsieur, I am so torn by these conflicting states of mind
+that what wonder my guardians think me changed! They believe the
+chevalier's tales have spoiled me for my life in St. Louis, and that I
+would gladly leave them. When I see them sad over what they believe to
+be my heartlessness my own heart is like to break, but I say nothing,
+and they believe me to be entirely ungrateful and unfeeling.
+
+"So you can see how unhappy I have been and am, and how sometimes I am
+tempted to break away from it all and fly with the chevalier to new
+scenes, whether they bring joy or sorrow."
+
+Mademoiselle did not tell me all this without much hesitation,
+sometimes stopping entirely until she could find courage to go on
+again, and, as I said before, often trembling so much that the little
+arm about my great waist nearly lost its grip. I did not interrupt her
+once, but waited, even after she had finished, for fear she might have
+more to say. And presently she added:
+
+"If I do not answer the chevalier's letter he will be here on the Jour
+des Rois, and it is more than likely he will lose his life in the
+attempt to carry me off, even if I were willing to go with him."
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said slowly, "it is a hard thing you have asked me,
+and I feel sure that whatever I may say I will make you angry, as I
+did last night. Of course you know that what I would most like would
+be that you should let the chevalier come on the Jour des Rois, and we
+would capture him, and there would be an end to all this trouble. But
+you know, too, that since you have trusted me with his secret I would
+feel in duty bound to save him and get him safely outside the stockade
+again, even, if need were, at the risk of my own life. The thing,
+therefore, that I wish you would do, and that seems to me the only
+thing to do, is to write him at once, telling him you will never go
+with him, and bidding him return at once to France since his task is a
+hopeless one."
+
+"And cut myself off from seeing France and recovering my possessions!"
+
+"'Tis not cutting yourself off." (I spoke a little sternly, for I was
+beginning to feel irritated that she could not see the utter folly of
+thinking for a moment of going with the chevalier.) "Your guardian is
+only waiting for two things, and as soon as they are accomplished he
+will send you to Paris. He is awaiting letters from your friends to
+say the time is ripe for your return, and they are ready to receive
+you, and he is waiting to find a proper person in whose care he can
+place you to make the voyage."
+
+"Then here is the time and the opportunity," said mademoiselle,
+eagerly: "my friends have sent the chevalier for me, and he is waiting
+to conduct me there."
+
+I could have shaken her, for a minute, her stupidity seemed so vast to
+me. Then I remembered she was really only a child, and that there are
+many things maidens do not understand so well as men. So I tried to
+speak gently, but so plainly that once for all she might understand.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "do you not see that the very fact that the
+chevalier is trying to induce you to go to France alone with him is
+proof either of his villainy or of his colossal stupidity? Were he the
+angel of light he has sometimes seemed to you, and should he carry you
+safely to France and deliver you into the hands of your friends, yet
+who, in gay and skeptical Paris, would not be willing to believe the
+worst of both of you? The society that he has painted to you as ready
+to fall at your feet would be only ready to spurn you. Forgive me,
+Mademoiselle, for speaking thus plainly, but there is no man in the
+world who would not believe that the very fact of the chevalier's
+trying to persuade you to go with him to France proves him a villain
+of the deepest dye."
+
+Mademoiselle did not answer; but her arms slipped from my waist, and
+presently I felt her little head resting on my broad back, and sobs
+were shaking her little figure. I did not dare stir, for fear of
+disturbing her, but it was very uncomfortable to sit so rigidly erect,
+not daring to move, because a beautiful little black and curly head
+was resting a little above the small of one's back, while tempests of
+tears were drenching one's military cloak, and the shaking from the
+sobs was making queer little shivers run up and down one's backbone.
+
+Now this was the second time my brutality had brought mademoiselle to
+tears. This time I thought it was good for her, and was of a mind to
+let her weep it out, though all the time longing to turn around and
+take her in my arms and let her weep upon my breast instead of on my
+back.
+
+But presently I was aware of heroic efforts to stifle the sobs and
+stay the tears, and then I heard a most woebegone voice:
+
+"Oh, monsieur, what shall I do? what shall I do?"
+
+Now, I had brought Fatima to a standstill, for I was afraid to let her
+go even at a slow walk when mademoiselle had no arm to hold on by, and
+her head bobbing at every step of Fatima's into the ticklish part of
+my back. And by chance we had stopped where the Rue Bonhomme climbs
+down the bluff to the river, and our boats lay moored at its foot.
+Suddenly an answer to her question flashed into my head. It seemed to
+me a perfect solution of all difficulties, but in the nature of the
+case I could say nothing to mademoiselle until I had consulted Dr.
+Saugrain and my captain.
+
+One thing I could say, however, and I reiterated what I had said
+before:
+
+"One thing you can do at once, mademoiselle: write to the chevalier so
+firm and positive a refusal that he will never trouble you again, and
+then go and tell your guardian all about it. He deserves this
+confidence from you, and I think you will never be very happy until
+you have made him feel that there is no change in your grateful
+affection to him."
+
+There was another moment of silence, and then, in the meekest of
+tones:
+
+"I will do all you tell me, monsieur."
+
+I could not believe it was the same haughty mademoiselle who had so
+scorned "ce garçon-çà." But I was not going to show her the elation I
+could not help feeling in her change of attitude; and being also most
+sorry for her, and everything settled as far as it could be about the
+chevalier, I thought it time that she should be diverted from her
+unhappy thoughts, and so I bade her look down on the great river, now
+rolling, a silver flood under the moon, straight to Cape Girardeau,
+where the chevalier was lingering, and past fort and forest on to the
+rich city of New Orleans. For a moment the old longing returned to be
+one of a great army borne on its swift waters to capture the haughty
+city that held the gateway to the sea. I thought it no harm to tell
+mademoiselle what my dreams had been, and we both laughed merrily at
+the audacity of them.
+
+But the night was passing, and gently lifting mademoiselle's arm and
+placing it so that it should once more hold her secure on her pillion,
+I put Fatima to a gentle canter; and as I felt Pelagie's clasp
+tighten, my pulse leaped faster in my veins, and I gave Fatima full
+rein, and we went thundering down the Rue Royale, past Madame
+Chouteau's place, with the last revelers just coming through the great
+gates; past Auguste Chouteau's house, standing dark among its trees;
+past the Government House, still brightly lighted, for Governor
+Delassus and his retinue were just entering the great hall; turned up
+the Rue de la Tour, with the tower at the top of the hill shining
+white in the moonlight, then down the long stretch of the Rue de
+l'Église, faster and faster, as mademoiselle clung closer, until we
+reached the gate of Émigré's Retreat, and a great dog came rushing to
+meet us with mighty bounds and joyous barks, and would have
+overpowered us both with his clumsy caresses but that a sweet voice
+(never before one half so sweet) called:
+
+"À bas, Leon! Tais-toi, mon ange!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+LA GUIGNOLÉE
+
+    "By sports like these are all their cares beguiled."
+
+
+I woke the next morning with a feeling of elation that for a moment I
+did not understand; then I recognized that it was a feeling that
+mademoiselle and I would never again be on any but the friendliest of
+terms. No more fear of merry scoffing or haughty disdain! I had a
+right to look now for only kindness and friendliness.
+
+But I did not know mademoiselle. The morning was bleak; a fine drizzle
+of rain, freezing as it fell, was hanging jeweled pendants from every
+twig and branch. I went down-stairs, to find that morning coffee was
+being served in the living-room, on a small table drawn up before a
+blazing fire of logs. Mademoiselle, who did not often come to early
+coffee, was serving it, in a warm-looking gown of some wool stuff,
+deep red in color, and I thought it suited well her dark beauty and
+the bleak morning. I stopped at the threshold to make my low bow, and
+then went forward, expecting a less formal greeting. But she only
+looked up from the silver urn, whence she was drawing a cup of coffee
+for the captain, long enough to say, "Good morning, monsieur," in her
+iciest tones, and then went on talking gaily to the captain of the
+ball the night before. I did not understand at all, but I thought it
+quite possible I had imagined her coldness; and so, without seeming to
+push myself unduly, I sought to join in the conversation when
+opportunity offered. I think the captain seconded my efforts out of
+the courtesy natural to him; but mademoiselle made it so plain that
+she desired to ignore me that I soon took my cup and withdrew to a
+corner of the fireplace. I hope I did not do anything so boyish as to
+sulk there, but of that I am not sure.
+
+When the good doctor came bustling in from his laboratory a few
+minutes later, half frozen, but burning with enthusiasm over some
+experiments he was making with quicksilver, he brought his coffee to
+my warm corner, and I at once simulated the deepest interest in his
+account of his morning's work--though I confess I have never taken any
+great interest in science, and from what he seemed to expect the
+quicksilver to do I did not feel altogether sure that he was not, in
+truth, dabbling in black art.
+
+There was a long mirror at the other end of the room--one that Madame
+Saugrain had brought from France, and the pride of her heart. As we
+talked I could glance in it and see mademoiselle perfectly without
+seeming to look at her. I observed that she grew more and more
+distrait, only half listening to the captain, and very evidently
+trying to overhear our conversation. I had not known that mademoiselle
+was so interested in science, and I began to make deep and learned
+speeches (or, at least, I hoped they sounded so) on quicksilver and on
+every subject allied to it. I did not hesitate to make some remarkable
+statements, for whose truth I modestly said I could not vouch. The
+doctor was too courteous to show the surprise I think he must have
+felt at some of them, but if I had not been so interested in my
+investigations in the mirror (which, I am sure, is closely allied to
+quicksilver) I would have noticed without doubt that knowing twinkle
+of the eye that I had seen at least twice before. My glances in the
+mirror, however, showed me that my learned speeches had produced their
+intended effect on mademoiselle, at least, and once more I caught that
+wondering glance fixed upon me.
+
+I did not see mademoiselle again until the evening supper-hour. After
+breakfast Dr. Saugrain invited the captain and me to ride with him up
+to Pierre Chouteau's, and on the ride he told us that mademoiselle had
+come to him that morning in the laboratory and had told him all about
+the chevalier. I was much touched that she had acted upon my advice so
+promptly, and half forgave her for her treatment of me at coffee,
+though I understood it the less. The doctor did not say so directly,
+but I judged from one or two little remarks that he and Pelagie had
+had a thorough clearing up of all their misunderstandings and were
+once more on the old confidential terms. He spoke especially of her
+"sweetness," and said his advice had been, like mine, to write the
+chevalier at once a firm refusal. But the good doctor was greatly
+troubled.
+
+"I shall never feel quite secure again," he said, "till I have Pelagie
+safe with her friends in France; so I shall seek the first opportunity
+of sending her there. 'Tis for that I am going to consult Pierre
+Chouteau, and I thought you might have some suggestion, one or both of
+you, as to how to find an escort for her."
+
+I was so eager with my plan that had flashed on me the night before
+that I could not wait to show the proper courtesy to my captain. He
+certainly had a right to speak first, but I broke forth, "I have a
+plan, sir--" and then was abashed and stopped short.
+
+The doctor understood, and nodded to me.
+
+"Yes; let the captain speak first, and then we will hear your plan."
+
+"Nay," said the captain, with his friendliest smile; "let the lad
+speak. He has a plan that seems to me not wholly unpracticable and may
+prove the very thing."
+
+Thus encouraged, I rushed ahead:
+
+"I have been talking to Captain Clarke about it, sir, and he thinks it
+can be done. My last letter from home said that Colonel Livingston was
+about to join his father in Paris. My family know Colonel Livingston
+well, and a letter from my father would insure the protection of both
+Colonel and Mrs. Livingston for mademoiselle on the voyage."
+
+But the good doctor shook his head.
+
+"I could never get Pelagie to New York, I fear; to both Madame
+Saugrain and myself, such a journey seems an almost impossible
+undertaking."
+
+"But Captain Clarke has that all arranged," I cried.
+
+The doctor looked at the captain, who answered, smiling:
+
+"It is my good Achates who has arranged it, but I heartily approve of
+his plans. It is time we were getting back to Kentucky, and he
+proposes that we take mademoiselle with us to my sister, Mrs.
+O'Fallon. There she can stay until we can find a suitable escort up
+the Ohio to Port Duquesne, and across the mountains to New York. There
+are boats going up the river every week, and always some one going
+back to the old home to whom we could intrust mademoiselle. I think it
+a good and feasible plan."
+
+But we had quite reached Pierre Chouteau's before we had persuaded the
+doctor that our plan was at all a practical one. Not, as he assured
+us, that he could not trust mademoiselle with us, but the
+difficulties, dangers, and inconveniences of such a trip, for a young
+maiden with no woman in the party but her colored maid, seemed to him
+almost insurmountable. However, he was so nearly convinced by my
+eloquence and the captain's logic that just as we were turning in at
+Mr. Chouteau's he said:
+
+"Well, well, my dear friends, it may be possible. We will see! I must
+take time to consult Madame Saugrain, and, until then, not a word to
+mademoiselle, I beg of you both."
+
+We both readily promised, though I was so elated at what I considered
+the already assured success of my plan that I might have found it
+difficult not to speak to mademoiselle about it if she had not been
+in the same icy mood to me at supper (though sweet and most charming
+to the captain and her guardian) as she had been at breakfast.
+
+The next day Dr. Saugrain told us that he and his wife had talked far
+into the night about Pelagie, and they had come to the conclusion that
+our plan was the best solution of the difficulties. He said madame had
+wept much at the thought of parting with Pelagie, and of all the
+difficulties and dangers she must encounter, before she could become
+reconciled to the thought of it; but now she was quite resigned, and
+had already begun to plan what clothes and other conveniences it would
+be necessary for Pelagie to take with her, and how they could best be
+got ready.
+
+"And, after the manner of women," the doctor said, "from the moment
+she began to think about clothes, she began to grow cheerful. And she
+has such confidence in Clotilde, who will go with her, and who has had
+entire charge of her since her babyhood, that she thinks she will be
+as well taken care of as if she were with her herself. But we both
+think," he added, "that it will be wiser to say nothing to Pelagie
+about it until it is almost time to make the start. If, for any
+reason, our plan should fail, her mind will not be unsettled by it,
+and she will be no worse off than if we had not thought of it.
+Moreover, the fewer we take into our confidence the better, for I am
+assured the chevalier has spies and secret emissaries that we do not
+suspect. We will give him no chance to thwart our plans!"
+
+The good doctor spoke the last words so grimly that it was easy to
+understand in what esteem he held the villain, and both the captain
+and I heartily approved his precaution.
+
+There followed busy days for me. The captain, who was much engaged in
+settling up the business for his brother which had brought him to St.
+Louis, had little time for aught else, though Governor Delassus, the
+Chouteaus, and Mr. Gratiot made many demands upon him for counsel and
+for social festivities, in which last I was courteously included. When
+these fell upon the evening I was very ready to join in them, but my
+days were more than full. All the arrangements for mademoiselle's
+comfort on the boat my captain had intrusted to me, and I was
+determined that nothing should be left undone to make her voyage on
+the Great River as comfortable as possible. The cabin, a rough affair
+at its best, was partitioned into two, and the larger one made as
+clean as six blacks scrubbing hard on hands and knees could make it.
+Then I got from Pierre Chouteau a small stove such as he often used on
+his boat in winter trips up the Missouri, and set it up in the cabin,
+cutting a hole in the roof to give egress to the stovepipe. From
+Madame Saugrain I got some strips of warm, bright carpet and some
+clean warm bedding, and I set Yorke to work, under my careful
+supervision, to make the two beds for mademoiselle and her maid, to
+tack down the strips of carpet, to put up some white ruffled curtains
+(also Madame Saugrain's gift) at the square bit of window, and to
+polish up the brass handles of the portable locker that was to hold
+mademoiselle's wardrobe. I thought, when all was done,--the small
+table covered with a white cloth, and two shining candlesticks on it,
+and the three comfortable chairs arranged about it,--I thought it cozy
+and complete enough for a trip to France; and my heart beat high when
+I thought of the tête-à-têtes with mademoiselle that must almost
+necessarily fall to my lot on a voyage of at least a week. But, in the
+meantime, I was seeing very little of her, between being busy all day
+and often invited out in the evening--and not getting much
+satisfaction when I did; for either she was incased in her icy
+hauteur, or, if she chanced to be kind, I was so brimming over with my
+secret, so afraid I should let it slip, I was unnaturally constrained
+with her.
+
+Before I knew it the Jour de l'An was upon us, and the doctor and the
+captain had both agreed it would be wise to set out on the day before
+the Jour des Rois. On no account would it do to risk remaining over
+the Jour des Rois, lest the chevalier should accomplish his purpose in
+spite of mademoiselle's letter of refusal.
+
+Now, as its name signifies, the Jour de l'An is the greatest of all
+days to these St. Louis Frenchmen. Preparations had been making for it
+all the week. The governor himself was to give a grand ball at
+Government House, and I had heard mademoiselle telling Captain Clarke,
+as we sat at supper on New Year's eve, how that would be only the
+beginning of a round of festivities, and that Marguerite Papin,
+Pelagie Chouteau, and she had been making the bean-cake that
+afternoon.
+
+"And what is the bean-cake, pray, Mademoiselle?" I inquired,
+determined to take matters into my own hands and be no longer shut out
+from conversation as if I were infected.
+
+Mademoiselle looked up in surprise at my audacity, and for a moment
+was of half a mind not to reply to me; but she thought better of it,
+and answered coolly and formally:
+
+"'Tis a cake, Monsieur, with four beans baked in it. It will be cut
+to-morrow night at the governor's ball, and the four maidens who
+receive the slices with the beans will be the queens of the ball. They
+will choose four kings, who will then be obliged to get up the ball
+for the Jour des Rois, and at that these four kings will choose four
+queens, who will choose four other kings, who must give the next ball.
+'Tis an endless chain of balls till Shrove Tuesday arrives, to finish
+it all up with one grand carnival ball; and so you see, sir, if you
+stay in St. Louis I can promise you a merry winter."
+
+I almost laughed as I thought how little she dreamed that she would
+not be here herself. Yet the prospect sounded alluring, and I could
+have been well pleased to spend the winter in the gay little village,
+if the fates had ordained. I answered her to that effect, and then I
+added:
+
+"If you could but give me any hope that I should be chosen a king, I
+might take fate into my own hands and stay anyway."
+
+"There is much ground for hope, sir," she answered demurely, "since
+both Pelagie Chouteau and Marguerite Papin are almost certain to be
+queens."
+
+Then, with a quick beat of the heart, I thought perhaps she had not
+liked it that they had been friendly and I had been polite. If her
+manner to me could be so accounted for I was well content, for at
+least it did not argue indifference.
+
+But before I could reply there was a great noise, outside on the
+gallery, of shuffling feet and smothered whispers, and mademoiselle
+clapped her hands and cried:
+
+"La Guignolée!" And at the same moment there arose, to the quaintest
+air, a chorus of men's voices:
+
+    "Bon soir, le maître et la maîtresse,
+      Et tout le monde du logis!
+    Pour le premier jour de l'année
+      La Guignolée vous nous devez.
+    Si vous n'avez rien à nous donner,
+      Dites-nous le;
+    Nous vous demandons pas grande chose, une échinée--
+      Une échinée n'est pas bien longue
+    De quatre-vingt-dix pieds de longue.
+      Encore nous demandons pas de grande chose,
+    La fille ainée de la maison.
+      Nous lui ferons faire bonne chère--
+    Nous lui ferons chauffer les pieds."
+
+Horrified at these last words of the song, I scarcely dared glance at
+mademoiselle; but when I did dare, to my amazement, she was smiling
+good-humoredly, and I saw the words meant nothing to her. But the
+chorus was interrupted at that moment by a single voice which I
+recognized at once as Josef Papin's, singing a ditty about doves and
+cuckoos and nightingales, and winding up by declaring that he was
+dying for the soft eyes of his mistress. I saw that mademoiselle
+recognized the voice, too, and I was vexed to see the bright color and
+downcast eyes that betokened she understood these words perfectly.
+
+But the chorus began again immediately:
+
+    "Nous saluons la compagnie
+      Et la prions nous excuser.
+    Si l'on a fait quelque folie."
+
+(I thought this apology most becoming.)
+
+    "C'était pour vous désennuyer;
+      Une autre fois nous prendrons garde
+    Quand sera temps d'y revenir.
+      Dansons la guenille,
+    Dansons la guenille,
+      Dansons la guenille!"
+
+And then the doors were flung open, and there burst in upon us a
+motley crew of grotesque and hideous masks, each one bearing a basket
+or bucket or sack, and all singing and shouting in every key and in no
+time:
+
+    "Bon soir, le maître et la maîtresse,
+      Et tout le monde du logis!"
+
+Madame Saugrain and mademoiselle sprang up from the table and ran to
+the kitchen, returning with both hands full, and followed by a
+procession of servants bringing eggs and sugar and butter and flour
+and poultry and wine--a goodly donation indeed for the Jour des Rois
+ball, and for which the maskers showed their thanks by dancing _la
+guenille_, a truly Saturnalian performance, somewhat shocking to my
+Eastern notions of propriety. But evidently neither the doctor nor his
+wife nor mademoiselle saw any harm in it, for they applauded it
+greatly, after the French fashion, by clapping of hands and crying
+"Encore!"
+
+Yorke had come in with the other servants from the kitchen, and it was
+a sight to see his great eyes rolling in ecstasy and his white teeth
+displayed from ear to ear as he watched the mummers, and I was not
+surprised to see him follow them like one bewitched as they went up
+toward the Rue des Granges to Paschal Cerré's house, singing:
+
+    "Bon soir, le maître et la maîtresse,
+      Et tout le monde du logis!"
+
+"You will be having Yorke dancing la guenille," I said to the captain,
+"when he gets back to Kentucky."
+
+"An he does," answered the captain, with a grim smile, "I will
+bastinado him." For I think the captain did not like some of the
+figures of la guenille any better than did I.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+CHOISSEZ LE ROI
+
+    "She moves a goddess and she looks a queen."
+
+
+Le Jour de l'An was a full day with me. Though I did not go to early
+mass with the family, I left the house when they did and had a fast
+gallop on Fatima's back through the gray dawn down to the boat, for
+there were still a few finishing touches to be put to my decorations
+and arrangements for mademoiselle's comfort, and I was in feverish
+haste that all should be in readiness. Captain Clarke and I spent the
+day in visits of ceremony made at the houses where we had been so
+often and so kindly entertained during our stay. They were really
+farewell visits, though for prudential reasons we said nothing of our
+approaching departure. At every house we were served with
+croquecignolles and wine or ratafia by the young maidens and their
+mothers, and we were so hospitably urged to eat and drink that had we
+done anything more than make the merest pretense for the sake of good
+fellowship we would have been in no condition for the dance in the
+evening.
+
+Frenchmen know better how to manage their drinking than do we
+Anglo-Saxons. I know not how they do it, but I know not a young
+fellow appeared at the governor's house in the evening who had
+apparently taken more than was good for him; and yet had our
+Philadelphia lads been through the ordeal of proffered glasses all day
+long, I warrant there would not have been a corporal's guard able to
+line up in good order at the governor's ball. But all these young St.
+Louis Frenchmen were out in fine feather, and carrying themselves
+grandly, eyes bright and heads steady, ready to lead out to the
+governor's table the belles of St. Louis, dazzling in brocades and
+feathers, lace, and powder and black patches.
+
+It was a goodly feast, ragout and roast fowl and venison pasties, and
+cakes and tarts and rich conserves making the tables groan; but the
+crowning moment was when the governor's stately butler brought in the
+bean-cake (almost as much as he could carry) and set it down before
+the governor. 'Twas a breathless silence as the governor cut each
+slice and sent it first to the maiden nearest him and then to the next
+in order. I was not in the least surprised when one of the four beans
+fell to mademoiselle's lot; I would have been surprised if it had not.
+There was a burst of ringing cheers, led by Josef Papin, when the
+lucky slice came to her, and I thought, "He knows he will be chosen
+king," and smiled with bitterness at the thought.
+
+I had not seen mademoiselle all day. As I glanced at her now, smiling
+and coloring with pleasure at the cheers that betokened her
+popularity, it flashed into my mind that she would reign a queen
+indeed when she came into her own in France, for I was very sure
+there were no court ladies could compare with her for beauty and
+grace.
+
+The governor himself crowned the four queens, and then they had to
+retire into the background for a space while their elders danced the
+first minuet, in which the governor led out Madame Chouteau in stately
+measure. But after that formal opening of the ball the young people
+had it all their own way, and the four queens queened it royally each
+with a flock of suitors around her. I said to myself proudly, "I will
+not hang on to any of their trains." There was no possible doubt but
+that mademoiselle would choose Josef Papin (since the chevalier was
+not there), and while I would have liked it well if one of the others
+had chosen me, just to show mademoiselle that all did not scorn me, I
+would not seem to sue for favors. So I attached myself to Mademoiselle
+Chouteau (who had not been so lucky as to draw a bean); and she being
+in the sauciest mood (and looking exceeding pretty), and I feeling
+that I was at least as well dressed as any other man (since I had on
+my plum-colored velvets and my finest lace), and therefore at my ease,
+we made ourselves so entertaining to each other that I began in my
+heart to feel a little regret that this was to be my last ball with
+her.
+
+I would not so much as look at mademoiselle, whose silvery laugh
+sometimes floated to my ears, for she had treated me shamefully of
+late, and, as far as I could see, without the least reason. Just once
+I caught her eye, however. I do not know how it happened, but there
+was a moment of almost silence in the crowded room. The violins were
+not playing, no one was dancing, and for one fleeting moment, every
+one, or nearly every one, seemed to have ceased talking. Into this
+strange silence, through the open windows, there floated the clear
+call of the whippoorwill,--only one, for the buzz and clamor and
+clatter of many voices surged up again instantly, and the violins
+began to scrape and screech themselves into tune, and no one seemed to
+have noticed either the silence or the whippoorwill. But I could not
+for the life of me help one swift glance toward mademoiselle, and I
+met her eyes seeking mine in a look of startled alarm that was almost
+terror. I held her glance long enough to say to her with my eyes, "Do
+not be afraid; I will see what it is," and I had the satisfaction of
+seeing, before she turned away, that she understood and was reassured.
+
+A few minutes later I slipped outside. I was not entirely at ease
+about that call, it had meant so much once. And I was not at all sure
+of the chevalier. A ball like this, with every one off guard, would be
+just his opportunity. Outside there was a motley throng of negroes,
+river-men, and Indians, hanging around to get glimpses of the dancers
+and the guests coming and going. The yard was brightly lighted in
+spots by flaming lightwood torches, which left the other parts in
+deepest gloom. I noticed among the throng a little group of mummers,
+such as had been at Dr. Saugrain's the night before in hideous masks.
+This did not at first seem strange to me, but afterward I thought it
+must be unusual, for they belonged peculiarly to New Year's eve.
+
+Leaning against a post that held a lightwood torch, a little withdrawn
+from the others, in solitary dignity, stood Black Hawk. I knew if
+there had been anything unusual in the whippoorwill cry he would know
+it. I sauntered up to him carelessly (for if there were spies about, I
+did not want to arouse suspicion), and stopped where the light fell
+full on me, for I knew well the value of impressing Black Hawk with
+the splendor of my dress. For the benefit of any possible listener, I
+told him that the governor's halls were hot and I must needs get a
+draft of cold air before I could go back to my dancing. Then I talked
+to him of Daniel Boone, for he had been with us on our trip to his
+home, and I knew his admiration for that wonderful man. His only
+responses were a series of grunts, but they were amiable ones (I think
+the old savage rather liked me), and as I talked I gradually drew
+nearer. When I was quite close to him, I said suddenly, in a low tone:
+
+"Does the Great Chief of the Sacs think there are any White Wolves or
+Red Dogs about to-night?"
+
+I saw a sudden glitter in his eye, but that was the only response
+except the invariable "Ugh!" Then I said again in the same low tone:
+
+"If Black Hawk will watch and let his white brother know what he finds
+out, it will greatly please the brother of the Captain of the Long
+Knives."
+
+There was another "Ugh!"--this time with half an inclination of the
+head, and I went back to the dance satisfied that if there was
+anything wrong, Black Hawk would discover it.
+
+It was half an hour later when Yorke came to me between the figures of
+the dance and begged a word with me.
+
+"Jes as soon as yo' can slip out unbeknownst-like," he said, "that
+thar decent redskin 's waitin' to speak to yo'-all at the kitchen
+doah. Yo' 's to go down through the house, so 's nobody outside won't
+see yo'."
+
+I found an opportunity as soon as that dance was over, and going down
+through the house, with Yorke as my guide, I found Black Hawk waiting,
+and without a preliminary word, in slow, sententious fashion, he
+delivered his message.
+
+"Black Hawk say to White Brother, Beware of White Wolf and six Red
+Dogs. Wear devil's faces. All gone now. Wait for Little White Fawn
+going home. Black Hawk go home with White Fawn and Fine Dress and Long
+Knives' brother and Little Medicine-man and Big Black."
+
+I understood his broken sentences very well. The mummers were, as I
+had half suspected, the chevalier and a band of Osages. They would lie
+in wait for Pelagie on our way home and capture her if we were off
+guard. Black Hawk offered his services to guard her on the way home,
+and I gladly accepted them, for even then the chevalier's band would
+outnumber us; and while in a hand-to-hand fight I did not doubt we
+were much the better men, they would have greatly the advantage of us
+in being able to spring upon us from ambuscade and get the first
+shot.
+
+[Illustration: "In solitary dignity stood Black Hawk"]
+
+Black Hawk had planned our forces well, but I did not like his title
+for me, "Fine Dress"; I would rather he had called me "Straight
+Shoot," the name he had several times given me on our trip together up
+the Missouri. I had a lurking doubt that he was rebuking me for my
+vanity.
+
+But there was no time to quarrel about titles. I hunted up Dr.
+Saugrain, whom I found in the wide chimney-corner, the center of a
+group of choice spirits,--the two Chouteaus, Mr. Gratiot, Mr. Cerré,
+Francis Vigo, and Manuel Lisa,--and he was telling them all, with
+great enthusiasm, about his experiments in quicksilver, and, to my
+surprise, they were listening as eagerly as if he had been telling
+tales of war and adventure--which was a marvelous thing to me, to whom
+science was ever dull and dry-as-dust. I liked not to interrupt him,
+but the need was pressing, and when I had called him to one side and
+told him of the presence of the chevalier and his Osages, he was
+greatly excited.
+
+The thing that troubled me most was that we were without firearms. I
+had my sword on, of course, and so had the captain, but swords would
+be of little use, for the savages would not wait for a hand-to-hand
+encounter, but would fire at long range. The only thing to be done was
+to borrow from the governor; and in his grand Spanish manner he
+pressed all the guns of his armory upon us, and said he would send a
+messenger at once to the fort to have a troop despatched to scour the
+town and rid it of every suspicious character; which was somewhat of a
+relief to me, but would have been more so if I could only have felt
+more confidence in his slow-moving Spanish soldiers.
+
+But the governor begged, since it was a matter that required no haste,
+that we would say nothing to alarm his guests and so break up the
+dance in undue time, for, as he said, the kings had not yet been
+chosen, and it would be a great pity to interfere with that pleasant
+ceremony. As for me, I would have been quite willing to dispense with
+it. There would be no pleasure to me in seeing mademoiselle pin her
+bouquet on the lapel of Josef Papin's coat, thus choosing him her
+king; but there was nothing to do but go back to the ball-room and see
+it out.
+
+As I entered the room, there happened to be a little break in the
+coterie of young men surrounding mademoiselle, and through it I met
+her glance of eager inquiry. She had evidently missed me from the
+room, and had her suspicions as to the cause of my long absence. I
+returned her glance with an assuring smile that all was well, and went
+on to where I had left Mademoiselle Chouteau a half-hour before. I
+could not have expected her to sit in a corner waiting for me all that
+while, yet when I found that she too had her little coterie, and I was
+evidently not missed, I felt unaccountably hurt and forlorn: as if
+there was no place for me, an alien, among these St. Louis French
+people. As I had done many times before, I turned to Madame Saugrain
+for comfort.
+
+It was nearing midnight, and I had wondered as I came in why they were
+not dancing. Now I saw the reason of it. Down through the center of
+the floor came the governor, followed by his tall butler bearing a
+silver tray with four small bouquets upon it. He went directly to
+mademoiselle first, and then to the three other queens in turn,
+presenting each with one of the bouquets and making to each a gallant
+little speech, which the four maidens received with smiles and blushes
+and curtsies as became them, but mademoiselle also with a stately
+grace befitting a queen.
+
+Then there was a moment of intense expectancy, for it was mademoiselle
+who was first to place her bouquet on the lapel of the coat of the
+chosen king. I would not look at her. I did not want to see her put it
+upon Josef Papin's coat, though there was no other there more fitting
+to receive it or who would make a more royal king for such a queen. So
+I half turned my back and talked busily to madame, who listened to me
+not at all, so engrossed was she in the spectacle. It seemed to me a
+long time in the doing, and presently I saw in madame's eyes a light
+of eager surprise.
+
+"Look, m'ami, look!" she cried to me. But I would not look; no, not
+even when I began to feel a suspicion of what was going to happen,
+from a queer feeling in my backbone, and my heart beating like a
+trip-hammer, and the blood rushing to the roots of my hair.
+
+"Look, look! I beg you to turn!" madame cried again. But I would not
+turn, though I heard a subdued murmur of voices all around me, and a
+soft rustle of silken skirts coming nearer and nearer--not until the
+soft rustle stopped close beside me, and a sweet voice said:
+
+"Shall I pin my bouquet upon Monsieur's back? I believe it is usual to
+pin it upon the lapel of the coat."
+
+Then I turned quickly, and for all the answer I made I dropped on one
+knee and held toward her the lapel of my coat, and as she stooped to
+pin it on I looked straight into her eyes. And what my eyes said to
+hers I know not, but quickly the white lids drooped over hers and shut
+me out from heaven, while the long black lashes lay upon her cheek,
+and the rich blood swept in a slow flood from the snowy throat to the
+dark waves of hair that crowned her white brow.
+
+And now her fingers trembled so in pinning on the flowers that she was
+long in the doing of it (though I could have wished it much longer);
+and when she had finished I seized the hand that trembled, and for the
+first time I had ever dared I pressed my lips upon it. I saw another
+wave of color sweep her face, and then she bade me rise, and as I
+stood beside her a burst of acclaims came from every lip, "Vive le
+roi! Vive le roi!" and from one, "Vive le roi et la reine!" and I
+could not have been prouder had I been king indeed, and she my royal
+consort beside me!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+A MIDNIGHT FRAY
+
+    "Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety."
+
+
+Josef Papin was the first to bow the knee to me in mock homage, and as
+his laughing eyes met mine he said, in a tone not so low but that
+mademoiselle might have heard if she had listened:
+
+"I owe you a grudge, sire. You have stolen the honors I so dearly
+coveted."
+
+A sudden impulse seized me.
+
+"Would you like to be detailed on some special service to your king
+and queen?" I asked.
+
+"Most certainly, sire."
+
+"Then stay by me, and when the ceremony of choosing the next king
+begins I will tell you about it."
+
+Here was a heart as true as steel, ready to be generous to a
+successful rival and loyal unto death to his queen. It would not hurt
+to have one more guard for mademoiselle on our midnight ride; we would
+then more nearly match in numbers the chevalier's band, and by numbers
+alone might intimidate him from even making the attack. Which was much
+to be desired, since there would be two ladies in our party, and
+fighting and bloodshed are not for tender hearts like theirs to know.
+
+But more than that, I thought I could give him no greater pleasure
+than the chance to prove himself of some real service to mademoiselle,
+and I would like to atone for stealing the honors he had felt so sure
+of. And more still: we had decided, in our hasty conference a little
+while before,--Dr. Saugrain, my captain, and I,--that it would not do
+at all to wait until the day before the Jour des Rois, as we had at
+first intended. Since the boat was in readiness, and the captain's
+business finished, there was no reason why we should not start at
+once. We had decided, therefore, on the next morning for our
+departure, for we all felt that as long as the chevalier was lurking
+about there was no safety for mademoiselle until she was well on her
+way to France.
+
+To spirit mademoiselle away without a chance of saying good-by to so
+good a friend as young Papin seemed to me unkind to them both. We
+could trust him fully, and he should have his chance to say good-by.
+The captain and Dr. Saugrain had intrusted me with the entire
+arrangement for mademoiselle's safety and given me command of our
+little force, so I could make my offer to him with authority. When the
+opportunity offered to explain to him, a very few minutes sufficed to
+tell him our fears for mademoiselle's safety. His eyes flashed fire as
+he listened, and when I said to him, "Would you like to make one of
+our guard on our way home?" he grasped my hand and wrung it.
+
+"I thank you, monsieur," he said, and then he muttered in my ear:
+
+"What would I not give for one good chance at the chevalier!"
+
+Half an hour later our little cavalcade set off from the governor's
+house, the governor himself waving us an adieu from the gallery steps.
+We had placed madame and mademoiselle in the center, with Josef Papin
+on one side and myself on the other. Black Hawk and Yorke were in the
+van, and Captain Clarke and Dr. Saugrain brought up the rear.
+
+It had been necessary to make to the two ladies some explanation of
+these warlike arrangements, but we had said nothing of the presence of
+the chevalier. I knew it would distress mademoiselle, nor was I sure
+that her heart would not dictate a surrender, and he would at last
+accomplish his purpose and bear her away with him, a willing captive,
+to France. We had only said that a suspicious band of Osages was
+lurking about, and we thought it wise to take some precautions.
+
+There was, on the Rue de l'Église, which was our direct way home, one
+spot peculiarly fitted for an ambuscade, where the road dipped
+suddenly into a deep gully and rose again on the farther side, and
+where, owing to the marshy nature of the soil, the forest had not been
+cleared away. It was a lonely bit of road, without houses on either
+side for a quarter of a mile, and I thought it more than likely that
+the chevalier would select this spot for an attack, if he intended to
+make one.
+
+To cheat him, if possible, we rode up the hill of the Rue de la Tour
+and turned to the left at the fort, which was dark and silent, a proof
+to me that the troops had left it, and had, no doubt, ere this rid the
+village of our enemy. The Rue des Granges, down which we rode, ran
+along the crest of the hill, and there was no marsh here to be
+crossed, and the gully had run out to a mere depression. We bore no
+torches, and moving as silently as possible through the blackness of
+the night, we hoped we might escape detection. But as we came to the
+head of the gully I glanced down, and at that moment a swift spark as
+from a tinder flashed into the air, followed by a steady glow, and I
+knew the chevalier was there and that, deeming himself securely hidden
+among the trees, he had just lighted a cigar to keep him company in
+his stealthy watch. And I knew, too, that if I but drew my pistol and
+took steady aim at that glow-worm in the dark there would be no more
+trouble or anxiety for any of us on mademoiselle's account. For one
+moment I hesitated, and Fatima, feeling the involuntary grasp of her
+bridle-rein, half stopped. But could I have brought my mind to the
+committing of a cold-blooded murder like that, the memory of
+mademoiselle's plea for the chevalier's safety would have palsied my
+arm. Yet my generosity had like to have been our undoing. What it was
+that betrayed us I know not. It may have been the tramp of our horses'
+feet, conveyed down the gully as by an ear-trumpet; or it is possible
+that in spite of the darkness our moving figures were silhouetted
+against the faint light in the western sky; or a stone, loosened by
+one of our horses, may have rolled down the gully to the chevalier's
+feet. Whatever it was, I knew we were discovered. There was suddenly a
+soft call of a whippoorwill from below us, answered quickly and softly
+by a half-dozen others, and then a sound as of hasty but cautious
+stirrings. I knew what it meant: they had seen us, and they would cut
+us off before we reached our gates. I gave a quick word of command:
+
+"Ride as hard and as fast as you can; never mind the noise you make.
+We are discovered! Our only hope of avoiding a fight is by reaching
+the gates first."
+
+Black Hawk and Yorke were off like a shot: Yorke, I have no doubt,
+with the intention of getting to cover as quickly as possible, but
+Black Hawk, I believe, after a scalp or two. I had to call to them
+both to come back and keep close to the ladies. Mademoiselle had
+uttered not a word, only urged her little La Bette to do her utmost,
+but madame, since the embargo of silence was removed, did not cease to
+utter a string of prayers and entreaties to "le bon Dieu" to save us
+all from the savages.
+
+We were on the crest of the hill, and looking down to the Rue de
+l'Église I could get an inkling of what progress the savages were
+making from an occasional flash of shining metal in a ray of light
+from some window; for though the hour was late the town was still
+astir from the governor's ball, and lights were in most of the houses.
+As yet they were some distance behind us, but though we were on horses
+and they afoot, they had a much shorter distance to travel and they
+were fleet runners. We were like a chain, only as strong as our
+weakest link; we were only as fleet as our slowest horse, and that was
+the one that bore madame's plump figure. La Bette was not much faster,
+and I began to get in a fever of impatience, as I could see the
+savages were steadily gaining on us. Should we meet them in that dark
+lane leading down from the Rue des Granges to the Rue de l'Église we
+were almost certainly at their mercy. In a few minutes it was evident
+to me that at our present rate of progress they were sure to meet us
+there, and there seemed no possible way of hurrying our two slow
+ponies. I would have turned back but that I believed the chevalier was
+sharp enough to have sent part of his men up the gully to cut off our
+retreat, should we attempt one. There was but one thing to do: Fatima
+had saved mademoiselle once; she should save her again. I leaned back
+of mademoiselle and spoke to Josef Papin:
+
+"We will never reach the house before the savages at this rate. I
+shall take mademoiselle on Fatima and get her safe inside the gates.
+You and Black Hawk follow me as quickly as possible, and the other
+three will remain to protect Madame Saugrain."
+
+Then I called a halt and explained my plan to the others. It needed
+but a word, and there was no demur but a low wail from Madame
+Saugrain, who, I make no doubt, believed Pelagie was going to certain
+death. Mademoiselle herself said nothing; I think for the first time
+she realized that the chevalier was leading the Osages and that their
+only aim was to get possession of her.
+
+My explanation had not consumed a minute, and as I finished it I
+turned in my saddle.
+
+"By your leave, Mademoiselle," I said, bent over and lifted her from
+La Bette's back (and never was I more thankful for my great strength
+and that she was but a feather-weight, else had the feat proved a
+difficult one) and placed her securely in front of me on Fatima. 'Twas
+not so comfortable a seat as at my back, no doubt, but I dared not
+risk her where I could not see what befell her. One word to Fatima:
+
+"Sweetheart, for our lives!" I laid the reins low on her neck, and we
+were off with a long swinging stride that soon left even Black Hawk
+and Papin far behind, though they were urging their good horses to the
+utmost.
+
+There was not a moment to be lost, for I could see that the savages
+were nearing the junction of the lane and the Rue de l'Église, and we
+must pass that point before them and ride some twenty paces down the
+Rue de l'Église before we should reach the gates and a safe refuge
+behind the walls of Émigré's Retreat. I did not cease to urge Fatima
+by my voice, though never touching her reins. One arm held
+mademoiselle securely, and my right hand lay on the holster of my
+pistol, ready for instant service.
+
+Out of the Rue des Granges we shot like a bolt, into the steep and
+rough lane leading down the hill. Had I not held mademoiselle so
+firmly I think that swift swerve at the sharp corner might have
+unseated us both. Faster and faster we flew, like a swallow on the
+wing, Fatima's dainty feet as surely placed among the rocks and holes
+of the rough road as if she had been pacing in Rotten Row. Well she
+knew that a misstep of hers now might mean death to all three of us,
+and well she knew that her master trusted her perfectly.
+
+I could feel mademoiselle's heart fluttering like a caged bird for
+terror; my own was beating like a trip-hammer, for I was near enough
+now to perceive that the savages too were redoubling their efforts and
+it was still a chance which of us would reach the corner of the Rue de
+l'Église first.
+
+"Faster, Sweetheart, faster!" I urged in an agony of apprehension as I
+pressed my knees close to Fatima's hot sides, and felt her breath
+beginning to come in long laboring moans as my great weight (with
+mademoiselle's added one, which might yet prove the last feather)
+began to tell on her. Bravely she responded to my voice and stretched
+out farther and faster at every stride, and in another moment, with
+another tremendous swerve, we had turned the corner into the Rue de
+l'Église with the foremost of the savages not twenty feet behind us. I
+expected nothing less than a bullet in my back, and was glad indeed
+that mademoiselle was in front of me, fully shielded by my broad
+shoulders, for I knew whatever befell me Fatima would carry
+mademoiselle into the garden and to the very door of Émigré's Retreat
+before any savage could possibly reach her. But I felt no bullet, nor
+did any whistle by my ears, and I wondered why, until I saw, what the
+savage possibly saw too in the dim light, that mademoiselle (whose
+head had been cowering on my breast like a child in great terror
+trying to hide from the sight of danger) had, as we turned into the
+Rue de l'Église, raised her head and looked boldly over my shoulder.
+
+I have no doubt the savage feared to shoot, lest he should hit that
+white face, and I did not doubt that was mademoiselle's plan, to use
+herself as a shield for me. I was very angry with her, but I had only
+time to draw her head roughly down on my shoulder again when we were
+within the gates and, in a dozen mighty strides, at the very door of
+Émigré's Retreat.
+
+At the sound of clattering hoofs, Narcisse and half a dozen servants,
+among them mademoiselle's maid, Clotilde, came running out on the
+gallery. I sprang from my horse and lifted mademoiselle down, in too
+great haste to be gentle, I fear.
+
+"Take your mistress into the house and bar every door and window!" I
+cried sharply. "The savages are after us!"
+
+It needed but that word "savages" to lend wings of terror to the
+usually slow and lazy movements of the negroes. With shrieks of women
+and shouts of men, they dragged mademoiselle into the house, and I
+heard the hasty putting up of bars. Then I turned to meet that one
+savage who was so far in advance and who must by this time have
+reached the gates. I had no fear, now that I was free of mademoiselle,
+for I felt myself good for two or three of them, and I could even now
+hear the clattering hoofs of Josef Papin's and Black Hawk's horse
+coming down the lane, and they were a host in themselves. But by the
+time I had reached the gate there was a great noise of shouts and
+firing and wild halloos at the corner, and I ran on, knowing that
+Papin and Black Hawk must have met the savages, and knowing that the
+two would be outnumbered and greatly in need of my assistance.
+
+But I had hardly got into the thick of the mêlée, cutting and slashing
+with my sword for fear a shot would go astray and hit one of my
+friends should I use my pistol, when the savages suddenly turned tail
+and ran off, disappearing in the night like shadows. For a moment I
+thought it was my prowess that had put them to flight, and I began in
+my heart to plume myself thereon. But only for a moment, for up the
+Rue des Granges and down the steep lane there came charging the
+belated troops of Spanish horsemen (they had stupidly been scouring
+the other end of the village, it seems), and would have charged full
+upon us, no doubt,--since in the dark one could not tell friend from
+foe,--had not young Papin called out in Spanish that we were friends
+and belonged to Dr. Saugrain's party. Whereupon the officer halted
+long enough to inquire in which direction the savages had fled, and
+with many a round Spanish oath that he would not leave one of the red
+dogs alive if he had to follow them to Cape Girardeau, he led his
+troop clattering off toward the stockade. And no sooner had they
+disappeared than down the steep lane came the rest of the party,
+Madame Saugrain half dead with fright (for she had heard the sounds of
+firing and of fighting, and feared the worst for Pelagie), the
+doughty doctor and my captain not a little disappointed that they
+should have missed the fray, and Yorke almost as much so, since it had
+turned out to be such an easy victory.
+
+But when I had told madame that Pelagie was safe in the house and the
+savages had fled and, except for a scratch on my forehead that scarce
+drew blood, no one was hurt (though at that very moment Black Hawk
+came creeping back out of the darkness hanging a dripping scalp to his
+belt, which when I perceived I was nigh sick unto death for a
+moment)--when I told her all this (and, fortunately, madame did not
+see Black Hawk's ugly trophy), she broke forth into a Te Deum and went
+happily up to the house, where Pelagie herself came running out to
+meet her, and they fell into each other's arms and, after the manner
+of women, wept long and loud for joy, though they had shed no tears
+when there might have been occasion for them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+"A PRETTY BOY!"
+
+    "And to be wroth with one we love
+    Doth work like madness in the brain."
+
+
+At the door of the house, Black Hawk and Yorke branched off to the
+servants' quarters, and I followed them to see what had become of
+Fatima, for I had left her standing beside the gallery when I ran back
+to meet the savage. I found her standing patiently by the stable door
+waiting to be let in, and she whinnied with delight as she heard my
+step. I called to Yorke to come and take care of her (for I was in
+haste to get back to the house), and at the sound of my voice Leon
+came rushing, in great bounds. Together we walked down to the well,
+that I might wash the blood from my face before presenting myself to
+the ladies. The well was in a low part of the grounds, some little
+distance from the house, and it was while I was vigorously splashing
+my hands and face that I heard a low growl from Leon. I looked up
+quickly and thought I caught the glimpse of a gun, and instinctively I
+sprang to one side, that if any one was aiming at me I might cheat him
+of his aim. At the same moment Leon sprang with a terrible roar
+straight at the spot where I had fancied I saw the metal shining and
+where now I was sure I heard the rustle of some one fleeing. I
+followed quickly after, for the thought of any human creature in the
+power of that great beast in rage was awful to me. Enemy or no, I
+would if possible save him from being torn to pieces by a furious dog.
+
+As I ran, I called to him as I had heard his mistress call, and in
+French, lest he might not understand English:
+
+"À bas, Leon! Tais-toi, mon ange!" But the words had no meaning for
+him in my gruff voice: it was the soft music of his mistress's tones
+he understood and obeyed. I heard another furious roar, a wild shriek
+as of a creature in mortal fear or pain, and then a shot. I was on the
+spot almost before the shot had ceased to ring in my ears. There lay
+Leon on the white snow, a dark mass writhing in what I feared was a
+death-struggle, and above him stood the chevalier, his smoking pistol
+in his hand. I knew as soon as I saw him in Indian costume that he was
+the savage who had been the foremost of his band, who had followed us
+so closely and had disappeared when I had gone to seek him. It was in
+the doctor's garden he had disappeared and lain in hiding to
+accomplish the capture or execute a revenge later.
+
+My own pistol was in my hand, and I covered him with it. In that
+moment of rage when Leon, whom I had learned to love and who loved
+me,--Leon, _her_ dog,--great, beautiful, tried and trusty companion
+and friend,--lay dying from a shot from that villain's hand: in that
+moment of rage I came near putting an end at once and forever to a
+life that I believed could never be anything but a curse to any mortal
+associated with it. But the words of Pelagie rang in my ears and
+stayed my hand:
+
+"If it is in your power, save the chevalier!"
+
+His own pistol was empty and he knew himself to be at my mercy, and
+that his life was worth no more than the snuffing out of a candle;
+yet, to do him justice, he held his ground and returned my gaze as
+fearlessly as he might have done had we stood with drawn swords, each
+ready for the thrust and parry.
+
+The old moon had but lately risen, and, hanging low in the eastern
+sky, her level rays fell full on the chevalier's face. It was white
+enough, but that might have been the effect of her sickly light
+reflected from the ghostly snow; the daredevil in his eyes said
+plainly as words, "Do your worst!"
+
+For a full half-minute I kept him covered, and for a full half-minute
+he returned my steady gaze. Then suddenly there arose from the house
+the noise of doors opening and shutting and the hurried tramp of feet.
+I knew what it meant. The shot had been heard and they were coming to
+see what had happened. In a moment they would all be upon us,--my
+captain, the doctor, young Papin, yes, and Yorke and Black Hawk
+too,--and there would be no possibility of saving the chevalier.
+
+He heard the noise, also, and he too knew what it meant. For one
+instant his eyes wavered and he looked as if he would turn and run,
+spite of my threatening pistol. Only for an instant, and then he drew
+himself up proudly and threw back his head.
+
+"Fire, Monsieur," he said: "Why do you wait to let others share the
+glory?"
+
+For answer I lowered my pistol.
+
+"Monsieur," I said, "you richly deserve death, and for a moment you
+were in deadly peril; but Mademoiselle Pelagie, whom you would basely
+wrong, pleads for you, and I spare your life at her intercession. If
+you will turn and run directly south, there is a low place in the
+wall, and on this side a pile of logs by which you may easily scale
+it, and almost directly opposite a narrow opening in the stockade
+through which you can force your way. But you must run for your life.
+I will remain here and do what I can to prevent pursuit; 'twill be no
+easy matter to keep Black Hawk off your trail."
+
+Yet he did not start at once. He hesitated and his eyes fell; then he
+looked up quickly and half extended his hand.
+
+"Monsieur, you have been a generous foe; will you permit that I clasp
+your hand?"
+
+But a flood of memories rushed over me: his unswording me in the
+dance; his attempt to steal mademoiselle at the picnic and to poison
+her mind against her friends; this second attempt, where it was
+through no fault of his that we were not all dead men and mademoiselle
+far on her way to Cape Girardeau, in the power of savages and a
+villain more to be dreaded than they. I put my hand behind me and said
+coldly:
+
+"My hand belongs to my friends and to a foe whom I can honor.
+Monsieur, if you tarry longer, I will not be responsible for your
+life."
+
+Even in the pale light I could see the deep flush sweep his cheek and
+his hand spring involuntarily to his sword-hilt. But he thought better
+of it, turned, and strode quickly away toward the low spot in the
+stone wall.
+
+Then I had leisure to think of poor Leon. I knelt down beside him,
+where a dark pool was rapidly widening in the white snow. I could see
+where the red fountain gushed from a wound in his shoulder. It was
+possible no vital part had been touched and he might be saved could
+that gushing fountain of life-blood be stanched. As it was, his eyes
+were already glazing and his limbs stiffening and his breath coming in
+long-drawn sobs, like a man in extremity. He was like to breathe his
+last before even those hurrying feet, fast drawing near, should reach
+him. I knew enough of surgery to know that I must apply a tight
+bandage above the wound; but where should I find a bandage? My flimsy
+lace handkerchief was worse than useless. There was no help for it:
+the purple silken sword-sash, of which I was mightily proud, whose
+long fringed ends, tied in a graceful knot, fell almost to my knees,
+must be sacrificed. I hastily unknotted it, and tenderly as possible,
+that I might not hurt the poor fellow more than needs must (for his
+flesh quivered under my touch), I bound it round the shoulder and with
+all my strength drew it tight. Quickly the gushing fountain stayed,
+and then taking from my pocket a flask that my mother herself had
+always bid me carry, I forced a few drops into his fast-setting jaws.
+I knew I had done the right thing when, by the time they had all come
+up, Leon had lifted his head and was feebly licking my hand.
+
+Their first exclamations of horror were followed by a hail of
+questions:
+
+"Who has done this?" "Where is he?" "Did you see him?" "How did it
+happen?"
+
+To all their questions I made but one answer:
+
+"I heard the shot, and ran up to find Leon lying on the ground, dying
+as I believed, and I have done what I could to help him."
+
+"And you have saved his life, or, at least, if he lives, he will have
+only you to thank," said Dr. Saugrain, who had been on his knees
+beside Leon, examining him.
+
+"You and your silken sash," he added, with the old twinkle of his eye.
+"'Twas a noble sacrifice, and we all appreciate how great a one."
+
+The good doctor was ever twitting me on what he was pleased to call my
+love of dress; but I made him no answer this time, for I was watching
+Black Hawk, who, with an Indian's cunning, had at once discovered the
+footprints in the snow and that there was but one pair of them, and
+was stealing off after them. That would never do.
+
+"Great Chief," I cried, "'tis no use following the Red Dog; he has had
+too long a start. Will you help us to carry the dog of La Petite to
+the house, where we can put him in a warm bed? 'Twill never do to let
+him lie in the snow, and 'twill take us all to carry him comfortably."
+
+Black Hawk hesitated, and then grunted out an unwilling consent. I
+think it seemed to him somewhat beneath the dignity of a great chief
+to carry a dog, and only because of his love for La Petite did he
+bring his mind to it. Nor did my little fiction about the Red Dog
+deceive him.
+
+"No Red Dog," he grunted. "White Wolf! Trail fresh. Black Hawk bring
+his scalp to La Petite."
+
+But the doctor saved me the necessity of arguing further with him.
+
+"Red Dog or White Wolf, Black Hawk," he said, "n'importe! 'Tis the
+mastiff we must look to now. A sad day 'twould be for all of us should
+he die; so lend a hand, vite, vite!"
+
+And this from the doctor, who had told me when I first met him he
+would not have cared had I killed Leon, for he loved him not. The
+truth was that the doctor's devotion to Leon and Leon's to him were
+second only to the devotion of the dog and his mistress to each other,
+though, owing to the fact that Leon often stalked into his laboratory
+at inopportune moments, sometimes spoiling the most delicate
+experiment by poking his great inquisitive muzzle where it did not
+belong, the doctor's patience was sometimes tried almost beyond the
+limit of endurance.
+
+The doctor's exhortation, uttered in a sharp and clipping way peculiar
+to him when excited, was effectual. Very tenderly between us all we
+managed to lift the mastiff, and bore him to the negroes' quarters,
+where, in Narcisse's cabin, we made him a warm bed and washed and
+dressed his wound, and left him in a fair way to recovery.
+
+I was a little behind the others in reaching the house, for I had
+delayed about some last arrangements for Leon's comfort, and then it
+had been necessary that I should make a hasty toilet. Hands and face
+were soiled with blood and grime (my purple velvets I feared were
+ruined forever, but I would not take the time to change them), and my
+hair was in much disorder. A hasty scrubbing of hands and face and a
+retying of my hair-ribbon to try to confine the rebellious yellow
+curls that were tumbling all over my head, and that I so much
+despised, were all I permitted myself time for. Yet the few minutes I
+had lingered had been long enough for the launching of a thunderbolt,
+and I arrived just at the moment to see the havoc it had made.
+
+Mademoiselle in her ball-dress had thrown herself on her knees beside
+madame, her white arms flung around madame's neck, her face buried in
+her motherly bosom, sobbing piteously. Madame gently stroked the dark
+curls, saying over and over only the same words, "My child, my child,
+my poor child!" while the tears flowed down her own cheeks all
+unnoticed.
+
+The doctor stood beside her, patting as he could her white arm or dark
+curls or tender cheek, and saying helplessly:
+
+"Voilà, voilà! Quoi donc! N'importe, n'importe!" and many other as
+senseless words, and growing every moment more hopeless and helpless
+as mademoiselle but wept the more bitterly.
+
+On the other side of the room stood young Papin, pale and rigid as if
+carved in stone, his eyes fixed on mademoiselle. I feared that for him
+too it had been a bitter blow, for I could not doubt that it was the
+announcement of mademoiselle's departure on the morrow that had
+created such consternation.
+
+The captain had discreetly turned his back and was looking out of the
+window. At the sound of my entrance he turned and beckoned me to him.
+
+"I fear 'twill never do," he whispered; "the maiden is breaking her
+heart."
+
+As if she had heard his words, mademoiselle lifted her head, and
+though her face was tear-stained and her hair hanging in disheveled
+locks about it, it was still the most beautiful face I had ever seen.
+
+At sight of me she flung her head back, and her eyes flashed. She
+extended one round white arm toward me, and in tones of bitter scorn
+she exclaimed:
+
+"It is you, you, Monsieur, who have done this! I will not leave my
+guardians and my home and go away with you! You would not hear of my
+going with the chevalier, yet he was a French gentleman, and not
+merely a pretty boy!"
+
+Madame and the doctor tried in vain to stop her tirade. She was in a
+fury; such blazing eyes, such crimson cheeks, and voice quivering with
+scorn. For a moment I was abashed and would have liked to slink out of
+sight. But when she was so ungenerous as to call me "a pretty boy,"
+the fire returned to my heart, and I too drew myself up proudly.
+
+"Mademoiselle, listen to me!" I said sternly. "I have but a few
+minutes ago spared the chevalier's life when I had him at my mercy,
+and shown him the way to escape from your friends here, who were
+running at the sound of his shot, and who, had they found him in Dr.
+Saugrain's grounds, would have made short work with him, I fear." (I
+could not but note out of the corner of my eye while I was speaking
+the quick start of young Papin at this announcement, the eager
+interest of my captain, and the doctor's look of dismay.)
+
+"I spared him, and I told him that I spared him, only because you had
+begged me to do my utmost to save him if he should ever fall into my
+power. I cannot believe that he would have treated me or any one of
+your friends with the like courtesy. He is now well on his way to Cape
+Girardeau, but I think he is not gone so far but that he can be easily
+overtaken. Black Hawk is ready to set out at once; indeed, it is with
+much difficulty that I have restrained him from so doing. Then, if you
+desire it, and Dr. Saugrain and madame approve, you can return to
+France under the chevalier's protection."
+
+I lifted my hand as the doctor and his wife both started to speak.
+
+"Nay, my friends, permit that mademoiselle first tells me her
+pleasure."
+
+Then, as mademoiselle (whose eyes were no longer flashing with scorn,
+but regarding me with the same wonder I had seen in them before) did
+not speak, I said, if possible with greater sternness:
+
+"Speak at once, mademoiselle: shall we send for the chevalier and
+bring him back? There is no time to be lost; every minute is carrying
+him away from you as fast as a very good pair of legs for running can
+take him."
+
+I hope I did not exceed the limits of courtesy in so speaking of the
+chevalier, but it was hard to resist a little fling at the "French
+gentleman" to whom the "pretty boy" had been so disparagingly
+compared. I caught a twinkle in the doctor's eye and a fleeting smile
+on young Papin's face and on my captain's, but I looked only at
+mademoiselle. She was meek enough now, but she no longer looked at me;
+her dark lashes were sweeping her cheek.
+
+"You need not send for him," she said.
+
+"Then, mademoiselle," I went on, a little more gently, "it seems to me
+and to your friends that the only other way to return to France is the
+way we have planned. You will be as safe under Captain Clarke's care
+as you would be under Dr. Saugrain's. He will take you to his sister,
+Mrs. O'Fallon, who will be as a mother to you, until a suitable escort
+can be found for you to New York to place you under Mr. Livingston's
+care. As for me, I shall not in any way annoy you: you need not know I
+am on the boat; and as soon as you are placed in Mrs. O'Fallon's care
+I shall say good-by to you forever, and continue my journey east,
+since it is indeed time I should be starting homeward. Dr. and Madame
+Saugrain will assure you that this is the most feasible plan, and I
+hope once more that you will not be deterred from accepting it by any
+fear of annoyance from me. There will be none. If you decide to go
+with us, we must make an early start, and there will be many things
+for me to attend to. Captain Clarke will inform me of your decision,
+and I will see Dr. Saugrain and madame in the morning. Till then, I
+wish you all a very good night."
+
+I made my grand bow, turned quickly, and left the room, though Dr.
+Saugrain and his wife both tried to stay me, and young Papin sprang
+forward with an eager hand to prevent me.
+
+I was bitterly angry, and more hurt and disappointed than angry.
+Outside I strode furiously up and down in the snow, calling myself a
+fool that I should care. Mademoiselle might be a great lady in France,
+I said to myself, but to me she had shown herself only a fickle,
+capricious, silly maiden. But even as I so spoke to myself my heart
+revolted. I saw her once more weeping in madame's arms, and I began to
+think it was only natural and commendable in her that she should be so
+stirred at the thought of leaving friends who had been so good to her,
+and that I had been much harder with her than was well.
+
+And at last, as I began to walk myself into a calmer frame of mind, I
+could have wished that I had not made that rash promise to keep myself
+out of her sight on the boat. My word was given and I would have to
+stick to it, but in my own room, as I listened to the murmur of voices
+still going on in the room below me, I thought no longer with anger,
+but sadly enough, of the long delightful tête-à-têtes with
+mademoiselle I had dreamed of when I had first planned this trip on
+the Great River.
+
+A bright drop suddenly fell on my hand. I brushed my eyes angrily.
+
+"Domtiferation!" I whispered furiously to myself. "Mademoiselle was
+right! A pretty boy indeed!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A CREOLE LOVE-SONG
+
+    "So sweetly she bade me adieu,
+    I thought that she bade me return."
+
+
+For three days we had been floating down the Great River, and for
+three days I had kept my word. Mademoiselle had not been annoyed by
+me; she had hardly seen me. Much to my captain's vexation, I had
+refused to take my meals with him and mademoiselle, though our cozy
+table of three had been one of the brightest parts of my dream when I
+was planning this trip.
+
+It was nearing the supper-hour on the evening of this third day. The
+men were making ready to tie up for the night (for navigation on the
+river at night was a dangerous matter), and for the hundredth time I
+was wishing with all my heart that I had not been so rash as to make
+that promise to keep out of mademoiselle's way. The vision of a hot
+supper comfortably served in her warm and cozy cabin was of itself
+sufficiently enticing, as all my meals since coming aboard had been
+brought to me in any out-of-the-way corner of the deck, and I had
+found them but cold comfort. Not that my resolution was weakening,
+though my captain let no meal-hour pass without doing his best to
+weaken it, and more than once had brought me a message from
+mademoiselle herself begging me to join them at table. No; I was as
+fixed as ever, and, in a way, enjoying my own discomfort, since to
+pose as a martyr ever brings with it a certain satisfaction which is
+its own reward.
+
+The weather had been clear and mild up to this time; but this evening
+an icy sleet was beginning to fall, and I glanced at mademoiselle's
+cabin window, brightly lighted and eloquent of warmth and dryness, and
+fetched a great sigh as I looked. A voice at my elbow said:
+
+"Monsieur is sad?--or lonely, perhaps?"
+
+I started, for I had supposed myself entirely alone on that end of the
+boat--the men all busy with their tying-up preparations forward, and
+mademoiselle and the captain in the cabin. I lifted my hat and bowed
+ceremoniously.
+
+"Neither, Mademoiselle."
+
+Mademoiselle hesitated. I saw she felt repulsed, and I secretly
+gloried in her embarrassment. Neither would I help her out by adding
+another word; I waited for what she might say further.
+
+"Monsieur," she said presently, "you have shown me much kindness in
+the past, and done me great service. I would like to have you know
+that I am not ungrateful."
+
+"I do not desire your gratitude, Mademoiselle," I said coldly (though
+it hurt me to speak so when she was so evidently trying to be friendly
+with me). "No gentleman could have done less, even if he were not a
+French gentleman."
+
+The light from her cabin window fell full upon her. I could see that
+she colored quickly at my retort, and half started to go away, but
+turned back again.
+
+"Monsieur," she said earnestly, "I have a very humble apology to make
+to you. I hope you will forgive me for my rude and wicked speech. I
+was beside myself with sorrow at the thought of being so suddenly torn
+from my friends, and for the time nothing else weighed with me, not
+even that you had just saved my life at the peril of your own. Ah, how
+could I have been so base! I wonder not that you will not even look at
+so mean a creature, and you do well to shun her as if she were vile."
+
+No man could have resisted her sweet humility. For a moment all my
+anger melted.
+
+"Mademoiselle, do not apologize to me!" I cried. "If there are any
+apologies to be made, it is I who should make them for not knowing how
+to understand and appreciate what you felt."
+
+A quick radiance sprang into her eyes, and with a childlike abandon
+she extended both her hands to me.
+
+"Then you forgive me?" she cried.
+
+I took one hand and held it in both mine, and as I bent my knee I
+lifted it to my lips.
+
+"If I am forgiven, my Queen," I answered softly.
+
+Her dark eyes, tender and glorious, looked down into mine. For a
+moment I forgot she was a great lady in France; to me she was only the
+most bewitching and adorable maiden in the wide world. She was
+wearing a heavy capote to shield her from the weather, but the hood
+had fallen slightly back, and the falling sleet had spangled the
+little fringe of curls about her face with diamonds that sparkled in
+the candle-shine, but were not half so bright as her starry eyes. I
+could have knelt forever on the icy deck if I might have gazed forever
+into their heavenly depths. But in a minute she let the white lids
+fall over them.
+
+"Rise, Monsieur," she said gently. "You are forgiven, but on one
+condition."
+
+"Name it, my Queen!" And I rose to my feet, but still held her hand.
+"No condition can be too hard."
+
+"That you come to supper with us to-night, and to every meal while I
+am on your boat."
+
+The condition fetched me back to earth with a shock. I remembered all
+the cause, and I answered moodily:
+
+"My word has been given, Mademoiselle; I cannot go back on my word."
+
+"Your word was given to me, and I absolve you from it," she said.
+
+"But in the presence of others," I objected. "I am bound by it, unless
+I be shamed before them."
+
+"Only your captain is here," she said, still gently; "and he, too,
+urges it."
+
+But still I was obdurate. Then at last she drew away her hand and
+lifted her head proudly.
+
+"Your Queen commands you!" she said haughtily, and turned and walked
+away. Yet she walked but slowly. Perhaps she thought I would overtake
+her, or call her back and tell her I had yielded. But I was still
+fighting with my stubborn pride, and let her go. I watched her close
+her cabin door, then for five minutes I strode rapidly up and down,
+the slippery deck.
+
+"Your Queen commands you!" I thrilled at her words. My Queen! Yes, but
+only if I were her king. Now that I was away from her, and her glowing
+eyes were not melting my heart to softest wax, I was resolved never
+again to submit to her tyranny and caprice. I would go to supper,
+because she commanded it; but I would never for a moment forget that
+she was a great lady of France, and I a proud citizen of America--too
+proud to woo where I could only meet with scorn.
+
+So I went to my cabin and made a careful toilet, and when Yorke came
+to call me to supper, I presented myself in mademoiselle's cabin. I
+had not been in it since she had come aboard, and, though I had
+carefully planned and arranged every detail of it for her comfort, I
+would not have known it for the same place. What she had done to it I
+know not; a touch here, a touch there, such as women's fingers know
+how to give, and the bare and rough boat's cabin had become a dainty
+little boudoir. The round table, draped in snowy linen, with places
+set for three; the silver and glass shining in the rays from two tall
+candles; Yorke and mademoiselle's maid Clotilde bringing in each a
+smoking dish to set upon it; and mademoiselle standing beside it like
+the glowing heart of a ruby, her dark beauty well set off by a gown of
+crimson paduasoy, with rich lace through which the graceful neck and
+rounded arms gleamed white and soft: it all looked to me like a
+picture from one of Master Titian's canvases, and I could hardly
+believe that if I should look through the closely drawn curtains I
+would see the rough and dirty decks of our barge, and, beyond, the
+dark forest of the Illinois shore, where even now hostile savages
+might be lurking, ready to spring upon us with blood-curdling yells.
+
+The captain was already there, chatting gaily with mademoiselle as I
+came in, and he had the delicacy to make his greeting of me as natural
+and unsurprised as if I had never been absent from the little board,
+while mademoiselle added a touch of gracious cordiality to hers.
+
+I was on my mettle. Determined that never again, even to herself,
+should she call me a boy, I summoned to my aid all the _savoir-faire_
+I could command. I was (at least, in my own estimation, and I hoped
+also in hers) the elegant man of the world, discoursing at ease on
+every fashionable topic, and, to my own amazement, parrying every
+thrust of her keen repartee, and sometimes sending her as keen in
+return. I think the situation had gone to my head. Certainly I had
+never before thought myself a brilliant fellow, but when I rose to
+make my bow to mademoiselle (and it was indeed a very grand one), I
+hoped that even in her mind I would not suffer by comparison with any
+French gentleman, no, though it were the chevalier himself.
+
+I did not see mademoiselle again until the midday meal next day; for
+all the morning I was busy with the men, making the difficult and
+dangerous turn from the Great River into the Ohio, past Fort Massac.
+Once in the Ohio, there was no surcease from hard work--poling,
+paddling, or cordelling, sometimes all three together, to climb the
+rushing stream.
+
+Punctually at the noon-hour I presented myself at table, and again at
+supper, and my good star did not desert me. Quip and repartee and
+merry tale and polished phrase were all at my tongue's end, and no one
+could have been more amazed than I at my own brilliancy.
+
+But I lingered not a moment after the meal was over, and I never saw
+mademoiselle between times. If she came out to take the air on deck, I
+was hard at work with the men, sometimes taking my turn at paddling,
+sometimes, though not often, at poling; but our crew of French
+Canadians were better at that than I. Indeed, there are no such
+fellows in the world for navigating these dangerous Western waters.
+
+The weather had grown mild, and often in the evening I envied Yorke
+(who had straightway, of course, made desperate love to Clotilde, who
+was old enough to be his mother), sitting in the bow of the boat and
+thrumming his banjo lightly as he sang her some creole love-song he
+had picked up in St. Louis.
+
+Our trip was fast drawing to a close. The last evening on the river
+had arrived. We would tie up one more night; all hands at the cordelle
+and the poles, we would reach Mrs. O'Fallon's by noon, in time for
+dinner. I had determined not to linger there at all. I should go on,
+the same afternoon, to my uncle's plantation, not many miles away,
+and the next day start for the East. I had told mademoiselle I would
+say good-by to her forever when we reached Mrs. O'Fallon's, but in my
+own mind I was saying good-by to her now. It had been for several days
+that I had felt the weight of this approaching hour, and my brilliance
+had gradually departed. I had grown duller and quieter at each
+succeeding meal, and mademoiselle, too, had grown quieter (she could
+never be dull). Sometimes I fancied she looked sad, and once I was
+sure I recognized the trace of tears in her beautiful eyes. There was
+nothing strange in that; it would have been strange indeed if she
+could have left home and friends, and started on a long and dangerous
+journey (with no companion but the faithful negro woman who had been
+nurse and lady's-maid and trusted friend for ten long years, but who
+was still but servant and slave), and had not often been overcome with
+sadness. Indeed, there were times, when she was merriest at the table,
+when I had mentally accused her of heartlessness as I thought of the
+two fond old people mourning for her in Émigré's Retreat. So, though I
+would have liked to attribute some of mademoiselle's sadness to an
+approaching separation, I had no grounds for so doing, and I scoffed
+at myself for the attempt.
+
+That last night at supper I made a desperate effort to be my gayest,
+but it was uphill work, and the more so because neither the captain
+nor mademoiselle seconded my efforts with any heartiness; so when
+supper was ended, feeling that the hour had at last come, I stood as
+mademoiselle rose from her seat, and instead of excusing myself at
+once, as had been my custom, I lingered.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "we have had our last meal aboard together
+(God prospering our voyage), and I desire to thank you for your
+courtesy, and to say to you that whatever there may have been in our
+intercourse during our brief acquaintance not pleasant to either of us
+to hold in remembrance, I hope you will banish it from your memory, as
+I shall from mine. I shall think of these weeks always as among the
+brightest of my life, and perhaps, had I been a chevalier of France
+instead of an American boy, I should not so easily have said good-by
+to the Rose of St. Louis; it would have been au revoir instead!"
+
+I was standing as I said it all formally, with the air of one making
+pretty compliments: for I did not wish mademoiselle to know how every
+word was from the depths of my heart; nor would I have lightly
+betrayed myself before my captain, who was not apparently listening,
+but had turned to give some instructions to Yorke.
+
+Mademoiselle's color came and went as I spoke. She did not answer me
+for a moment, and when she did it was in a low tone, and she seemed to
+speak with effort:
+
+"Monsieur, you are ungenerous! You will never forgive my unhappy
+speech. Permit me to say you have taught me that a chevalier of France
+may be outshone by an American gentleman in bravery, manliness, truth,
+and honor--in every virtue except the doubtful one of knowing how to
+utter pleasant insincerities to us maidens. And I will not say
+good-by. Am I not to see you again?"
+
+"I will certainly see you in the morning, Mademoiselle, but there may
+be no time for more than a word, and so I take this opportunity to say
+good-by."
+
+"I will not say good-by, Monsieur"--with the old wilful toss of the
+head. "I will tell your captain he is not to let you go back to
+Philadelphia so soon. But no matter where you go, I will never say
+good-by; it shall always be au revoir."
+
+She smiled up at me with such bewitching grace that perforce I smiled
+back at her, and if she had but asked me this evening, as she had on
+many others, to linger in her cozy cabin for a game of piquet, I would
+not have had the courage to say no. But she did not ask me, and, much
+as I longed to stay, there was nothing for me to do but to pick up my
+hat and say, with the best grace I could:
+
+"I thank you with all my heart, Mademoiselle, and, for to-night at
+least, au revoir!"
+
+An hour later my captain and I were leaning on the rail in the stern
+of the boat, looking up at the tree-crowned bluffs standing dark
+against the moonlight and listening to the soft lapping of the water
+against the boat's sides. We did not realize that we were hidden by a
+great pile of peltries, as high as our heads, which Captain Clarke was
+taking back to Kentucky with him to sell on commission for Pierre
+Chouteau, until we heard voices. Mademoiselle and Clotilde had
+evidently found a seat on the other side of the pile of pelts, and
+mademoiselle was speaking in plaintive tone:
+
+"And they would not let me bring Leon with me! He at least would have
+loved me and been a companion and protector when all the world forsake
+me."
+
+Then Clotilde's rich negro voice:
+
+"Mademoiselle, I find out why they not let you bring Leon. Mr. Yorke
+tell me last night. Leon shot, the night before we come away."
+
+There was a heartrending cry, and then a torrent of swift French:
+
+"Leon shot! My Leon! Why have they not told me? Oh, the villains! Who
+shot him, Clotilde? My poor angel! My Leon! No one left to love your
+poor mistress!" And much more that I cannot recall, I was so excited
+and angry that that rascal Yorke should have caused her such needless
+pain. But every word of Clotilde's next speech was graven on my heart
+as with a knife of fire.
+
+"Mr. Yorke say they all hear the shot, and they all run out to see
+what the matter, and there stood the lieutenant with pistol in his
+hand, and Yorke say he don' _think_ he shoot him, but--"
+
+Clotilde had no chance to say another word.
+
+"Shoot my Leon! He! Ah, I could not have believed such baseness! He
+never forgave him for throwing him down-stairs! His last act before
+leaving Émigré's Retreat! Oh, mon Dieu, what perfidy! What a monster!"
+
+And every word was so interrupted with sighs and moans and sobs as
+would have melted a heart of stone.
+
+As for me, I was nearly turned to stone, such horror did I feel that
+she should think me guilty of so base a deed. I had no thought of
+acting in my self-defense, but my captain started up at once with a
+quick exclamation, and, seizing my arm, dragged me around the pile of
+pelts. There was mademoiselle, seated on a low bundle of them, weeping
+as if her heart would break, and Clotilde trying in vain to stay the
+torrent she had set loose.
+
+"Mademoiselle," said the captain, quickly, "there has been some
+terrible mistake. It was the chevalier who shot Leon; it was this lad"
+(laying his arm affectionately across my shoulders) "who saved his
+life."
+
+Now half the joy of this speech to me was taken out of it by the
+captain's way of treating me as a boy--I think the captain never
+thought of me in any other light; and I made up my mind on the instant
+that I should seize the very first opportunity to beg him, at least in
+mademoiselle's presence, to treat me as a man.
+
+But mademoiselle was so concerned with the matter of the captain's
+speech, she paid no heed to its manner; and it chagrined me not a
+little that her first thought was for Leon, and not that I was
+innocent.
+
+"Saved his life!" she cried. "Is my Leon alive?"
+
+"He is, Mademoiselle," I said coldly, "and I have every reason to
+believe he is doing well. My 'last act' before leaving Émigré's
+Retreat was to visit him in Narcisse's cabin. I renewed his dressing,
+and left minute instructions as to his care. We had thought to spare
+you this anxiety, Mademoiselle, but two blundering servants have
+undone our plans."
+
+"Ah, Monsieur," cried mademoiselle, impetuously, springing to her feet
+and extending both her hands to me in her pretty French fashion, "how
+unjust I have been to you! How can I ever thank you enough for your
+care of my poor Leon? Your last act in the cold and dark of the early
+morning, and the hurry of departure, to see that my Leon was taken
+care of, and I have accused you of making it one of base revenge! Ah,
+Monsieur, can you ever forgive me?" half whispering.
+
+I had taken her hands and was holding them as I looked down into her
+radiant eyes. I bent low and kissed them both, first one and then the
+other, as I said (very low, so that the captain and Clotilde should
+not hear):
+
+"Mademoiselle, I can forgive you everything."
+
+But I needed not to speak so low, for when I lifted my head the
+captain and Clotilde had both disappeared. And whither they had gone,
+or why, I neither knew nor cared. For now a mad intoxication seized
+me. This was the last evening I should ever spend with mademoiselle in
+this world; why should I not enjoy it to the full? For the hundredth
+time we had had our misunderstanding and it had cleared away; now
+there should be no more misunderstandings, no more coldness, nothing
+but joy in the warm sunshine of her smiles.
+
+So I begged her once more to be seated and to atone for all that was
+unkind in the past by letting me talk to her. There could have been no
+better place, outside of her cozy cabin, for this long-dreamed-of
+tête-à-tête, which now at last was to have a realization, than this
+she had herself chosen. The pile of pelts at her back kept off the
+east wind, the young moon in the west shone full upon her face, so
+that I could feast my eyes upon its glorious beauty (for the last
+time, I said to myself) and interpret every changing expression.
+
+And yet, just at first, I was afraid I was going to be disappointed,
+after all. Mademoiselle was embarrassed and constrained, and it was
+I--I, the gauche and unsophisticated "boy"--who had to gently disarm
+her fears and lead her back to her bright and natural way. And this is
+how I did it. Mademoiselle had seated herself at my request, almost
+awkwardly, if awkwardness were possible to her, so much afraid was she
+she was not doing quite the proper thing.
+
+"I cannot imagine what has become of Clotilde," she said nervously. "I
+did not send her away."
+
+"I think she has gone to find Yorke and set him right about Leon," I
+answered, smiling.
+
+She smiled slightly in return, but still with some embarrassment.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "have you observed that Yorke has been making
+himself very agreeable to Clotilde?"
+
+"What folly!" she exclaimed. "Clotilde is an old woman. I spoke to her
+about it quite seriously to-day."
+
+"And what did she say, Mademoiselle?"
+
+"She said that she found Yorke most entertaining. 'One must be
+amused,' were her words, and she made me feel very young with her
+worldly wisdom. 'We do not contemplate matrimony, Mam'selle, but Mr.
+Yorke and I both think there may be an affinity of spirit, regardless
+of difference in age'! I was amazed at her philosophical attitude."
+
+"How did you reply to her, Mademoiselle?"
+
+"She quite took my breath away, but I only said, 'Clotilde, you will
+oblige me by seeing as little as possible of Yorke on the remainder of
+the trip.' I had fully intended to keep her with me this evening, and
+now she has slipped away. I think I ought to go and find her," half
+rising as she spoke.
+
+"By no means," I answered quickly. "Indeed, I am quite on Clotilde's
+side."
+
+"On Clotilde's side! Impossible, Monsieur! Such arrant nonsense!"
+
+All this time I had been standing, for from a maidenly shyness (rather
+new in her, and which I liked) she would not ask me to sit beside her,
+and there was no other seat. Now I said:
+
+"Mademoiselle, if you will permit me to share your bundle of pelts, I
+believe I can prove to you that it is not such arrant nonsense, after
+all."
+
+"Certainly, Monsieur," a little stiffly; "I am sorry to have kept you
+standing so long."
+
+She drew her skirts a little aside, and I sat down, quite at the other
+end of the bundle of pelts, but nearer to her than I had been in many
+long days. Then, in a purposely didactic and argumentative way, I
+cited to her all the instances in history I could think of, winding up
+with Cleopatra and Ninon de l'Enclos, until by entering into the
+argument she had entirely forgotten herself and her embarrassment.
+Then suddenly into a little break in our conversation there came the
+clear whinny of Fatima. She was on the other boat, tied close to ours,
+and as we were in the stern and she in the bow, she had no doubt heard
+her master's voice and was calling him. I was greatly tempted to call
+her by the whistle she knew, but I did not quite dare. She would have
+broken all possible bounds to come to me in answer to that whistle,
+and I would not have been surprised to see her clear the space between
+the two boats.
+
+"That was Fatima," mademoiselle said, and sighed a little.
+
+"Yes," I said, "and I think I could tell what your sigh meant."
+
+"Did I sigh?"
+
+"Yes, and it meant, 'I wish it were Leon.'"
+
+"Yes," she said; "I was thinking how much Fatima loves you, and Leon,
+too, as soon as he was able to forgive your disgracing him so. I think
+all dogs and horses love you, Monsieur."
+
+"That is because I love them, Mademoiselle."
+
+"Does love always beget love?"
+
+"Not always, Mademoiselle; sometimes it begets scorn."
+
+"Then I suppose the love dies?"
+
+"No, Mademoiselle; unhappily, it but grows the stronger."
+
+"That is folly, is it not?"
+
+"Mademoiselle, if you will allow me to be a philosopher like
+Clotilde--love has no regard for sense or wisdom, else would Yorke
+love one of his own age, and I would love one of my own country and my
+own rank."
+
+She said not a word for a long time, but sat with downcast eyes.
+Suddenly she lifted them, and they shone with a softer radiance than I
+had ever seen in them before.
+
+"Of what were you thinking, Mademoiselle?" I said gently.
+
+She hesitated a moment, and then like the soft sigh of a zephyr came
+her words:
+
+"I was wishing you were a chevalier of France."
+
+"And I, Mademoiselle, was wishing you were a maiden of St. Louis, as I
+supposed you were when I first saw you."
+
+"I would not have been of your country, even then," she said, with
+delicious shyness, half looking at me, half looking away in pretty
+confusion.
+
+"Not now, but you soon would be. St. Louis will belong to us some
+day."
+
+"Never!" She spoke in hot haste, all the patriot firing within her,
+and looking full at me with flashing eyes. "St. Louis will be French
+some day, as it used to be, I believe with all my heart; but American,
+_never_!"
+
+"Mademoiselle, we had a wager once. Shall we have one more?"
+
+"Is it that St. Louis will one day be American?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I am very willing to wager on that, for it is a certainty for me.
+What shall be the stakes?"
+
+"Mademoiselle, they would be very high."
+
+"I am not afraid."
+
+I thought for a moment, and then I shook my head.
+
+"Mademoiselle, I dare not. I am sure St. Louis will one day be ours,
+but the time may be long, and by that day the worst may have happened.
+You may have found your chevalier of France."
+
+She looked up at me in a quick, startled way, which changed gradually
+to her old proud look.
+
+"Monsieur, I know not what stakes you had in mind, but this I know: if
+'twere a lady's hand it were unworthy you and her. A lady's hand is
+for the winning by deeds of prowess or by proof of worth, not by
+betting for it as though 'twere a horse or a pile of louis d'or."
+
+"Mademoiselle," I cried in an agony of shame, "forgive me, I beg.
+Forgive a poor wretch who saw no chance of winning by prowess or
+worth, and who was so desperate that he would clutch at any straw to
+help him win his heart's desire."
+
+Her look softened at once, and when she spoke again 'twas in her
+gentlest tones.
+
+"Monsieur," she said, "to-morrow we part, and it would seem there is
+but little chance that we shall see each other again in this world.
+Fate has placed our lots on different continents, with wide seas
+between. But for to-night let us forget that. Let us think we are to
+meet every day, as we have met in these weeks, and let us have a happy
+memory of this last evening to cherish always."
+
+I could not speak for a moment. Her voice, its sweet tones breaking a
+little at the last, unmanned me. I turned away my head, for I would
+not let her see the workings of my face, nor my wet eyes, lest she
+think me boyish again. It was the sealing of my doom, but I had known
+it always. And there was a drop of sweet amid the bitter that I had
+never dared hope for. She, too, was sad--then she must care a little.
+In a minute I was able to turn toward her again and speak in a firm,
+low voice.
+
+"You are right, Mademoiselle; we will be happy to-night. Come," I
+said, rising and extending my hand to her, "let us go watch the
+revelers on the other boat; they, at least, are troubled by no useless
+regrets."
+
+She put her hand in mine, and we went back by the stern rail and stood
+watching the scene below us.
+
+A plank had been thrown from one boat to the other to make easy
+communication, and the crew of our boat, with the exception of the two
+left always on guard, had crossed over. They had cleared a space for
+dancing, and lighted it by great pine-knots cut from the forest close
+by. Yorke, set high on a pile of forage with his beloved banjo, was
+playing such music as put springs into their heels. Canadians and
+negroes were all dancing together--the Frenchmen with graceful
+agility, the negroes more clumsily, even grotesquely, but with a
+rhythm that proved their musical ear. Clotilde and a negress cook were
+the only women, and greatly in demand by both Frenchmen and negroes.
+Clotilde rather scorned partners of her own color, and was choosing
+only the best-looking and the best dancers of the white men, with a
+caprice worthy of her mistress, I thought, and probably in imitation
+of her. Yorke did not seem to mind, but with the gayest good humor
+called out the figures as he played. Suddenly, as he wound up the last
+figure with a grand flourish, he beckoned to a little Canadian who had
+been specially agile in the dance, and they held a whispered
+consultation. Then Yorke resigned his banjo to him, and, leaping down
+into the middle of the floor, seized Clotilde about the waist without
+so much as saying "By your leave," and shouted:
+
+"Choose partners for a waltz!"
+
+Consternation followed, for not more than half a dozen had ever seen
+the new French dance. But when the little Canadian started up with his
+witching _trois-temps_, Yorke and Clotilde glided off rhythmically to
+its strains, the half-dozen followed, more or less skilfully, and the
+rest stood round gazing in respectful admiration.
+
+Now I had learned the waltz at home in Philadelphia, but it had never
+been danced at the St. Louis parties, and I knew not whether
+mademoiselle knew the step or not. Yet was I seized with a great
+desire to follow Yorke's example.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said timidly, "why cannot we have a dance here? See,
+there is a clear space on the deck, and the music is good."
+
+"I waltz but poorly, Monsieur," she answered, looking up at me with a
+bright blush. "Madame Saugrain taught me the step, but I have
+practised it but little."
+
+"Then we will be the better matched," I answered gaily. But when I had
+put my arm around her waist, and one of her beautiful hands rested on
+my shoulder, and I held the other in my firm clasp, I was seized with
+such trembling at my boldness in daring to hold her so near that
+almost my feet refused to move. Yet as soon as we were both gliding to
+the Canadian's music there was no longer any fear in my heart, only a
+great longing that the music might never cease and that we could go on
+forever circling to its strains. Wild thoughts whirled in my brain.
+Why need mademoiselle go back to Paris? I believed, as I bent my head
+and looked into her dark eyes uplifted to mine, that only a little
+persuasion would be needed to make her give it all up. And I said to
+myself, "I will try."
+
+But the music stopped. Mademoiselle gently withdrew herself from my
+encircling arm, and suddenly cold reason returned. How could I dream
+of betraying Dr. Saugrain's trust! How could I think of persuading her
+to relinquish the glories awaiting her for me! And, most of all, how
+could I dare to think she could be persuaded!
+
+Mademoiselle had thrown off her capote before beginning to dance; I
+picked it up and put it around her, and led her back to her seat on
+the pelts. But she would not sit down.
+
+"No, Monsieur," she said; "our evening is over. I am going to my
+cabin. Will you send for Clotilde and tell her that I want her?"
+
+"Mademoiselle! Mademoiselle!" I cried, my heart in my mouth to beg her
+not to leave me without one word of hope. But then I stopped. It was
+all over; the world had come to an end.
+
+"It is good-by, then, Mademoiselle?" I said steadily, and holding out
+my hand to her.
+
+"No, Monsieur," she said, with that voice that from the first time I
+heard it had ever seemed to me the sweetest in the world. "'Tis _au
+revoir--toujours, toujours au revoir_!"
+
+I watched her close her cabin door and turned back to my place by the
+rail, black despair in my heart, but just one little ray of hope
+brightening it--her courageous _au revoir_. Over the plank came Yorke
+and Clotilde, and strolled slowly up the deck together, Yorke
+thrumming his banjo and singing a creole love-song he had learned in
+St. Louis:
+
+        "Tous les printemps
+        Tan' de nouvelles,
+        Tous les amants
+        Changent de maîtresses.
+    Qu'ils changent qui voudront,
+    Pour moi, je garde la mienne."
+
+Insensibly my heart lightened. "Pour moi, je garde la mienne," I said
+aloud, and added in a whisper:
+
+"Yes--though I must first win her, and win I will!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+"AU REVOIR"
+
+    "While memory watches o'er the sad review
+    Of joys that faded like the morning dew."
+
+
+It was a busy morning that followed--no time for idle thoughts or vain
+regrets. If we were to dine with Mrs. O'Fallon at Mulberry Hill, all
+hands must work hard.
+
+A line of ten men with the cordelle was attached to each boat to pull
+it up the stream, and at the same time ten more on each boat planted
+the great pole at the bow, and then, pushing on it, walked back to the
+stern, lifted it out of the soft mud, carried it forward to the bow,
+planted it again in the mud, and, pushing mightily, again walked back
+to the stern. In this way we made great progress. We moved as fast as
+the ten men on shore carrying the cordelle could walk, and the men at
+the pole lightened their load so greatly, they were able to walk at a
+good round pace.
+
+So it was not yet quite noon when the white walls of Mulberry House
+came in view, the blue smoke curling from its chimneys giving promise
+of good cheer awaiting us. The men at the cordelle walked faster, the
+men at the pole pushed harder, and, there being here a chance to use
+them, two great sweep-oars were fastened in the rowlocks, and, four
+men at each oar, we went forward at such a gait that the water curled
+back from our prow in two foaming streams, and before many minutes we
+were running our nose into the bank at the foot of Mulberry Hill.
+
+Down the bank came a long line of men and boys, chiefly negroes,
+shouting in every key, and running to catch the ropes our crew were
+throwing them, and tying us fast to big stumps left standing on the
+bank for that purpose.
+
+Foremost to step foot on board was young John O'Fallon, running first
+to greet his uncle William, whom next to his uncle General Clarke he
+thought the greatest man on earth, and then coming to greet me, whom
+he called "cousin" in his kindly Southern fashion, for I could not
+claim to be kin. He was a bright, engaging lad of twelve or thirteen,
+"with the manners of a chevalier of France," I said laughingly to
+mademoiselle, when my captain was bringing him up to present to her.
+She was greatly taken with him at once, and as for him, 'twas a case
+of love at first sight, and he took full possession of her, giving me
+small chance to help her off the boat or up the hill.
+
+At the top of the hill, Aunt Fanny, as his mother always insisted I
+should call her, was waiting for us. She kissed me on each cheek and
+called me "my boy" in a manner that made me feel very young indeed.
+Much as I loved her, I could have wished that in mademoiselle's
+presence she had treated me as one too old for such gracious
+liberties. But mademoiselle seemed not to notice her greeting to me;
+she had eyes only for the beautiful and charming woman and her manly
+little son. Indeed, I felt so much left out in the cold (for, after
+the manner of women, the two instantly made violent love to each
+other) that I was not sorry to find letters awaiting me from my uncle,
+inclosing letters from home that required my instant attention. When I
+had read them I knew not whether to be sorry or glad. I had fully
+intended to make no stay at all at Mulberry Hill, but go on at once to
+my uncle's; but now that there was no chance left me,--that marching
+orders I dared not disobey ordered me East at once,--I realized that
+lurking in the depths of my heart had been a secret hope that
+something would happen to delay me longer in mademoiselle's society.
+
+I was at once busy with preparations for a more hasty departure than I
+had expected, so that I saw neither Mrs. O'Fallon nor mademoiselle
+again until we were seated at the long table in the great dining-room
+overlooking the river, which here makes a wide and graceful sweep to
+the south. The warm winter sun was flooding the room through its many
+windows, lighting up the table with its brave show of silver and glass
+and snowy linen, and by its cheery glow warming all hearts and setting
+all tongues free, so that there was a pleasant confusion of talk, such
+as a hostess dearly loves. It was a bright and happy scene, and every
+face was smiling and every heart was gay save one; for I could not
+hope that mademoiselle's bright smile and beaming glance disguised
+another aching heart.
+
+I was seated at Mrs. O'Fallon's left hand; a Mr. Thruston, whom I had
+never met, but who was evidently paying earnest court to the charming
+widow, was on her right; and mademoiselle was almost at the other end
+of the long table, between Captain Clarke and young John--about as far
+from me as possible, which, since it was to be our last meal together,
+I felt to be a distinct grievance. But as no one was to blame but Aunt
+Fanny, and she had set me beside her to do me honor, I could not well
+find fault.
+
+It was in response to her asking me to show some little courtesy to
+Mr. Thruston after dinner (I do not now recall what) that I told her I
+must set out on my journey as soon after dinner as I could start. Her
+short, sharp exclamation of surprise and displeasure caught the
+attention of all the table.
+
+"Brother William, do you hear that?" she called to my captain. "Our
+kinsman leaves us immediately."
+
+Aunt Fanny spoke with her knife poised in air. A noble great bird, a
+wild turkey, was on the platter before her, oozing a rich brown gravy
+from every pore. With a deftness I have never seen equaled, she had
+been separating joints and carving great slices of the rich dark meat,
+sending savory odors steaming up into my nostrils. Now, as she paused
+in her work to make her announcement, there arose instantly a chorus
+of remonstrances, loudest from young John and his younger brother Ben.
+I answered them modestly, I hoped, looking at everybody except
+mademoiselle, who yet, I saw distinctly, turned very pale, then red,
+then pale again.
+
+I addressed myself directly to Captain Clarke:
+
+"My uncle has forwarded me letters from home, requiring my presence
+there as shortly as possible. The letters do not enlighten me as to
+the reasons for haste, and I am naturally beset with some misgivings,
+but I hope all is well with my family."
+
+My captain smiled inscrutably.
+
+"Set your anxieties at rest, my lad. I also found a letter awaiting me
+from your father. It explains the reasons for haste, but wishes them
+kept from you for the present; but they are of the most agreeable
+nature, and all is well at home."
+
+I was greatly relieved, and so expressed myself.
+
+"But why start immediately?" my captain continued. "You will have to
+wait for a boat, and the waiting had best be done here."
+
+"I have found one, sir," I answered. "It is expected up the river this
+afternoon, and goes as far as Clarksville. My instructions are to go
+by way of Washington, and call on Mr. Jefferson, so nothing could suit
+me better, for I find the road from Clarksville to Washington is
+comparatively short, and the boat is a small keel-boat and likely to
+make good time."
+
+"Well, well!" said my captain, pleasantly, "you must have been hard at
+work to find out all this between landing and dinner; but I know the
+reasons for haste are imperative, and you are quite right to set off
+at once."
+
+Then suddenly mademoiselle spoke up:
+
+"Mon Capitaine, if monsieur is going just where I must go, why do not
+I and Clotilde go with him?"
+
+There was a moment's embarrassing silence, and then I, feeling the
+silence unbearable and a great discourtesy to mademoiselle, answered
+her.
+
+"Mademoiselle, nothing could give me greater pleasure if my captain
+and Aunt Fanny think it could be arranged. But I fear the route would
+be a hard one for a lady's traveling, since the boat goes only to
+Clarksville, and from there to Washington there is but a bridle-path,
+and a very rough one."
+
+Then everybody broke forth at once, volubly:
+
+"Oh, no, no, no! We cannot think of letting you go!"
+
+"Indeed, miss," said Aunt Fanny, in her pretty imperious way, "you may
+think yourself fortunate if you get away from here any time in the
+next two months. We do not get hold of a lovely young lady visitor
+very often, and when we do we mean to keep her as long as we can. And
+here is my son John over head and ears in love." (Young John blushed
+like a peony.) "Would you break his heart, madam? And Ben is no
+better" (for Ben had been slyly laughing at his brother's
+discomfiture, but now looked very silly indeed as he took his share of
+his mother's tongue-lash). "You will be having my family at
+loggerheads if you stay, no doubt, but stay you must, for now that we
+have once seen you, there is no living without you."
+
+Mademoiselle took the speech adorably (as I knew she would, though I
+doubt whether she understood half of it), smiling and blushing, and
+saying in her pretty baby-English that they were very good to her, and
+she would not break "Meester Jean's" heart, no, nor "Meester Ben's";
+she would stay with "dear madame."
+
+If I did not thereupon fetch a long and deep sigh from the very bottom
+of my boots, it was not because it was not there to fetch, as I
+thought of all I was missing in not spending a happy two months with
+mademoiselle under Aunt Fanny's delightful roof.
+
+But I had short time to indulge vain regrets. We were in the midst of
+dessert, a huge bowl of steaming punch brewed by Aunt Fanny before our
+eyes, and a great Christmas cake, which she said she had saved for our
+home-coming, when a small negro burst open the door in great
+excitement.
+
+"Hi, Miss Fanny, she's comin'!"
+
+"Who's coming, Scipio? And where are your manners? Go tell your mother
+if she doesn't teach you how to come into a room properly, I will have
+to take you in hand."
+
+It was a terrible threat, and had been many times employed--always
+successfully, for "Miss Fanny" never did "take in hand" the small
+darkies, and so, having no notion of what taking in hand might mean,
+all the terrors of mystery were added to their fears. Young Scipio was
+greatly abashed, and pulled his forelock respectfully as he answered
+Mrs. O'Fallon's question.
+
+"It's de boat, missus; she's comin' roun' de ben'."
+
+In a moment all was confusion. There was no time to be lost. Yorke was
+despatched to get together my belongings, see that they were carried
+to the landing, and himself lead Fatima down the bank and on to the
+boat; for to no other would I trust my beauty. The boat by this time
+had nearly reached the landing, and there was a hurry of good-bys,
+Aunt Fanny shedding tears of vexation that my visit should be so
+short, and calling me her "dear boy," and kissing me and scolding me
+in one breath.
+
+She and mademoiselle walked as far as the top of the bluff with me (I
+would not let them come farther, for the bank was steep and muddy),
+and then I said my good-by to mademoiselle. I raised her hand to my
+lips as I said it, and she looked straight into my eyes with eyes that
+shone with something brighter than smiles as she answered:
+
+"Au revoir, monsieur!"
+
+The captain of the keel-boat was shouting to us to make haste, and
+there was no time for another word; and I was glad to have it so, for
+another word might have made me indeed the boy Aunt Fanny was always
+calling me.
+
+The two boys, Mr. Thruston, and my captain went down to the boat with
+me (which proved to be a more comfortable one than I had dared to hope
+for), and Fatima having been coaxed aboard and quarters found for her
+in a warm shed, and my captain pressing my hand with an affectionate
+"Good-by, dear lad," that was once more near to my undoing, we were
+untied, and the men at the poles pushed hard and walked rapidly back
+to the stern, and the men at the cordelle pulled all together, with a
+long-drawn "Heave, ho, heave!" and we were off.
+
+I stood in the stern watching the two figures on the bluff until one
+of them went away and there was only one, slender and of but little
+stature, with soft dark curls, and eyes whose tender glow I could feel
+long after the figure was but one indistinct blur, with a white hand
+waving farewell.
+
+Then came another bend in the river and shut her from my sight. And
+there was naught left to me of Mademoiselle Pelagie but a memory of
+tears and smiles; of hard words and gentle ones; of cold looks and
+kind ones; of alternate hopes and fears on my side; of scorning
+and--yes, I believed it with all my heart--of scorning and loving on
+hers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+A VIRGINIA FARMER
+
+    "Statesman, yet friend to truth! of soul sincere,
+    In action faithful, and in honour clear."
+
+
+"What, Fatima! You refuse?"
+
+I dismounted and led her carefully down the steep bank and on to the
+ferry-boat. She followed me very willingly, but I stood with my arm
+over her glossy neck, for I saw she eyed the water distrustfully, and
+while I had no fear of her being disobedient to my word of command, I
+knew it would comfort her to feel my arm about her neck. She neighed
+her appreciation, and gently rubbed her nostrils against my side, ever
+a token of affection with her. When the boat began to move, the two
+stalwart negroes pulling at their great oars and chanting dismally in
+time to their pulling, Fatima again showed signs of excitement, but I
+easily quieted her, and then I had leisure to use my eyes.
+
+This crossing the Potomac to Washington reminded me vividly of
+crossing the Mississippi to St. Louis more than three months before.
+Nor did the capital look more impressive at this distance than the
+village of St. Louis. Both were embowered in trees, and, but for the
+two imposing white buildings,--the President's Palace and the
+Capitol,--Washington was much the less prepossessing village of the
+two, and I thought how much more worthy was our own city of
+Philadelphia to be the capital of the nation.
+
+Indeed, when I had led Fatima off the ferry, she sank over her
+fetlocks in mud, and I had to lead her some distance before I found
+ground firm enough to warrant my mounting her, lest my weight should
+make the poor creature flounder hopelessly in the mire.
+
+I bore in my pocket a letter from Captain Clarke introducing me to Mr.
+Meriwether Lewis, which he had written at Mulberry Hill, after the
+boat that was to bear me away was in sight, and also an address he had
+given me of a respectable innkeeper where I might find lodging. The
+inn was my first quest, and that once found and a suitable toilet
+made, I was eager to present my letter of introduction, and, if chance
+favored me, meet the President also.
+
+It was still early, and the road I found myself upon (for it could not
+be called a street, since there were no pavements and only at long
+intervals a house) was filled with a well-dressed throng all wending
+their way in one direction. It seemed to me too early an hour for
+gentlemen to be seeking a place of amusement, and too late and the
+throng too generally well dressed to be on their way to business. Some
+were in coaches, with coachmen in livery on the box and footmen
+standing up behind, and some were on horseback and some on foot, but
+all, or nearly all, were wearing silk stockings and fine ruffled
+shirts and carefully powdered queues and shining shoe-buckles.
+
+A little stretch of brick sidewalk gave an air of distinction to a
+solidly built two-story house with sloping roof and dormer-windows,
+and in front of the house, on a stool planted on the curb, sat an old
+negro, bandy-legged, with snowy wool, industriously polishing a row of
+shoes neatly arranged in front of him, and crooning happily a
+plantation melody as he worked. I drew Fatima to the curb.
+
+"Good morning, uncle," I said as the negro slowly lifted his head,
+bowed over his brush. "Can you tell me who all these people are and
+where they are going?"
+
+"Mohnen, marsa," the negro returned politely, and then looked at me
+with round-eyed astonishment. "Yo' dunno whar they's gwine? Why, sah,
+dey's de Senatahs and Represenatahs, sah, and dey gwine to de Cap'tul,
+sah."
+
+Of course! It was very stupid of me not to have thought of it. The
+negro evidently thought so, too, but a sudden excuse suggested itself
+to him.
+
+"Mought yo' be a stranger in Washington, sah?" with a glance of such
+undisguised pity for any barbarian who did not know the capital that I
+felt myself coloring, and to recover my self-respect assured him that
+I had set foot in this "domtiferous" mud-hole for the first time just
+fifteen minutes before.
+
+He was greatly impressed with my emphatic word, and addressed me with
+much-increased respect.
+
+"Den, sah, if I might be so libertious, p'r'aps yo' like me to p'int
+out de 'stinguished gen'lemen."
+
+Nothing could have pleased me better, and I drew Fatima still closer
+to the curb while Bandy Jim--for that, he said, was his
+name--proceeded to point out the celebrities.
+
+There was passing at that moment a very elegant coach, with mounted
+postilions in pink plush and gold lace, and an exceedingly handsome
+man with an aristocratic face leaning back among the cushions, his
+eyes half closed, as if mentally conning a speech for delivery in
+Congress. Bandy Jim did not wait for the eager question on the tip of
+my tongue.
+
+"Dat, sah, is de welfiest and most 'stocratic gen'leman in Washington.
+Dat am Mistah Gubernoor Morris of de gre't city of New York. I 'low he
+studying dis minnit on a speech 'bout de Mississippi Riber and dem
+Spanish men."
+
+I looked at him again, more eagerly than before. I knew Gouverneur
+Morris well by reputation, though I had never seen him, as one of the
+most polished and scholarly men of the country, and the devoted friend
+of Hamilton, whom I idolized as all that was brilliant, great, and
+noble. But my eagerness was largely due to Bandy Jim's suggestion that
+they were discussing the Mississippi question in Congress, and as I
+looked more keenly I hoped he was on the right side, for I thought
+that broad white brow could think great thoughts and those clear-cut
+lips could utter them with force.
+
+"Why do you think it will be on the Mississippi this morning, uncle?"
+I inquired, amused that the old darky should seem to know the doings
+in Congress. "Do you go up to the Capitol to listen to the debates?"
+
+"Sometimes, sah, but mos'ly I reads dem in de 'Post,' sah!" And the
+proud air with which he let me know of his unusual accomplishment
+beggars description.
+
+"And so you can read, Uncle? And who taught you?"
+
+"Ole Miss, sah. I's a free nigger, sah. Ole Miss gib me my papers so I
+mought stay wid my fambly when she follow de gin'ral and his father to
+Mulberry Hill in Kaintuck'."
+
+I confess Bandy Jim seemed like an old friend at once when I found he
+had belonged to the Clarkes, and in my delight at seeing "one of the
+family" in a strange land, I slipped from Fatima's back and grasped
+him by the hand.
+
+When he found I was just from Kentucky and Mulberry Hill, he was more
+excited than I, and especially was he eager for news of "Marse
+William."
+
+"He mah baby, sah!" he repeated over and over, his old eyes shining
+with visions of other days.
+
+"An' Yorke, sah,--you know Yorke?--he mah son!" with great dignity and
+much evident pride in a son of such distinction.
+
+I had many things to tell him of Yorke's prowess and address that
+pleased the old fellow greatly. I might also have recounted the many
+times when I had had all the will in the world to horsewhip the
+rascal, but I did not distress his old father with any of his
+shortcomings.
+
+The morning was fast slipping away when I bethought me it was time to
+be looking up my lodging and making myself ready for my call at the
+President's Palace. I flung Bandy Jim a piece of gold and told him I
+would see him again. And then as I was in the act of mounting Fatima
+it occurred to me he could no doubt direct me.
+
+"Can you tell me how to find the Mansion House, Uncle?"
+
+"Right here, sah," grinning with delight; and sure enough, what had
+seemed to me the home of some respectable citizen proved to be mine
+inn. And a very good one indeed; for when Bandy Jim had called a boy
+to lead Fatima around the house to the stables in the rear, and
+another to take me in to the landlord, I found myself in as clean and
+comfortable a hostelry as one could hope to find. My chamber was a
+large square one, on the second landing, and from its windows I could
+catch glimpses through the bare trees of the white building on the
+hill that I knew was the Capitol.
+
+And when a boy had brought my saddle-bags, Bandy Jim himself hobbled
+in to help me dress. He had been body-servant to both General Clarke
+and his father, and, old as he was, bent nearly double and dim of
+sight, his fingers were skilled for lacers and laces, for buckles and
+ribbons.
+
+I thought I looked quite as a gentleman should for a morning call at
+the "White House," for that, I understand, is what Mr. Jefferson
+prefers to have the President's Palace called. Indeed, I have heard he
+very vehemently objects to having it called a palace at all. I was
+wearing a plain cloth habit of dark green with no lace at wrist or
+knee and only a small lace tie at the neck. My shoe-buckles were of
+the plainest silver, but Bandy Jim had polished them till they shone
+like new. I had some thoughts of deferring my visit until later in the
+day, when I might with a good grace have worn satin and velvet and
+fine lace ruffles, for I am afraid I was something of a beau in those
+days in my liking for dress. But bethinking me that the plainness of
+my costume would only be an additional recommendation in the eyes of
+the President, should I have the good fortune to meet him, I set off
+on Fatima's back, following the straight road, as Bandy Jim had
+directed.
+
+A more forlorn village it has rarely been my lot to see: stretches of
+mud road with neither houses nor fields to outline it, and then for a
+block or more bare and ugly houses, hideous in their newness, not
+having even the grace of age to soften their ill proportions. I was
+glad mademoiselle was not there to gaze upon the capital of America
+with eyes that knew so well how to be scornful, and that would so soon
+find her own gay French capital so beautiful.
+
+I was in the very act of saying to myself for the twentieth time,
+"Idiots and dolts, not to have selected beautiful Philadelphia for a
+nation's capital!" when there rode up beside me a farmer in plain,
+almost rough, clothes, but riding a magnificent horse. He was about to
+pass me (for I was riding slowly, out of respect to the mud, which
+might easily have bespattered me so that I would be in no condition
+for a call), but I hailed him:
+
+"Are you going my way, my friend?"
+
+"If you are going mine."
+
+"I am going straight ahead to the President's Palace."
+
+"And I to the White House, sir."
+
+"Then our ways lie together. Are you acquainted in Washington?"
+
+"Somewhat, sir."
+
+I began to think this rather a surly farmer, he was so chary of words,
+so I looked at him more narrowly. But I saw nothing surly in his face.
+Indeed, at a second glance, I decided it was as fine a face, its
+features as clearly chiseled, as one often sees, and the eyes, beneath
+the broad white brow, were full, open, and benignant.
+
+"He is no ordinary farmer," I said to myself, "but most like a wealthy
+Virginia planter of education and social standing, but careless in
+matters of dress." Therefore I addressed him with a shade more of
+respect than I had hitherto used:
+
+"I am a stranger in Washington, sir," I said, "and if you are better
+acquainted here, I thought perhaps you would be so good as to tell me
+something of the city."
+
+He unbent immediately, and not only pointed out every object of
+interest on the road, but in a very delicate and gentlemanly manner
+proceeded also to pump me as to my name and errand in Washington. I
+was not more amused at his curiosity than at the skilful method he
+employed in trying to satisfy it, but, as I flattered myself, I gave
+him but little satisfaction.
+
+In reply to some question of mine about the debate in Congress on the
+Mississippi question, he gave me such a masterly exposition of the
+whole subject, so clearly and concisely put into a nutshell, I began
+to think my eccentric planter was a political genius, possibly a
+member of Congress, though if so I thought his horse was headed the
+wrong way.
+
+But evidently I had lighted unwittingly upon a rich mine of
+information. It was never my way to neglect my opportunities, and I
+began at once to ply him with questions about men and things in
+Washington. Last of all, I asked him about Mr. Jefferson.
+
+Now my family was not of Mr. Jefferson's party: we were ardent
+admirers and strong partizans of Mr. Hamilton. Not that we had any
+fault to find with Mr. Jefferson, except for his quarrel with
+Hamilton. But bethinking me that it was quite possible my planter
+might be a "Democrat," as Mr. Jefferson calls his party, I spoke
+guardedly, I thought.
+
+"Can you tell me something of the President, sir? Do you admire him?
+And is it true he is such a sloven in dress as they say he is?"
+
+I could not tell from his face whether he were Democrat or Whig, for
+it changed not a whit. He answered readily:
+
+"I know Mr. Jefferson quite well. I can hardly say whether I admire
+him or not, but I like him. In fact, he is quite a friend of mine. As
+to his being a sloven in dress, is that what they say about him? He
+dresses as well as I do: would you call that being a sloven?"
+
+"Not at all, sir, not at all!" I answered quickly; but to myself I
+said, "If he dresses no better, God help us!" I added aloud:
+
+"I hope, sir, what I have said about the President has not offended
+you, since he is a friend of yours. I have never seen him, and was
+only repeating the general report."
+
+The stream of people that had been setting eastward earlier in the
+morning had ceased entirely. We had ridden on some distance without
+meeting any one, but at this moment we met two gentlemen on horseback,
+and both took off their hats and kept them off until we had passed. I
+thought it probable that from my fine clothes (which, though plain,
+were of undeniable elegance) they took me for a stranger of
+distinction, and I bowed most graciously in return. My farmer friend
+but touched his hat with his riding-whip, and then pointed off through
+the woods to where we could see the chimneys of a large house, on the
+banks of the river.
+
+"That," he said, "is Mr. Law's mansion. You may have heard of him?"
+
+"Oh, yes," I answered; "he married Miss Custis, and I used to know her
+quite well, when we were both children."
+
+We mounted a little elevation in the road, not enough to be called a
+hill, but enough to give a more extended view over the wide acres of
+brick-kilns and huts of laborers and dismal waste land unfenced and
+uncultivated. To the east, in the direction of the Capitol, he pointed
+out the towers of Doddington Manor, the house of Daniel Carroll. We
+had passed so many houses that seemed to me but little more than
+hovels or barracks that it was a relief to me to see from Mr. Law's
+and Mr. Carroll's places that there were some gentlemen's residences
+in the capital. When I said something of the kind to my guide, he
+replied, with some asperity, that there were many gentlemen's
+residences at Alexandria and Arlington and Georgetown, only a short
+gallop away, and that it would not be many years until Washington
+itself could claim as many as New York or Philadelphia.
+
+I saw he was one of those violent partizans of the "ten-mile square"
+(probably because his farm lay somewhere near), so discreetly turned
+the discourse, since I did not want to bring up the vexed question of
+the superior merits of New York, Philadelphia, and the ten-mile square
+as a seat for the capital.
+
+By this time the President's Palace was in full view, and a beautiful
+building it was, looking very large and very white, and, it must be
+confessed, very bare, since there were no gardens surrounding it,
+nothing but mud in front and marsh behind, between it and the Potomac.
+
+Fatima picked her way daintily through the mud, often half stopping
+for better footing (as if she knew she must not bespatter me when I
+was going to call at the President's house), and by that means the
+farmer's powerful horse (who seemed not to mind the mud, knowing there
+was no finery to be hurt by it) got well ahead. I was myself so much
+engaged with the badness of the road that I did not, for a few
+minutes, look up. When I did, I observed that two orderlies were
+holding the farmer's horse, from which he had just dismounted, while
+the farmer himself stood on the steps awaiting my approach. One
+orderly led his horse away as I rode up, but the exclamation of
+disgust for the mud that rose to my lips never passed them. As I
+glanced up at this "farmer" in corduroy small-clothes, red plush
+waistcoat, rough riding-boots splashed with mud, he had suddenly grown
+tall and majestic.
+
+"Orderly, take this gentleman's horse to the stable!" he said, with an
+air of command, and then turned to me with stately dignity.
+
+"Welcome to the White House, my young Philadelphia friend," he said,
+and smiled.
+
+For my confusion knew no bounds. I was never quick where a puzzle or
+trick was concerned, but now it slowly dawned upon me that my farmer
+friend was the President of the United States! and I had been
+criticizing him to his face, and talking flippantly to him, and even
+superciliously. My consternation grew; I knew not what was the proper
+thing to do, but I stammered out the most abject apology I could think
+of.
+
+Mr. Jefferson only laughed at my confusion.
+
+"Come, come, sir," he said genially, "there is no great harm done.
+Don't you suppose I know what people say of me? You were only
+repeating the 'general report,' you know." And then he added
+seriously, as he saw my confusion was but increased by his raillery:
+
+"Where no offense is intended, sir, none is taken. I beg you will
+enter the White House, and I will send my secretary to you, Mr.
+Meriwether Lewis."
+
+As he spoke he led the way into the house and into a very large and
+beautiful room, with a full-length portrait of General Washington on
+the walls.
+
+"I shall hope to see you later," he said pleasantly as he left me; "if
+I mistake not, I have some communications of interest for you." Then
+he turned and went up the grand staircase and left me alone to my
+miserable pastime of recalling every word and every incident of that
+wretched ride to the White House, and from not one of them could I
+extract an atom of comfort to soothe my wounded self-esteem.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+A GREAT DEBATE
+
+    They "of the western dome, whose weighty sense
+    Flows in fit words and heavenly eloquence."
+
+
+I had been so abashed by my wretched mistake that I had not so much as
+told the President who I was (though, truth to tell, he had not asked
+me, and it would have been only another impertinence on my part to
+have volunteered the information). Yet as I sat waiting for young Mr.
+Lewis, and reviewing in my mind the miserable events through which I
+had just passed, it suddenly occurred to me as very remarkable that
+Mr. Jefferson should have known I was from Philadelphia, when I
+thought I had been so particularly skilful in betraying no fact
+concerning myself. Moreover, he had not only guessed I was from
+Philadelphia; he must have guessed my identity also, for he had
+"communications of interest" for me.
+
+My curiosity was now so thoroughly aroused, both as to how the
+President knew me and what his communications might be, that it began
+to efface the keenness of my mortification. In the midst of my
+wondering surmises, Mr. Lewis appeared and greeted me most affably;
+and when I had presented Captain Clarke's letter of introduction, he
+was, if possible, more affable still. He was an older-looking man than
+I had expected to see, and with so much of seriousness in his
+countenance, and yet of such frankness and earnestness in his manner,
+that it drew my interest and liking at once.
+
+He was the bearer of a very polite message from the President,
+inviting me to dinner at the White House at four o'clock that
+afternoon; and then he proposed that we should set out at once for the
+Capitol, where, as he said, a debate of special interest was on the
+calendar.
+
+I was much touched at the generosity of Mr. Jefferson in returning my
+discourtesy to himself by so courteously placing his secretary at my
+disposal for my entertainment, and nothing could have pleased me
+better than Mr. Lewis's proposal. It had been my intention to visit
+the Capitol as soon as this visit of ceremony should be performed, but
+to visit it with a guide so much at home as the President's secretary
+was good luck indeed.
+
+I thought it still better luck when I found that, by Mr. Jefferson's
+special invitation, we were to sit in a small gallery set aside for
+the President and his friends, and to which a guard in uniform
+admitted us with a key. I was much impressed by the exterior of the
+Capitol (though in such an unfinished state), but when I found myself
+seated in the seclusion of the President's own private gallery,
+looking down upon the horseshoe of grave and distinguished senators, I
+could have wished that one of the ladies (of whom there were a number
+in the gallery opposite, and who cast many inquisitive glances at the
+two young men in the President's box) might have been Mademoiselle
+Pelagie, for I felt sure she would never again think of me as a boy,
+could she but see me in my present dignified surroundings.
+
+But it was only for a moment that my attention was distracted by the
+ladies and by thoughts of mademoiselle. A gentleman was speaking (Mr.
+Lewis told me it was Mr. Ross of Pennsylvania) in a most impassioned
+manner, and the magic word "Mississippi" caught my ear and charmed my
+attention. Mr. Ross was saying:
+
+"To the free navigation of the Mississippi we have undoubted right,
+from nature and also from the position of our Western country. This
+right and the right of deposit in the Island of New Orleans were
+solemnly acknowledged and fixed by treaty in 1795. That treaty has
+been in actual operation and execution for many years, and now,
+without any pretense of abuse or violation on our part, the officers
+of the Spanish government deny that right, refuse the place of
+deposit, and add the most offensive of all insults by forbidding us
+from landing on any part of their territory and shutting us out as a
+common nuisance. I declare it, therefore, to be my firm and mature
+opinion that so important a right will never be secure while the mouth
+of the Mississippi is exclusively in the hands of the Spanish. From
+the very position of our country, from its geographical shape, from
+motives of complete independence, the command of the navigation of
+the river ought to be in our hands.
+
+"We are now wantonly provoked to take it. Hostility in its most
+offensive shape has been offered us, and hostility fatal to the
+happiness of the Western World. Why not seize, then, what is so
+essential to us as a nation? Why not expel the wrong-doers? Paper
+treaties have proved too feeble. Plant yourselves on the river;
+fortify the banks; invite those who have an interest at stake to
+defend it. Do justice to yourselves when your adversaries deny it, and
+leave the event to Him who controls the fate of nations!"
+
+Ah, how his words burnt my brain! I was for leaving Mr. Lewis in the
+President's gallery, running down to the great entrance where I had
+left Fatima in charge of a negro boy, mounting her, and riding
+straight back to Kentucky. Once there, I was sure it would be an easy
+matter to raise a company of eager patriots and march at their head
+down the Great River to the hostile city. But Mr. Ross had not
+finished, and I could not lose a word of his impassioned speech:
+
+"Why submit to a tardy and uncertain negotiation--a negotiation with
+those who have wronged you? When in possession you will negotiate with
+more advantage. You will then be in the position to keep others out.
+The present possessors have no pretense to complain, for they have no
+right to the country, by their own confession.
+
+"The Western people will discover that you are making every effort
+they could desire for their protection. They will ardently support you
+in the contest, if a contest becomes necessary. Their all will be at
+stake, and neither their zeal nor their courage need be doubted.
+
+"But after negotiations shall have failed; after a powerful, ambitious
+nation shall have taken possession of the key of their Western country
+and fortified it; after the garrisons are filled by the veterans who
+have conquered the East: will you have it in your power to waken the
+generous spirit of the West and dispossess them? No, no; their
+confidence in you as their rulers will be gone; they will be
+disheartened, divided, and will place no further dependence upon you."
+
+At this moment two officers in uniform entered the Senate, preceding a
+gentleman who carried on a cushion a document. Immediately the
+President of the Senate, Mr. Burr (a man whom I had been reared to
+dislike and distrust above all men, and whose enmity for Mr. Hamilton
+was sufficient cause to make me his foe, yet whose attractive
+personality, seeing him for the first time, I could not deny), called
+the house to order, and requested Mr. Ross to defer the completion of
+his speech until a message from the House of Representatives should
+have been read.
+
+I was all curiosity, for it seemed to me an imposing ceremony and one
+that must be of great moment. But I was doomed to disappointment. The
+gentleman bearing the document said something in a low tone to the
+clerk, who repeated it to Mr. Burr. Whereupon Mr. Burr rose in his
+seat.
+
+"Gentlemen of the Senate," he said, "the House of Representatives
+sends you a confidential message. Sergeant-at-arms, clear the house!"
+
+Mr. Lewis rose at once, and signaled to me to follow, which I did,
+very unwillingly. Outside in the corridors he said:
+
+"I think this will be but a brief secret conference--most like we can
+return in a few minutes; and I will employ the interim in showing you
+the building."
+
+From his manner I thought he must know the subject of the secret
+conference, as, indeed, being the President's private secretary, he
+would have every means of knowing. But he gave me no hint of it, and
+it was not until long afterward that I learned that in the half-hour
+we were shut out the Senate had confirmed the House bill to place two
+million dollars at the President's disposal to commence with more
+effect a negotiation with France and Spain for the purchase of the
+Isle of New Orleans and the East and West Floridas.
+
+When the doors were opened again, and we were back in our seats in the
+President's gallery, we found Mr. Ross already on his feet, continuing
+his interrupted speech, and evidently the sentences I first heard were
+in reference to the bill just passed.
+
+"I know," he said, "that some gentlemen think there is a mode of
+accomplishing our object, of which, by a most extraordinary procedure,
+I am forbidden to speak on this occasion. I will not, therefore, touch
+it. But I will ask honorable gentlemen, especially those from the
+Western country, what they will say, on their return home, to a people
+pressed by the heavy hand of this calamity, when they inquire: What
+has been done? What are our hopes? How long will this obstruction
+continue? You answer: We have provided a remedy, but it is a secret!
+We are not allowed to speak of it there, much less here. It was only
+communicated to us confidentially, in whispers, with closed doors. But
+by and by you will see it operate like enchantment. It is a sovereign
+balsam which will heal your wounded honor; it is a potent spell, or a
+kind of patent medicine, which will extinguish and forever put at rest
+the devouring spirit which has desolated so many nations of Europe.
+You never can know exactly what it is; nor can we tell you precisely
+the time it will begin to operate: but operate it certainly will, and
+effectually, too! You will see strange things by and by; wait
+patiently, and place full faith in us, for we cannot be mistaken!
+
+"This idle tale may amuse children, but the men of the West will not
+be satisfied. They will tell you that they expected better things of
+you, that their confidence has been misplaced, and that they will not
+wait the operation of your newly invented drug; they will go and
+redress themselves!"
+
+Then Mr. Ross proceeded to read a series of resolutions he had drawn
+up, the most important part of them being to authorize the President
+to take immediate possession of the Isle of New Orleans, and to raise
+a militia army not exceeding fifty thousand men in the Western States,
+to cooperate with the army and navy of the Union; and that the sum of
+five millions of dollars should be appropriated to carry out these
+resolutions.
+
+They took my breath away. "What would I not give to be back in
+Kentucky!" I whispered to Mr. Lewis, in irrepressible excitement.
+
+"Calm yourself, my young friend," he whispered back. "War is not
+declared yet. Listen to this next speech; it is Mr. White from
+Delaware. See whether he supports or opposes the resolutions."
+
+His opening sentence answered the question:
+
+"As to the closing of the port of New Orleans against our citizens,
+the man who can now doubt that it was a deliberate act of the Spanish
+or French government must have locked up his mind against truth and
+conviction, and be determined to discredit even the evidence of his
+own senses. But, sir, it is not only the depriving us of our right of
+deposit by which we have been grieved: it is by a system of measures
+pursued antecedent and subsequent to that event, equally hostile and
+even more insulting. I have in my hand a paper signed by a Spanish
+officer, which, with the indulgence of the chair, I will read to the
+Senate."
+
+Then he read a paper signed by Carlos de Grandpré, warning the
+subjects of his Majesty of Spain that they were to have no
+communications with America, and couched in the most insulting terms.
+My blood boiled as I listened!
+
+"These," said Mr. White, "are the measures that have been adopted by
+the Spaniard, excluding us from their shores for a distance of two
+hundred and seventy miles, treating us like a nation of pirates and
+banditti. Would the great Washington have permitted such an insult had
+he still been with us? Spain has dared us to the trial, and now bids
+us defiance. She is yet in possession of that country; it is at this
+moment within your reach and within your power. It offers a sure and
+easy conquest. We should have to encounter there only a weak,
+inactive, and unenterprising people. But how may a few months vary the
+scene and darken our prospects! Though not officially informed, we
+know that the Spanish provinces on the Mississippi have been ceded to
+the French, and that they will, as soon as possible, take possession
+of them. What may we then expect? When, in the last extremity, we
+shall be drawn to arms in defense of our indisputable rights, where
+now slumbers on his post the sluggish Spaniard we shall be hailed by
+the vigilant and alert French grenadier; and in the defenseless
+garrison that would now surrender at our approach we shall see
+unfurled the standards that have waved triumphant in Italy, surrounded
+by impregnable ramparts and defended by the disciplined veterans of
+Europe. I am willing to attribute to honorable gentlemen the best of
+motives; I am sure they do not wish to involve this country in a
+war--and, God knows, I deprecate its horrors as much as any man. But
+this business can never be adjusted abroad; it will ultimately have to
+be settled upon the banks of the Mississippi; the war is inevitable
+unless honorable gentlemen opposed to us are prepared to yield up the
+best interest and honor of the nation. I believe the only question now
+in our power to decide is, whether it shall be the bloodless war of a
+few months or the carnage of years.
+
+"These observations are urged upon the supposition that it is in the
+power of the government to restrain the impetuosity of the Western
+people and to prevent their doing justice to themselves, which, by the
+by, I beg to be understood as not believing. They know their own
+strength; they know the feebleness of the enemy; they know the
+infinite importance of the stake, and they feel--permit me to say,
+sir, with more than mere sensibility--the insults and injuries they
+have received. You had as well pretend to dam up the mouth of the
+Mississippi, and say to its restless waves, 'Ye shall cease here and
+never mingle with the ocean,' as to expect they will be prevented from
+descending it.
+
+"Without the free use of the river and the necessary advantage of
+deposit below our line, their fertile country is not worth possession;
+their produce must be wasted in the field or rot in the granary. These
+are rights not only guaranteed to them by treaty, but also given to
+them by the God of nature, and they will enforce them, with or without
+the authority of government!"
+
+This long speech (and I have not remembered half of it) was
+interrupted by frequent bursts of applause, and when Mr. White sat
+down, it was amid such enthusiasm of cheering as quite carried me off
+my feet.
+
+"Was there ever such a speech?" I shouted into Mr. Lewis's ear, for
+the noise was deafening. "That will surely win the day."
+
+"Wait," he shouted back, "until you hear the other side. That is Mr.
+Jackson of Georgia trying to get the floor, and, if I mistake not, he
+will be in opposition, and he is a strong speaker, with plenty of
+caustic wit."
+
+Mr. Jackson began to speak with so slow a drawl and in such low tones
+that at first I hardly thought him an adversary to be dreaded. But as
+he warmed to his work I changed my mind.
+
+"What is the course," he began, "which we have to pursue? Is it to go
+immediately to war without asking for redress? By the law of nations
+and the doctrines of all writers on such law, you are not justified
+until you have tried every possible method of obtaining redress in a
+peaceable manner. It is only in the last extremity, when you have no
+other expedient left, that a recourse to arms is lawful and just, and
+I hope the United States will never forfeit their character for
+justice by any hasty or rash steps which they may, too late, have to
+repent of.
+
+"Sir, we have been told much, by the gentleman from Delaware, of
+Bonaparte: that he is the hero of France, the conqueror of Italy, the
+tyrant of Germany, and that his legions are invincible. We have been
+told that we must hasten to take possession of New Orleans whilst in
+the hands of the sluggish Spaniards, and not wait until it is in the
+iron grip of the Cæsar of modern times. But much as I respect the fame
+and exploits of that extraordinary man, I believe we should have
+little more to fear from him, should it be necessary in the end to
+contend with him for the possession of New Orleans, than from the
+sluggish Spaniards. Bonaparte, sir, in our Southern country would be
+lost with all his martial talents. His hollow squares and horse
+artillery would be of little service to him in the midst of our
+morasses and woods, where he would meet, not with the champaign
+country of Italy,--with the little rivulets commanded by his cannon
+which he could pass at leisure,--not with the fortified cities which
+command surrounding districts, but with rivers miles wide, and swamps
+mortal or impenetrable to Europeans. With a body of only ten thousand
+of our expert riflemen around him, his laurels would be torn from his
+brow, and he would heartily wish himself once more on the plains of
+Italy.
+
+"The sacred name of Washington has been unnecessarily appealed to on
+this as on many other occasions, and we have been boastingly told that
+in his time no nation dared insult us. Much, sir, as I revere his
+memory, acknowledging him among the fathers of his country, was this
+the fact? Was he not insulted?--was not the nation insulted under his
+administration? How came the posts to be detained after the definitive
+treaty with Great Britain? What dictated that inhuman deed to stir up
+horror and destruction among us--Lord Dorchester's insolent and savage
+speech to the hordes of Indians on our frontiers to massacre our
+inhabitants without distinction? Were those not insults? Or have we
+tamely forgotten them? Yet, sir, did Washington go to war? He did not;
+he preferred negotiation, and sent an envoy to Great Britain. Peace
+was obtained by a treaty with that nation. Shall we, then, not
+negotiate? Shall we not follow the leading feature of our nation's
+policy? We are all actuated, I hope, by one view, but we differ in the
+means. Let us show the nations of the earth we are not anxious for
+war, that scourge of mankind; that we bear patiently our injuries, in
+hope of redress.
+
+"But, sir, if forced to war, contrary to our policy and wish, let us
+unsheathe the sword and fling away the scabbard until our enemies be
+brought to a sense of justice and our wrongs be redressed."
+
+Now to every word of this speech I had listened breathlessly. There
+was a ring in Mr. Jackson's voice as he warmed to his theme, and his
+long body swayed in the power of his own eloquence, that moved me
+mightily, though I wished not to be moved.
+
+I scarcely listened to the gentleman that followed (a Mr. Cocke from
+Tennessee), so intently was I reviewing Mr. Jackson's ringing
+sentences, and wondering if, after all, he was right, and all the
+brave Kentuckians who had been so loud in their demands for war were
+wrong. But one or two sentences of Mr. Cocke caught my ear; I heard
+him say:
+
+"We were told by Mr. Ross that we were bound to go to war for this
+right which God and nature had given to the Western people. What are
+we to understand by this right given by God and nature? Surely not the
+right of deposit, for that was given by treaty, and as to the right of
+navigation, that has been neither suspended nor brought into question.
+But we are told by the same gentleman that the possession of New
+Orleans is necessary to our complete security. Leaving to the
+gentleman's own conscience to settle the question as to the morality
+of taking that place because it would be convenient, I beg to inform
+him that the possession of it would not give us complete security."
+
+What further Mr. Cocke said I do not know, for at that moment Mr.
+Lewis whispered to me:
+
+"Do you know the lady in the gallery opposite? She has been for some
+time covertly regarding one of us, and I think it must be you. Do not
+look at her just now; look at the right-hand gallery, and then
+gradually let your glance come around to the lady wearing a black lace
+veil beside the pillar in the front row opposite."
+
+I did as Mr. Lewis instructed--letting my glance finally fall in the
+most casual manner where he indicated. But as I did so my heart gave a
+great bound. Could that be Mademoiselle Pelagie? The pose of the head,
+the dark eyes seen dimly through the lace veil, the little ringlets in
+the neck, were hers; but after a moment I convinced myself that it was
+only a chance resemblance. I had left Mademoiselle Pelagie in Kentucky
+not three weeks before, with no intention of coming to Washington, but
+of going direct to New York as soon as suitable escort could be found.
+It would hardly be within the bounds of possibility that she should be
+in Washington as soon as I. It was true I had been detained somewhat
+on the route, once by losing my way, and once by Fatima laming her
+foot and causing me to spend two days with a Virginia planter while
+she recovered sufficiently to permit our resuming our journey. But
+still I could not believe mademoiselle could have accomplished such a
+journey so quickly, and when I had left her there had been a small
+prospect of an escort to New York, but none at all to Washington.
+
+So I told Mr. Meriwether Lewis that the lady did indeed remind me of
+one I knew, but as she was at that moment (I had every reason to
+believe) safe with Mrs. O'Fallon at Mulberry Hill, it was impossible
+that it could be she. Then, though much disturbed by this chance
+resemblance and the thronging memories it awakened, I addressed myself
+once more to the debate.
+
+I was just in time to see rising to his feet the handsomest man in the
+Senate, as I had long before decided. Mr. Gouverneur Morris, with his
+clean-cut, aristocratic features, his carefully curled peruke, his
+fine lace ruffles falling over his long white hands, and his
+immaculate stockings and pumps with their glittering buckles, was, to
+my mind, every inch the gentleman, and quite worthy to have called
+himself a blue-blooded Philadelphian, but that an unkind fate had
+given him New York for a birthplace. I was more than curious to know
+on which side he would be, and his opening sentence filled me with the
+assurance he was on the right side and every word was weighted.
+Clear-cut, each sentence dropped from his lips like a string of
+burnished jewels.
+
+"Had Spain the right to make this cession to France without our
+consent? Gentlemen have taken it for granted that she had. But I deny
+the position. No nation has a right to give to another a dangerous
+neighbor without her consent. He who renders me insecure, he who
+hazards my peace and exposes me to imminent danger, commits an act of
+hostility against me and gives me the rights consequent on that act.
+Suppose Great Britain should give to Algiers one of the Bahamas, and
+contribute thereby to establish a nest of pirates near your coast.
+Would you not consider it as an aggression? It is among the first
+limitations to the exercise of the rights of property that we must so
+use our own as not to injure another, and it is under the immediate
+sense of this restriction that nations are bound to act toward each
+other.
+
+"The possession of Louisiana by the ambitious ruler of France would
+give him in the New World the preponderance he has already obtained in
+the Old. It becomes the United States to show that they do not fear
+him who is the ruler of all; and it specially behooves the young and
+growing republic to interpose, in order to revive the energy and
+resistance of the half-conquered nations of Europe, and to save the
+expiring liberties of mankind!"
+
+No one can imagine the fire, the grace, the inspiring tones and
+gestures, with which this last sentence was uttered. In my enthusiasm
+I looked across to my fair neighbor in the opposite gallery for
+sympathy. Through the veil I thought I caught her eye; but by the
+slightest turn of her head and an almost imperceptible movement of her
+hand she conveyed to me (whether intentionally or not, I was not sure)
+that she was not at all in sympathy with the speaker--indeed, that she
+disagreed with him wholly.
+
+I looked down again into the arena below me. Slowly rising from his
+seat was a figure as ungainly as the other had been elegant. Red of
+face, with features almost coarse, and unwieldy from too great a
+burden of flesh, I recognized at once Mr. Morris's colleague, the
+famous Mr. Clinton of New York. What he said pleased me no more than
+his appearance, yet I could but own that no speaker had spoken with
+more force, more caustic satire, or more fluent eloquence. I had to
+admit, also, that there was a flavor of good sense and practicability
+about much that he said, though I was loath to admit it. He began
+ponderously, with pompous tones; but as he went on his voice changed
+until it became at times high and even rasping.
+
+"Sublime, sir, as these speculations may appear to the eyes of some,
+and high-sounding as they may strike the ears of many, they do not
+affect me with any force. In the first place, I do not perceive how
+they bear upon the question before me; it merely refers to the seizure
+of New Orleans, not to the maintenance of the balance of power. Again,
+of all characters, I think that of a conquering nation least becomes
+the American people. What, sir! Shall America go forth, like another
+Don Quixote, to relieve distressed nations and to rescue from the
+fangs of tyranny the powerful states of Britain, Spain, Austria,
+Italy, the Netherlands? Shall she, like another Phaëthon, madly ascend
+the chariot of Empire, and spread desolation and horror over the
+world? Shall she attempt to restrain the career of a nation, which my
+honorable colleague represents to have been irresistible, and which he
+declares has appalled the British lion and the imperial eagle of the
+house of Austria? Shall we wantonly court destruction and violate all
+the maxims of policy which ought to govern infant and free republics?
+Let us, sir, never carry our arms into the territory of other nations,
+unless we are compelled to take them up in self-defense. A pacific
+character is of all others most important for us to maintain. With a
+sea-coast of two thousand miles, indented with harbors and lined with
+cities, with an extended commerce, and with a population of only six
+millions, how are we to set up for the avenger of nations? Can gravity
+itself refrain itself from laughter at the figure which my honorable
+colleague would wish us to make on the theater of the world? He would
+put a fool's cap on our head and dress us up in the parti-colored
+robes of a harlequin for the nations of the world to laugh at. And
+after all the puissant knights of the times have been worsted in the
+tournament by the Orlando Furioso of France, we must then, forsooth,
+come forward and console them for their defeat by an exhibition of our
+follies!
+
+"I look, sir, upon all the dangers we heard about the French
+possession of Louisiana as visionary and idle. Twenty years must roll
+over our heads before France can establish in that country a
+population of two hundred thousand souls. What, in the meantime, will
+become of your Southern and Western States? Are they not advancing to
+greatness with a giant's stride? The Western States will then contain
+on their borders millions of free and hardy republicans, able to crush
+every daring invader of their rights!"
+
+There was a slight stir in the gallery opposite. I looked up to see
+the figure in black rising from her seat. But even as I looked I
+thought I caught a direct glance from the dark eyes, and I could
+almost have sworn there was a slight wave of the hand as if in parting
+salute to me. Her companion, an older lady, rose with her, and
+together they turned and left the gallery. Once more I was struck by
+the startling resemblance to Mademoiselle Pelagie in every movement,
+and in the outlines of the graceful figure. I heard nothing more Mr.
+Clinton had to say; I was lost in an abstracted reverie as to the
+possibility of its being mademoiselle in the flesh. I would have liked
+to propose to Mr. Lewis that we go out and follow the mysterious
+figure, but cold reason assured me that mademoiselle was many miles
+away, and it was but a fond fancy that pictured her image in every
+dark-eyed maiden, and so shamed me from such a foolish pursuit.
+
+"Shall we go?" said Mr. Lewis. "There will be no vote--probably none
+for a week at least."
+
+I started from my reverie to find the debate over, the Senate
+adjourned, floor and gallery rapidly clearing. I answered with
+alacrity, hoping he had not discovered my abstraction:
+
+"By all means. It has been a grand occasion, and I am much indebted to
+you, sir, for giving me the opportunity of hearing so great a debate."
+
+Through the long corridors I hurried Mr. Lewis, eagerly scanning the
+throng for a glimpse of that figure, which I hoped we might overtake;
+but it had utterly vanished. Outside we found our horses waiting, and
+together we picked a rough and broken path down Capitol Hill, and
+then a smoother road where we could put our horses to a canter up the
+avenue; a gay throng in coaches, in saddle, and on foot accompanying
+us, and Mr. Meriwether Lewis saluting to right and left as we passed
+the more leisurely ones, or were passed by those riding or driving in
+reckless haste. And so on to my inn, where Bandy Jim, still
+industriously polishing boots on the sidewalk, ducked his white head
+with a joyous "Howdy, marsa!" and I felt as if an old friend was
+welcoming me home.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A MAGIC COACH
+
+    "And we meet with champagne and a chicken."
+
+
+I had made my toilet with such despatch that scarcely an hour after
+parting with Mr. Lewis at my inn I found myself once more at the White
+House. This time I was ushered up-stairs into an oval room, very
+gorgeously furnished in crimson, where the President was waiting, and
+a few of his guests. Beside him stood Mistress Madison, helping him to
+receive; for his daughters were both away at their homes. I improved
+the moment when she was speaking to some guests, who had arrived just
+before me, to look at her well. I had heard much of her, and I knew my
+sisters at home would want me to tell them exactly how she looked and
+what she wore.
+
+I think I have often seen more beautiful women (a dark-eyed maiden
+from France was in my mind at the moment as far more beautiful), but
+rarely have I seen a face lighted up with more of animation and good
+humor. On her head she wore an article of dress which I had heard
+described as worn by the ladies of London and Paris, but which I had
+never before seen; for the head-dresses of the Frenchwomen in St.
+Louis, while in some respects quite as remarkable, bore not the
+slightest resemblance to this of Mistress Madison's. It was a Turkish
+turban of white satin and velvet, with a jeweled crescent in front
+clasping a bunch of nodding white ostrich-plumes. Her gown, of pale
+pink satin, was heavily trimmed with ermine, and she wore gold chains
+about her waist and wrists, and carried a jeweled snuff-box in her
+hand. She was truly regal-looking, and I did not wonder that people
+sometimes laughingly spoke of her as "her Majesty." Her turban
+especially, I think, gave her an indescribable air of distinction; but
+I was not quite sure that I thought it as becoming as the dark curling
+locks of the very beautiful lady who stood beside her.
+
+Mr. Lewis, at this moment descrying me, came forward to present me to
+the President and to Mistress Madison, who put me at my ease at once
+by inquiring for my mother and for many of my Philadelphia kin, who,
+she declared, were old and very dear friends. I would have liked to
+linger at her side, for she made me much at home, and I liked not to
+turn away and find myself among a roomful of strangers; but I knew
+there were others waiting to be received by her, and I must move on.
+
+As I turned from her, a voice in my ear said imperiously:
+
+"Well, sir, and have you no word for your old friend, Fanny
+Cadwalader?"
+
+I turned quickly; it was the beautiful lady with the dark curls.
+
+"Miss Fanny!" I cried in joyous recognition, and bent low over her
+extended hand.
+
+I had been but a young boy when Frances Cadwalader married Mr. Erskine
+and went to London to live; but we had been great friends as children,
+and I did not understand how I had failed to recognize her. She bade
+me stand beside her and she would point out all the distinguished
+guests, and I was glad indeed of her protection. In reply to my eager
+question as to how she came to be in Washington, she told me that her
+husband had been appointed minister from Great Britain in Mr. Merry's
+place, and they were but newly arrived.
+
+"But where have you been living, sir," she asked, with mock severity,
+"that you know nothing of what has been going on in the great world?
+Or are we personages of so small importance that our movements are not
+chronicled in America?"
+
+I had to explain that I had been in the backwoods for months, and for
+the last two months in the foreign colony of Louisiana, in the village
+of St. Louis, where little of the doings of the outside world
+penetrated.
+
+She forgave me my ignorance, and immediately pointed out to me her
+husband, a fine-looking Englishman, talking to the most gorgeously
+arrayed creature I had ever beheld: satin, laces, velvets, jewels,
+gold lace, and powder made up a dazzling ensemble.
+
+"That," said she, "is the Marquis de Casa Yrujo, and the lady with him
+is his wife, Sally McKean. He is magnificent, is he not? I would not
+quite like it if I were the marchioness, for people look at him
+instead of her, and she is quite beautiful enough to be looked at
+herself."
+
+"Ah, why begrudge the marquis his meed of admiration, if he likes it?"
+I said. "And since he likes it, let us be grateful, for his sake, that
+it is not Mistress Erskine who is the marchioness, for who can see the
+glitter of the stars when the lovely moon is in the sky?"
+
+She laughed good-naturedly at my gallantry, but I think she also liked
+it. We were standing near a window that looked out on the front
+approach to the White House. Suddenly Mistress Erskine exclaimed:
+
+"Look, look quick, my friend! Here is magnificence indeed!"
+
+I looked as she bade me, and saw what I conceived to be a rolling ball
+of burnished gold borne swiftly through the air by two gilt wings. As
+it came nearer we both grew more excited--I because I did not know
+what it was (and it looked more like a fairy coach than anything I had
+dreamed of), and she both because she enjoyed my bewilderment and
+because she loved magnificence. By this time as many of the other
+guests as were near windows and could look out without seeming to be
+over-eager, or discourteous to their host, were doing so. The rolling
+golden ball came to the very foot of the White House steps and
+stopped. What I had taken to be two gilt wings proved to be nothing
+more than gorgeous footmen, with _chapeaux bras_, gilt-braided skirts,
+and splendid swords. They sprang to the ground, opened the door of the
+coach, and from it alighted the French minister, weighted with gold
+lace and glittering with diamonds and jeweled orders. He turned with
+stately ceremony to offer his hand to a lady who was alighting from
+the coach. First a tiny foot in high-arched slippers and embroidered
+stocking; then a glimpse of a skirt, pale pink and silver brocade,
+that had a strangely familiar air. I looked quickly at the head just
+emerging--waving black curls, dark glowing eyes, a complexion of ivory
+tinted with rose.
+
+It was Mademoiselle Pelagie!
+
+My head swam. Was it indeed all a bit of enchantment? The golden
+coach, the gorgeous footmen, the dazzling minister of France,
+and--Pelagie! Mrs. Erskine noted my agitation.
+
+"Qu'as-tu, m'ami?" she said softly. "You know her, then?"
+
+"Know whom, madam?" I asked, trying to get myself under control and
+seem indifferent.
+
+"Our new sensation, the Great Lady of France, whom all the town is
+talking of. She arrived two days ago at the house of the French
+minister, and is staying there, it is said, under his protection,
+until she shall find suitable escort to Paris, where she goes to take
+possession of her estates returned to her by Bonaparte. This is what
+rumor says, and it looks as if it were true that she is a great lady,
+since the minister has handed her from the carriage before his own
+wife. We will wait now to see where the President seats her at table;
+that will decide it."
+
+I was trying hard to hold myself in hand and make suitable answer.
+
+"Is the President such a stickler, then, for form and ceremony? We had
+heard otherwise."
+
+Mistress Erskine laughed:
+
+"True, I forgot. If he had been as particular as he should concerning
+precedence, I should not be here. You know, do you not, that my
+husband's predecessor quarreled with President Jefferson because he
+gave his arm to Dolly Madison, in going in to dinner, instead of to
+the wife of the British minister?"
+
+"Yes; I have heard of the 'Merry War,'" I answered, and stopped. Not
+another word could I utter. Nor apparently could anybody else in the
+room; for every voice was hushed as all eyes were turned to the door
+where the French minister was entering with his wife on his left arm,
+and what I veritably believed to be the most beautiful creature in the
+world on his right.
+
+It was a brilliant spectacle; for the French minister and his wife
+dazzled the sight by the glitter of gold lace and the flash of jewels,
+and Pelagie blinded the eyes as truly by a vision of radiant dark
+eyes, soft black tresses curling around a white throat, the gleam of
+snowy neck and rounded arms through rare lace, and the color of the
+rose slowly tinting the rich ivory of her cheeks, as they passed
+through a double lane of guests to speak to the President.
+
+Now was I in two minds whether to be supremely happy in once more
+beholding Mademoiselle Pelagie, whose graceful figure I thought had
+forever faded from my sight when the boat rounded the bend of the
+Ohio, or to be most miserable lest here among courtiers, and taking
+her rightful place with the great of the earth, she should no longer
+condescend to show me the friendliness she had shown on our last
+evening on the river. Neither was I quite sure whether it was my place
+to go forward and speak to her or to await her pleasure in speaking to
+me.
+
+But Mistress Erskine solved the problem.
+
+"You do know her," she said--"I see it in your eyes; and you must
+present me at once. And do tell me," she added eagerly: "is she so
+great a lady? We have heard so many rumors about her; what is the
+truth?"
+
+"I have only known her," I answered, "as Mademoiselle Pelagie de Villa
+Réal. I know that in France she is of high rank, but I do not know
+what."
+
+"Ah," she said, with a little gesture of disappointment, "then you
+cannot introduce me properly, and I shall have to trust to that astute
+diplomat that he gives her her right title. Does she know it herself?"
+
+"I think she did not when she left St. Louis," I answered, "but her
+new friends may have revealed it to her."
+
+"On second thought," said she, "I believe I will ask you to present
+her to me instead of the minister, if you will; I would like to see
+how she takes the 'Mademoiselle de Villa Réal.'"
+
+So there was nothing for it but to brace up my courage and go forward
+to speak to mademoiselle. Nothing could have been sweeter and more
+friendly than her greeting, and with no trace of embarrassment, though
+I thought the French minister regarded me with a coldly critical eye.
+Beside his magnificence I did feel rather shabby; for, though Yorke
+had done his best to freshen and restore my purple velvets by steaming
+and other appliances, they still were the worse for much service
+(especially the encounter with the chevalier), and for many packings
+in saddle-bags. Of my lace ruffles I was justly proud, for no
+courtier's in the room were finer or richer, and my sword and scabbard
+were not to be ashamed of, for though not so bejeweled as some, they
+were of the finest workmanship and inlaid with gold and pearl.
+
+Mademoiselle presented me to the French minister very prettily,
+however; and though I thought his greeting somewhat scant in courtesy,
+I attributed it to the suspicions he would naturally have, as
+mademoiselle's guardian, of a young gentleman of whom he knew nothing,
+and whom mademoiselle received so kindly.
+
+I at once preferred Mistress Erskine's request, but the minister gave
+Pelagie no chance to reply.
+
+"I will myself present the comtesse to the wife of the British
+ambassador," he said with alacrity, and led her away to Mistress
+Erskine.
+
+I saw that he had availed himself of this opportunity to cut short my
+interview with mademoiselle; but, not to be outdone in diplomacy, I
+followed leisurely, and was in time to hear the minister say:
+
+"It gives me pleasure to present to Madame Erskine the Comtesse de
+Baloit." And I saw by the profound curtsy Mistress Erskine made (and
+which mademoiselle returned very prettily, but with a touch of
+condescension, I thought) that that name meant something more to her
+than it did to me.
+
+After the fashion of women, the two began at once a lively chatter in
+French, and I saw myself like to be shut out in the cold, with no
+further opportunity for converse with mademoiselle. But I would not
+desert my post, hoping sooner or later to get my chance. And I was
+rewarded; for in a few minutes Mistress Erskine was called to receive
+another presentation. But as she turned away she whispered in my ear:
+
+"Be careful how you behave, sir; she is of the blood royal!"
+
+Blood royal or not, she would always be Mademoiselle Pelagie to me,
+and I was not going to lose my opportunity.
+
+"Tell me, Comtesse," I said, "how you came here. When I saw you last
+you had no idea of coming to Washington."
+
+She did not answer my question at once, but, glancing up at me from
+under her long lashes in the most adorable fashion, she said softly:
+
+"You used to call me Comtesse when you were angry. Are you angry now?"
+
+"No, not when I was angry," I answered, "but when you were--were--"
+
+"Proud and naughty and altogether disagreeable," she interposed
+quickly; "and that was very often, was it not, Monsieur?"
+
+"Yes, Comtesse."
+
+"I am not either now, am I? Then why do you not call me
+Mademoiselle?"
+
+"No, indeed! You are"--I was going to say "adorable," but I finished
+tamely--"neither. But you are really Comtesse, and it is proper I
+should call you so." And before I was aware of what I was doing, I
+fetched a great sigh from the bottom of my boots. She understood, and
+looked up at me with a pathetic little smile that was sadder than my
+sigh.
+
+"I am sorry, too; I think I would rather be mademoiselle," she said.
+
+"And of the blood royal!" I added severely, as if accusing her of a
+crime.
+
+She dropped her eyes.
+
+"I cannot help it. I never knew till yesterday," meekly.
+
+"And your guardian," I indicated the French minister with a slight nod
+in his direction, "thinks it great presumption for a plain Yankee
+gentleman to be talking on such familiar terms with a princess of the
+blood, and is coming in a few minutes to put a stop to it."
+
+She looked at the minister quickly with a haughty turn of the head and
+a flashing glance, but in a moment she turned back to me with a smile
+curling her scarlet lips and a humorous twinkle in her eye.
+
+"He would never dare," she said. "He is a good Citizen of the
+Republic."
+
+"Nevertheless he will dare," I insisted. "I see it in his eye; so
+first tell me quickly how you got here, and when and where you are
+going."
+
+"Your boat was hardly out of sight, Monsieur," she answered, "when
+another came up the river direct from St. Louis with Monsieur and
+Madame Cerré aboard. They brought letters from my guardian directing
+me to go on with them to Washington (where they were going to
+see the Spanish minister about some trouble they had had with
+Americans--concerning peltries, I think, and land, perhaps), and they
+would place me in the French minister's care. I did not expect to find
+you here, for we were a whole day behind you; but we traveled
+rapidly."
+
+"And I was delayed," I said. "But when and how are you to get to
+Paris? With the Livingstons?"
+
+"No; Citizen Pichon says they sailed this week. But he tells me, what
+is not generally known, that your government is about to send a
+special envoy to France concerning New Orleans--a Monsieur Monroe; and
+Monsieur Pichon has arranged that I shall go with him."
+
+"Do you know when?" I asked hastily, for I saw the President moving
+toward us with the Marquis de Casa Yrujo, and I was quite sure that
+meant an end to all conversation.
+
+"Not for several weeks, I believe; but I am not sure," she answered.
+
+"Will the Comtesse de Baloit permit me to present the Marquis de Casa
+Yrujo, who will take her out to dinner?" And the President was adding
+a pretty little speech of compliment, in his gallant way, and the
+marquis was bowing solemnly and profoundly, and the comtesse was
+curtsying and smiling, and I was left entirely out in the cold. I was
+rescued by Mistress Madison.
+
+"I would like nothing better than to give you your old friend Mistress
+Erskine to take out to dinner," she said, smiling. "It is forlorn for
+a young man among so many grown-ups, and the only young maiden
+snatched away from him. But the President is not going to blunder
+twice in the same fashion, and will take Mistress Erskine himself. Now
+I will give you your choice among the rest. Whom would you like to
+take?"
+
+"Ah, your Majesty," I answered quickly, hand on my heart and bowing
+low, but smiling up at her,--for she was a woman into whose amiable,
+cordial face no man could look without smiling,--"I suppose I dare not
+lift my eyes as high as my heart would dictate, and since you are out
+of the question, I care not whom you give me."
+
+"Saucy boy!"--and she tapped me lightly with her snuff-box,--"I vow I
+think you would be vastly more fun than the British minister, but my
+country demands that I sacrifice myself. I will give you the
+Marchioness de Casa Yrujo. If you do not know Sally McKean, she
+certainly knew you when you were in petticoats."
+
+So I found myself seated at table between the most brilliant woman
+there and the most beautiful; for the Marchioness de Casa Yrujo was
+universally conceded to be the one, and the Comtesse de Baloit was, in
+my esteem at least, as certainly the other.
+
+It was a long table, and bounteously furnished--lacking, perhaps, some
+of the elegance of the Philadelphia tables I had been accustomed to,
+but with a lavish prodigality native to the South. Two new guests had
+arrived while I had been so engrossed in talking to the comtesse that
+I had not observed their entrance, a gentleman and his wife. The lady
+was amiable-looking, but of no great distinction of appearance. The
+gentleman I thought I had seen before; his long, rather lean visage,
+somber but dignified, looked familiar to me. When the marchioness told
+me it was Mr. Monroe, I wondered that I had not recognized him at
+once, for he was a familiar figure on our streets during the ten years
+when Philadelphia was the capital. Moreover, I could have vowed he was
+wearing the same sad-colored drab clothes he used to appear in then,
+so entirely unchanged were both cut and color. I looked at him now
+with great interest, for was he not to decide the fortunes of the
+West?--in which I could have taken no greater interest had I been
+Western-born. And, more than that, was he not appointed to what seemed
+to me a mission of far greater importance, the conveying of
+mademoiselle in safety to her home?
+
+I could have wished Mistress Monroe was to accompany him, for she had
+an air of motherly kindliness that I felt would be both protection and
+comfort to Mademoiselle Pelagie; and aside from the fact that there
+was something cold and austere in Mr. Monroe's face, I was
+sufficiently imbued with Mr. Hamilton's ideas to feel no great
+confidence in the man. (Wherein I have since thought I did Mr. Monroe
+great injustice, since in every act of his life he has proved himself
+a high-minded gentleman. But Mr. Hamilton's personal magnetism was so
+great that it was quite impossible for us younger men at least, not to
+feel that every one who differed with him must be, if not wholly
+unprincipled, at least worthy of doubt and suspicion.)
+
+It was a brilliant dinner-table, for the exciting debate at the
+Capitol furnished a theme that loosed every tongue. Yet I could see
+that the President, while he kept the ball rolling with a gaiety and
+good humor that rather surprised me, was himself most guarded. Indeed,
+many were restrained, no doubt, from saying quite what they thought by
+the presence of the Spanish minister, who at that time was at the
+height of his popularity--his course in the Louisiana affair, which
+made him so many enemies, not having been taken until later.
+
+Yet most of those present were more in sympathy with Clinton of New
+York and Jackson of Georgia than with Ross of Pennsylvania and
+Gouverneur Morris. When Mr. Erskine spoke of Gouverneur Morris's
+speech as a masterly effort, the President, whom he addressed, replied
+only by a smile so coldly polite that it was like a dash of cold
+water, not only to the British minister, but to the whole table.
+
+I was ever a blundering idiot, and knew not when to leave well enough
+alone; neither had I ever the heart to see fellow-man discomfited
+(especially if he were on my side of the question) without going at
+once to his aid. So, forgetting that it was the powerful minister of a
+great nation, who needed no help from a man entirely unknown in the
+great world and of extreme youth, I plunged boldly in.
+
+"I agree with you, sir, most heartily," I said. "In force and polish
+and weight of argument it was beyond compare. But I expected nothing
+less from Gouverneur Morris."
+
+There was a dead silence around the table; even the British minister
+had not the temerity to do more than bow his thanks in the face of
+Jefferson's icy smile. I caught a glimpse of the marquis's profile; he
+was frowning heavily. The French minister's face was a blank, and so
+was Mr. Monroe's. Pelagie looked the picture of distress, and Mr.
+Lewis made me a slight gesture which I took to mean, "Keep still."
+Even Mistress Erskine looked embarrassed, and I could understand none
+of it. But as I caught Mistress Madison's eye there was a twinkle of
+humor in it, and she gave the slightest, very slightest nod in the
+world toward the President.
+
+Then at once it flashed upon me: Gouverneur Morris was bosom friend to
+Mr. Hamilton, and this was no place to be lauding him to the skies.
+Then was I seized with a rage against the restraints of society, that
+would not permit me to fling defiance in the face of all these
+grandees,--aye, and of the President himself--and declare my
+allegiance to Hamilton and his friends. And mingled with my rage was
+an intolerable sense of mortification that I had made such an arrant
+fool of myself before all these older men and lovely women. But, with
+a tact for which I can never be sufficiently grateful to her, Mistress
+Madison turned at once to Pelagie.
+
+"Comtesse," she said, "you are fresh from the colony of Louisiana, in
+which we are all so deeply interested; tell us something about your
+life in St. Louis, and how you found your Spanish rulers."
+
+And mademoiselle, understanding, responded at once with glowing
+descriptions of her happy life there, and the courtesy and polish of
+the people, with many gay little touches of rude and funny experience.
+Everybody thawed at once; for most of those present had been much in
+Paris and could understand her French as easily as I. The President
+became as genial as he had been icy, and he insisted on drawing me
+also into the conversation (I think for the purpose of giving me an
+opportunity of retrieving myself), in which I hope I bore my part
+modestly; for I like not to seem either presumptuous or vainglorious,
+though, because I am a blunderer, I no doubt seem sometimes to be
+both.
+
+The curtains had been drawn and the candles lighted when we sat down
+to dinner, though the sun was still shining; but the short winter
+afternoon had rapidly passed into evening, and then into dark night,
+and we still lingered at the table. Talk had grown more and more
+animated as the wine flowed more freely, and toasts were drunk and
+bright speeches made in response. I had, as in duty bound, devoted
+most of my attention to the marchioness, and the marquis had engrossed
+Pelagie. Yet there had been chance for an occasional word with her. It
+was when the marquis was rising to respond to a toast to his Most
+Catholic Majesty of Spain, amid the ringing of glasses, that I turned
+to mademoiselle.
+
+"Would it be permitted an old friend to call at the house of the
+French minister on the Comtesse de Baloit?"
+
+"It would be unpardonable if he neglected to do so," she responded,
+with a bright smile.
+
+"Then to-morrow at two I hope to find you at home," I said, and then
+added quickly--"unless you are going to the Senate again?"
+
+She colored a little.
+
+"Did you know me?"
+
+But she would not let me answer her own question, for the marquis was
+beginning to speak, and it behooved us to listen. In the midst of the
+applause that followed his speech, I saw the President whisper
+something to the black man who stood behind his chair and send him to
+me. For a moment, when the messenger told me the President wished to
+see me in his office after the others were gone, I thought I was to be
+called to account for my malapropos speech, but I was relieved when he
+added:
+
+"The President hab a message from yo' home, sah."
+
+And had it not been that I liked much feeling myself so near
+mademoiselle, even if I had only an occasional word from her, I would
+have been very impatient for dinner to be over, for a message from
+home sent to the President, it seemed to me, must be of importance.
+
+Dinner was over at last, and there was but little lingering afterward.
+I had the pleasure of helping mademoiselle into her coach, though
+Monsieur Pichon looked cold and the Marquis de Yrujo tried to
+forestall me. But when she was shut up inside the golden ball, and
+the great golden wings were once more perched on either side of it,
+and it rolled away glittering and flashing in the light of the torches
+as it had flashed and glittered in the rays of the sun five hours
+before, I had a sinking of the heart such as I might have felt had she
+been snatched away from my sight forever in the prophet's fiery
+chariot bearing her to the skies.
+
+Mr. Meriwether Lewis was waiting to conduct me to the President's
+office, and he stayed and talked with me pleasantly until the
+President arrived; laughing with me at my _faux pas_, but telling me I
+had nothing to fear from the President's displeasure, as he was not
+the man to harbor a grudge on so slight a matter, and he (though, to
+be sure, he was a lifelong friend) had ever found him to be kind,
+considerate, and genial.
+
+And such I found him in our brief interview. He went directly to the
+point with me, which always goes far toward winning my liking.
+
+"I know your family," he said, "have ever been friends of Mr.
+Hamilton, and so not particularly friendly to me in a political way;
+but your father and I have been associated much in scientific
+pursuits, and we have ever been congenial friends in our love of
+botanical research. He has sent me many rare plants and seeds to
+Monticello, and now he shows me the further courtesy of reposing a
+confidence in me, and I hope you will express to him my appreciation,
+which I will prove by reposing a like confidence in you. Your father
+writes me that a letter has just been received from your uncle,
+Monsieur Barbé Marbois, inviting you to spend some time with him in
+Paris. He says that both he and your mother think it much to be
+desired that you should improve this opportunity for completing your
+education. He says, further, that a ship sails from New York early
+next week, and requests me, if you should be in Washington when I
+receive this letter, as he suspects, that I will instruct you to lose
+no time in reaching home. Indeed, so urgent is he, and the time is so
+short, I think, without doubt, you should set off by daybreak
+to-morrow morning.
+
+"Now, as I said before, I am going also to repose a confidence in you.
+It is not generally known, nor do I wish it known for the present
+(therefore I speak in confidence), that I have decided to send an
+envoy extraordinaire to Paris for the purpose of discussing with the
+French government the possibility of purchasing New Orleans. I
+communicated this to the Senate to-day in secret session, and I now
+communicate it to you, also in 'secret session'"--with a genial smile.
+
+"I have asked Mr. Monroe to undertake this delicate mission, and he
+has to-day consented, and is here arranging his plans and discussing
+with me and with Mr. Madison the points involved. He will not be able
+to set out for some weeks, but we hope now that he can sail by the
+eighth of March, reaching Paris somewhere near the twelfth of April.
+Mr. Livingston naturally knows nothing of this, and the favor I have
+to ask of you is that, immediately upon your arrival in Paris, you
+call upon him and deliver to him a note which I shall give you, and
+also explain fully to him all that I have said to you, all that you
+have heard at dinner this evening, and particularly repeat to him as
+much as you can hold in memory of the debate you listened to in the
+Senate to-day."
+
+The President paused for a moment, and then, with a smile of rare
+sweetness, he added:
+
+"Is the ardent young friend of Hamilton willing to put the President
+under such a load of obligations?"
+
+For a moment I hardly knew what response to make. Not that I dreamed
+of denying his request: I was only too proud and happy that he should
+have made it. But that he should have reposed such a confidence in me,
+when he knew me scarcely at all, seemed incomprehensible. I made but a
+stammering reply.
+
+"Your Excellency," I said, "I fear I have given you but a poor idea of
+my discretion, but since you trust me in spite of my blunder, I am
+very proud to be of service to you."
+
+It took but a minute for the President to give me his note to Mr.
+Livingston, and a few further instructions, and then he bade me
+God-speed with a warmth and cordiality I had never expected and
+certainly never deserved at his hands.
+
+There was but little sleep for me that night. As Fatima clattered into
+the stony courtyard of my inn, I called loudly for Bandy Jim; and when
+the poor old man came stumbling out of some inner retreat, half
+blinded with sleep, I begged him to look after Fatima himself, and see
+that she was well rubbed down and ready for an early morning start,
+and that I was called and breakfast ready by six.
+
+In my own room I spent not much time in packing my saddle-bags, but it
+took me a good half-hour to write a brief note to mademoiselle,
+explaining why I was compelled to cancel my engagement with her for
+the next day, and bidding her good-by in such fashion that, without
+seeming presumptuous, she might read between the lines how much of my
+heart I had put into it.
+
+I had said nothing in my note about going to Paris. I very much
+desired to keep that for a surprise when I might some day meet her
+there. And, lest she should hear it from others, I wrote also a note
+to Meriwether Lewis, asking him to say nothing about it to any one,
+and to request the President to keep my secret for me.
+
+Then, putting a bright new gold piece with the two notes to be
+delivered by the trusty hands of Bandy Jim in the morning, I lay down
+to get a brief sleep, if possible--but, sleeping or waking, to dream
+of Paris and the Comtesse de Baloit.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+CHECK TO THE ABBÉ!
+
+    "When Greeks joined Greeks, then was the tug of war."
+
+
+I had been in Paris three weeks, and they had been weeks of unalloyed
+delight. The life and gaiety of the brilliant capital, the streets
+lined with handsome houses and thronged with gay equipages, richly
+dressed people, soldiers wearing the tricolored cockade, students,
+artists, workmen, blanchisseuses, and nursery-maids in picturesque
+costumes tending prettily dressed children, made a moving panorama I
+never tired of. Even the great palaces and the wonderful works of art
+scarcely interested me as did this shifting kaleidoscopic picture, and
+I looked back at life in my native town on the banks of the Delaware
+as belonging to another world, incomparably tame and dull by
+comparison.
+
+Every morning I accompanied my uncle, Monsieur Barbé Marbois, to the
+Treasury office, and left him at the door, to roam around the streets
+and watch the life of the town. I was at home again in time for midday
+déjeuner, and then on Fatima's back (for I had brought Fatima with me;
+no persuasion of friends could induce me to leave her behind, since
+she had twice rescued mademoiselle and so become my most trusted
+friend)--on Fatima's back I dashed out the Avenue to the beautiful
+Wood of Boulogne, sometimes racing with the young bloods to whom my
+uncle had introduced me, sometimes checking my horse to a gentle
+canter beside a coachful of Faubourg St. Germain beauties, exchanging
+merry compliments with the brilliant and witty mothers while I looked
+at the pretty daughters, who, for aught I knew, were as stupid as
+their mothers were brilliant, since they never opened their mouths.
+And so back to my aunt's in time to make a careful toilet for the
+four-o'clock dinner, when there were sure to be guests, more or less
+distinguished, but always interesting.
+
+I had delivered my message and my note from the President to Mr.
+Livingston on the day of my arrival, and it seemed to me that it did
+not please him overmuch that an envoy extraordinaire should be sent to
+attend to his affairs; but he said nothing, and received me most
+graciously, both as a messenger from the President and because I was
+the son of his old friend.
+
+Several times since my arrival at my uncle's house, both Mr.
+Livingston and his son the colonel had been guests there, and always
+the talk had turned on what most interested me, the purchase of New
+Orleans and the Floridas. At one of these dinners, Monsieur
+Talleyrand, the Minister of Foreign Relations, was also guest, and
+while there was but little reference to Louisiana at table, I was,
+with no intention on my part, a listener later to a most interesting
+conversation between Monsieur Talleyrand and Mr. Livingston that was
+no doubt intended to be strictly private.
+
+Thinking that it was very likely the three gentlemen--- the Minister
+of Foreign Relations, my uncle the Secretary of the Treasury, and the
+United States minister--might have matters of importance to discuss
+where my absence would be more desirable than my presence, I left the
+salon immediately after dinner, and went out into the garden, taking
+with me a Philadelphia paper that had arrived by that morning's
+express and that I had not yet seen. I took my paper into the little
+summer-house at the farther end of the garden, and was soon engrossed
+reading the debates in Congress. I found there had been another of
+great interest on the same Louisiana subject, and so deeply immersed
+was I in my paper that I did not notice that any one had entered the
+garden until the sound of voices quite close to me roused me. A small
+table with several garden-chairs surrounding it stood under a
+spreading horse-chestnut tree, and there we often took our morning
+coffee, if the weather was fine, or smoked our evening cigars. At this
+table Monsieur Talleyrand and Mr. Livingston had seated themselves,
+and how long they had been talking I did not know, so absorbed was I
+in my paper, when Mr. Livingston's voice, a little raised above its
+usual even tenor, roused me.
+
+I sprang to my feet, realizing that I must seem like an eavesdropper,
+should any one discover me there, even though I had not heard a word.
+Mr. Livingston was facing the door of the summer-house, and as he saw
+me he nodded pleasantly to me to come forward.
+
+"Here, Citizen Minister," he said to Mr. Talleyrand, "is a young man
+whose father would like to train him for the profession of diplomacy.
+Perhaps he could not begin his apprenticeship better than by being
+present at our interview, and, if you have no objections, I will ask
+him to remain. He can act as secretary and take notes for the future
+reference of us both, if you like."
+
+I rather thought Mr. Talleyrand did _not_ quite like, though he
+assented to Mr. Livingston's proposal, but with such cold politeness
+as made me exceedingly uncomfortable, and I would have been very glad
+to make my escape to the house. But, for some reason, Mr. Livingston
+seemed to especially desire me to remain, and I saw no help for it but
+to sit down at a respectful distance, take my memorandum-book out of
+my pocket, and prepare, ostensibly at least, to take notes.
+
+I was much concerned, also, at what Mr. Livingston had said about my
+father desiring to train me for diplomacy. He had never said anything
+to me about it, and I determined on the instant I would never be a
+diplomat. "The life of a soldier for me!" I said to myself, and then
+suddenly realized that Mr. Livingston was talking, and it behooved me
+to listen carefully if I was to play the secretary.
+
+Mr. Livingston was saying:
+
+"Be assured, sir, that even were it possible that the government of
+the United States could be insensible to the sufferings of the Western
+people, they would find it as easy to prevent the Mississippi from
+rolling its waters into the ocean as to control the impulse of the
+people to do themselves justice. Sir, I will venture to say that were
+a fleet to shut up the mouths of the Chesapeake, the Delaware, and the
+Hudson, it would create less sensation in the United States than the
+denial of the right of deposit at New Orleans has done."
+
+I liked the ring in Mr. Livingston's voice, and his words sounded very
+stirring to me; but I could not see that they made any impression on
+the impassive countenance of Monsieur Talleyrand. He was reclining in
+his garden-chair, and I could see that as Mr. Livingston spoke he was
+regarding him intently through half-shut eyes. His tones were of the
+sweetest and blandest as he replied:
+
+"The First Consul, Mr. Livingston, has asked me to say to you that he
+proposes to send General Bernadotte as envoy to the United States to
+acquire such information as he may deem necessary, previous to his
+taking any measure relative to the situation in which the acquisition
+of Louisiana will place France with respect to the United States. I
+hope, moreover, that this measure on the part of the First Consul will
+prove satisfactory both to you and to your government."
+
+Now I cannot but think that Mr. Talleyrand is too astute a man to have
+thought for an instant that this would prove satisfactory, and so, I
+have no doubt, he was quite prepared for Mr. Livingston's indignant
+outburst:
+
+"Satisfactory, sir! If, sir, the question related to the forming of a
+new treaty, I should find no objection to this measure. On the
+contrary, I should readily acquiesce in it as that which would be
+best calculated to render the treaty mutually advantageous. But, sir,
+it is not a new treaty for which we now press, but the recognition of
+an old one, by which the United States have acquired rights that no
+change in the circumstances of the country obliges them to relinquish,
+and which they never will relinquish but with their political
+existence!"
+
+It was hard for me to sit still under such ringing sentences. I wanted
+to clap my hands and cry "Bravo!" For a moment all the glories of
+Paris turned dull and insipid; I would have given them all to be in
+Kentucky on Fatima's back, marching down the river to capture New
+Orleans.
+
+But Mr. Livingston had not finished. Mr. Talleyrand made a slight
+movement as if to speak, but, with uplifted hand to prevent him, Mr.
+Livingston hurried on:
+
+"In what situation, sir, are we now placed? An armament is about
+sailing for New Orleans. That port has been shut by the order of
+Spain. The French commandant will find it shut. Will he think himself
+authorized to open it? If not, it must remain shut until the envoy of
+France shall have arrived in America, made the necessary inquiries,
+and transmitted the result of those inquiries to the First Consul. In
+the meantime all the produce of five States is left to rot upon their
+hands. There is only one season in which the navigation of the
+Mississippi is practicable. This season must necessarily pass before
+the envoy of France can arrive and make his report. Is it supposable,
+sir, that the people of the United States will tranquilly await the
+progress of negotiations, when the ruin of themselves and their
+families will be attendant on the delay? I can never bring myself to
+believe that the First Consul will, by deferring for a moment the
+recognition of a right that admits of no discussion, break all those
+ties which bind the United States to France, obliterate the sense of
+past obligations, change every political relation that it has been,
+and still is, the earnest wish of the United States to preserve, and
+force them to connect their interests with a rival power! And this,
+too, for an object of no real moment in itself. Louisiana is, and ever
+must be, from physical causes, a miserable country in the hands of an
+European power."
+
+Mr. Talleyrand's eyes had not moved from Mr. Livingston's face during
+this long speech, but at his last words I saw a sudden spark leap into
+them.
+
+"You no doubt think, sir," he said in his low, even tones, "that
+Louisiana would be a much better country in the hands of the United
+States. Would your government like to buy it from us?"
+
+"You know, sir, and have known for some time," replied Mr. Livingston,
+"that we are ready to make an offer for New Orleans and the Floridas
+as soon as you are ready to listen to it."
+
+"But would you not rather have the whole of Louisiana? The rest of it,
+without New Orleans, would be of little value to us. What would you
+give for the whole?"
+
+Mr. Livingston looked bewildered for an instant; it was almost more
+than he could take in at once. But after a moment's thought he
+replied:
+
+"It is a subject, sir, I have not considered; but I suppose we shall
+not object to twenty million francs, provided our citizens are paid."
+
+"That is much too low an offer, my dear sir," responded Talleyrand,
+"but I see the idea is new to you. I would be glad if you would
+reflect upon it, and tell me to-morrow the result of your
+reflections."
+
+"Mr. Monroe will be in town in a day or two." (My heart gave so great
+a thump when Mr. Livingston said that, I feared they might hear
+it--for would not the Comtesse de Baloit be with him?) "And I would
+like to delay any further offer until I shall have the pleasure of
+introducing him."
+
+Mr. Talleyrand shrugged his shoulders slightly.
+
+"As you will, Monsieur; but do not give Mr. Monroe reason to think
+that I speak with authority. The idea struck me that you might like
+the whole of the colony quite as well as part of it."
+
+I thought this would have put an end to the conversation; but I soon
+saw that Mr. Livingston had another card to play, and that he
+evidently did not believe the minister was speaking entirely on his
+own authority.
+
+"Monsieur Talleyrand," he said, "I have this morning received a notice
+from my home government that Mr. Ross's resolution authorizing the
+President to seize New Orleans was lost by four votes. Another was
+offered by Mr. Breckinridge of Kentucky, which was unanimously
+adopted. Mr. Breckinridge's resolution was to the effect that the
+President of the United States be authorized to require of the
+executives of the several States, to arm and equip, and hold in
+readiness to march at a moment's notice, eighty thousand militia; that
+money be appropriated for paying and subsisting such troops; and also
+that money be appropriated for erecting on the Western border one or
+more arsenals, as the President may judge proper. Monsieur Talleyrand,
+this means but one thing: that the United States is ready to act at
+once if France does not recognize our right of deposit; and I beg you
+will use your influence with the First Consul, that he will not send
+General Bernadotte until this question is determined."
+
+Mr. Talleyrand, with another shrug of his shoulders, seemed to
+disclaim any influence with the First Consul, though he said:
+
+"If you will make me an offer for the whole of Louisiana that I can
+convey to him, I have no doubt it will carry great weight."
+
+"I must decline to do so, Monsieur, as I am expecting Mr. Monroe in a
+day or two."
+
+Suddenly Mr. Livingston changed his tone. It was no longer one of mild
+argument, but as of one who called another to account. I was
+astonished that he dared so address the powerful Minister of Foreign
+Relations.
+
+"I have long been endeavoring to bring you to some point, Monsieur,
+but, unfortunately, without effect. I wish merely to have the
+negotiation opened by any proposition on your part. It was with that
+view I sent you a note a few days ago, to which, as yet, I have
+received no answer."
+
+The great man sounded to me surprisingly meek as he replied:
+
+"I would have answered your note earlier, Mr. Livingston, but I have
+been waiting, hoping I could give you some more satisfactory reply. I
+will delay no longer. I will answer it; but it will have to be
+evasively, for Louisiana is not ours."
+
+I caught a glimpse of Mr. Livingston's countenance; a more sardonic
+smile I have never seen--a smile which said as plainly as words, "You
+are lying." He spoke with frigid courtesy:
+
+"It seems strange that I should be better informed than the Minister
+of Foreign Relations," he said, "but I have seen the treaty. Moreover,
+I know that the Consul has appointed officers to govern the colony,
+and he has himself told me that General Victor was to take possession.
+And, what seems to me most convincing proof--why does the First Consul
+send General Bernadotte to the United States to treat in relation to
+Louisiana, if Louisiana does not belong to France?"
+
+I thought that would have floored even Talleyrand; but not at all.
+With another shrug of his shoulders, and putting together his
+finger-tips in a manner that gave him a most indifferent air, he only
+persisted in saying that they had it in contemplation, but had not yet
+secured it. I wondered what Mr. Livingston would say next, but I need
+not have feared for him. Quick as thought, and all smiles and
+amiability, he responded to the minister:
+
+"I am very well pleased to understand this from you, Monsieur,
+because, if so, we will not commit ourselves with you by taking it
+from Spain, to whom, by your account, it still belongs. And as we have
+just cause of complaint against Spain, if Mr. Monroe concurs in my
+opinion, we will negotiate no further on the subject with you, but
+advise our government to take possession."
+
+For the first time Mr. Talleyrand seemed moved. He sprang to his feet
+and spoke quickly:
+
+"I beg you will take no such measures at present, Mr. Livingston. I
+will answer your note, though I must still say, as I have said before,
+it will have to be evasively."
+
+Mr. Livingston, who had also risen to his feet, bowed formally.
+
+"I shall be glad to receive any communication from you, Citizen
+Minister, but we are not disposed to trifle. The times are critical,
+and though I do not know what instructions Mr. Monroe may bring, I am
+perfectly satisfied they will require a precise and prompt notice. I
+am very fearful, from the little progress I have made, my government
+will consider me as a very indolent negotiator."
+
+Mr. Talleyrand laughed, a high, rasping laugh, but evidently intended
+to be of great good humor.
+
+"I will give you a certificate, Mr. Livingston, and you can send it
+home to your government, that you are the most importunate negotiator
+I have ever met with."
+
+Their conference seemed to be ended; they turned and walked toward the
+house, leaving me to ponder with wonder and amaze at what I had
+listened to, and with keen admiration for the part Mr. Livingston had
+taken in the matter. I had always been led to believe that no man
+could hold his own against the shrewd and unfathomable Abbé; but, if I
+mistook not, this time Mr. Livingston had not only held his own, but
+got much the better of him.
+
+Suddenly a thought flashed into my mind. What did Talleyrand mean by
+repeating over and over, and in such significant phrase, that his
+answer must be "evasive"? Could it be possible that he was intimating
+that a consideration would be necessary to make it more decided? I
+believed that he had so intimated, and that Mr. Livingston had
+understood him, and had repelled the intimation with scorn.
+
+Then again there flashed into my mind the two million dollars that had
+been voted the President to use "as he thought best" in adjusting this
+matter. Was it intended to use in buying up "such creatures," I said
+scornfully to myself, "as Talleyrand"? Vague insinuations in those
+speeches in Congress I had listened to now seemed to me as clear as
+day.
+
+Hot with indignation and shame,--my indignation for Talleyrand, my
+shame that my country could stoop to such measures,--I rushed into the
+house to my uncle. He had been entertaining Colonel Livingston while
+the other two were holding their conference; but all three gentlemen
+were gone now, and I found him sitting quietly in his library,
+reading. I had flung the door wide as I entered, and I stopped on the
+threshold.
+
+"Monsieur, what does it mean?" I cried. "Does Monsieur Talleyrand
+want Mr. Livingston to offer him a bribe? And were the two millions of
+dollars given to Mr. Jefferson for such base purposes?"
+
+My uncle looked up, startled and amazed beyond measure. He did not at
+all take in my meaning, but he was very sensible of my rudeness. My
+uncle was ever the most amiable of men and the most tolerant, but for
+correctness of deportment and elegance of manner he was a stickler,
+and so flagrant a breach of both was intolerable to him.
+
+"I think you forget yourself, sir," he said coldly; and that was all
+he said, but his words cut like tempered steel in quivering flesh. A
+great wave of mortification rushed in a crimson flood to the very
+roots of my hair.
+
+"I am most truly sorry, sir, to have been so rude," I stammered, "and
+I beg you will not think that we do not know good manners in America.
+I fear I am ever slow to think and headlong to act, and it has often
+brought me to grief."
+
+My uncle, who, as I said, was all amiability, forgave me at once, and
+invited me most cordially to enter his library. I was loath to intrude
+after my great rudeness, but he would not let me off.
+
+"Come in, come in," he said, "and I will answer your question by
+another. What has led you to think that Mr. Talleyrand desires a bribe
+from Mr. Livingston? Has any one been saying so to you?"
+
+Then was I in greater confusion than before. I did not know whether
+Mr. Livingston would desire me to say anything about the interview to
+which I had been accidentally made a party, and I had intended to say
+nothing to any one until I had had a chance to find out his wishes;
+and now, in my indignation, I had entirely forgot my resolution and
+betrayed myself. There was no way out but to make a clean breast of my
+part in it.
+
+So I told my uncle how I had been caught in the summer-house, and been
+invited to become a listener to secrets of state. My uncle threw back
+his head and laughed long and loud. But when he had calmed down a
+little, he looked at me keenly.
+
+"So you think Mr. Talleyrand wanted a bribe from Mr. Livingston? Would
+you mind telling me what he said that led you to think so?"
+
+Now was I greatly embarrassed, for I had fully resolved that not one
+iota of information of which I had become the possessor so innocently
+should pass my lips without Mr. Livingston's sanction. My uncle
+noticed my embarrassment, and spoke quickly:
+
+"Never mind, my boy. It is no doubt just as well that you should not
+tell me what you feel you have no right to repeat; but it would make
+no real difference. I see that you are trustworthy, and I do not mind
+telling you that the First Consul is of somewhat the same opinion. He
+does not altogether trust the Minister of Foreign Relations, and it is
+more than likely the negotiations will be taken out of his hands and
+put into mine. It is more than likely also that it was because Mr.
+Livingston does not trust him that he desired to have you present as a
+witness. Now you see how I trust you. These are matters of grave
+import, my boy, and if you had been eager to tell me all you had
+heard I would have been loath indeed to confide in you, as I have just
+done."
+
+I glowed with pleasure at my uncle's words, and thanked him most
+earnestly for his confidence, which I told him was not misplaced. And
+then, fearing I was intruding too long upon his hours of privacy (for
+they were few indeed, and greatly prized, I knew), I bowed myself out
+of his library, and dashed for a ride on Fatima down the crowded
+avenue. For it was upon Fatima's back I could ever think best, and I
+had much to think over: the amazing conversation I had listened to; my
+uncle's confidence to me; and last of all, and which set my pulses
+throbbing and the blood tingling to my finger-tips--Mr. Monroe would
+be in Paris in a day or two!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+BONAPARTE GIVES ENGLAND A RIVAL
+
+    "Great let me call him, for he conquered me."
+
+
+The next morning was Easter, and, dressed in a new suit of
+puce-colored ferrandine, with fresh ruffles of finest lace, and a new
+plume in my hat, I walked decorously beside my aunt through the
+thronged streets, every one dressed in his best and every one going
+the same way--to the Church of the Madeleine, to see the First Consul
+attend service. The sun was shining, birds were singing, the air was
+soft and warm and filled with the mingled perfume of flowers and
+incense, borne out through the open doors of all the churches.
+
+The world was happy, and so was I. I was greatly excited, too, for I
+was to behold, for the first time, the man who held in his hand the
+destinies of nations, and before whose terrible word even our own
+proud republic trembled.
+
+I had been three weeks in Paris and had not seen him. It seemed to be
+my ill fortune never to be on the streets when he made one of his
+dashing progresses through them, and though there had been several
+levees my wardrobe had not been in condition to attend them. At
+least, so my aunt thought. I think I would have been willing to don
+once more the old plum-colored velvets for the sake of seeing the
+great Bonaparte, but Madame Marbois thought otherwise.
+
+"Nobody is such a stickler for forms and ceremonies, or such a lover
+of magnificence, as the First Consul," said she, "and if you want to
+make a good impression upon him, or do credit to your family at home
+and to your uncle and to me, you must wait for your new costumes."
+
+So she had me to the tailor's, and more suits were ordered than I
+thought I could wear in a lifetime. When they came home and my man
+Cæsar (my own colored boy whom I had brought with me from home) had
+laid them all out for me in my room, I thought them well worth waiting
+for. There were suits for church and suits for dinner, suits for
+riding and for walking, and, most resplendent of all, two court
+costumes. One especially of white satin with much gold lace and
+bullion quite took my breath away. Now I have always had a weakness
+for fine clothes that I secretly deprecated, for I feared it was a
+womanish weakness quite unbefitting a soldier of fortune, which was
+the career I had laid out for myself and was quite determined upon.
+Yet I have never found that my liking for fine clothes has made me
+less ready to draw my sword to help the innocent or weak, and so I
+hope it may not be a sign in me of any lack of true manliness.
+
+Be this as it may, I was walking joyously beside my aunt that
+beautiful Easter morning, and part of the joy in my heart was for the
+beautiful puce-colored ferrandine that sat so well and had an air of
+distinction I was sure no other clothes of mine had ever had, for
+these were made in Paris.
+
+I have no very distinct recollection of the services; indeed, I hardly
+paid enough attention to them to follow them decorously, for I was
+consumed with an eager desire for but one event--the entrance of the
+First Consul.
+
+A subdued murmur (almost, it seemed to me, like suppressed "Vive le
+rois") announced to me that he was just entering the door, and as I
+sat by the aisle down which he was coming, and far to the front, by
+turning in my seat and stretching my neck shamelessly I had time to
+see him well.
+
+Could this little fellow, who might easily have stood under my arm
+stretched level with my shoulder, could he be the hero of Marengo! the
+Dictator of France who held all Europe trembling in his grasp! I think
+that I had heretofore had an unconscious feeling that greatness of
+stature meant greatness of heart and mind and courage, and I had
+gloried in my inches. Now I was almost ashamed of them, for this
+little man coming rapidly down the aisle with a firm, quick step
+seemed to breathe power from the chiseled curve of the nostril, from
+the haughty curl of the beautiful lips, but most of all from the
+imperial flash of the dark eyes under level brows. If his face had not
+been so full of power, yes, and of arrogance, it would have been
+almost too beautiful for a man's face, framed in silky brown hair
+thinning at the temples, but curling in one dark lock above the broad
+white brow.
+
+But if it humbled me to see so much greatness in such small stature,
+it comforted me not a little to observe that the great man was no
+despiser of dress. He might have been molded into his small-clothes
+and waistcoat of white doeskin, so exactly did they fit every line and
+curve of his perfect figure. His dark-blue military coat of finest
+cloth was set off by heavy epaulets of gold and by a broad azure
+ribbon crossing his breast and bearing the jeweled insignia of the
+Legion of Honor. The crimson sword-sash which bore his sword sheathed
+in a scabbard of gold flashing with jewels, completed in his own dress
+the tricolor of France. He wore high military boots, I think to carry
+out the military effect of his epaulets and sword, for it was in the
+character of soldier, the hero of many battles, the winner of glory
+for France, that the people idolized him.
+
+To the right and the left, his eagle glance took in the whole great
+congregation, and as he passed it fell on me. His glances were never
+idle ones; I knew he had seen me, and my pulses quivered and fluttered
+like a young maiden's. From that moment I was as much his slave as any
+soldier of La Vendée, and had he not himself disillusioned me most
+bitterly, I should still have been regarding him as the hero of my
+dreams, _sans peur et sans reproche_, the greatest man and greatest
+soldier of all time. I still believe the latter title belongs to him,
+but not the first, for a great man must be a good man too, like our
+Washington, and that Bonaparte was not.
+
+It is no wonder, then, that I was quite beside myself with excitement
+when at déjeuner my uncle said to me:
+
+"Would you like to ride out to St. Cloud with me this afternoon? The
+First Consul has summoned me to a conference with him, if I mistake
+not, on the subject you heard discussed yesterday."
+
+"Oh, thank you, sir. And shall I be present at the conference?" I
+spoke quickly and foolishly, for I was greatly excited.
+
+My uncle laughed.
+
+"Well, hardly, my boy, unless you find a way, as you did yesterday, of
+compelling the First Consul to invite you to be present."
+
+I liked not to be laughed at, but I knew it was but my uncle's teasing
+fashion, and all the way out through the beautiful Boulogne woods, the
+birds singing, the sun shining, the soft spring airs blowing, the
+alders and willows pale pink and yellow in the distance, the great
+buds of the horse-chestnuts just bursting into leaf and everywhere the
+vivid green of the fresh turf; my heart beating high with happy
+excitement to be in beautiful Paris and on my way to historic St.
+Cloud, where dwelt the most wonderful man of the world; and Fatima
+prancing and curveting under me, her dainty hoofs scarce touching the
+earth as she danced along the green allées of St. Cloud's beautiful
+park, sharing my happy excitement (though only, I suppose, for a
+horse's natural joy in trees and grass and sunshine)--all that swift
+and beautiful ride, galloping beside my uncle's coach, his words rang
+in my ears, and I longed with all my heart to be present at that
+conference: not so much to hear what was said as to see the great
+Bonaparte saying it.
+
+I parted from my uncle at one of the great fountains, he riding up in
+his coach to the palace doors, and Fatima and I starting off on an
+exploring tour around the park. He would not hear to my waiting for
+him, for he said he might be detained for hours, and indeed it was
+possible the Consul would keep him all night at St. Cloud, as
+sometimes happened, to call upon at any hour of the night when some
+new suggestion occurred to him.
+
+Riding fast, as was my custom when alone with Fatima, it did not take
+us long to exhaust the beauties of the park, and my eyes began to turn
+longingly toward the palace. Somewhere within its stately walls I
+supposed the conference was going on. Verily, there were some
+compensations in diplomacy when it gave a man like my uncle a chance
+to hold close converse with a man like the First Consul. (And in that
+I do not intend to speak slightingly of my Uncle François, for he was
+ever in my regard the most admirable of men. Only, it seemed to me
+then that to be able to talk familiarly with the great Bonaparte was a
+privilege above the deserts of ordinary mortals.)
+
+I intended to remain at St. Cloud until toward evening, for if the
+conference should prove short I might still have the pleasure of my
+uncle's company on the homeward trip. But time began to hang heavily
+on my hands, and it occurred to me that I would ask the sentry, whom I
+had seen from a distance walking up and down in front of the main
+entrance, whether it were possible to gain admission to the palace. I
+thought it probable that it was not open to visitors, since the First
+Consul was occupying it, but it would do no harm to find out, and if
+by chance I should be admitted, I would at least have the pleasure of
+wandering through the rooms where he dwelt.
+
+It was necessary first to dispose of Fatima, and a thicket of
+evergreen at one side of the palace caught my eye as affording a
+grateful shade from the warm afternoon sun (which so early in the
+season could be found only under evergreens) and a hiding-place from
+any prowling thief who might want to steal her, or from any
+troublesome guard who might come upon her and carry her off to the
+Consul's stables.
+
+So into the thicket I rode, following a winding path that led toward
+the upper end near the palace, and at the very upper edge I found just
+what I wanted--a clump of bushes so thick set that they formed an
+almost impenetrable screen. They were lower than the other
+evergreens--not much higher than my horse's ears, but that was high
+enough. Into the midst of this clump I rode Fatima and dismounted.
+
+"Stand here, Sweetheart," I said softly, "and budge not a step for any
+man but your master."
+
+She rubbed her nose against my shoulder in token that she understood,
+and I whispered again in her ear:
+
+"Not a whinny, not a sound, my Beauty," and left her, feeling sure no
+man could steal her and no guard could lead her away by guile or
+force, nor would she betray her presence there by any noise.
+
+As I left the evergreens, intending to go around to the front of the
+building and speak to the sentry, I saw, coming down the path toward
+me, a young and pretty woman, who, I recognized by her dress, must be
+in service at the palace.
+
+"I will inquire from her," I said to myself promptly, "for she will
+know as well as the sentry whether there is any admission, and she
+will no doubt have a much pleasanter way of saying either yes or no."
+
+So, as she was about to pass me with a little curtsy and a pretty
+smile, I stopped her.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, and doffed my hat, "is it permitted to see the
+palace to-day?"
+
+"No, Monsieur," she answered, "unless one is invited or has business
+of importance with the First Consul."
+
+Now I have ever had great faith in woman's wit, and especially a
+Frenchwoman's, and it suddenly struck me if this one should prove as
+quick-witted as most of her kind, she would know how to secure my
+admission into the palace; and if she should prove as kindly disposed
+as I believed the sight of gold and a pleasant word might make her,
+then was my success assured.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, and my manner was as deferential as it might
+have been to her mistress. "I am not invited, and I have no business
+of importance with the First Consul; but I am from America, and it
+would please me greatly to see the rooms where the famous general
+lives. Cannot Mademoiselle think of a way?" and I slipped into her
+hand a louis d'or.
+
+She curtsied again and smiled again, and then she answered:
+
+"It is difficult, Monsieur, but I have a friend on guard in the upper
+corridor. If I can arrange with him to let us pass, I can show
+Monsieur the grand salon, the little salon, and the state dining-room.
+Would that please Monsieur?"
+
+"Vastly," I answered, for though it might not be seeing all I would
+like to see, it would be doing something to while away the tedium of
+waiting, and there seemed a little of the spice of adventure about it
+that pleased my restless spirit.
+
+"I will go and consult Gaston," said Mademoiselle Félice (for that,
+she told me, was her pretty name, and I took it as a felicitous omen),
+"and I will return in five minutes. If Monsieur will await me by the
+pines, he will not have to wait long."
+
+Yet it seemed long. I am sure many five minutes had passed, and I had
+begun to think I would never see again either my gold piece or my
+pretty Félice, when she came tripping up in an entirely different
+direction from the one in which she had left me.
+
+She had had trouble. Gaston had scruples. Suppose harm were intended
+his general? Women were easily deceived. Her "American" might be a
+British assassin in disguise. She had had to make herself
+responsible--she, Félice!--for my innocence and honor. She had also
+been obliged to show Gaston the piece of gold I had given her and to
+assure him there would be another for him if he were complaisant. I
+judged, also, that she had found it necessary to offer him a bribe
+quite as tangible as the gold piece but less mercenary, for her face
+was rosier and her eyes brighter and her hair a little more disheveled
+than when I had first seen her.
+
+And now began a real adventure, for Félice assured me much caution
+would be necessary. How we both slipped out of the pine thicket, she
+some distance ahead, I strolling carelessly behind, how by almost
+insensible little signs she indicated to me when to advance and when
+to stay my steps; how she finally guided me through a narrow rear
+entrance and by dark corridors and winding staircases to the very
+corridor Gaston was guarding; and how I slipped another gold piece
+into Gaston's hand as we passed him, would be too long in the telling.
+
+Gaston was doing sentry duty before two doors some twenty paces apart.
+One of them opened into a dark side corridor (where we had passed him
+and I had slipped the gold into his hand), and the other into the head
+of the main corridor. We had just entered the main corridor, and
+Félice was leading the way into the grand salon, when she turned
+quickly:
+
+"Go back, Monsieur," she said in an excited whisper, "here comes an
+officer!"
+
+I had caught sight of him, too, and I was the more ready to turn back
+quickly, because in my hasty glimpse the officer had looked to me very
+much like the Chevalier Le Moyne. I thought it was more than likely I
+was mistaken, but I did not wish to run any possible risk of being
+seen by him, and I hoped that in the semi-obscurity of that part of
+the corridor he had either not seen us at all or at least not
+recognized us.
+
+We fled precipitately back through the dark side corridor, I with a
+keen feeling of elation (for a sense of risk or peril of any kind
+always sends my spirits to the highest point), but Félice, I believe,
+beginning to repent of her bargain.
+
+"Monsieur," she whispered, "we will go back the way we came--" but
+what further she was about to say I know not, for at that moment a
+door opened at the farther end of the side corridor. It was a door we
+must pass in finding our way out, and through it now we heard much
+loud laughing and loud talking of men. Evidently a party at cards was
+breaking up, and through that open door some of the players were about
+to pass. Our retreat was cut off.
+
+Félice clutched her hair in desperation.
+
+"Ah, mon Dieu!" she moaned, "I will lose my place! I will lose my
+life!"
+
+I had hardly time to think of my own plight, I was so sorry for her
+distress, and so remorseful to think I had brought her into such
+straits for the sake of a silly adventure.
+
+But an idea struck Félice. We had come to a stand beside Gaston and
+the one of the two doors he was guarding which opened into the side
+corridor. He had himself stopped a moment in his pacing to and fro,
+perplexed by our dilemma.
+
+"Quick, Gaston," Félice whispered eagerly, "let Monsieur into the
+dressing-room closet; it is the only place!"
+
+Gaston seemed to demur, but Félice overruled him imperiously.
+
+"You must, Gaston! And be quick! Would you have Monsieur Fouché throw
+us both into prison? I will be back for him in a few minutes, as soon
+as all is quiet."
+
+Gaston hesitated no longer. He threw open the door before which we
+were standing, and together they hurried me into a room which I saw at
+once was a dressing-room belonging to a gentleman.
+
+"You must be very still, Monsieur," whispered Félice; then she opened
+a door and thrust me into a dark closet, closing the door noiselessly
+behind me as she whispered, "I will return in a few minutes."
+
+I was but as wax in her hands, for having led her into such distress
+and peril, I felt that I must submit to any means that would save her
+from disastrous results. Yet I liked not being shut up in a dark
+closet in a gentleman's dressing-room. I began, too, to think of my
+own peril, and for a full minute after finding myself in my
+hiding-place my knees did so shake beneath me, and my heart did so
+pound within me, I was as one deaf and unconscious to all
+surroundings.
+
+But as my excitement began to calm itself I became aware that I had
+for some time been hearing several voices: one, which did most of the
+talking, high, rasping, vehement, passionate; the other two, making
+brief or monosyllabic replies, low-toned and restrained. I began to
+perceive, too, that I was not entirely in the dark. A faint light was
+coming through between slightly parted curtains which seemed to
+separate my closet from some other apartment than the dressing-room. I
+looked through this aperture, barely wide enough for the line of
+vision, not wide enough to betray me to any one in the room beyond,
+especially since I was in the dark and the Easter sun was flooding the
+richly furnished apartment.
+
+Standing in an attitude of respect on either side of a low marble
+mantel bearing a wonderful golden clock stood two gentlemen. One of
+them was my uncle, Monsieur Marbois, and the other, whom I did not
+know, I learned later was Minister Decrés. Gesticulating vehemently
+and speaking with great excitement, through the center of the room
+back and forth strode rapidly the First Consul!
+
+I was overwhelmed at the sight. By what trick of fate had I been
+thrust into the very midst of this conference at which I had so longed
+to be present? My blood rushed through my veins at such tumultuous
+pace as carried my reason with it. No thought of listening to what was
+not intended for me to hear entered my mind, only a great joy that I
+was in the midst of some strange adventure such as I had read of in
+books, where wonderful things happen to the hero who hides behind an
+arras. And no more wonderful thing could happen to me than to be
+seeing and hearing the great Bonaparte!
+
+And this is what he was saying:
+
+"I know the full value of Louisiana, and I have been desirous of
+repairing the fault of the French negotiator who abandoned it in
+1763. A few lines of a treaty have restored it to me, and I have
+scarcely recovered it when I must expect to lose it. But if it escapes
+from me," he stopped and turned suddenly to the two ministers, lifting
+a threatening hand, "it shall one day cost dearer to those who oblige
+me to strip myself of it than to those to whom I wish to deliver it."
+
+I thought at first this threat was uttered against the United States,
+and so terrible did he look, so like an avenging fury, that I
+shuddered as I thought of my country the object of his vindictive
+wrath. But his next words enlightened me. He resumed his rapid stride
+and went on speaking with the same excitement:
+
+"The English have successively taken from France Canada, Cape Breton,
+Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and India. They are engaged in exciting
+troubles in San Domingo. _They shall not have the Mississippi, which
+they covet._
+
+"Louisiana is nothing in comparison with their conquests in all parts
+of the globe, and yet the jealousy they feel at the restoration of
+this colony to the sovereignty of France acquaints me with their wish
+to take possession of it, and it is thus they will begin the war.
+
+"They have twenty ships of war in the Gulf of Mexico; they sail over
+those seas as sovereigns! The conquest of Louisiana would be easy, if
+they only took the trouble to make a descent there. I have not a
+moment to lose in putting it out of their reach! I know not whether
+they are not already there. It is their usual course, and if I had
+been in their place, I would not have waited. I wish, if there is
+still time, to take away from them any idea that they may have of ever
+possessing that colony."
+
+[Illustration: "He stopped and turned suddenly to the two ministers"]
+
+Once more he stopped and faced the two ministers, and gazed at them
+steadily for a moment, first one, then the other, before he uttered
+his next words. I know not whether he paused because he hesitated to
+utter them, or because he wished to make them more forcible. Then he
+said slowly and impressively, with no trace of the excitement that had
+characterized his former words:
+
+"I think of ceding it to the United States."
+
+If he had expected to create a sensation he was not disappointed; the
+irrepressible start of each, the glowing eyes, the eager desire to
+speak expressed in both countenances were abundant evidences of it,
+and I in my dark closet was far more excited than either: for here was
+more than my wildest dreams to be realized. But Bonaparte had not
+finished his speech; with a gesture restraining them from giving
+utterance to the words that were hurrying to their lips, he went on:
+
+"You will say that I can scarcely cede it to them, for it is not yet
+in our possession. If, however, I leave the least time to our enemies,
+I shall transmit only an empty title to those republicans whose
+friendship I seek. They ask of me only one town in Louisiana; but I
+already consider the colony as entirely lost, and it appears to me
+that in the hands of this growing power it will be more useful to the
+policy of France, and even to its commerce, than if I should attempt
+to keep it. Citizen Minister," looking at my uncle, "what is your
+opinion?"
+
+My uncle, who had been all eagerness to speak at first, seemed to
+hesitate now that the opportunity was given him.
+
+"I believe, Citizen First Consul," he said slowly, "that we should not
+hesitate to make a sacrifice of that which is about slipping away from
+us. War with England is inevitable. Shall we be able with inferior
+naval forces to defend Louisiana against that power? At the time of
+the discovery of Louisiana the neighboring provinces were as feeble as
+herself. They are now powerful and Louisiana is still in her infancy.
+The country is scarcely at all inhabited; you have not fifty soldiers
+there. Where are your means of sending garrisons thither? Can we
+restore fortifications that are in ruins, and construct a long chain
+of forts upon a frontier of four hundred leagues? If England lets you
+undertake these things, it is because they will drain your resources,
+and she will feel a secret joy in seeing you exhaust yourself in
+efforts of which she alone will derive the profit. You will send out a
+squadron; but while it is crossing the oceans, the colony will fall,
+and the squadron will in its turn be in great danger. Louisiana is
+open to the English from the north by the Great Lakes, and if, to the
+south, they show themselves at the mouth of the Mississippi, New
+Orleans will immediately fall into their hands. This conquest would be
+still easier to the Americans: they can reach the Mississippi by
+several navigable rivers, and to be masters of the country it will be
+sufficient for them to enter it. The colony has existed for a century,
+and, in spite of efforts and sacrifices of every kind, the last
+account of its population and resources attests its weakness. If it
+becomes a French colony and acquires increased importance, there will
+be in its very prosperity a germ of independence which will not be
+long in developing itself. The more it nourishes the less chance shall
+we have of preserving it.
+
+"The French have attempted to form colonies in several parts of the
+continent of North America. Their efforts have everywhere proved
+abortive. The English are patient and laborious; they do not fear the
+solitude and silence of newly settled countries. The Frenchman, lively
+and active, requires society; he is fond of conversing with neighbors.
+He willingly enters on the experiment of cultivating the soil, but at
+the first disappointment quits the spade and ax for the chase."
+
+Bonaparte, as my uncle ceased talking, had thrown himself into a
+fauteuil and signed to the others to sit down. He had listened with
+keen attention to my uncle's long speech, but now he interrupted him
+abruptly and harshly.
+
+"How does it happen that the French, who are incapable of succeeding
+in a continental colony, have always made great progress in the West
+Indies?"
+
+"Because," replied Monsieur Marbois, "the slaves perform all the
+labors. The whites, who would soon be exhausted by the heat of the
+climate, have, however, the vigor of mind necessary to direct their
+operations."
+
+"By whom is the land cultivated in Louisiana?" asked the First Consul.
+
+"Slavery," answered my uncle, "has given Louisiana half her
+population. An inexcusable imprudence was committed in suddenly
+granting to the slaves of San Domingo a liberty for which they had not
+been prepared. The blacks and whites both have been victims of this
+great fault."
+
+"I am undecided," said Bonaparte, "whether it would be better to
+maintain or abolish slavery in Louisiana."
+
+"Of all the scourges that have afflicted the human race," responded my
+uncle, "slavery is the most detestable! But even humanity requires
+great precautions in the application of the remedy, and you cannot
+apply it if Louisiana should again become French. Governments still
+half resist emancipation: they tolerate in secret what they ostensibly
+condemn, and they themselves are embarrassed by their false position.
+The general sentiment of the world is in favor of emancipation; it is
+in vain that the colonists and planters wish to arrest a movement
+which public opinion approves. The occupation of Louisiana--a colony
+with slaves--will occasion us more expense than it will afford us
+profit."
+
+As my uncle ceased speaking, Bonaparte turned to Minister Decrés and
+with a motion of his hand indicated that he was ready to hear his
+opinion. The minister began eagerly:
+
+"We are still at peace with England," said he; "the colony has just
+been ceded to us; it depends on the First Consul to preserve it. It
+would not be wise in him to abandon, for fear of a doubtful danger,
+the most important establishment that we can form out of France, and
+despoil ourselves of it for no other reason than the possibility of a
+war; it would be as well, if not better, that it should be taken from
+us by force of arms.
+
+"You will not acknowledge, by a resignation of Louisiana, that England
+is sovereign mistress of the seas, that she is there invulnerable, and
+that no one can possess colonies except at her good pleasure! It does
+not become you to fear the kings of England! If they should seize
+Louisiana, as some would have you fear, Hanover would be immediately
+in your hands, as a certain pledge of its restoration. France,
+deprived of her navy and her colonies, is stripped of half her
+splendor and of a great part of her strength. Louisiana can indemnify
+us for all our losses. There does not exist on the globe a single
+port, a single city, susceptible of becoming as important as New
+Orleans, and the neighborhood of the American States already makes it
+one of the most commercial in the world. The Mississippi does not
+reach there until it has received twenty other rivers, most of which
+surpass in size the finest rivers of Europe.
+
+"The navigation to the Indies, by doubling the Cape of Good Hope, has
+changed the course of European trade and ruined Venice and Genoa. What
+will be its direction if, at the Isthmus of Panama, a simple canal
+should be opened to connect the one ocean with the other? The
+revolution which navigation will then experience will be still more
+considerable, and the circumnavigation of the globe will become easier
+than the long voyages that are now made in going to and returning from
+India. Louisiana will be on this new route, and it will then be
+acknowledged that this possession is of inestimable value.
+
+"Finally, France, after her long troubles, requires such a colony for
+her internal pacification; it will be for our country what a century
+ago were for England the settlements which the emigrants from the
+three kingdoms have raised to so high a degree of prosperity. It will
+be the asylum of our religious and political dissenters; it will cure
+a part of the maladies which the Revolution has caused, and be the
+supreme conciliator of all the parties into which we are divided. You
+will there find the remedies for which you search with so much
+solicitude!"
+
+I thought this a very bold speech, and it was uttered with much fire
+and enthusiasm. I could not be sure how the Consul took it, for he
+said not a word through it all. When the minister had finished
+speaking he dismissed them both with a few words, but telling them he
+should expect them to remain all night.
+
+As the door closed behind the two ministers, Bonaparte threw himself
+back in his chair, his arms folded across his breast, his head
+drooping forward, in an attitude of deep thought. It seemed to me more
+than likely that Minister Decrés's words had touched his pride and his
+patriotism, and he was hesitating now at the thought of getting rid
+of France's last important colony.
+
+He was interrupted in his reverie by an officer bringing in the
+despatches from London which had just arrived, and he sent word by the
+officer to have Minister Marbois sent to him immediately.
+
+It was only a few moments until the return of my uncle, but in the
+interval I could see that Bonaparte was glancing through the
+despatches with such lightning rapidity that to me, for whom all
+reading is slow work, it seemed impossible he should have grasped
+their meaning. As Monsieur Marbois entered the apartment Bonaparte
+greeted him.
+
+"Citizen Minister," he said, "the despatches from London have arrived.
+Have you seen them?"
+
+"I was just reading them," replied my uncle, "when you sent for me."
+
+"Did you see that England is preparing for war? That both naval and
+military preparations are going forward with extraordinary rapidity?"
+
+"Yes," said the minister, "so I understand."
+
+"Perhaps you saw, too, that in the American Congress Mr. Ross proposed
+that the President should raise fifty thousand troops and capture New
+Orleans?"
+
+"Yes," repeated my uncle, "I saw it, and I regret greatly that any
+cause of difference should arise between our countries."
+
+The Consul sprang to his feet and resumed his rapid striding up and
+down the room without uttering a word for full two minutes, but with a
+deep frown between his eyes, as I could see whenever he faced me in
+his hurried pacing to and fro.
+
+Suddenly he stopped and turned to my uncle.
+
+"Irresolution and deliberation are no longer in season," he said
+slowly, and then added with sudden fire:
+
+"I renounce Louisiana! It is not only New Orleans I will cede, it is
+the whole colony without reservation. I renounce it with the greatest
+regret! To attempt obstinately to retain it would be the greatest
+folly. I direct you to negotiate this affair with the envoys of the
+United States. Do not even await the arrival of Mr. Monroe; have an
+interview to-morrow with Mr. Livingston. But I require a great deal of
+money for this war with England, and I would not like to commence it
+with new contributions. I will be moderate, in consideration of the
+necessity in which I am of making a sale; but keep this to yourself. I
+want fifty millions, and for less than that sum I will not treat; I
+would rather make a desperate attempt to keep these fine countries.
+To-morrow you shall have full power."
+
+I think my uncle was somewhat aghast at the suddenness of the decision
+to sell the whole country, though he had himself advised it, and still
+more at the great responsibility thrust upon him of conducting the
+negotiations in place of the Minister of Foreign Relations. Perhaps,
+too, now that the sale was fully determined upon, he was touched with
+regrets and misgivings. At any rate, he said, somewhat hesitatingly:
+
+"You feel sure, Citizen Consul, that we have a right to cede the
+sovereignty of a people without consulting the people themselves? Have
+we a right to abandon what the Germans call the _souls_? Can they be
+the subject of a contract of sale or exchange?"
+
+Now I really think from what I had seen of Bonaparte's reverie while
+the minister was out of the room, of his frowning cogitations in that
+rapid walk to and fro, and of the solemnity of his manner when he
+finally announced his determination to sell, that he had been troubled
+by the same misgivings. But none the less did his lip curl satirically
+as he listened to my uncle, and his eyes narrow and glow with a
+malevolent fire. He hardly waited for him to finish till he burst
+forth bitterly:
+
+"You are giving me, in all its perfection, the ideology of the law of
+nature and nations! But I require money to make war on the richest
+nation of the world. Send your maxims to the London market! I am sure
+they will be greatly admired there; and yet no great attention is paid
+to them when the question is the occupation of the finest regions of
+Asia!"
+
+I thought my uncle would have wilted under such bitter sarcasm, for
+never have I seen anything more malevolent than Bonaparte's whole
+aspect, and I trembled for him. But he seemed not greatly afraid of
+the great man's bluster, and persisted in his argument when it seemed
+to me the part of wisdom would have been to keep silence.
+
+"But, Citizen Consul," he urged, "are you not afraid by ceding such
+great possessions to America you may make her in the course of two or
+three centuries too powerful for Europe--the mistress of the world?"
+
+The Consul's lip curled again. He answered in a harsh voice:
+
+"My foresight does not embrace such remote fears. I have no children;
+after me the deluge! Besides, we may hereafter expect rivalries among
+the members of the Union. The confederations that are called perpetual
+only last till one of the contracting parties finds it to his interest
+to break them."
+
+The minister made no reply, though Bonaparte waited a moment as if
+expecting one. Then he went on:
+
+"Mr. Monroe is on the point of arriving. To this minister, going a
+thousand leagues from his constituents, the President must have given
+secret instructions for the stipulation of the payments to be made,
+more extensive than the ostensible authorization of Congress. Neither
+this minister nor his colleague is prepared for a decision which goes
+infinitely beyond anything they are about to ask us. Begin by making
+the overture without any subterfuge. You will acquaint me, day by day,
+hour by hour, of your progress. The cabinet of London is informed of
+the measures adopted at Washington, but it can have no suspicion of
+those I am now taking. Observe the greatest secrecy, and recommend it
+to the American ministers: they have not a less interest than yourself
+in conforming to this counsel. You will correspond with Monsieur de
+Talleyrand, who alone knows my intentions. Keep him informed of the
+progress of this affair."
+
+All this was uttered in a sharp clipping tone of voice, at times harsh
+and rasping, that carried with it an inconceivable effect of
+autocratic power. As he finished he made a gesture of dismissal, but
+as the minister was about to withdraw he called him back again.
+
+"Monsieur Marbois," he said in a far gentler tone than he had used at
+all heretofore, "there will be a treaty drawn up between you and the
+American ministers, of course, and I would like to write one article
+of that treaty. If you will sit down a few moments I will not detain
+you long."
+
+My uncle bowed and seated himself, and with marvelous rapidity
+Bonaparte's pen flew over the sheet before him. In scarcely more than
+a minute's time he looked up from his paper.
+
+"This is the article, Monsieur Marbois, that I wish you to make it
+your business to see embodied somewhere in the treaty." And then he
+read slowly, in a firm, clear voice, with no longer any rasping tones:
+
+"The inhabitants of the ceded territory shall be incorporated in the
+Union of the United States, and admitted as soon as possible,
+according to the principles of the Federal Constitution, to the
+enjoyment of all the rights, advantages, and immunities of citizens of
+the United States. And in the meantime they shall be maintained and
+protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty, property, and the
+religion which they profess."
+
+The Consul rose to his feet as he finished reading and extended the
+paper toward my uncle.
+
+"Citizen Minister," he said (and I almost thought there was a ring of
+sadness in his tone, but that I could not believe such an emotion
+possible to the imperious conqueror), "let the Louisianians know that
+we separate ourselves from them with regret; that we stipulate in
+their favor everything that they can desire; and let them hereafter,
+happy in their independence, recollect that they have been Frenchmen,
+and that France, in ceding them, has secured for them advantages which
+they could not have obtained from a European power, however paternal
+it might have been. Let them retain for us sentiments of affection;
+and may their common origin, descent, language, and customs perpetuate
+the friendship."
+
+He finished speaking, and turned his back abruptly upon my uncle, who
+bowed silently and withdrew. I could not see the face of either, but I
+believe both were too deeply moved to utter another word. As my uncle
+left the room, Bonaparte threw himself once more into his deep-armed
+chair in the same attitude of reverie he had before maintained in the
+interval of the minister's absence--arms folded, chin sunk deep on his
+breast.
+
+It seemed to me a long time that he sat thus, for I was growing every
+moment more anxious for my own safe escape from my hiding-place.
+Félice had promised to return for me in a few moments if the way was
+open, and I was sure it must have been more nearly hours than moments
+that I had been watching the foremost man of all the world decide the
+fate of a people and the future of my own proud nation. I had been so
+intensely interested that I had not noted the flight of time, but now
+that the First Consul sat wrapped in thought, I, too, began to think,
+to wonder, and to grow every moment more anxious. What had become of
+my little guide? Had she forsaken me and left me to my fate? And
+should she come for me now, would I be able, with my clumsy movements,
+to escape unheard, when the room was no longer ringing with the
+rasping tones of Bonaparte?
+
+There was a deep-drawn sigh from the chair of the First Consul. He
+unfolded his arms, flung back his head, and sprang to his feet, once
+more pacing rapidly back and forth. Suddenly he stopped, lifted one
+hand as if calling on Heaven to witness, and exclaimed aloud:
+
+"This accession of territory strengthens forever the power of the
+United States! I have just given to England a maritime rival that will
+sooner or later humble her pride!"
+
+His hand dropped upon a bell which he rang violently. Instantly there
+was a little sound of scratching on the panel of a door leading into
+an apartment beyond.
+
+"Enter!" said Bonaparte, and there glided silently into the room
+Rustan, the famous Mameluke attendant of whom I had heard much.
+
+"I will dress for dinner, Rustan," said the First Consul; "call my
+valet and tell him to prepare my bath."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+A TEMPEST IN A BATH-TUB
+
+    "The mouse that always trusts to one poor hole
+    Can never be a mouse of any soul."
+
+"Prepare my bath!" Did ever such simple words have so dire a sound?
+Now was all hope of escape cut off; for was not the Consul's bath in
+the very room into which the closet where I was hiding opened, and
+through which I had expected to make my exit as I had made my
+entrance? Now did I curse the folly that had led me into such a trap
+for the sake of a mere adventure.
+
+Whereas a moment ago I had been congratulating myself on the spirit of
+enterprise and daring that had led me to be the witness of such great
+and stirring events, I now despised it all as a silly boyishness which
+had brought me into what seemed like to prove something more than a
+foolish scrape. Nor could I help reflecting that whether death or
+disgrace (which seemed to me far worse than death) awaited me, it
+would not affect me alone. My uncle's reputation, and honor also,
+might easily be involved in his nephew's downfall. And, most
+intolerable of all, what would the Comtesse de Baloit think when she
+should come to hear (as it was inevitable that she would) that I had
+been caught spying like any common eavesdropper?--found hid in the
+Consul's private closet, taken and done to death, as I had not the
+least doubt in the world I should be!
+
+Yet it was not in me to wait idly for the worst to happen; I began at
+once to plan other means of escape than those I had been relying upon.
+If I could not make my exit through the dressing-room, why not through
+the other apartment, from which my closet was separated only by a
+curtain?
+
+As far as I could judge, the apartment had three entrance-doors. One
+which was not within my range of vision was the one by which the
+ministers had withdrawn and through which my uncle had returned. This,
+no doubt, was the main entrance, and led into some public corridor,
+where detection by passers-by would be certain, to say nothing of the
+fact that the door was no doubt strongly guarded, and by a soldier who
+would not be so complacent as Gaston had been (having neither handled
+my gold nor tasted a maiden's kisses as reward for his complacency).
+
+The second door led into the dressing-room, where even now I could
+hear the splashing of water and the vigorous preparations of the valet
+for the Consul's bath. That, of course, was not to be considered. The
+third one was the one through which I had seen Rustan glide; and at
+the thought of entering that room, and falling into the tender mercies
+of the mysterious Mameluke, I shuddered. A stealthy stiletto with
+poisoned point I had no doubt would make short work with me. And even
+could it be possible to seize a moment when Rustan was out of the room
+in attendance on his master, it was more than likely the room would
+prove a _cul-de-sac_ and I would be more securely trapped than ever.
+
+In the midst of these perplexing meditations I heard a heavy splash,
+followed by a vigorous sputtering, that assured me the First Consul
+was already in his bath. A moment later I heard a scratching at the
+door through which my uncle had departed. ('Tis the fashion, I have
+heard, at the Tuileries and St. Cloud, to scratch instead of knock.)
+Rustan answered it immediately, and led the gentleman who entered
+directly through the outer apartment to the dressing-room. This seemed
+a novel procedure to me, but I remembered that the French often
+received callers at the toilet, and perhaps it was nothing unusual for
+the First Consul to receive his friends in the bath.
+
+I could hear all that went on in the dressing-room; even the slightest
+sound was as audible in my closet as if no door intervened. I was
+surprised at this until I discovered that just higher than my head a
+small panel, not more than three inches square, had been removed from
+the door of the closet, admitting a little light and a little air. It
+was through this opening that sounds were conveyed, and it was through
+it that I heard the Consul's voice a moment after the visitor was
+conducted through the outer apartment.
+
+"Ah, my dear Lucien! Where were you last night, and where was my
+brother Joseph? Did you not intend to join me at the Théâtre Français?
+I expected you, and Talma showed great power in 'Hamlet.' I was
+surprised and disappointed not to see you both there."
+
+I do not remember what answer his brother made, but Bonaparte replied
+with the greatest good humor:
+
+"You might have seen, too, that the Parisians always like to see me.
+In fact, I scarcely flattered myself they would ever become so
+sympathetic when I had to shoot them down that October day in 1795."
+
+I could scarcely believe it was the First Consul speaking, so unlike
+were his tones to any I had heard from him before,--playful,
+affectionate, almost tender,--and I said to myself, "Ah, this despot
+has a heart! He loves his brother."
+
+I did not hear anything more that was said for a while, for I was
+revolving in my mind all possible modes of escape. I had just come to
+the conclusion that the only safe way was to remain quietly where I
+was until Bonaparte should have finished his bath and left his
+dressing-room (which I felt sure could not be long, since he had
+already been in the water for more than a quarter of an hour), when I
+heard again that peculiar little scratching sound on the dressing-room
+door, and Rustan entered, announcing to the Consul his brother Joseph.
+
+"Let him come in," said the Consul; "I shall stay in the bath a
+quarter of an hour longer."
+
+Black despair seized me. A quarter of an hour seemed to me
+interminable when I knew not at what moment the valet would fling open
+the closet door in his search for some article of dress, and discover
+me. There was nothing to do, however, but to make the best of it,
+hoping against hope that the great Bonaparte, who seemed inordinately
+fond of his bath, would some time be through with it and leave his
+dressing-room free for me to traverse it in safety. For I had made up
+my mind that I would wait no longer for Félice; the first minute that
+I could be quite sure that the dressing-room was vacant, I would open
+my closet door and escape, trusting to find Gaston still on guard at
+the outer dressing-room door.
+
+It occurred to me that if I were only a little taller, and could look
+through that open panel just above my head, it would be well, for then
+I could assure myself that the room was empty before attempting my
+escape, and not stumble upon some lurking valet or Mameluke. Then I
+remembered what I had noticed on entering the closet, but had not
+thought of since, a low three-legged taboret, not more than five
+inches high, but quite high enough, were I once upon it, to enable me
+to look through the open panel. I stooped carefully down and felt
+around the floor of the closet in the dark. My hand struck against it.
+I picked it up and set it noiselessly directly under the small
+opening, and slowly and carefully, and absolutely without making a
+sound, I mounted upon it.
+
+Just below me was the most remarkable group I had ever looked upon,
+or, I have no doubt, ever shall look upon. Respectfully standing near
+the bath were the two brothers Lucien and Joseph, and it was easy for
+me to decide at a glance which was Joseph and which Lucien, for I had
+heard much of both and knew their characteristics, though I knew not
+their faces. Joseph was the handsomer of the two, and looked more like
+his august brother, with the same fiery eye and mobile mouth, showing
+the same excitable temperament. Lucien had the calmer face that
+belongs to a scholar, though in some respects I thought it a stronger
+one than his brother Joseph's. In the marble bath lay Bonaparte, only
+his head and a little of his shoulders visible, for the water was
+frothy and opaque from quantities of cologne, whose sweet, pungent
+odor rose to my nostrils refreshingly. Bonaparte was in the act of
+speaking to Joseph:
+
+"Well, brother, have you spoken to Lucien?"
+
+"What about!" said Joseph.
+
+"Of our plan as to Louisiana--don't you know?"
+
+"Of _your_ plan, you mean, my dear brother; you cannot have forgotten
+that--far from being mine--"
+
+Bonaparte interrupted him with good-natured scorn.
+
+"Well, well, preacher, I don't need to discuss that with you; you are
+so obstinate. I like better to talk about serious things with Lucien;
+for, although he sometimes takes it into his head to go against me, he
+knows how to give up to my idea when I think fit to change his."
+
+Joseph's color rose quickly, and he spoke with some spirit:
+
+"You are unjust enough to attribute to obstinacy what is the effect of
+wise reflection."
+
+Lucien was evidently afraid of an outbreak, and he interposed quickly
+and laughingly:
+
+"Then that means, brother Joseph, that I hold my ideas so lightly I
+can easily be reasoned out of them."
+
+"Ah, my dear boy," said Bonaparte, with affectionate raillery, "fear
+not that any one will accuse thee of lightness. Thou art more likely
+to be named 'Iron-head.'"
+
+For a few minutes the two brothers playfully called each other
+nicknames, going back to the days of their boyhood in Corsica, while
+Joseph stood by, looking bored and every moment growing more
+impatient. Finally he broke in quite brusquely:
+
+"Well, you say nothing more about your famous plan!"
+
+Bonaparte turned at once to Lucien.
+
+"Well, Lucien, I have made up my mind to sell Louisiana to the
+Americans."
+
+"Indeed!" said Lucien, in a tone of curiosity, but with so much
+coolness I suspected he was not hearing the announcement for the first
+time.
+
+Bonaparte turned to Joseph with an air of triumph.
+
+"Well, Joseph, you see Lucien does not utter loud cries about this
+thing. Yet he almost has a right to, seeing that Louisiana is, so to
+speak, his own conquest."
+
+I knew what the Consul meant by that, for it was Lucien who had
+negotiated the San Ildefonso treaty which gave Louisiana to France.
+This speech of his brother's seemed to irritate Joseph still more, and
+he replied quite sharply:
+
+"I assure you, if Lucien says nothing, he thinks none the less."
+
+"Indeed!" said Bonaparte, his eyes beginning to flash and his lip to
+curl. "And why should he be diplomatic with me?"
+
+It was evident that Lucien thought it time to come forward to support
+Joseph, but that he also wished to placate the rising wrath of the
+Consul. So he spoke very gently:
+
+"I really think as my brother Joseph does on this matter, and I
+undertake to say that the Chambers will never assent."
+
+Bonaparte's head shot up above the rim of the bath-tub, and he leveled
+a fiery glance at Lucien.
+
+"_You_ undertake to say! A pretty piece of business!" with an air and
+tone of withering contempt.
+
+"Yes; and _I_ undertake to say," cried Joseph, in a tone of triumph,
+"that it will be so. And that is what I told the First Consul before."
+
+"And what did I say?" said the Consul, his tone rising with his wrath,
+and with his head still above the rim of the bath-tub, looking by
+turns quickly from one brother to the other, as if not to lose any
+change in the countenance of either.
+
+"You declared," said Joseph, his voice also rising, "you would get
+along without the assent of the Chambers; did you not?"
+
+"Exactly," said Bonaparte, concentrated irony in his tone. "That is
+what I took the liberty to say to Monsieur Joseph, and what I repeat
+here to Citizen Lucien, begging him to give me his opinion about it,
+derived from his paternal tenderness for that mighty diplomatic
+conquest of his, the treaty of San Ildefonso."
+
+Now I thought this a very unkind thrust at Lucien, for I had heard
+his part in the treaty had been most creditable and that the First
+Consul had been much pleased with it. I could see that Lucien found it
+hard to brook, but he struggled for mastery with himself, and spoke
+still gently:
+
+"My brother, my devotion is deep enough to sacrifice everything for
+you, except my duty. If I believed, for example, this sale of
+Louisiana would be fatal to me alone, I would consent to it to prove
+to you my devotion. But it is too unconstitutional."
+
+Bonaparte broke into his sentence with a fit of rasping, sarcastic
+laughter, sinking back into the bath-tub almost in a convulsion of
+demoniacal mirth.
+
+"Ha, ha, ha! You are drawing it fine. 'For example'!" His words
+struggled out in the intervals of his spasms of laughter. "Ha, ha, ha!
+'For example'!"--catching his breath. "'Unconstitutional'! That's
+droll from you; a good joke--ha, ha!" As his laughter ceased an
+expression of ironical and contemptuous rage passed over his face.
+
+"How have I touched your constitution?" he cried. "Answer!"
+
+"I know well," said Lucien, still trying to control himself, "you have
+not done so; but you know well that to alienate any possession of the
+republic without the consent of the Chambers is unconstitutional."
+
+That last word seemed to drive the Consul beside himself. Once more
+his head shot above the top of the bath-tub, and with blazing eyes he
+shook his fist at Lucien.
+
+"Clear out!" he shouted. "'Constitution'! 'Unconstitutional'!
+'Republic'! Great words--fine phrases! Do you think you are still at
+the Club of St. Maximin? We are past that, you had better believe!
+Parbleu! You phrase it nobly. 'Unconstitutional'! It becomes you well,
+Sir Knight of the Constitution, to talk that way to me. You hadn't the
+same respect for the Chambers on the eighteenth Brumaire."
+
+Lucien, roused at last, broke in, in a tone as high as Bonaparte's:
+
+"You well know, my dear brother, that your entry into the Five Hundred
+had no warmer opponent than I. No! I was not your accomplice, but the
+repairer of the evil which you had done to yourself!--and that at my
+own peril, and with some generosity on my part, because we did not
+then agree. Not to boast, I may add that no one in Europe, more than
+I, has disapproved the sacrilege against the national representation."
+
+Bonaparte's eyes blazed like diamonds.
+
+"Go on--go on!" he thundered. "That's quite too fine a thing to cut
+short, Sir Orator of the Clubs! But at the same time take note of
+this: that I shall do just as I please; that I detest, without
+fearing, your friends the Jacobins!--not one of whom shall remain in
+France if, as I hope, things continue to remain in my hands; and that,
+in fine, I snap my fingers at you and your 'national representation.'"
+
+"On my side," shouted Lucien, "I do not snap my fingers at you,
+Citizen Consul, but I well know what I think about you."
+
+"What do you think about me, Citizen Lucien? Parbleu! I am curious to
+know. Out with it!"
+
+"I think, Citizen Consul, that, having sworn to the constitution of
+the eighteenth Brumaire, as President of the Council of the Five
+Hundred, and seeing you despise it thus, if I were not your brother I
+would be your enemy!"
+
+"My enemy!" screamed Bonaparte. "Try it once! That's rather strong!"
+And, shaking his fist at Lucien, as he had done once before, "Thou my
+enemy!" he screamed again, and then sank back in the water up to his
+neck, as if exhausted. In a moment he spoke again in a somewhat
+quieter tone:
+
+"Cease this miserable caviling which you and Joseph are at work on
+night and day--ridiculous for him, and still less appropriate for you.
+It is not from you that I expect lessons in government. Enough! Forget
+all you have said about it! I shall contrive to dispense with you. A
+precious, well-disposed pair of brothers you are! Please call back the
+valet; I must get out of the bath-tub at once."
+
+The valet had come in; Joseph and Lucien, thinking the matter was
+dropped, were turning toward the door; the valet was spreading open
+the sheet to wrap up his master, when the Consul suddenly returned to
+the charge, and thundered in a tone that made Lucien and Joseph start
+and turn back quickly, and the valet drop the sheet from his trembling
+hands:
+
+"Well, sirs, think what you please about the sale of Louisiana! but
+you may both of you put on mourning over this thing--you, Lucien, over
+the sale of your province; you, Joseph, because I propose to dispense
+with the consent of all persons whatsoever. Do you hear?"
+
+I fairly shivered in my hiding-place at such an outbreak on such a
+topic in the presence of a servant. Lucien shrank farther toward the
+door, but Joseph, who had held his peace through the quarrel of the
+two brothers, stung by the scornful words and manner, and especially
+by the contemptuous "Do you hear?" which was like a cutting snapper to
+the Consul's lashing wrath, rushed back, exclaiming:
+
+"You will do well, my dear brother, not to lay your plan before the
+Chambers, for I swear to you I will put myself, if necessary, at the
+head of the opposition which will certainly be made."
+
+There was no reply from Bonaparte but an outburst of loud and sardonic
+laughter.
+
+Joseph flushed dark red, and, almost beside himself with rage,
+stooping over the figure that lay immersed in the bath, screamed out:
+
+"Laugh! laugh! laugh, then! All the same, I shall do what I say, and,
+though I do not like to mount the tribune, this time you'll see me
+there!"
+
+At these words, Bonaparte rose in the bath-tub so as to show half his
+body out of the water, opaque and frothy with cologne, and pale as his
+brother was red, he cried sternly:
+
+"You will not need to play the orator, for I repeat to you that this
+debate will not take place, because the plan so unlucky as to be
+disapproved by you, conceived by me, negotiated by me, will be
+ratified and executed by me--by me alone; do you understand?--by me!"
+Then he sank back once more to his neck in the water. Joseph, whose
+self-control was all gone, his face aflame, roared:
+
+"Well, general, on my side, I tell you that you and I and all the
+family, if you do what you say you will, may get ready to join shortly
+those poor innocent devils whom you so legally, so humanely,--above
+all, with so much justice,--have had transported to Cayenne!"
+
+This was a terrible home thrust, and I could see Lucien draw hastily
+still farther back toward the door, and the valet literally cowered.
+
+"You insolent fellow!" thundered Bonaparte. "I ought--" But I did not
+hear the rest of the sentence, for as he spoke he rose quickly from
+the water and plunged heavily back, so that the water dashed out in a
+flood on the floor. Lucien, who was back by the door, escaped a
+wetting; but Joseph received the splash full in his face, and his
+clothes were drenched. The valet ran to Joseph's assistance, but had
+no more than begun to sponge him off than he fell to the floor in a
+fainting fit. The quarrel was calmed at once, and the Bonapartes
+good-heartedly ran to the rescue. Joseph hurried to pick him up from
+the wet floor; Lucien rang the bell so hard that Rustan and another
+servant came running in, frightened; and the First Consul, his eyes
+and lips just visible above the rim of the bath-tub, called out
+sympathetically:
+
+"Carry off the poor fellow, and take good care of him."
+
+As for me, the excitement was too much for me also. I did not faint,
+but my stool, which was none of the steadiest on its three legs,
+suddenly tipped from the excess of my emotion, and, though I caught
+myself from falling entirely, I yet made what sounded to my horrified
+ears a deafening racket. In reality I suppose it was only a slight
+scuffling noise, but it was enough to catch the quick ears of the
+First Consul and Rustan.
+
+"What was that?" I heard the First Consul say in a startled tone.
+
+"I think, sir, it was some noise in the closet," I heard Rustan reply.
+"If Monsieur Joseph will assist in supporting your valet, I will
+investigate."
+
+Now was my last hour come. But I was not going to die like a rat in a
+trap. I would rush out the door into the public corridor, and, if
+necessary, slay the guard and make one bold dash for safety. I drew my
+sword from its scabbard to have it in readiness in my hand for
+whatever might befall, pulled back the curtain, and came near running
+through the body my pretty Félice! She was coming to keep her promise
+to me and show me the way out. She did not seem to see my sword, but
+the moment she saw me she spoke in great excitement:
+
+"Make haste, Monsieur; there is not a moment to lose. You can escape
+through the main corridor. But you must be quick, for the Consul may
+finish his bath at any minute, and his brothers retire here to await
+him while he dresses."
+
+We were hurrying toward the door as she spoke, but I, feeling as if
+the Mameluke were close behind me, seized her hand and dragged her
+roughly into the corridor as I whispered:
+
+"Yes, we must be quick, for Rustan is after us!"
+
+With a half-suppressed scream she let go my hand, turned to Gaston,
+who was standing at the door motionless as a statue and, to all
+appearance, deaf and blind as one also, uttered the one word,
+"Rustan!" and fled swiftly down the dark side corridor, leaving me
+utterly bewildered. The western sun was flooding the cabinet of the
+First Consul when I went into my hiding-place, but the sun had set and
+twilight had fallen and the candles had been long lit when I stepped
+out into the corridor. The wax tapers set in sconces along the
+corridor lighted it but poorly, and I knew not which way to go.
+
+"Run, Monsieur!" cried Gaston, in a terrified whisper, "straight down
+the corridor till you come to the grand staircase. And run as if the
+devil was after you, for he is!"
+
+That was all I needed,--a word of direction,--and I was off. But
+scarcely had I gone a few feet when I heard a great noise and shouting
+behind me, and Gaston crying, "Stop thief!" I thought at first he was
+turning traitor, now that he had my gold piece with no chance of
+gaining another from me. But as I ran the faster, and the noise behind
+me did not seem to gain on me, as I feared it might, I concluded he
+was making a great outcry to cover his own part in my escape, and
+perhaps was hindering the pursuit more than helping it.
+
+Yet when I came to the turn of the grand staircase I thought for a
+moment I had also come to the end of my days; for just as I felt sure
+I was distancing those behind me, there came running swiftly toward me
+from the other end of the dim corridor an officer with sword drawn,
+and I saw he would meet me exactly at the head of the grand staircase.
+The light from a tall taper fell on his face as he neared the
+staircase. It was the Chevalier Le Moyne!
+
+I had but a moment to think. Should I stop to engage with him, I had
+no doubt I could unsword him as easily as he had unsworded me in the
+dance by Chouteau's Pond; but the delay would bring a score to his
+help, and I would be quickly overpowered, if not done to death at
+once. Neither did I like to turn my back on that drawn sword as I fled
+down the steps, feeling sure it would spit me through the shoulders,
+much as Narcisse spitted the wild fowl for roasting at Émigré's
+Retreat. But above all I did not wish the chevalier to see my face;
+for, even should I make good my escape, Paris would be no safe place
+for me should he recognize in the flying "thief" his hated St. Louis
+rival.
+
+I pulled my hat low over my eyes, lifted my left arm before my face as
+if to shield it from his sword, rushed straight toward him, met him,
+as I thought I should, at the top of the staircase, and, with a quick
+twist of my foot (a school-boy's trick), sent him sprawling down the
+stairs. In three great bounds I had cleared the staircase and his
+prostrate body, and like a whirlwind I threw myself upon the sentry at
+its foot, who--half dazed by this sudden descent of the chevalier and
+myself, one rolling and bumping from step to step, the other leaping
+through the air like some great winged creature--was nevertheless in
+the act of raising his gun to fire at me. As I hurled my great weight
+full upon him, the gun flew from his hands, and his little
+dancing-master figure went pirouetting across the terrace into the
+darkness beyond, in a vain struggle to recover his balance. I sprang
+down the terrace after him, and disappeared in the friendly darkness.
+
+It was time. Starting from the gloom in every direction, armed figures
+seemed to spring from the ground, while down the great staircase
+behind me clattered, shrieking and shouting in every key, a throng of
+officers and soldiers, led by a dark figure gliding swiftly and
+silently far in advance, and holding in his upraised hand something
+that glittered as it caught the rays from wax tapers. In the very act
+of springing down the first terrace, I saw the glittering dagger leave
+Rustan's hand, hurled straight at my head, and heard it fall far below
+me on the stone parapet of the last terrace.
+
+It was but the work of a moment to run swiftly to the pines and find
+Fatima, and lead her out of the thicket. I had not found my seat upon
+her back when she bounded away into the dark, straight down the broad
+green allée that led toward the Bois de Boulogne and Paris. Then was
+there hurrying to horse, and the pounding of many hoofs behind me on
+the soft turf, and the wild clamor of confused orders shouted back
+and forth, and a fusillade of bullets firing into the dark, if by
+chance one might find its mark.
+
+But I no longer felt any fear. Fatima was stretching away beneath me
+with the swift and easy motion of a bird, and I did not believe there
+was a horse in all France could overtake her. The night was my friend,
+too, and a dark night it was; for the clouds had gathered and shut out
+even the faint light of stars, and I could not so much as see my hand
+before my face. But I could trust Fatima to find her way, and I felt
+nothing but a wild exhilaration as we went swinging along in great
+strides through the cool, damp night breeze, and I could tell, from
+the clamor of voices and pounding of hoofs growing more distant, that
+we were gaining on our pursuers.
+
+Out from the soft turf of the park we clattered on to the stony
+streets of the little village. Here there were lights, and people
+passing to and fro, who stopped and stared at the wild flight of horse
+and rider. But none molested until the hallooes and the clatter of
+hoofs of those following reached their ears. Then men rushed out from
+low taverns, from hut and hovel and respectable houses, brandishing
+arms and shouting "Stop thief!" and adding much to the noise and
+excitement, but availing nothing to stop the fugitive. Only one young
+fellow, an officer by his dress, snatched a gun from a bystander, and
+fired with so true an aim that had I not ducked my head I would have
+had no head to duck.
+
+But in a few moments we had left the village behind us and were once
+more on the unlighted country roads. Faster and faster we flew, by
+hedge and stone wall and orchard, whence the night breeze wafted the
+scent of blossoming fruit-trees, with ever the sound of hallooes and
+hoofs growing fainter in the distance.
+
+Yet not until I had long ceased to catch even the slightest sound of
+pursuit, and we were well on our way through the gloomy depths of the
+Bois,--night haunt of robbers, suicides, and assassins,--did I draw
+rein and give Fatima a chance to breathe. As we ambled along, my
+pulses growing quieter as Fatima's breath no longer came in deep-drawn
+sobs, but regularly in warm puffs from her wide nostrils, I fell to
+thinking over the events of the afternoon.
+
+Now that it was all safely over, and no ill had befallen me, and I had
+brought no disgrace upon my uncle, I was elated beyond measure that my
+adventure had exceeded my wildest hopes of its success. I had seen the
+great Bonaparte, and would henceforth know him as no man outside the
+circle of his intimate friends could possibly know him. He would no
+longer be, in my eyes, the impossible hero of romance, faultless and
+beyond criticism, but a man with more than the ordinary man's meed of
+shortcomings as to temper, yet with also a thousand times more than
+any ordinary man's power to control men and mold circumstance.
+Dictatorial, harsh, intolerant of all opinions that did not coincide
+with his own, brooking no interference with his methods or suggestions
+as to his duty, he could yet be playful and affectionate with the
+brother he loved, sympathetic with a servant whom his own harsh temper
+had frightened into fainting, and touched with a soft feeling of
+regret for the colony he ruthlessly alienated from the fatherland.
+
+My mind pictured him vividly in every aspect in which I had seen him,
+but strongest and most persistent of all was the vision of the figure
+in the deep-armed chair, bowed in mournful thought, or with arm
+outstretched to my uncle, and voice trembling with suppressed emotion,
+saying:
+
+"Let the Louisianians know that we separate ourselves from them with
+regret. Let them retain for us sentiments of affection. And may our
+common origin, descent, language, and customs perpetuate the
+friendship!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+MR. MONROE ARRIVES!
+
+    "No sun upon an Easter day
+      Is half so fine a sight."
+
+
+It was ten o'clock when I reached Monsieur Marbois's house and found
+my aunt anxiously awaiting me. I had to explain the lateness of my
+return and the bespattered condition of my garments by telling her I
+had lost my way in the Boulogne woods (which was true, for in those
+winding roads Fatima did for a time go astray), and such was her
+horror at the thought of the perils to which I had been exposed in
+that forest of evil repute that she questioned me not at all about my
+visit to St. Cloud, for which I was devoutly thankful. She had
+expected that my uncle would be detained all night, so that I had no
+explanations to make in his behalf.
+
+The dinner-hour was long past, but she insisted on having a hot supper
+prepared for me, and though my conscience assured me I deserved to go
+to bed hungry, the little fillet of beef with mushrooms, flanked by an
+omelet _au gratin_, which Jacques, my aunt's accomplished chef, sent
+up to my room piping hot, with a glass of fine old Burgundy, tasted a
+little better to me than I ever remembered anything to have tasted
+before. _Le petit souper_ was served in my room, because my aunt had
+insisted that my wet clothes should be removed (it had begun to rain
+long before we reached the streets of Paris) and I should get into a
+hot bath at once to prevent, if possible, the cold she was sure I had
+contracted on my wet and perilous ride.
+
+Safe in my own comfortable room, warm and refreshed from my bath, with
+a delicious supper smoking before me, the memory of my exciting
+adventures and the discomforts of the latter part of the ride, lost in
+the dismal woods and chilled to the bone by the cold rain, already
+began to grow dim and hazy.
+
+The April rain driving against my windows added to my sense of comfort
+and security. It had been a good friend to me in at least two
+respects: it had washed out every trace of Fatima's hoof-prints, so
+that not even Monsieur Fouché's lynx-eyed police could track me when
+the morning light should start them on the trail; and it had ruined my
+new puce-colored costume. Remembering how I had rejoiced in the
+wearing of it that very morning, its destruction might not seem to be
+a cause for thankfulness. But I would never dare to wear it again,
+lest some one who had seen me at St. Cloud (most of all, the
+chevalier) should recognize it; and yet I might have found it
+difficult to frame excuses for not wearing it that would satisfy my
+aunt's minute and anxious care for me, which extended to seeing that I
+wore the proper suit for every occasion.
+
+But I did not feel quite so secure the next morning, when I saw
+posted all over the city flaming accounts of an attack upon the First
+Consul's life when he was in his bath, frustrated by the vigilance of
+his faithful Mameluke. There followed descriptions of the assassin as
+given by various witnesses who had had deadly hand-to-hand encounters
+with him, no two descriptions agreeing in any particulars, except that
+he was of great stature and rode a mysterious steed that bore him away
+on the wings of the wind.
+
+There was great excitement throughout all Paris, and there were not
+wanting those who hinted at supernatural agencies. Some of those who
+had stood gaping at our swift flight through St. Cloud village were
+ready to swear that the horse the assassin rode had wings from his
+shoulders and his feet, and one poor lout added a tail and a pair of
+horns for the rider!
+
+I might have been amused at all this if it had not been for the
+Chevalier Le Moyne. It was almost inevitable that I should meet him
+some day in the city, and when he should come to know of my presence
+in Paris he would at once connect the assassin of great size and his
+wonderful horse with the horse and rider that had snatched
+Mademoiselle Pelagie from his grasp at Rock Spring. And I was quite
+sure, also, that no considerations of gratitude for his life spared
+when he was in my power would deter him from handing me over to the
+merciless police with the greatest delight, now that I was in his
+power.
+
+So it was not with a perfect sense of security that I went about Paris
+for the next day or two, and I left Fatima to pine in her stable
+rather than to run the risk of suggesting a resemblance to some St.
+Cloud villager while yet the apparition of horse and rider was fresh
+in his mind.
+
+I did not see my uncle until late on Tuesday afternoon. He had gone
+direct to the Treasury office on Monday morning, and had been summoned
+to St. Cloud again Monday afternoon to spend the night. I had fully
+made up my mind to make a clean breast of it to him when I should see
+him, though I dreaded much the just reprimands I knew I should
+receive. It was with a very trembling heart, but striving to keep as
+courageous a front as possible, that I obeyed a summons to his private
+library late Tuesday afternoon. My uncle was sternness itself.
+
+"Sit down, sir," he said as I entered, scarcely returning my greeting.
+
+"If you will permit me, I would prefer to stand until I have made an
+explanation and my most heart-felt apologies," I replied, determined
+to speak quickly and have it over before my courage should desert me.
+
+"I desire no apologies," returned my uncle, a little less sternly, I
+thought, "and I particularly desire that you make me no explanations.
+If you had any connection with the mysterious assassin and his horse,
+I prefer to be able to say that I know nothing at all about it. I may
+have my suspicions that only a daredevil young American could
+accomplish such feats of prowess as were ascribed to this
+'assassin,'--over-power single-handed all the guards of the palace,
+and make good his escape on a steed of supernatural swiftness,--but I
+prefer that they should remain suspicions; do you understand?"
+
+I bowed silently, too mortified to make any reply.
+
+"I may have my theories, also," continued my uncle, "as to this young
+daredevil's presence in the First Consul's closet, and they would
+certainly not be those entertained by the police. Yet it would be a
+difficult matter to convince any one, least of all the First Consul
+and Fouché, that he could be there for any other purpose than
+assassination; and should his identity be discovered, I fear no
+influence could be brought to bear strong enough to save his life.
+Permit me to add, also, that an insatiable curiosity to be present at
+councils of state, such as I have no doubt led this young man to
+contrive an entrance into the Consul's private apartments, seems to me
+only one degree less culpable than the dastardly designs of an
+assassin."
+
+It is impossible to describe the scathing tone with which my uncle
+uttered this last sentence. Nor, had I been receiving condemnation
+from a just judge for the most dastardly crimes, could I have felt
+keener humiliation. I dared not lift my eyes, and every pulse in my
+body sent the blood in waves to my already scarlet countenance. I
+broke out into a great sweat all over my body as I realized that I had
+forever forfeited the respect and confidence of my uncle, whom I
+greatly honored and admired. I felt that I must make one desperate
+effort to regain a little of what I had lost. Not until that moment
+did I dream that I would be suspected of deliberately hiding in that
+closet for the purpose of eavesdropping, and not to be allowed to
+explain to my uncle that my presence there was by accident was almost
+more than I could bear.
+
+"Sir," I began, still not lifting my eyes, "you will not permit me to
+tell you anything when I had desired to tell you all, but I beg that
+you will allow me to say that it was not a spirit of mean curiosity
+that moved that young man, but a spirit of foolish and reckless
+adventure, of which he bitterly repents--most of all, because he has
+forever forfeited the respect and esteem of him whose good opinion he
+most prizes. He will return at once to America, where he will be in no
+danger of disgracing those whom he honors so highly. That his visit to
+Paris, so kindly planned by you, looked forward to with such delight,
+and, until the present moment, enjoyed so keenly, should end in such
+failure, is a greater bitterness than you can comprehend; but he feels
+that he has richly deserved it for his foolish recklessness. He only
+prays that in condemning his actions you will not judge too harshly of
+his motives, and that if it is possible to retain affection where
+esteem is forfeited, he may still be permitted to retain a little of
+yours."
+
+I stood with my head bowed for what seemed to me a very long time
+before my uncle spoke. Then he said in the kindest of tones:
+
+"Sit down, my boy; 'tis not quite so bad as that."
+
+I looked up quickly. My uncle was actually smiling, and a great load
+rolled off my heart. For whereas a moment before I had thought I could
+never look any man in the face again, least of all my uncle, it now
+seemed to me that there was almost as much of kindly affection in his
+glance as I had ever found there. Yet I would not sit down, as my
+uncle so kindly insisted, feeling that I deserved still to retain the
+attitude of culprit; seeing which, my uncle softened still more.
+
+"Perhaps I have been too hard on you," he said; "it was a foolish
+trick, without doubt, and you deserve some punishment for your
+thoughtlessness and recklessness. From what I know of you, I can
+charge you with no mean motive, and I am not sure but that at your age
+an adventure of such kind would have tempted me greatly. I do not mind
+saying, also, that I am rather proud of the way you got yourself out
+of your scrape, and I am glad there were no more serious results than
+a sprained ankle for the Chevalier Le Moyne and a temporary aberration
+of mind for the sentry. I am told you sent him spinning in such
+fashion that his brains flew out of the top of his head, and it was
+some hours before he got them back again. I hear, too, that he insists
+it could have been no less a personage than his Satanic Majesty
+himself who with a touch of the hand sent his gun flying when he was
+in the very act of firing, and then gave him a twirl that sent him
+spinning down the terraces in the dark."
+
+I did not want to laugh, but I could not quite suppress a sheepish
+grin at this picture of the dazed sentry, seeing which my uncle threw
+back his head and laughed in a way I am sure he learned in America,
+for I have never heard the like from these ever-smiling Parisians. I
+would have liked to laugh with him, so jolly did it sound, and my
+heart growing lighter every moment; but I did not quite dare. In a
+minute my uncle stopped as suddenly as he had begun, and was all
+seriousness again.
+
+"Well, well, my boy, it's all over," he said, "and I am thankful there
+was no bloodshed, and not very sorry that the chevalier must go
+limping for a while. I like not that fellow, and I don't understand
+why he is hanging around the First Consul so much of late. As to your
+going back to America, it would be the worst possible thing to do. You
+might as well make a confession at once. No; you must go about exactly
+as you have always done, no more, no less--certainly no less. And you
+must ride Fatima, but always at a moderate pace, and be sure you make
+no exhibitions of her training."
+
+I hardly knew how to thank my uncle, and I told him so. I was indeed
+glad not to be sent back to America, and I had no doubt that he was
+right about the wisdom of showing myself in public places with Fatima.
+I was glad, too, to hear him say that he did not like the Chevalier Le
+Moyne. I thought I could have enlightened him as to the chevalier's
+reasons for hanging around the First Consul, but my uncle did not know
+that I had ever seen Chevalier Le Moyne before, and I could not
+explain to him without telling him also about the Comtesse de Baloit;
+and--I knew not why, but I shrank greatly from mentioning her name to
+my uncle. So I held my peace about the chevalier, and instead made
+many promises as to my future conduct, and expressed many regrets for
+the past.
+
+I was leaving the room, feeling myself partly at least restored to my
+self-respect, when my uncle called me back.
+
+"I've a piece of news that may interest you," he said. "The
+President's envoy, Mr. Monroe, has arrived, and I am going to call on
+him at Mr. Livingston's this evening. Would you like to go with me?"
+
+I thanked him much, and assured him that I was greatly honored and
+pleased at his invitation (which did, indeed, seem to me like a sign
+that his confidence in me had returned), and then I hastily left the
+room with my head in a whirl. Mr. Monroe had arrived! Then so also had
+mademoiselle. I knew of no way to quiet the tumult of my heart and
+brain but to go for a ride on Fatima, though in my state of excitement
+it was hard work keeping her down to the moderate pace my uncle had
+recommended.
+
+I sought the Champs-Élysées, for it was the fashionable hour for
+driving, and I hoped that she might be taking the air there with all
+the rest of the world, though I hardly thought it probable so soon
+after her arrival. I rode slowly up and down the avenue, bowing to
+many acquaintances, and looking eagerly at every beautiful woman,
+whether I knew her or not, for fear that, seeing her in a strange city
+with strange surroundings, I might pass her and not know her.
+
+I was about to give up the quest and go home, when I saw coming toward
+me a carriage that had just turned into the avenue from a street
+leading to the Faubourg St. Germain. It was more magnificent than any
+I had seen, with outriders in gorgeous liveries, but I thought that
+hardly accounted for the way people were staring, stopping to look
+back when the carriage had passed, and the young men bowing to the
+ground. My heart began to beat tumultuously, as if it knew what my
+eyes were soon to look upon; yet I am not sure that I really believed
+it until it burst upon me, a vision of dazzling loveliness. Had I
+forgotten how beautiful she was? or was it that the fine Parisian hat
+and dress had added the transcendent touch? Unconsciously I drew
+Fatima to one side, so dazzled was I by her radiance; and so she did
+not see me, though she was looking eagerly from side to side, trying
+to take in at once all this wonderful Paris of which she had heard so
+much. She seemed to me like a happy child, eyes and lips smiling with
+delight, and I was happy just to be looking at her, though I liked not
+the face of the proud and haughty lady who sat beside her, and who, I
+feared, would never let her speak to her old St. Louis friend.
+
+The carriage passed, and I, too, looked back, as did all the rest of
+the world. Alas! in one moment was my joy turned to bitterness; for,
+sitting with his back to the horses and facing Pelagie, a proud smile
+as of ownership on his evil but handsome face, sat the Chevalier Le
+Moyne!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+THE CONSUL'S SENTENCE
+
+    "'Tis an old maxim in the schools,
+    That flattery's the food of fools;
+    Yet now and then your man of wit
+    Will condescend to take a bit."
+
+
+"I wonder what her cousin will say about it? He is her next of kin,
+and I suppose will have some authority."
+
+"You mean the young Duc d'Enghien? He is in Baden, you know, and not
+in a position to say anything. He is still émigré, and likely to
+remain so; for the First Consul distrusts all Bourbon princes."
+
+"Yes; but he might use his authority with his royal cousin, even at a
+distance. I had always thought he and the Comte d'Artois had other
+plans for the comtesse--that she was to strengthen their house by an
+alliance with one of the royal houses of Europe."
+
+"Without doubt that was their plan, but the other side of the house
+got ahead of them. It is to prevent just such an alliance, I believe,
+that the wily old duchesse is planning this marriage with the
+chevalier. He is too far down in the royal ranks to be a dangerous
+_parti_."
+
+"Have her estates been restored, do you know?"
+
+"I am not sure, but I think not. I have heard that Bonaparte is making
+this marriage a condition. He, too, wants to prevent anything that
+will strengthen the power of the Bourbons."
+
+"Oh, then the marriage is assured, and the duchesse has accomplished
+her purpose. I am sorry. I wish the comtesse had remained a little
+longer in America."
+
+"I am not quite so sure about it. It seems the comtesse herself is
+making difficulties. Perhaps, now that she has discovered her true
+rank, she does not consider the chevalier sufficiently noble."
+
+"It will make no difference what she thinks or feels, poor child; with
+the duchesse and the First Consul both against her, she is as helpless
+as a bird in the snares of the fowler."
+
+I was one of the group where this conversation took place, and so,
+though I had no part in it, I could not be considered an eavesdropper
+(for I had sworn that, rather than listen again to what was not
+intended for my hearing, I would go about with my ears stuffed with
+wax and be deaf to the whole world). No name had been mentioned, yet I
+knew well it was of the Comtesse de Baloit they were speaking, and
+every word pierced my soul like a knife.
+
+A stir at the upper end of the grand salon put a stop to the
+conversation. Every voice was hushed, and all eyes were turned to
+where Madame Bonaparte and the First Consul were making a grand entry.
+They were followed by a throng of ladies and gentlemen in attendance,
+and the scene could not have been more magnificent had they been king
+and queen holding royal court, with lords and ladies in waiting.
+
+I had eyes at first for no one but Madame Bonaparte (since coming to
+live at the Tuileries she was no longer called Citizeness Bonaparte),
+whom I had not yet seen, this being my first levee, and of whom I had
+heard almost as much as of the First Consul. I had heard that she was
+not faultlessly beautiful, but of great charm, and I could see at once
+that this was true. I do not know why she was not perfectly
+beautiful--perhaps her features were a little heavy, her nose a little
+long, her cheek-bones a little high, which just prevented her face
+from being faultless; but her eyes were large and lustrous and beaming
+with kindness, and her hair was soft and dark and abundant and
+gathered under a Grecian _filet_ in rich waves and curls, and her skin
+was of that creamy whiteness so often seen in creoles, and which sets
+off so well dark hair and eyes. I have never seen more beautiful neck
+and shoulders and arms; they looked to me more like some of those
+beautiful figures in marble in the Louvre Museum, that Bonaparte
+brought back with him from Italy, than like real flesh and blood.
+
+She was dressed all in white, and my aunt whispered to me that the
+First Consul liked her best in white, and that it was said when Madame
+Bonaparte (who was herself fond of more gorgeous costumes) appeared in
+white, it was a sign either that she was jealous of her husband and
+was trying to win back his straying affections, or that she wanted
+some special favor granted. Very likely this was only idle court
+gossip, but it might easily be true, for I could hardly think her so
+nearly beautiful in any other dress as in that softly falling white,
+with high girdle of gold, richly jeweled, and her dark waves of hair
+caught in a golden net under the Grecian filet.
+
+The First Consul was very magnificent also; I think he likes dress as
+well as his wife. When I had looked well at these two, I had leisure
+to look at their retinue; and I looked first at the gentlemen, many of
+whom were wearing the brilliant uniforms of army officers. To my
+chagrin, my eyes fell almost instantly upon the Chevalier Le Moyne,
+wearing the very gorgeous uniform of aide to General Bonaparte. As I
+looked at him his eye caught mine, and I saw him start, turn pale, and
+then color violently. In a moment he forced a quick smile to his lips
+(to his teeth, I had almost said, for there was always something
+wolfish to me in his smile), and then he bowed. I returned his bow
+very coldly, and his presence there suggesting to me that I might
+possibly find Pelagie among the court ladies (for so 'tis the fashion
+to call them in jest), I turned to look for her. Yes, she was there,
+and, like Madame Bonaparte, all in white. Only Pelagie's white was
+filmy and lacy, and fuller and more flowing than madame's, with jewels
+shining in its folds and in her waving hair. And whereas Madame
+Bonaparte made me think of a Greek goddess, Pelagie reminded me of one
+of Mr. Shakspere's fairies, sparkling, graceful, exquisite.
+
+She did not seem to see me, and I could gaze at her no longer, for the
+First Consul was already moving about from group to group of the
+assembled guests, saying a few words to each, and he was just
+approaching our party. He greeted my aunt and uncle and those standing
+with us, whom he knew, very affably; then he turned his quick glance
+on me, and my uncle presented me.
+
+"Ah," he said, "I was not mistaken. I thought you were from America
+when I saw you in church on Easter morning"; and, turning to my uncle,
+he added:
+
+"We do not grow such great fair men in France, Citizen Minister."
+
+"No," said my uncle, quickly; "we have small dark great men in France,
+Citizen First Consul."
+
+Bonaparte laughed, pleased both with the play on words and my uncle's
+compliment, and turned quickly to the next group before I had time to
+stammer out how flattered I felt at his remembering me.
+
+The next group happened to be the English ambassador, Lord Whitworth,
+and his friends. The Consul had been very affable with us, and I had
+discovered that his smile was of rare sweetness and gave great beauty
+to his face. But as he turned to Lord Whitworth the smile vanished and
+his brows were drawn together in a dark frown. Without the slightest
+word of greeting, he spoke to him abruptly and harshly:
+
+"I find your nation wants war again."
+
+Lord Whitworth bowed low, and a dull red slowly spread over his face
+as he answered:
+
+"No, sir; we are very desirous of peace."
+
+"You have just finished a war of fifteen years," said Bonaparte again,
+in the most offensive of tones, almost a sneer.
+
+The ambassador bit his lip in his effort at self-control, but he
+answered with great suavity:
+
+"It is true, sir; and that was fifteen years too long."
+
+"But you want another war of fifteen years," insisted Bonaparte, his
+tones every moment harsher and louder, so that every one in that part
+of the salon could not help but hear. All conversation ceased, and
+every one listened with strained and painful attention. Lord Whitworth
+quietly reiterated:
+
+"Pardon me, sir; we are very desirous of peace."
+
+Then, in a tone that rang out like the harsh clang of crossing swords,
+Bonaparte cried:
+
+"I must either have Malta or war!"
+
+A shock ran through the whole assembly. No man dared look at his
+neighbor. This was nothing less than a declaration of war, and in the
+most insulting manner. Whether the proud representative of the
+haughtiest nation on the globe would receive such a rude insult to
+himself and his country calmly was very doubtful, and we all awaited
+Lord Whitworth's reply in trembling silence. With compressed lips and
+eyes that flashed in spite of himself, but with a calmness in marked
+contrast to Bonaparte's petulance, he replied:
+
+"I am not prepared, sir, to speak on that subject; and I can only
+assure you, Citizen First Consul, that we wish for peace."
+
+Bonaparte's frown grew darker, but he said no more; and with a curt
+nod, and almost a sneer on his lips, he withdrew at once into a small
+cabinet opening into the salon, leaving the rest of his guests without
+addressing a word to them, which I was told afterward was very
+unusual with him, and showed that his irritation must be very great.
+
+An embarrassed silence followed the First Consul's exit. I had been
+looking forward to this levee for weeks, but it promised to be a very
+uncomfortable occasion for me as well as for others. I had a great
+desire to speak to the British ambassador and assure him of my
+sympathy, for none of the Frenchmen so much as dared to look at him,
+now that he was in disgrace, lest it be reported to the Consul, and
+they themselves fall under suspicion. But I feared it would be
+presumption in one so young and unknown, and I dreaded meeting the
+haughty British stare with which an Englishman petrifies one he
+considers unduly forward. Much to my relief, and indeed to the relief
+of the whole company, my uncle turned to him and began at once to talk
+in a most animated manner of the doings in the American Congress. That
+the relief was general was evident, for conversation was at once
+resumed, and with a gaiety that was somewhat feverish, I thought.
+
+It was our turn now to pay our respects to Madame Bonaparte. I had
+been eager to meet her until I discovered the presence of Pelagie; but
+now it had suddenly become a trying ordeal to walk forward and salute
+madame, and perhaps stand talking to her a few moments, conscious that
+Pelagie's eyes, if they cared to, might be watching every movement.
+Should I be awkward (as I feared I would under such a scrutiny), I was
+sure there would be the old mocking light in them I had so often seen,
+and dreaded to see, in St. Louis. I resolved not to glance at her
+once while I was going through my ordeal, lest she should prove my
+undoing; and I tried to think only of the charming woman who smiled
+bewitchingly when I made gallant speeches, and who tapped me with her
+fan in much the same playful fashion as Mistress Madison had tapped me
+with her jeweled snuff-box. Indeed, she reminded me much of the lovely
+Washington lady. Both had the same kind way of putting an awkward lad
+at his ease, and seeming to like him and be pleased with his speeches,
+especially if they savored a little of audacity. But Madame Bonaparte
+had not the dash and sparkle of Mistress Madison; instead, she had a
+lazy Southern fashion of speech and a wonderfully winning gentleness
+that I am not sure was not more charming than the gay brilliancy of
+the other.
+
+She kept me talking to her longer than I had expected (or hoped for),
+and I began to see significant glances exchanged, while my color was
+steadily rising; and I was sure mademoiselle (if she looked at me at
+all), noting my shining curls, as yellow as the gold lace on my white
+satin court-dress, and my cheeks flaming like any girl's, was saying
+to herself with infinite scorn, "Pretty boy!"
+
+I think Madame Bonaparte saw the significant glances also, for she
+said presently:
+
+"You must meet the Comtesse de Baloit. She has just returned from your
+America, and you will have much in common to talk about."
+
+And so I found myself bowing low over Pelagie's hand, and a moment
+later looking straight down into her lovely dark eyes, which looked
+straight up at mine with no hint of scorn in their shadowy depths, but
+only a great wonder, and a little of something else that set my pulses
+to beating like trip-hammers.
+
+"I cannot understand, Monsieur," she said. "I shall have to ask you,
+as you asked me in Washington--how did you get here?"
+
+"It was a lodestar drew me," I murmured.
+
+But the warm light in her eyes changed quickly to proud disdain.
+
+"I like not idle gallantries between old friends. Keep those for
+Madame Bonaparte. I saw they pleased her greatly, and that you were
+much flattered by their reception."
+
+Could the Comtesse de Baloit be jealous? or was it the haughty
+Faubourg St. Germain scorning the parvenue of the Tuileries? I hoped
+it was the first, but in either case it behooved me to make quick
+_amende_.
+
+"Forgive me, Comtesse," I said, as coldly as she had spoken, but in
+English, and so low that I hoped no listener could understand even if
+he knew the tongue. "It was true, but you could not know how true, and
+I have no right to tell you. I know well how great a distance lies
+between the proud Lady of France and a simple American gentleman.
+Permit me to inform you, Comtesse, that I have been in Paris for more
+than a month with my uncle, Monsieur Barbé Marbois. And permit me to
+add, as a simple fact in which you may be interested or not, that this
+is the moment for which I have lived through that month--the moment
+when I should meet again the Comtesse de Baloit."
+
+It had ever been the way with the little Pelagie in America to meet
+her hauteur with hauteur, but I was not sure it would work here, and I
+trembled inwardly while I spoke so calmly. But it did. Her lids
+dropped for a moment, and a soft color stole up to her temples. When
+she lifted her eyes again, there was a sweet, shy light in them.
+
+"Monsieur," she said softly, in her pretty English, "why do you call
+me Comtesse? Have you forgotten?"
+
+"Is it still to be Mademoiselle?" I cried eagerly, and had hard work
+not to pick her up in my arms and run away with her, so adorable was
+she in her sweet friendliness.
+
+"Mademoiselle always, unless it is--" But then she broke off suddenly
+and turned a rosy red, and added quickly, with something of her old
+sauciness: "Never Comtesse, unless I am very, _very_ naughty."
+
+My heart told me what she had meant to say, and I whispered proudly:
+
+"Unless it is some day--Pelagie"; and I know my eyes told her all the
+rest I did not dare to say, for she looked away from me quickly, and
+I, glancing up, met a black scowl on the face of the chevalier, who, I
+knew, must have been watching this little by-play, though he could not
+have heard a word, such was the buzz and clatter of conversation about
+us. His face cleared instantly, and he stepped quickly forward with a
+forced smile and an extended hand.
+
+"Permit me to greet an old friend," he said gaily. "When did you
+arrive in Paris?"
+
+It would have been well for me if I could have swallowed my pride
+sufficiently to take his proffered hand; but it seemed to me the hand
+of a scoundrel and a dastard, and I could not bring myself to touch
+it. I pretended not to see it, and I hoped the chevalier and those who
+were looking on might be deceived into thinking I did not, as I
+answered politely enough:
+
+"The Chevalier Le Moyne is very kind to welcome me so cordially to
+Paris."
+
+And then, with a sudden recollection of our last encounter, and hoping
+to throw him off the track, I added:
+
+"I have been in Paris but a short time; this is my first visit to the
+Tuileries."
+
+But I had not deceived him. The black scowl returned quickly at my
+rejection of his proffered hand, and stretching himself to his full
+height, so as to be as near my ear as possible, he said between his
+teeth:
+
+"It may be your first visit to the Tuileries, Monsieur; but, if I
+mistake not, you have been at St. Cloud before. If I had known you
+were in Paris I would have been at no loss to account for the
+mysterious horse and his rider. I suppose you have brought that
+accursed mare with you?"
+
+I may have turned pale, for I saw black ruin yawn before me, but I
+answered steadily:
+
+"I do not understand you, Monsieur. I beg you will explain."
+
+"Diable! You understand well enough, Monsieur," he sneered, and
+turned and walked away with an exaggerated limp--it had been scarcely
+perceptible when he came to greet me.
+
+I had little time to worry over this new peril that threatened, for my
+uncle came up to present me to more of the "court ladies," and I did
+my best to talk and be merry, while in the background of my thoughts I
+was trying to plan some way of escape from the meshes of the net I saw
+closing around me. Paris was no longer any place for me. I must tell
+my uncle at the first opportunity, and ask his help in getting away as
+quietly as possible to America; and at that thought, and that I was
+cutting myself off from ever seeing again the Comtesse de Baloit, I
+groaned inwardly, and could have cursed the reckless folly that had
+brought me to such a pass.
+
+In the midst of my troubled thoughts I saw an officer approach the
+Comtesse de Baloit (for, no matter to whom I might be talking, the
+Comtesse was ever in my sight), bow low, and apparently deliver some
+message to her. I saw her turn to the lady who stood near her (the one
+with whom I had seen her driving, whose bearing was so stern and
+haughty, and who, I did not doubt, was the duchesse I had heard spoken
+of as desiring to marry her to the chevalier), and then the officer
+offered an arm to each of them and bore them away to the cabinet to
+which the First Consul had withdrawn.
+
+I did not know why this should be cause for anxiety on my part, but
+none the less I felt anxious. When, a few minutes later, the same
+officer approached the Chevalier Le Moyne and delivered to him also a
+message, and the chevalier deliberately turned to me with a smile of
+triumph, and then followed the officer to the same cabinet, I felt
+doubly anxious. Indeed, so great had my anxiety become that it was
+almost impossible for me to keep up longer the semblance of gay
+converse with the witty beauties about me.
+
+The chevalier's smile of triumph meant one of two things--either
+terrible for me, but one impossible to think of. It meant, "You see,
+now I have my chance to denounce you to the First Consul, and I shall
+use it"--which would mean nothing less than death for me; or, it
+meant, "You see, the First Consul is bringing his influence to bear
+upon my marriage with the Comtesse de Baloit; it is all
+arranged"--which would mean something far worse than death for me.
+
+I was not surprised, therefore, and I was almost relieved when ten
+minutes later the officer touched me on the shoulder.
+
+"The First Consul desires your presence in his cabinet, Monsieur," he
+said; and I turned and followed him, conscious that I was followed in
+turn by all eyes. There had been no surprise when first the comtesse
+and then the chevalier had been summoned, for every one thought he
+understood--the First Consul's powerful influence was to be brought to
+bear upon a recalcitrant maiden; and while some pitied, none doubted
+that the First Consul's influence would avail. But no one knew what
+connection I could have with the affair, and the first moment of
+startled surprise was followed by a murmur of curious surmises.
+
+Amid that murmur I walked as one who goes to his execution; for from
+the moment the officer touched me upon the shoulder I had known what
+the chevalier's smile of triumph meant, and I knew that I was on my
+way to be accused and condemned, and, for aught I knew, marched off to
+instant execution under the eyes of the Comtesse de Baloit. As I
+passed Monsieur Marbois, his eyes, filled with a startled alarm, met
+mine. I tried to reassure him with a smile, but I fear it was sorry
+work, for a sudden rush of remembrance of all his goodness to me
+overwhelmed me and came near to unmanning me.
+
+Just inside the door of the cabinet the officer stopped, and motioned
+to me also to stay my steps. On whatever errand I had been sent for,
+it was evident that neither the First Consul nor any one else was
+quite ready for me. The Consul was seated, while on one side of him
+stood the chevalier, and on the other the duchesse and the Comtesse de
+Baloit; and that any man should remain seated in the presence of the
+comtesse filled me at once with a blind rage that ill prepared me to
+play my part in what was about to follow. The attitude of the three
+struck me at once as significant: the duchesse complacent, with almost
+a smile upon her haughty features, and to the best of her ability
+beaming upon the First Consul; the chevalier eager, obsequious,
+fawning; the comtesse her head held proudly up, a little frown between
+her brows, her eyes flashing; impatience, annoyance, disdain expressed
+in every feature. The First Consul was speaking as we entered, and I
+thought his tones were meant to be persuasive; they were less rasping
+than I had often heard them.
+
+"The estates are very great, Mademoiselle." (And again I was indignant
+that he should address her as Mademoiselle, a title which I felt
+belonged to no man to use but to me. I knew, of course, that it was
+but the common usage,--that titles were not permitted in republican
+France,--but none the less I was angry.) "Your father was almost the
+richest man in France," he was saying. "Should I restore these estates
+to you, I must have some guaranty that they will be used for the
+welfare of the republic, and not against it. Citizen Le Moyne is such
+a guaranty. His sword is already pledged to the service of the
+republic, and to the Citizeness Le Moyne I will restore all the
+estates of her father."
+
+A bright red spot burned in each of Pelagie's cheeks. I know not what
+she might have said (though she looked not as if she would meekly
+yield assent to this powerful plea), for at that moment the First
+Consul discovered our entrance and turned to the chevalier.
+
+"Citizen Le Moyne," he said, "you asked us to send for this young man.
+He is here. What has the nephew of Monsieur Marbois to do with this
+matter?"
+
+A malicious smile played round the chevalier's lips.
+
+"If you remember, Citizen First Consul," he said "I told you that at
+one time mademoiselle was not averse to my suit--that in all
+probability I would have won her hand in St. Louis, but that her mind
+was poisoned against me by malicious insinuations and fabrications,
+the work of a rival who desired to win her for himself?"
+
+The chevalier waited for the Consul's reply, and he nodded curtly.
+
+"Well?"
+
+"Citizen First Consul, that rival is the nephew of Minister Marbois,
+and I have brought him here to ask him to renounce publicly all claims
+to the hand of the Citizeness de Baloit."
+
+I saw a flash in the beautiful eyes, and a proud toss of the little
+head that I well knew meant, "He has no claim," and I hastened to
+speak.
+
+"Sire," I said quickly, and then stopped in confusion. How could I
+have made such an egregious blunder as to address the first citizen of
+the republic by a royal title? Yet it was a natural enough mistake,
+for no Czar or Sultan or Grand Mogul was ever a more autocratic ruler
+than he, or made men tremble more at his nod. I thought I had no doubt
+ruined my cause in the very outset, for a dark frown gathered between
+the Consul's brows, but it quickly disappeared.
+
+"I believe you spoke innocently, young man," he said, with a smile of
+rare sweetness. "Speak on!"
+
+"Pardon, Citizen First Consul," I said--"it was indeed an innocent
+mistake"; and then I added with a sudden impulse of audacity, "but a
+very natural one."
+
+The Consul answered me only with his flashing smile, that transfigured
+his face, and I hurried on:
+
+"I wish to say, sir, that I have no claim to the hand of Mademoiselle
+la Comtesse." I saw from the tail of my eye her head take a prouder
+pose and her lips curl scornfully as she perceived that I was tamely
+renouncing my "claim" at the chevalier's bidding; but I went calmly
+on: "I have always known that there was a great gulf fixed between the
+proud Lady of France of royal blood and a simple American gentleman.
+Mademoiselle la Comtesse has never given me any reason to hope that
+that gulf could be crossed, but," and I turned and looked straight at
+the chevalier,--and if my head was flung back too proudly and my eyes
+flashed too fiercely and my voice rang out too defiantly, it was from
+no lack of respect to the great Bonaparte, but because my soul was
+seething with wrath and indignation against that cowardly villain "but
+should Mademoiselle la Comtesse give me the faintest hope that the
+honest love of an honest American heart could weigh with her against
+lands and titles, that the devotion of a lifetime to her every thought
+and desire could hope to win her love, then no argument the Chevalier
+Le Moyne could bring to bear would have a feather's weight with me. I
+would renounce my 'claim to her hand' only with my life!"
+
+The First Consul's eyes were smiling as I ceased speaking; there was
+no frown on his brow. The duchesse looked aghast, as if it were
+inconceivable blasphemy that I should think of aspiring to the
+comtesse, and the chevalier's face was dark, with an ugly sneer
+distorting his lips. But I cared little how Consul or duchesse or
+chevalier took my speech: I cared only for what mademoiselle might
+think. I glanced quickly at her. Her head was drooping, her long
+lashes were sweeping her cheek, her face was rosy red, and a
+half-smile was playing about her mouth. My heart beat high with
+exultant joy. I turned proudly to the chevalier and awaited the
+thunderbolt I knew was sure to fall. He, too, had seen mademoiselle's
+soft and drooping aspect, and the sight had lashed him to fury. But
+before he had a chance to speak, the First Consul himself spoke with
+good-natured raillery:
+
+"I think, Citizen Le Moyne, your golden-haired giant makes a very good
+plea for himself. Suppose I offer him a position on my staff and make
+a Frenchman of him, and then let the Citizeness de Baloit choose
+between you? Perhaps her estates would be as safe in his hands as in
+yours."
+
+Had the First Consul uttered his speech with the purpose of lashing
+the chevalier to fury and goading him to still greater venom against
+me, he could have taken no better course to accomplish it.
+
+"Safe!" he hissed. "Safe in the hands of an assassin! You would give
+mademoiselle and her estates to the man who hid in your closet to
+attempt your life in your bath! Regardez! the coward--the sneak--the
+villain! When your Mameluke discovers him he flees. I run to your
+defense. Does he meet me with his sword like an honorable gentleman?
+No! he trips me with the foot like a school-boy, and throws me down
+the stair, to be the laughing-stock of my fellow-officers! Because he
+is a giant, he falls upon your sentry of small stature and hurls him
+down the terraces! He calls to his trick horse,--trained in the
+circus, I do not doubt,--and rides away in the dark, and thinks no one
+will ever know! But _I_ know. I have seen his tricks in America. He
+is a clown--a mountebank! No gentleman would touch his hand!"
+
+The chevalier's voice had grown shriller and higher with each word,
+till he ended in a scream, tearing his hair, rushing up and down the
+cabinet in his fury, and pointing every epithet with a long finger
+extended toward me. I could have smiled at such childish rage but that
+it was too serious a matter to me for smiling. Mademoiselle's eyes
+were wide with terror and amaze, and the Consul's brow grew darker
+with every word of the chevalier's.
+
+"Officer, call the guard!" he said in his rasping voice, as soon as
+the chevalier gave him a chance to speak, and I knew my doom was
+sealed.
+
+But mademoiselle sprang forward, one arm outstretched to stay the
+officer, and one extended toward the Consul in supplication.
+
+"No, no, officer, not yet!" she cried, and then to Bonaparte:
+
+"Oh, Citizen Consul, it is all a terrible mistake! I know him well. He
+could not be guilty of so dreadful a crime! He could not do anything
+mean or low or dishonorable. There is no gentleman in the world more
+generous and noble! And the man who denounces him owes his life to
+him!"
+
+"Look at him, Mademoiselle," said the Consul, harshly, "and see if his
+looks do not confess him the culprit."
+
+I knew that I must look the very picture of conscious guilt, for every
+word mademoiselle had uttered had pierced me like a two-edged sword. I
+might have braved the chevalier's accusations and the First Consul's
+suspicions (for, after all, neither had any evidence against me), but
+I could not bear her generous confidence in me, feeling that I had so
+miserably forfeited my right to it by indulging in a foolish boyish
+prank. I did not raise my head (where it had sunk in shame), but by
+reason of being so much taller I yet could see her turn toward me, see
+her look of implicit trust change slowly to doubt and fear. Then I
+heard her utter one low cry, "Oh, Monsieur, Monsieur!" and turn away.
+In a moment my resolve was taken. I would make a clean breast of it;
+she should not think me worse than I was. I lifted my head.
+
+"Mademoiselle!" I cried, and she turned quickly toward me and looked
+straight into my eyes with a look that was hard to bear. "I am guilty
+Mademoiselle! I am the man who was in the First Consul's closet, and
+who escaped on Fatima's back."
+
+The Consul made a motion toward the officer, but I turned to him
+quickly.
+
+"I beg you, sire,"--and this time I did not know that I had said it,
+not until long afterward, when one of those who heard told me of
+it,--"that you will not send your officer for the guard until I have
+made my confession; then you can send for it, and I will go away
+quietly, without resistance."
+
+"Very well, officer; you can wait," said Bonaparte, still harshly. The
+rest of my confession I addressed directly to him.
+
+"I am no clown, mountebank, or circus rider in my own country, sir, as
+the Chevalier Le Moyne would have you believe; I am the son of a
+Philadelphia gentleman, and the nephew of Madame Marbois.
+Unfortunately, life in my native land has bred in me a spirit of
+adventure that has many times been near my undoing. It has also bred
+in me a great love for the life of a soldier, and a great admiration
+for the famous soldiers of history. When I accompanied my uncle to St.
+Cloud, and knew that he was summoned there to meet the First Consul, I
+was seized with a desire to enter the palace and roam through the
+rooms where the First Consul dwelt. When I found admission was not
+permitted I thought it would be a fine adventure to find my way in
+without permission. It was a boy's wild spirit of daring, and a boy's
+almost idolatrous hero-worship that led me into such a scrape."
+
+The Consul interrupted me here, but I thought his tones a little less
+harsh than before:
+
+"Did your uncle know of your intention to enter the palace?"
+
+"Most certainly not, Citizen First Consul," I answered, "else had I
+never accomplished it."
+
+"Then how did you find your way to my closet?"
+
+"I followed a servant through some winding corridors, but an officer
+suddenly appeared. I fled, opened the first door I came to, saw myself
+in a dressing-room, opened another, and found myself in the closet
+connecting with your cabinet."
+
+All of which was literally true, and implicated neither Gaston nor
+Félice, I hoped. The Consul signed to me to go on with my story.
+
+"All would have been well, and I should have slipped out the way I
+came, had not the First Consul decided to take a bath."
+
+I was watching my auditor narrowly as I talked, for I felt my life
+depended upon his change of mood, and I thought I saw here the least
+glimmer of a twinkle in his eye; but if it was there it was banished
+instantly, and his face was as set and stern as before.
+
+"I have never heard any words, your"--I started to say "your Majesty,"
+caught myself, and stumbled miserably--"your--your--Excellency, that
+filled me with greater dismay than these: 'Tell my valet to prepare my
+bath'!"
+
+Again I thought I caught that fleeting twinkle of the eye, but could
+not be sure.
+
+"There was no hope for me," I went on, "but to wait for the First
+Consul to finish his bath; but, unfortunately for me, he is fonder of
+his bath than most men, and I stood in that dark closet in an agony of
+suspense, and revolving in my mind every conceivable plan of escape,
+for what seemed to me many long hours. All might still have been
+well,--for in the nature of things even the First Consul's bath must
+come to an end sometime,--had I not made a slight noise which the
+quick ears of the Consul and the Mameluke heard. I was discovered,
+and there was nothing for me to do but to flee through the
+audience-chamber and the main corridor, surprising the guard at the
+door, who, in his turn, raised the whole palace in pursuit.
+
+"I was distancing my pursuers, and should have gotten out of the
+palace without difficulty, but that at the head of the grand staircase
+I met the Chevalier Le Moyne, running from the opposite end of the
+corridor. I would not under ordinary circumstances refuse a sword
+encounter with the chevalier (though I would prefer an opponent with a
+nicer sense of honor), but there was no time for such an encounter now
+if I would not have the whole palace upon me, and, besides, it was
+most important that the chevalier should not recognize me. There was
+nothing to do but to hide my face with my arm as if shielding it from
+his sword, and trip him up, as he says, school-boy fashion. I am sorry
+that it should have hurt his self-esteem to be vanquished by such a
+youthful trick, and regret still more that he should have suffered in
+the estimation of his fellow-officers thereby."
+
+This time the twinkle in the Consul's eye was unmistakable, and I
+could hear the chevalier grinding his teeth with rage.
+
+"As for your sentry," I continued, "he was aiming his gun to fire at
+me. There was no time for ceremony. I could have spitted him upon my
+sword, which was in my hand, and it might have been more respectful;
+but I dislike bloodshed, unless it is absolutely unavoidable, and so I
+threw up his gun with my arm, and sent him spinning after it in the
+dark. I had left my mare Fatima--who is no trick horse, but a young
+Arabian trained by myself from colthood to do my bidding--in a pine
+thicket close by. I was on her back and away just in time to escape
+your mounted guards, who thundered out the gates of the park scarce
+twenty paces behind me. Had Fatima been less swift I had not been
+here to tell the tale. I hope the First Consul will believe me when I
+say I have suffered much from remorse for my rash and thoughtless act.
+It was a wild spirit of adventure that led me into it, but I see
+clearly now that does not in the least excuse it, and I am ready to
+atone for it in any way you decree."
+
+The eye of the First Consul, clear, piercing, heart-reading, had been
+upon me through the whole of this recital; but I, feeling that I was
+keeping nothing back (save only Gaston and Félice), and being nerved
+up to meet whatever fate should befall, bore its scrutiny well. He was
+silent for a moment after I had finished speaking, and my heart sank
+steadily down, for life looked very bright to me and I began to be
+very sure I had forfeited it by my foolishness. Suddenly the Consul
+spoke, but it was not to me nor to the chevalier; he turned to
+Pelagie.
+
+"Mademoiselle, that was a boyish escapade, certainly, and it was a
+very pretty boy that contrived it. What do you think would be suitable
+punishment for such a crime? You shall be the arbiter of his fate."
+
+Mademoiselle gave me one fleeting glance, saucy merriment dancing in
+her eye; then she turned to Bonaparte, and, curtsying low, she said
+with pretty archness:
+
+"Citizen First Consul, I know him well, and I know that only death
+could be a greater punishment to him than to be called a 'pretty boy'!
+Do you not think his crime is atoned for?"
+
+Bonaparte's wonderful smile lighted his face and fell on mademoiselle
+with almost too great sweetness, I thought.
+
+"It is as you say, Mademoiselle," he replied. "Officer, you need not
+call the guard."
+
+But I, suddenly relieved from the fear of death, stood there scarlet
+with confusion, head drooping, and ready to sink through the floor
+with shame, while I mentally anathematized my yellow curls and rosy
+cheeks and blue eyes, and most of all my _domtiferous_ vanity that had
+led me to array myself in shining white satin and glittering gold
+lace, that I was sure made me look fairer and rosier and more than
+ever like a big blond baby.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+A NEW CHEVALIER OF FRANCE
+
+    "Our hopes, like towering falcons, aim
+      At objects in an airy height."
+
+
+"Officer," said Bonaparte, in his iciest tones, "conduct Citizeness
+Capet and Citizen Le Moyne back to the salon. I have something to say
+to the others that it will not be necessary for them to hear. You need
+not return yourself until I ring for you."
+
+Madame la Duchesse glared at the little figure lazily and haughtily
+reclining at ease in the deep-armed chair while we all stood meekly
+before him. I think for a moment she was tempted to spring upon him
+and tear his eyes out. That the parvenu ruler of the republic should
+so address a member not only of the old nobility but the old royalty,
+was more than she could bear. A cool stare from the fathomless eyes of
+the Consul made her think better of it; she turned and accompanied the
+chevalier (who was nigh to foaming at the mouth with ill-suppressed
+rage) back to the salon.
+
+As they left the cabinet, conducted in state by the officer, Bonaparte
+turned to Pelagie.
+
+"Mademoiselle la Comtesse," he said in tones whose suavity were in
+marked contrast to the coldness of his last speech, "will you not be
+seated? I am sorry to have kept you standing so long. I have asked you
+to wait while I spoke to this young man, because I have something more
+to say to you on the subject we were discussing. I beg, therefore, you
+will make yourself perfectly comfortable while you wait."
+
+I think Pelagie was of half a mind to decline the Consul's courtesy,
+for she hesitated a moment, and I saw a dangerous spark leap into his
+eyes. I do not know whether she saw it also, or whether she simply
+decided it was better to be as complaisant as possible in small
+matters, since she might have to be recalcitrant in great ones. She
+sat down, apparently cool and collected, but in the chair most distant
+from the First Consul. I had noted the change in the form of his
+address, and wondered at it; but I believe he liked titles, and was
+glad to use them when there were no jealous ears about to find fault
+with his lapse from republican simplicity. He did not ask me to sit
+down, but turned to me as soon as Pelagie had taken her seat, and
+began abruptly:
+
+"I made a proposition a few moments ago in jest; I now make it in
+earnest: I offer you a position on my staff as military aide. The
+young man who has the skill to extricate himself from such an escapade
+as yours is of the stuff I would like to use in my service, and when
+he adds to his other qualities the ability to tell his story so
+discreetly that it is impossible to guess whether or not he has heard
+anything of state councils and family quarrels, he is of still greater
+value in such a capacity."
+
+I was overwhelmed. Lifted from the depths of disgrace and fear of
+death to the pinnacle of my day-dreams realized (for it had ever been
+my fondest dream to be a soldier of fortune, and to serve under the
+great Bonaparte--one that I had hardly dared to confess to myself) was
+almost more than brain could stand. More than that, to hear such words
+of commendation from the great soldier, when I had expected severest
+censure, set heart throbbing and head whirling. I could only stammer
+out:
+
+"It would be the greatest joy and glory of my life to serve under the
+First Consul! I shall have to get my uncle's permission; may I defer
+my answer until I have an opportunity to consult him?"
+
+The Consul frowned quickly; I have no doubt he was used to receiving
+only instant acceptances of his offers. But in a moment his
+countenance cleared, and he answered, pleasantly enough:
+
+"Very well; I shall expect to hear from you the day after to-morrow";
+and with a slight nod from him I understood myself dismissed.
+
+Somehow I liked not leaving Pelagie there alone with him, but there
+was no alternative. I thought, too, as I made my low bow to her in
+leaving the room, that her eyes met mine with a look of appeal in
+their dark depths it was hard to withstand. I determined to take my
+station in the salon near the cabinet door, so that if she should need
+me I would be near at hand.
+
+And thus it happened that a few minutes later I heard the Consul's
+bell ring violently, saw the officer on duty enter the cabinet
+hastily, and immediately return, conducting Pelagie. Her eyes were
+shining with a fierce light, a bright spot was burning in either
+cheek, and her head was held so high and she was looking so straight
+forward with an unseeing gaze that she did not see me as she passed. I
+saw her take her place among the court ladies and Madame Bonaparte
+look at her with cold displeasure. Being no longer on sentry duty, I
+joined my aunt, and she whispered to me:
+
+"The pretty Comtesse is in trouble. Madame will not easily forgive her
+husband spending ten minutes alone with her in his cabinet."
+
+My soul raged within me, for I could see that others also were
+whispering about her, and for a moment I was ready to challenge all
+the world, including the great Bonaparte himself, who (though, I
+believed, innocently) had given occasion for the whisperings. Of
+course I knew that his interview with Pelagie had been entirely in
+behalf of the chevalier, but others did not seem to be so certain of
+it, and especially did Madame Bonaparte's attitude toward her give
+rise to unpleasant comment. I longed eagerly for a word with Pelagie
+herself, but I saw no chance of obtaining it. Yet fortune favored me,
+for later in the evening, when they were preparing the piquet-tables,
+I found myself placed next to her; and once, when excitement over some
+disputed point in the game was running high, and the din of contending
+voices made a friendly cover for a low-toned speech, I managed to say
+to her:
+
+"You look troubled, Mademoiselle; is there any way in which I can be
+of service to you?"
+
+She smiled up at me with a look of trust that touched me greatly, and
+said hurriedly, mentioning no names (which might have been dangerous):
+
+"I wanted this chance to tell you. He insisted on that marriage, and
+when I told him I would never marry a man who had denounced and
+betrayed in such cowardly fashion the man to whom he owed his life, he
+was very rude to me."
+
+"Rude to you!" I whispered fiercely. "Then I cannot take service under
+him."
+
+But she looked greatly alarmed when I said that, and whispered
+eagerly:
+
+"No, no, Monsieur; do not say that! Take the place, if you can, for
+your own sake,"--and then she hesitated a moment,--"and for mine."
+
+There was no chance for another word; the game was breaking up, and
+the old duchess came and carried her off with a glare of distrust and
+suspicion at me, and I had no doubt she had been watching our
+whispered consultation.
+
+There was no chance, either, to tell my uncle of my interview with the
+Consul; for I could say nothing before my aunt without entering into
+explanations that I did not want to make to her, and I knew the fact
+of my returning to the salon instead of being hurried off to prison
+had quieted his alarms. The hour was late, and we said good night to
+each other in the corridors when we returned home, going at once to
+our rooms.
+
+I hurried down-stairs the next morning, hoping to find my uncle taking
+his morning coffee in the garden, as he often did in this lovely
+spring weather; but I had overslept, and he was already gone. Late in
+the afternoon I sought him in his library, for I knew my answer to the
+First Consul must be decided upon at once, and I was anxious to tell
+him all about my interview. He answered my knock by a quick "Enter,
+enter!" and I found him brimming over with gay good humor and
+excitement.
+
+"You are just in time, my boy," he cried. "I am expecting the American
+ambassadors every moment, and, if they offer no objection, you may
+stay and see how history is made. We are to sign the treaty that is to
+give the First Consul the munitions of war, and that will place
+America in the very front rank of nations."
+
+My own affairs seemed of small moment beside such stupendous ones, and
+I saw that my uncle had entirely forgotten his alarm of the evening
+before. I was myself very greatly excited, for this was the moment to
+which I had been looking for nearly a year, though the realization
+about to be consummated was far exceeding my wildest fancies.
+
+The two gentlemen were announced a moment later, and they both greeted
+me cordially, for they knew my family at home and I had called on them
+several times in Paris. Nor did my uncle have to prefer a request that
+I should be permitted to be a witness of the signing of the treaty.
+Mr. Livingston himself suggested that I be invited to remain, and, the
+others assenting most cordially, I thanked them heartily for their
+courtesy, and retired to a seat in the background, where I might not
+intrude upon their deliberations.
+
+The document seemed long, and in fact, as I understood it, there were
+three documents--one which they called the treaty, and two others they
+called "conventions." They read them all over carefully several times
+before signing, and I heard the article read that I had seen the First
+Consul write, and discovered that one convention was to determine in
+what manner the sixty million francs were to be paid to France, and
+the other convention was concerned with the twenty million francs to
+be paid by the United States to such of its citizens as held claims
+against France.
+
+There seemed to be some little discussions on a few minor points which
+were easily settled, and then very solemnly they each signed the three
+documents, Mr. Livingston writing his name first, then Mr. Monroe, and
+then my uncle. When this was done, the three gentlemen, as by a common
+impulse, rose to their feet and shook hands, their faces shining with
+a solemn light which I believe had nothing to do with self-glory, but
+with an unselfish joy at having accomplished an act that would bring
+honor and benefit to two great nations and to future generations. I,
+in my corner, was almost as proud as they, and quite as happy (when I
+thought of the honor that was to come to my country, and especially
+the blessings to that great West I was so interested in), and for the
+first time in my life I felt it might be almost finer to accomplish
+such great things by statesmanship and a stroke of the pen than to
+win fame and glory by the sword. Then I saw that Mr. Livingston was
+beginning to speak. He stood up straight and tall and fine-looking,
+and his manner was very impressive and full of dignity and a kind of
+solemn joy. I was very proud of him as a representative of my country,
+and each word that he spoke made me prouder and happier.
+
+"We have lived long," he began, "but this is the noblest work of our
+whole lives. The treaty which we have just signed has not been
+obtained by art or dictated by force; equally advantageous to the two
+contracting parties, it will change vast solitudes into flourishing
+districts. From this day the United States take their place among the
+powers of the first rank. The English lose all exclusive influence in
+the affairs of America. Thus one of the principal causes of European
+rivalries and animosities is about to cease. The instruments we have
+just signed will cause no tears to be shed; they prepare ages of
+happiness for innumerable generations of human creatures. The
+Mississippi and Missouri will see them succeed one another, and
+multiply, truly worthy of the regard and care of Providence, in the
+bosom of equality, under just laws, freed from the errors of
+superstition and the scourge of bad government."
+
+My uncle and Mr. Monroe seemed greatly impressed by his words (as,
+indeed, no one who heard them could help being); and then there was
+half an hour of pleasant talk, in which the three gentlemen kindly
+included me. As the American ambassadors took their leave, my uncle
+turned to me.
+
+[Illustration: The Signing of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty by
+Marbois, Livingston, and Monroe]
+
+"Well, my boy," he said, his kind face beaming, "we have settled the
+affairs of two great nations most satisfactorily; now we will settle
+yours. What did the First Consul want of you last evening?"
+
+I had made up my mind to tell my uncle all about my acquaintance with
+the Comtesse de Baloit and the Chevalier Le Moyne, if he had time to
+listen,--for otherwise it would be difficult to explain my interview
+with the Consul, or how I happened to be summoned to his
+presence,--and I asked him if he had time to hear a long story. He
+replied that he considered he had accomplished enough for one day, and
+he should do nothing more, until dinner at least; he might possibly be
+summoned to an interview with the First Consul at the Tuileries later
+in the evening.
+
+He scarcely interrupted me through my long recital, unless an
+occasional heavy scowl at some special perfidy of the chevalier's
+could be called an interruption. He chuckled with delight when I told
+how I tripped up the chevalier on the grand staircase of St. Cloud,
+and uttered a vigorous "Diable!" when he heard how I came to be
+summoned before the First Consul. He listened almost breathlessly to
+my account of my interview with the Consul, and drew a great sigh of
+relief as I finished.
+
+"Why, my lad," he said, "you have been having great experiences! I
+wonder you could forget them sufficiently to be so deeply interested,
+as you seemed to be, in the doings of three old diplomats."
+
+I assured him that what the three diplomats had just accomplished was
+of greater interest to me than any of my own affairs could possibly
+be. In all my story I had touched as lightly as I could on the
+Comtesse de Baloit, hoping that my uncle would not discover that I had
+any special interest in that direction; but he was too astute a reader
+of human nature to be easily misled.
+
+"That is all very well," he said, in reply to my assurance of a deeper
+interest in affairs of state than in my own; "I do not doubt for a
+moment that you believe what you say, and I could easily believe it,
+too, if it were not for the Comtesse de Baloit. Such affairs are more
+engrossing than all others in the world, if I remember my own youthful
+days aright. But I had no idea the wind sat in that quarter, as your
+Mr. Shakspere would say. Have you any idea how high you are aspiring?
+I know you Americans stop at nothing; but, my dear boy, you might as
+well aspire to the hand of the Princess Charlotte of England!"
+
+"I am aspiring to the hand of no one, sir," I answered rather hotly,
+for I knew so well how hopeless any dreams of mine might be that I
+liked not to have any one think I was cherishing false hopes.
+"Whatever my feeling toward the Comtesse may be, I have never had the
+slightest hope. If Citizeness Capet, as the First Consul calls her,
+does not succeed in marrying the comtesse to the Chevalier Le Moyne,
+then her cousins the Comte d'Arbois and the Duc d'Enghien will
+probably marry her into one of the reigning houses of Europe.
+Mademoiselle la Comtesse has shown me some kindness, but only such as
+any right-feeling young maiden would show to one who has been able to
+do her some little service, and I am not one to presume upon her
+grateful feeling."
+
+My uncle looked at me for a moment with a little frown between his
+brows, as if he were trying to solve some perplexing question, and
+then the frown cleared away and he spoke smilingly:
+
+"Well, well, we will dismiss the Comtesse; that is too difficult a
+problem. And now for what is, after all, a question of more practical
+importance. Do you want to accept this offer of the First Consul's?"
+
+"Very much, sir," I answered eagerly.
+
+"I doubt whether I have any right to give you permission to do so,"
+responded my uncle; "but this much authority I will assume. If the
+First Consul is willing to take you subject to the commands of your
+father when we can hear from him, I will give my permission, and I
+will write to your father by the first packet. It will be ten or
+twelve weeks before we can possibly hear from him, and it may be much
+longer. But I am rather relieved that you desire to accept the First
+Consul's offer. He does not like his favors rejected, and he is quite
+capable of holding me responsible for having influenced you, should
+you decline."
+
+The First Consul was willing to take me on those conditions (I think
+he felt no doubt of my father's answer; such confidence had he in the
+magnetism of his own name that he believed any man would feel proud to
+have his son serve under him), and a very few days saw me arrayed in
+my glittering uniform and spending every spare moment, when I was off
+duty, riding up and down the Champs-Élysées in the hope not so much of
+seeing the Comtesse de Baloit as of being seen by her. For I felt that
+half the joy I had in my gorgeous trappings would be gone if she could
+not see them and admire them too.
+
+And as my sword clanked and my spurs jingled while Fatima pranced and
+curveted under me in the bright spring weather, my heart sang an
+accompaniment to them.
+
+Could it be possible that the great Bonaparte might turn the rest of
+his speech from jest to earnest? Would he, perhaps, now that he had
+made me his aide, trust her to me as willingly as to the chevalier?
+
+And higher still sang my heart as Fatima, in answer to my excited
+touch, leaped and bounded along the avenue, and I remembered that
+night upon _La Belle Rivière_ when mademoiselle had wished that I was
+a chevalier of France. Was I not one now in fact, if not in name?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+THE COMTESSE DE BALOIT SENDS FOR HER HUNTER
+
+     "Take a straw and throw it into the air; you may see by that
+     which way the wind is."
+
+
+All my riding up and down the Champs-Élysées was like to have been for
+naught. We had received orders to be in readiness to start on the
+morrow for Belgium, where Bonaparte was to make his headquarters while
+preparing for war with England, and still I had not seen the comtesse,
+and she had not seen my beautiful regimentals.
+
+My packing was done, my last arrangements made, most of my good-bys
+said; there was nothing left to do but to take my last ride down the
+avenue. And this time not in vain! There she sat in her gorgeous coach
+of scarlet and gold with the footmen and coachmen in dazzling liveries
+of gold lace and scarlet plush, and beside her, not the stern duchesse
+this time, but a younger woman who looked as if she might be a less
+formidable guardian.
+
+She saw me, though for a moment she did not recognize me in my new and
+gaudy plumage. When she did, her eager look of welcome more than
+repaid me for my fruitless rides up and down the avenue. She signaled
+to her coachman to stop, and with a pretty little peremptory gesture
+summoned me to her side. She seemed to have no fear of the lady beside
+her, and no doubt she was merely a paid companion, for she ignored her
+entirely, or noticed her presence only by using English when she had
+anything of serious import to say.
+
+"'Tis Fatima I wish to see, sir," she said as I drew up by her coach,
+my hat tucked under my arm. She put out her little hand and gently
+stroked the white star on Fatima's forehead, and the mare whinnied
+softly and rubbed her nose against the little gloved hand as if to
+say, "I remember you well; those were famous rides we had in old St.
+Louis."
+
+"And 'tis you I wish to see," I responded boldly. "I have been looking
+for you for many days; why have you deserted the Champs-Élysées?"
+
+She looked up at me quickly, as if pleased with the audacity of the
+first part of my speech, but as I finished with my question she
+dropped her eyes and seemed embarrassed. In a moment she spoke in a
+low, constrained voice, and in English:
+
+"My aunt and I have had misunderstandings. She wishes me to appear in
+public with a man I do not like. In Paris that means fiancé. I will
+stay in my hôtel with headaches rather than ride on the avenue beside
+him!" with sudden fire. Then she added with an attempt at her old
+lightness:
+
+"But I must drive on. Should it be reported to madame that I stopped
+to talk to Monsieur, I might have to suffer for it."
+
+A sudden horror seized me.
+
+"Mademoiselle, they do not use force?" I cried. "You are not held a
+prisoner?"
+
+"No--not yet," she said slowly.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, looking steadily into her eyes, "I have tried
+to see you to say good-by; I leave Paris to-morrow."
+
+I saw her go suddenly white, but in a moment she spoke very calmly,
+and in French:
+
+"Do you go back to America, Monsieur?"
+
+"No, to Belgium with the First Consul: to Antwerp, I believe."
+
+I spoke also in French, but added in English:
+
+"Mademoiselle, if you need me, I will not go to Belgium; I will
+resign."
+
+She shook her head.
+
+"No; I am sorry you are going, but I would not have you resign. The
+First Consul is vindictive, they say; should you reject his favors, he
+may remember your St. Cloud offense."
+
+"I care not for that!" And then I added moodily, "They will compel you
+to marry him."
+
+She threw up her head in much the same fashion Fatima throws up hers
+when she scents conflict in the distance.
+
+"They cannot coerce me!" she said proudly, and then she added, half
+playfully, half defiantly:
+
+"They tell me I have royal blood; they shall see I know how to use my
+royal prerogative." She held out her hand to me and spoke again in
+French:
+
+"Good-by, Monsieur, and bon voyage!"
+
+I bent low over her hand.
+
+"Let me stay, Mademoiselle," I whispered.
+
+"What! and lose your beautiful uniform! 'Tis too severe a test of
+friendship. No, no, Monsieur," with the old mocking laugh. But before
+I had time to resent her teasing speech, her mood had changed. She
+leaned far out of the carriage and threw her beautiful arm over
+Fatima's arching neck.
+
+"Good-by, Fatima," she cried--"dear, dear Fatima!" And as Fatima, in
+answer to her caress, drew closer to her, she dropped a light kiss on
+her soft muzzle, leaned back in her carriage with a signal to the
+coachman, and rolled away.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The weeks that followed were in some respects the strangest weeks of
+my life, and often in memory they return to me as a confused dream.
+War had been declared with England, and in Antwerp, in Dunkirk, on the
+Loire, in every little bay and inlet that indented the coast from
+Brest, where a great squadron was gathered, to Boulogne, where another
+was getting together, ships were building of every kind: floating
+fortresses of wood, light pinnaces and yawls for carrying the swift
+van of an army, and heavy barges for the impedimenta of war. A mighty
+flotilla, gathering from the Scheldt to the Garonne, from Toulon and
+Rochefort to Calais and Antwerp, to bear a vast invading army to the
+shores of England.
+
+In constant communication with the great captain, I yet saw little of
+him, for day and night I was kept riding over the green fields of
+France, through the beautiful May and June, carrying orders,
+sometimes to little inland streams where tiny yawls were building,
+sometimes to great city dockyards where mighty ships were on the
+stays. And though these were not the deeds of valor I had dreamed of,
+I began to realize what a wonderful mind was planning all these
+wide-spread activities, and to understand that a great captain must be
+something more than a good fighter, and prowess on the field of battle
+was not all that was required of a soldier.
+
+Yet I began to long for the din and stir of conflict and to see my
+hero, as in dreams I had often seen him, calm and unmoved, 'midst
+smoke and carnage, directing with unerring genius masses of men,
+infantry, cavalry, artillery, through the mazes of battle; or himself
+leading a resistless charge, sword extended, waving his men forward to
+victory and glory.
+
+So when an old officer who had seen many wars told me he had no doubt
+it would be two years before the preparations for war were finished
+and war actually begun, my heart sank within me. Two years of hard
+work day and night and no glory! To be aide to the First Consul was
+not what I had dreamed of, and my thoughts turned longingly back to
+Paris and the Comtesse de Baloit. All the more did my thoughts turn in
+that direction because the Chevalier Le Moyne, who was also on the
+general's staff, had been for some weeks absent from headquarters. I
+always studiously avoided him if we happened to be in quarters at the
+same time, and so I did not at first miss him; but when day after day
+and even weeks passed without his reporting at mess, I began to be
+greatly troubled. My imagination pictured him as back in Paris urging
+his suit to Pelagie, and I feared greatly, either that she would at
+last yield to his importunities, seeing no way of escape, or that some
+trouble would come to her if she persistently scorned him.
+
+In the midst of my anxieties a letter was brought me from home. The
+ten weeks were up when I could begin to expect an answer to my uncle's
+letter asking my father's permission for me to take service under
+Bonaparte, and I tore it eagerly open, hardly knowing, since
+hostilities would be so long delayed, whether I most hoped that it
+would contain his permission or his refusal. In my haste I had not
+noticed that it was not my father's writing on the outside, and that
+made it the greater shock to find within, in my mother's dearly loved
+penmanship, only these few words:
+
+"Your father is very ill; come home at once."
+
+I had never known my father to be ill even for a day. I knew this must
+be no ordinary illness to cause so brief and so peremptory a summons
+home, and all my world seemed suddenly topsy-turvy.
+
+I loved my father, but I had been much away from home, in school at
+Princeton, and in my short vacations I had found him somewhat cold and
+stern in manner; so that my love for him was more of reverence and
+honor than the tender affection I felt for my beautiful mother. None
+the less was my heart torn with anguish at the thought of what might
+befall in the long weeks before I could possibly reach his side, and
+how vainly I wished that I had been a better son, and shown him more
+of the love that was really in my heart for him.
+
+There was no time to be lost, and my first duty was to seek the First
+Consul and show him my letter. He was more kind and considerate than I
+could have expected.
+
+"You have my sincerest sympathy," he said. "There is no question as to
+your course. Your first duty is to your father. I am sorry to lose my
+officer whom I have found even more efficient than I had expected and
+for whom I predicted great glory as soon as actual war should
+commence. But it may be possible you will find your father entirely
+recovered on your arrival at home; in that case, and should you have
+his permission to return, your old position will be open to you."
+
+I hardly knew how to thank him suitably and to express my regret at
+leaving his service, and I have no doubt I did it awkwardly enough. As
+I was leaving the room he called me back.
+
+"Will you go to Paris before you sail?"
+
+There was nothing in the question to make me blush and stammer, yet I
+did both.
+
+"I must sail on the earliest packet, sir," I said; "but if one is not
+sailing immediately I would like your permission to return to Paris
+and settle my affairs there and say good-by to my aunt and uncle."
+
+"It is no doubt the wiser course," replied Bonaparte. "In sailing from
+Antwerp you are liable to fall into the hands of the English in
+passing the Straits of Dover. From Paris you can find a ship sailing
+from Le Havre carrying the American flag. It will be safer, and you
+will save time in going by Paris. Should you decide to do so, I shall
+have a commission to intrust to you."
+
+Since the First Consul advised it, I decided on the moment, and an
+hour later, saddle-bags packed, my man Cæsar holding his own horse and
+Fatima at the door, I was ready to start, only awaiting the Consul's
+commission. An officer rode up and handed me a packet.
+
+"From General Bonaparte, sir," he said; and as I opened my saddle-bags
+to put the packet away for safe keeping, my eye caught the directions
+on the wrapper.
+
+"To be delivered to the Comtesse de Baloit, Faubourg St. Germain."
+
+The sight of the inscription gave me only pleasure, and I was tempted
+to think that the Consul had devised this commission especially to
+give me an opportunity of seeing the comtesse. It seemed to me an
+evidence of wonderful delicacy of feeling and thoughtfulness for
+others on the part of the great general, and I could not sufficiently
+admire him or be grateful to him. There was no question but that his
+commission would be faithfully executed the very first possible moment
+after my arrival in Paris.
+
+It was early morning, the dew still on the hedges and the lark still
+singing his matins, as we entered the city with a stream of
+market-carts bringing in fresh fruits and vegetables and flowers for
+the early morning markets. Only working-people were in the streets:
+men going to their day's labor, blanchisseuses with their clothes in
+bundles on their heads, cooks and maids of all work with their baskets
+on their arms going to the market for the day's supply of food for the
+family.
+
+Crossing the Place de la Bastille, a man on horseback rode up beside
+us and gave us good day. He had evidently come in with the country
+folk and was himself without doubt a small market-gardener, for the
+loam of the garden was on his rough cowhide boots and his blue smock
+was such as a countryman wears. I thought at first there was something
+strangely familiar in his face, and then I remembered I had seen him
+the evening before at the little country inn, twenty miles out from
+the city, where we had spent the night. He, like us, must have started
+at early dawn to reach the city by seven o'clock, very like for the
+same reason--to take advantage of the cool of the day; and like us
+also, he must have had a very good horse to make that distance in that
+time. I glanced at his horse as the thought occurred to me, and saw
+that it was indeed a good horse. Coal-black, except for a white star
+on his forehead and one white stocking, he was powerfully built, and
+yet with such an easy stretch of limb as promised speed as well as
+endurance. I thought it a little strange that a country farmer should
+own a horse of such points and breeding as this one showed itself to
+be, and perhaps my thought appeared in my face, for the countryman
+answered it.
+
+"'Tis a fine horse, Monsieur, is it not?" he said.
+
+I noticed that he spoke with a very slight lisp, but that otherwise
+both his language and his intonations were better than I could have
+expected.
+
+"Yes," I said. "Did you breed him yourself?"
+
+"Not exactly," he answered, "but he was bred on an estate belonging to
+the Comtesse de Baloit, where I work, and I have helped to train him."
+
+He must have seen my irrepressible start when he mentioned Pelagie's
+name, for he looked at me curiously with something like either alarm
+or suspicion in his glance. I was tempted to tell him that I knew his
+mistress and expected to see her that very day, but I was saved from
+making such a foolish speech by the fellow himself.
+
+"I am bringing him into the city for the comtesse to try," he said.
+"He is a very fine hunter."
+
+"Then your mistress intends to follow the chase?" I asked, feeling a
+queer little pang that I did not stop to explain to myself at the
+thought.
+
+"I suppose so, Monsieur, since she has sent for her hunter."
+
+We were now well down the Rue de la St. Antoine, just where the narrow
+street of François-Miron comes in; and as if a sudden thought had
+struck him, the countryman said:
+
+"I go this way, Monsieur; adieu," turned into the narrow street, and
+Cæsar and I rode on into the Rue de Rivoli, past the Hôtel de Ville,
+and so toward my uncle's house.
+
+"Marsa," said Cæsar, as we turned off the Rue de Rivoli, "dat fellah
+had a gold belt and a little dagger stuck in it under his smock. I
+seed it when I's ridin' behind youse bof and de win' tuk and blew up
+his smock-skirt."
+
+I believed the "gold belt" and the "little dagger" were inventions of
+Cæsar's, for he loved to tell wonderful tales; but none the less was I
+uneasy and troubled, for suppose it should be true! I liked not the
+thought of a man wearing a concealed weapon going on a plausible
+errand to the Comtesse de Baloit.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+THE CONSUL'S COMMISSION
+
+    "Hope tells a flattering tale,
+      Delusive, vain, and hollow.
+    Ah! let not Hope prevail,
+      Lest disappointment follow."
+
+
+Not many hours later saw me seeking admittance to the stately but
+dilapidated hôtel of the Comtesse de Baloit in the Faubourg St.
+Germain. I was determined to see Pelagie, and if possible alone, so I
+sent up word that a messenger from the First Consul desired to see
+Mademoiselle la Comtesse on business of importance. I feared, should I
+send up my own name, that the duchesse would not permit her to see me,
+but, had I known it, I could have sent no message less likely to win
+Pelagie's consent to an interview. It was only through a lurking
+suspicion of whom the messenger might be that she consented to see me.
+
+I was ushered into a room very luxuriously furnished, but in which
+everything had an air of faded grandeur--as if belonging to another
+age. The tapestries were not only faded but rapidly growing
+thread-bare, and the gold of the buhl furniture was peeling off in
+strips, and in tables inlaid with fine mosaics many of the stones were
+wanting. All this lack of care or evidence of poverty rather surprised
+me, remembering the magnificent coach and gorgeously liveried servants
+I had twice seen on the avenue. Then I recalled what I had often heard
+since coming to Paris, that the nobility of the old régime would
+starve and go cold at home to make the display in public they
+considered befitting their dignity. It seemed very sad to me, and I
+wondered if it could be because mademoiselle did not have enough to
+eat that she had seemed of late to be growing thin and pale. To me,
+who am both somewhat of an epicure and a valiant trencherman (and
+remembering the abundance she had been used to in America), nothing
+could seem more pitiful than to think of my little Pelagie as going
+hungry.
+
+Yet when, in a few minutes, she came in, radiantly beautiful in some
+Frenchy flowing gown of pale rose-color and much soft lace and
+ribbons, no one could think of her as hungry or poverty-pinched in any
+way, but only as some wonderful fairy queen who dined on peacocks'
+tongues and supped on nectar and ambrosia.
+
+She was greatly surprised to see me; I think she thought of me as a
+kind of Daniel venturing into the lion's den. But the old lioness, the
+duchesse, was not with her, only the same companion I had seen in the
+carriage on the Champs-Élysées, and I felt once more that fate smiled
+on me. It meant much to me, for I knew not whether I should ever see
+her again, and I longed greatly to have a few minutes' untrammeled
+conversation with her, such as I had often had in St. Louis in those
+days that seemed so far away.
+
+Perhaps my eyes dwelt too eagerly upon her. I never could quite
+remember how beautiful she was when I was away from her, and so every
+time I saw her I was dazzled afresh. This time, too, I was trying to
+fasten every lovely curve of cheek and throat, and glowing scarlet of
+lips, and shadowy glory of dark eyes and waving hair, and witching
+little curls about white brow and neck, yes, and every knot of lace
+and ribbon, so firmly in my mind that I might always have the
+beautiful picture to look on when there was no longer any hope of
+seeing again the bright reality.
+
+So absorbed was I in fixing fast in memory every little detail of the
+bright picture that I think I must have forgot my manners: it was only
+seeing the long lashes on the rose-tinted cheek that brought me to
+myself. I bent low over her hand and then put into it the packet the
+First Consul had intrusted me to give to her.
+
+"For me? From the First Consul?" she said, in slow surprise.
+
+"Yes," I said; "and when you have opened it, Mademoiselle, then I
+crave a few minutes' speech with you."
+
+I turned and walked to one of the windows and stood looking down into
+the courtyard where Cæsar was holding our horses, that mademoiselle
+might examine its contents unobserved.
+
+I knew not what was in the package nor the contents of the note that
+accompanied it, but somehow I had had a feeling (perhaps because the
+First Consul had seemed so kind in his manner at our last interview,
+or perhaps only because my hopes pointed that way) that the Consul's
+note was to use his influence with her in my behalf, as he had once
+used it for the chevalier. Therefore as I stood with my back to her,
+looking down into the courtyard, my eyes saw not what they were
+looking at, for they were filled with a vision of future happiness and
+I was trembling with the beauty of the vision.
+
+"Monsieur!" I turned quickly, for the voice was cold and hard, and it
+fell on my heart like the sleet of early spring falling on opening
+buds to chill them to death. And when I turned, the Pelagie that met
+my gaze was the Pelagie I had first seen in Mr. Gratiot's house: eyes
+blazing with wrath, little teeth close set between scarlet lips, and
+little hands tightly clenched. My heart froze at the sight. Could the
+Consul's plea for me have been so distasteful to her?
+
+"Monsieur," she repeated, every word a poniard, "how did you dare
+bring me such a message!"
+
+I found no words to answer her, for if the message was what I had
+hoped, then I began to wonder how I had dared, though my spirit, as
+proud as hers, brooked not that she should take it as an insult. But
+she did not wait for any answer.
+
+"You!" she said, with inexpressible bitterness. "Has wearing the First
+Consul's uniform so changed you from the American gentleman I once
+knew that you delight to humiliate a poor and helpless lady of
+France?"
+
+"Mademoiselle la Comtesse," I said coldly, for still the foolish idea
+clung to my brain that the First Consul had wished to further my suit,
+and that mademoiselle had regarded it as humiliating that I should so
+presume, "I know not the contents of the First Consul's note, but I
+think la Comtesse knows I would never willingly humiliate her."
+
+"You know not!" and she half extended the note toward me, as if to
+show it to me, and then drew it quickly back, a sudden change in her
+manner from proud anger to shrinking shame. She turned to her
+companion and said in a cool tone of command:
+
+"You may wait for me, Henriette, in the blue salon; I have something
+to say to Monsieur."
+
+Henriette seemed to hesitate. No doubt in France it was not permitted
+to see a young gentleman alone, or perhaps Henriette had instructions
+from the duchesse to be ever on guard when she herself could not be
+present. Mademoiselle saw her hesitation.
+
+"Go!" she said haughtily, and I believe no being on earth would have
+dared disobey that ringing tone of command. Henriette shrank from it,
+and as she hastened to obey, mademoiselle added in a gentler tone:
+
+"You may return in five minutes."
+
+As she left the room, mademoiselle turned quickly to me, as if to lose
+no moment of the few she had given herself.
+
+"Monsieur," she said, and her manner was the manner of the old
+Pelagie, "I hope you will forgive me for supposing for a moment that
+you knew the contents of the First Consul's note. I cannot show it to
+you, but I am going to place a great trust in you. Monsieur, I cannot
+stay longer in France. Between the duchesse, the chevalier, and the
+First Consul, I will be driven to marry the chevalier, or--worse. Ah,
+Monsieur, if I had never left St. Louis!"
+
+She had spoken hurriedly, as if fearing to lose courage otherwise, but
+she looked not at me as she spoke, and her face was dyed with painful
+blushes. A horrible suspicion of the contents of that note almost
+froze my blood, but the next thought, that mademoiselle must fly from
+France, sent it rushing hotly through my veins.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I cried impetuously, "go home with me to America."
+
+I saw her turn pale and draw herself up proudly. I did not dream she
+could misunderstand me: I only thought she scorned so humble a suitor.
+And the thought set fire to a pride that was equal to her own.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said sternly, "I cannot set you upon a throne nor
+place a crown upon your head, but in America the wife of an honorable
+gentleman is a queen always, his heart is her throne, his home is her
+kingdom, his love is her crown."
+
+To my amazement, she was all soft and drooping and rosy and smiling. I
+was ready to pick her up and fly with her that moment, so adorable was
+she in this mood, but she would not let me come near her.
+
+"Monsieur," she said, looking up at me most sweetly, "to be the wife
+of an honorable American gentleman, it seems to me, would be great
+happiness; but you have not your father's permission to marry: he
+would not thank you for bringing home an émigré bride."
+
+There came to me a sudden vision of my stern father. He would
+certainly think that was a matter on which he should be first
+consulted. He was capable of making it very unpleasant for my wife
+should I bring one home unannounced, and if he did not cut me off with
+a shilling, he might easily put me on so small an allowance as would
+make it impossible for me to maintain her in the luxury suited to her
+position. I would be glad to work for her, early and late, but I knew
+nothing about earning my own bread, and while I was learning to earn
+hers she might suffer for the comforts of life.
+
+Mademoiselle was quick to see my embarrassment, and I suppose her
+pride was touched, for when she spoke it was with her old hauteur.
+
+"It is very kind of Monsieur to think of offering me a refuge, but my
+plans are made."
+
+I hardly heard her, for I was busy with my own thoughts. I interrupted
+her eagerly:
+
+"Mademoiselle, let me take you back to St. Louis and put you in Dr.
+Saugrain's care; then I will make all necessary arrangements with my
+father and come for you."
+
+"You did not understand me, Monsieur," she answered coldly; "my plans
+are made: I am going to my cousin the Duc d'Enghien."
+
+"The Duc d'Enghien!" I repeated, in a dazed fashion. Had I not heard
+that her cousin would marry her into one of the royal families of
+Europe? This, then, was the knell to all my hopes! This was the reason
+she answered me so coldly: there was something better in store for her
+than to be the wife of a simple American gentleman.
+
+Well, I had never cherished any hopes; had I not told both my uncle
+François and the First Consul so? Ah, but had I not? Had not every
+moment since I had first known her been a fluctuation between hope and
+despair? I had told the First Consul she had not given me any reason
+to hope; but had she not? Did she not seem a few minutes ago almost
+willing to become the wife of an American gentleman? What had changed
+her mood?
+
+While I was trying to collect my scattered thoughts she spoke again,
+hurriedly:
+
+"I am telling you this in great confidence, Monsieur, because I can
+trust you. No one must know--least of all, any one in this house."
+
+For a moment I could not speak. I turned away to the window and looked
+down once more into the courtyard with unseeing eyes. But it was no
+beautiful vision of the future that dimmed their gaze this time: it
+was the black darkness of despair that blinded them like a pall.
+
+Then I made a great resolve. The Comtesse de Baloit, the Bourbon
+princess, was not for such as I; but to mademoiselle, to my little
+Pelagie, I might still be loyal friend and offer devoted service. I
+turned toward her again.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "I will go with you to the Duc d'Enghien. I
+will never leave you until I see you safe under the protection of your
+cousin."
+
+"What! The young officer of the First Consul aiding and abetting an
+émigré who flees from the First Consul! It is rank treason, Monsieur!"
+and Pelagie smiled with something of her old merry raillery.
+
+"I am no longer an aide, Mademoiselle," I said seriously. "I have been
+called home by the illness of my father, and General Bonaparte has
+relieved me from duty."
+
+Her quick sympathy was sweet to see and to feel, but I did not dare
+linger in its warmth, for the five minutes, I knew, must be nearly up.
+
+"Now, Mademoiselle," I said, "since I am no longer in service to the
+First Consul, there will be no treason in helping you in your
+flight--"
+
+But she interrupted me: "No, Monsieur, it is not necessary; the Prince
+de Polignac has made every arrangement and will see me safe to my
+cousin."
+
+"The Prince de Polignac!" I exclaimed, in surprise. "But he is in
+exile, and almost as much under the First Consul's ban as Cadoudal
+himself; how can he help you?"
+
+In my astonishment that she should think of relying upon Polignac,
+whose life I believed would be forfeit if he dared to enter Paris, I
+had unconsciously spoken his name with raised voice. We had heretofore
+been speaking almost in whispers for fear of a possible listener. As I
+uttered his name Pelagie started and looked nervously toward the door
+of the blue salon.
+
+"I beg you to be careful, Monsieur," she said anxiously. "As you say,
+his life would be forfeit if any one suspected his presence in Paris.
+I do not know that he is here, but I am hourly expecting to hear from
+him. There is no one in the world I would have trusted this secret to
+but you, and I am relying on your discretion as well as your honor."
+
+I bowed my thanks, grateful for her confidence and ashamed of the
+indiscretion that might so easily have betrayed her secret. But I had
+not gained my point.
+
+"You will let me help in this flight, too, Mademoiselle! It is a great
+peril you are undertaking, and one more sword, whose owner will
+lightly risk his life for you, cannot come amiss."
+
+But she only shook her head and whispered, "It is impossible," and at
+that moment Henriette entered the room.
+
+"Mademoiselle la Comtesse," she said timidly (I fear Pelagie must have
+been at times something of a little tyrant, to make her companion
+stand in such awe of her), "I have stayed away, not five minutes, but
+ten. I come to remind you that the hour has arrived at which Madame la
+Duchesse returns."
+
+"Thanks, my good Henriette," said Pelagie, sweetly; "it is true, and I
+had forgotten it."
+
+She turned quickly to me: "You must go at once, Monsieur! It is much
+better the duchesse should not find you here."
+
+"And can I not see you again? Shall I never see you again?" I asked
+eagerly, in English.
+
+"No, no! Do not try--I will send word," she answered, also in
+English, and then put out her hand, "Go, Monsieur," she said in
+French, "and farewell!"
+
+I took her hand and bent low over it.
+
+"Farewell, Mademoiselle," I said, for it cut me to the quick that she
+had not said "Au revoir," as she had said it on La Belle Rivière.
+
+Down in the courtyard, in the act of throwing my leg over Fatima's
+back, there rode under the arch of the entrance the countryman who had
+overtaken us in the morning, leading the magnificent horse he had said
+was for Mademoiselle la Comtesse, and riding another. It was not
+strange that he should be bringing mademoiselle her hunter, but it
+struck me as somewhat strange that the moment he caught sight of me a
+quick scowl should darken his brow and as quickly be cleared away: as
+if it had come unbidden and been driven away from a sense of
+expediency. As I passed him on the way out he touched his cap to me
+politely, and the sleeve of his rough jerkin falling away a little in
+the act, I thought I caught a glimpse of a lace wrist-ruffle.
+
+"Perhaps Cæsar was not mistaken, after all," I said to myself; "if he
+wears lace ruffles at his wrist he may well wear a gold belt and
+poniard at his waist. A strange countryman, forsooth!" And a secret
+uneasiness that I could neither explain nor dismiss returned to me as
+often as he came into my thoughts.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+"GOOD-BY, SWEETHEART!"
+
+    "I have found out a gift for my fair."
+
+
+There was nothing to keep me in Paris. I could not see mademoiselle;
+she would not let me help her in her flight. I was restless and
+impatient to be off. No boat would sail from Le Havre for nearly a
+week. It would not take a week either by horse, as Cæsar and I would
+go, or by the river, where my baggage was to be floated down in a
+small yawl in the charge of a trusty boatman. But if I stayed in Paris
+I would be eating my heart out; it was better to be on the way and
+taking the route by slow stages.
+
+So I made the plea to my aunt and uncle that I feared some unforeseen
+delay might cause me to miss my ship, and with feverish haste I made
+all arrangements for departure that very night. To my aunt my
+impatience seemed only natural. She herself was greatly distressed at
+the news of my father's illness, and would have accompanied me to
+America if it had been possible.
+
+My first act on reaching home after leaving mademoiselle had been to
+tear off my gorgeous uniform, with such a mingling of loathing and
+regret as rarely comes to a man. If my suspicions of the contents of
+mademoiselle's note were correct, then I could not quickly enough rid
+myself of every emblem of the allegiance I had once owed to the First
+Consul. And yet when I remembered his invariable kindness to me, the
+magnanimity he had shown for what must have seemed to him criminal
+eavesdropping, the tenderness of heart I had seen displayed more than
+once, the wonderful powers of the man, master alike of the arts of
+peace and war, the idolatry in which his soldiers held him and in
+which I had hitherto shared, my heart lamented bitterly that its idol
+should have been so shattered.
+
+Since we had time to spare and it was now the meridian of summer, I
+had decided to use only the cool of evening and the early morning
+hours for travel, as much, I think, for the sake of sparing Fatima as
+Cæsar and myself. Our first stage was to be to the same little inn,
+twenty miles out, which we had left only that morning to come into the
+city. It was not, perhaps, on the most direct route to Le Havre, but a
+large part of the way would lead through the forests of Montmorency
+and Chantilly and would be pleasant riding, and the inn was almost the
+cleanest and most comfortable of its kind I had found in France. My
+weeks under Bonaparte bearing messages to every little river big
+enough to build a boat upon had taught me the roads well; all this
+northern France was like an open book to me and I would find no
+difficulty in cutting across from the forest of Chantilly to the
+banks of the Seine, if I preferred to follow its windings to Le Havre.
+
+So the long shadows of the late afternoon saw us riding under the
+Porte St. Martin; at sunset we were passing the hoary Basilique of St.
+Denis, tomb of the kings; through the long twilight we skirted the
+forest of Montmorency; and by moonrise we were entering the forest of
+Chantilly. Not more beautiful by early dawn and dew had been this
+ride, than it was through lengthening shadows, and violet glow of
+sunset, and silvery light of moon, the peaches ripening on sunny
+walls, and the odors of mint and sweet-smelling herbs rising through
+the gathering damps of evening, the birds singing their vesper songs,
+and in the deep forest glades the lonely nightingale pouring out his
+soul to the moon.
+
+Yet my heart was heavier. On my long ride from Antwerp, with the
+buoyancy of youth, I had passed through all the phases from anguished
+fear to the almost certitude of hope, and I had entered Paris feeling
+sure that I would find my father well again when I should reach
+America. I had entered Paris also joyous with the thought of seeing
+mademoiselle once more, and with the unconfessed hope that the budget
+I was bearing from the great Bonaparte might be the means of bringing
+me the crowning happiness of my life. I was leaving it now with one
+word ringing in my ears as the death-knell to all my hopes--Farewell!
+
+The hour was still early and my inn but a little way off on the
+western borders of the forest; I would make a little detour and see
+the château and park and still be not too late for a good supper and
+a comfortable night's rest. I left the "old road" (which crossed the
+forest directly) at the Carrefour de la Table, where twelve roads met
+in an open circular space surrounding a great stone table. From there
+I took one leading straight to the Grille d'Honneur. We crossed a
+little bridge that spanned the moat, and looking down into its waters,
+we heard the splash of the ancient carp that filled it. Then through
+the Grille d'Honneur and between two stone dogs at the foot of the
+slope that led up to the ruins of the Grande Château. There I drew
+rein and looked over the beautiful domain.
+
+At my right was the ruined château; in front of me the châtelet, in
+perfect preservation, apparently floating on the bosom of a silvery
+lake that entirely surrounded it. Beyond were the famous stables of
+the Great Condé, holding two hundred and sixty horses in his lifetime.
+Beside them was the chapel, and everywhere a network of basins and
+canals gleaming white under the flooding moonlight. At my back were
+the gloomy towers of the Château d'Enghien, built to house the guests
+of the Condés who overflowed the Grande Château and the châtelet; and
+beyond was a mass of rich foliage belonging to the Park of Sylvie.
+
+As I gazed a thousand thoughts crowded into my mind. This was the home
+of mademoiselle's ancestors; it should now be the home of the Duc
+d'Enghien; perhaps when mademoiselle came into her own it would be
+hers. No doubt in these very parks she had played in infancy.
+Generations of grandeur, of princely splendor, were behind her. How
+had I dared to dream of her! How had I dared to think she would stoop
+to my lowly rank!
+
+I gave Fatima's bridle to Cæsar and told him to wait for me while I
+walked down the green slope into the Park of Sylvie. Enchanting vistas
+opened before me, the moonlight filtering through arched canopies of
+foliage just enough to show me the way. Old tales of the Duchesse
+"Sylvie" and the poet-lover, condemned to death, whom she had hidden
+in this park and its little château floated through my mind strangely
+mingled with dreams of a later daughter of Montmorency.
+
+And then suddenly I came upon something that for a moment I almost
+believed to be a continuation of my dreams. I had turned to my right
+and a new vista had opened before me, closed by the little "Château of
+Sylvie." On the wide lawn before it, half hidden by the shadow of the
+château, half in the broad moonlight, was a strange group: a carriage
+and what seemed to me many horses and many men. I thought for a moment
+I had landed upon a nest of bandits such as might easily infest a
+forest like this, and it would behoove me to steal silently back to
+the horses and make good my escape; but I caught a glimpse of
+petticoats: they were not bandits; they must be Gipsies.
+
+Then as I gazed there stepped out into the full moonlight a man
+leading a powerful black horse with one white stocking and a white
+star in his forehead. I heard the man call some brief order to some
+one in the shadow, and there was a slight lisp in his voice. In a
+moment I understood it all, although the man was no longer wearing a
+countryman's coat, but the livery of a gentleman's servant. It was
+Pelagie and her party fleeing to Baden and the Duc d'Enghien!
+
+I knew not whether I would be a welcome guest or an intruder, but I
+knew I was not going to miss this opportunity of seeing Pelagie once
+more. I stepped out boldly from under the shadows of the trees into
+the moonlight, and in so doing came near losing my life. There was the
+click of a lock and the flash of a gun-barrel in the countryman's
+hands.
+
+"Don't shoot, Monsieur," I cried; "it is a friend."
+
+There was a short, sharp cry, half suppressed, and Pelagie came
+running out of the shadow, both hands extended and her face glowing in
+the moonlight.
+
+"Is it you, Monsieur?" she cried. "How came you here?"
+
+I suppose I answered her in some fashion. I know I took her hands in
+mine and looked down into her beautiful eyes, but I know not what I
+said. She was wearing the cap and apron and simple gown of a lady's
+waiting-maid, and as she saw me look curiously at it she said, with
+the shrug of her pretty little shoulders that I had learned to know so
+well in St. Louis:
+
+"It is a fright, is it not, Monsieur? But I am no longer the Comtesse
+de Baloit: I am Susanne, the maid of Madame du Bois, with whom I am
+traveling."
+
+Her voice had the happy ring of a child's, as if she were glad to be
+free, even if only for a time, from the cares of rank and position;
+or, perhaps more truly, glad to be away from the surveillance of the
+duchesse, happy that she need no longer fear the chevalier and the
+First Consul. I longed to think that a part of the gladness was in
+seeing me once more so unexpectedly; but I knew this was only my
+foolish vanity, and I steadied my brain by saying over to myself, "She
+is a princess of Condé in her ancestral home; you are only the son of
+a plain American gentleman." So I made her such a speech as I would
+have made to a princess of Condé.
+
+"If Mademoiselle were not the Comtesse de Baloit I could wish she were
+always Susanne the maid of Madame du Bois. 'Tis a bewitching costume."
+
+It was, and she knew it, as I could see by her dancing eyes and the
+smile (that she vainly tried to suppress) playing hide-and-seek with
+the roses in her cheek as I spoke. Being a man, I could not name each
+article of her costume; but what I saw was a vision of little ringlets
+escaping from under a coquettish cap, dainty ankles that the short
+blue skirt did not pretend to hide, a snowy apron that almost covered
+the blue skirt, and a handkerchief demurely crossed over the beautiful
+shoulders.
+
+She turned quickly, as if to escape my gaze, and called to the
+countryman: "Monsieur le Prince, this is the friend of whom I have
+spoken; I want him to meet the Prince de Polignac."
+
+The prince came forward at once; and as we grasped each other's hands
+and looked into each other's eyes, I think he knew that he need no
+longer regard me with suspicion, and I knew that here was a man to
+whom I could trust even Pelagie.
+
+We laughed a little over our first meeting, and I told him how Cæsar
+had detected his weapon; and then out of the shadows came other
+figures: Henriette, to whom, as her mistress, Madame du Bois, Pelagie
+gaily presented me; a man in the costume of a well-to-do bourgeois,
+whom they called Monsieur du Bois, but who, Pelagie whispered to me,
+was the prince's trusted body-servant; and Clotilde, whom I had not
+seen since I had seen her on La Belle Rivière, and who wept at the
+sight of me, a tribute to the memory of other days. Last of all there
+came out of the shadows my burly host of last night's inn. He had
+brought over to the little château a relay of fresh horses and a
+hamper of supper. All arrangements had been made at his inn the night
+before by the Prince de Polignac in the guise of a countryman; for
+careless Boniface as my host had seemed to be, he was devotedly
+attached to his old masters, the Bourbon princes, and could be trusted
+to the death.
+
+It amazed me greatly that they should have accomplished this journey
+in a shorter time than I, and still more that they should have
+succeeded in getting safely, out of Paris with so large a party, and I
+so expressed myself to the prince.
+
+"It had been all carefully planned, Monsieur," he told me. "My man,
+'Monsieur du Bois,' had a traveling-carriage waiting at a little house
+near the Porte St. Denis, where an old servitor of the family lives.
+He had passports made out for Madame and Monsieur du Bois from New
+Orleans, traveling with their negro servant Clotilde, and with a maid
+Susanne, and a man François. Mademoiselle la Comtesse arranged to try
+her hunter at three o'clock in the Bois, accompanied by her companion,
+Henriette (who in these few weeks has become devotedly attached to the
+comtesse), and by the countryman who had brought her the horse and
+understood him more thoroughly than a groom from the stables of the
+duchesse would have done. At the same hour the negro maid of the
+comtesse strolled out into a quiet street at the rear of the hôtel,
+where she was met by my man and conducted to the little house near the
+Porte St. Denis. At a little before four we had all gathered there; by
+half-past four the transformation had been made and we were leaving
+the house, Madame du Bois and her two maids in the carriage, Monsieur
+du Bois on the comtesse's hunter, I on my own horse and leading the
+one Henriette had ridden. We had arranged to meet Pierre here with
+fresh horses and provisions, and spend half an hour in changing
+horses, resting, and supper. Your unexpected appearance, Monsieur, has
+alarmed me. I had thought the Park of Sylvie sufficiently secluded to
+insure us secrecy, but if you have found it, others may whom we would
+be less glad to see, and I think I will form my little company into
+marching order at once. The comtesse is taking it all as a grand
+adventure; her spirits have risen with every step away from Paris:
+that is the princely blood of Condé that loves deeds of daring, and I
+would not say a word to dampen her ardor; but we know, Monsieur, it is
+a serious matter, and so, though our half-hour is not quite up, I
+think I will order the advance."
+
+"You are quite right, Monsieur le Prince," I replied. "My man is
+waiting for me with our horses in the Court d'Honneur; will you permit
+me to ride a little way with you?"
+
+The prince hesitated a moment, and then in his courtliest manner he
+replied to my request:
+
+"I am sure Monsieur will not misunderstand me when I say nothing could
+give us greater pleasure if it seemed safe. But Monsieur's size
+and--appearance," with a bow and a smile flattering no doubt, but
+discouraging, "have made him well known in France. Moreover,
+Monsieur's friendship for the comtesse (which does him honor) is known
+also, and should a pursuing party make inquiries along the road, and
+should our party be described with you in attendance, I fear they will
+be able to identify us at once."
+
+"I understand, Monsieur le Prince," I answered, much crestfallen. And
+then into my slow brain there popped another question.
+
+"But will not the negro maid Clotilde betray you also?"
+
+"Monsieur is very astute," answered the prince. "He has touched upon
+our weak point, and I am going to prove my friendly regard for
+Monsieur by asking of him a great service. We could not leave the
+negress behind in Paris: the comtesse would not stir one step without
+her, fearing that she would be very unhappy, if not come to want and
+suffering in a strange city. All the way from Paris I have been
+revolving plans in my mind as to how best to separate her from our
+party. I had thought of letting Pierre take charge of her, but that
+would not do; for should she be discovered, that would make Pierre
+'suspect,' and he would be thrown into prison for aiding and abetting
+the flight of the comtesse, and it would be a clue to trace us. When I
+saw you, Monsieur, I said, 'There is a way out of our dilemma. If
+Monsieur will take Clotilde back with him to America, we are safe.'"
+
+Joy filled my heart that I was at last to be allowed to do something
+for the comtesse.
+
+"Gladly, Monsieur!" I exclaimed; "and it can be very easily arranged.
+We will strike across country to Pontoise and the forest of St.
+Germain, and head off my boatman. He was to tie up for the night at a
+little village near Marly-le-Roi. I will find him there and put
+Clotilde in his wife's care. His wife accompanies him, for the voyage
+and to cook his meals."
+
+The prince's gratitude seemed to me incommensurate with so small a
+service, and so I told him. And then another difficulty suggested
+itself to me.
+
+"Monsieur le Prince," I said, "I recognized you from the hunter of
+Mademoiselle la Comtesse; will not perhaps others also?"
+
+"I have thought of this, Monsieur," he said; "but it seemed even more
+difficult to arrange than the other. It is necessary that the comtesse
+should have a swift and powerful horse, for if we are pursued, she and
+I will take to our horses and leave the others to shift for
+themselves. I had thought of asking Pierre to try to find another as
+good as this (though for speed and endurance I do not believe he has
+his equal in France), but even then I should not know what to do with
+this one. I could not give him to Pierre: that again would bring him
+under suspicion. I should have to shoot and bury him. However, it is
+too late now to make the change; we will even have to take the risk."
+
+"Monsieur," I said slowly, for willingly as I would make any sacrifice
+for mademoiselle, even to my life I could not lightly do that which I
+was about to do--"Monsieur, I have a horse who for speed and endurance
+has hardly her equal in the whole world. She knows Mademoiselle la
+Comtesse well and will do her bidding as she does mine. I will change
+horses with you. The comtesse shall have my chestnut mare and I will
+take her black beauty."
+
+The prince did not know that this was a far greater sacrifice on my
+part than taking charge of Clotilde had been, yet he knew a man loves
+his own mare well, and in so far he appreciated the service and
+thanked me for it.
+
+But the matter of separating Clotilde from her mistress had to be
+broached to mademoiselle, and the prince begged me to undertake the
+difficult task. All the time while the prince, and I had been holding
+our conversation together aside from the others, she had been
+exploring the purlieus of the little château with frequent
+exclamations of delight, not one of which fell unheeded on my ears,
+although I was deep in consultation. Now she came running up to me
+joyously.
+
+"Monsieur, Monsieur," she exclaimed, "I have found the little arbor
+where I used to take my dolls and play at housekeeping! Ah, how well I
+remember it! How often I have thought of it! And how little I ever
+expected to see it again!" and her eyes were as bright and as soft as
+the waters of the little lake stretching from our feet to the Grille
+d'Honneur and shining in the misty moonlight. I knew how quickly those
+eyes could change from dewy softness to lightning flashes, and it is
+not to be wondered at that I plunged into my subject with nervous
+haste.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said (and I thought the prince liked not the lack of
+formality in my address), "the Prince de Polignac has assigned to me
+an unpleasant duty; it is to tell you that we find it necessary for
+your safety to take away Clotilde."
+
+Perhaps I was too abrupt; at any rate, much as I had expected a
+tempest I was not prepared for the tornado that ensued.
+
+"Take away my Clotilde!" she interrupted. "Never! never! never!" And
+then there followed a torrent of tears mingled with reproaches as she
+threw herself upon Clotilde's breast--the breast she had wept upon
+since she was a babe of six. But Clotilde's cries were stormier than
+her mistress's: she literally lifted up her voice and wept. The prince
+was the picture of distress and dismay: there was danger that the
+sound of weeping might penetrate to unfriendly ears. Mademoiselle in
+tears was ever more formidable to me than an army with banners, but
+there was no help for it; I took my courage in my hand.
+
+"Mademoiselle la Comtesse," I said sternly, "you are causing the
+Prince de Polignac great distress. You are in danger any moment of
+betraying his retreat to an enemy, and if he is captured, his life is
+forfeit, as you know."
+
+I spoke thus to arouse her from a contemplation of her own woes to his
+danger, for well I knew her generous soul would respond at once to
+such a plea, and I was not mistaken. Her sobs ceased instantly and she
+stilled Clotilde with a word; then she turned and looked at me quietly
+while I went on with what I had to say:
+
+"It is to anticipate the danger of such discovery that we remove
+Clotilde, who, being almost the only negress in France, would betray
+your identity at once. I will take her with me to America, and from
+Philadelphia I will send her under safe escort to Dr. Saugrain in St.
+Louis, and when you are safely established in your own home you can
+send for her again."
+
+I think the thought of seeing St. Louis once more half consoled
+Clotilde for the parting, though she was a faithful creature and loved
+her mistress, and would have followed her to the ends of the earth. I
+know it helped to console Pelagie, for it was the thought of leaving
+Clotilde alone and unprotected in a foreign country that disturbed her
+most.
+
+But all this had taken much time, and the half-hour the prince had
+allowed for rest was more than up. They had had their supper, the
+carriage-horses had been changed, the saddle-horses had been fed and
+watered, and the prince was in feverish haste to be off. I ran swiftly
+to the Court d'Honneur, where I had left Cæsar, and found him
+wondering anxiously what had kept me so long. He had fed and watered
+both horses and was now letting them crop a little of the luxuriant
+grass at their feet. I did not stop for explanations, but bidding him
+follow me with his horse, I led Fatima by a shorter and more direct
+route straight from the Grille d'Honneur to the little château. I
+found the carriage with "Monsieur and Madame du Bois"; the coachman
+and outriders had already started. Pierre had set out a luncheon on
+the little stone table for Cæsar and me (for since we were not to go
+to his inn there was no prospect for supper for us), and was getting
+the two carriage-horses ready to take them back with him. Clotilde was
+silently weeping and Pelagie was trying to comfort her. I led Fatima
+straight to Pelagie.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "the Prince de Polignac permits me to give you
+a farewell present. Will you take Fatima and keep her for me? She will
+bear you to your destination, I believe, more safely and more surely
+than any horse in the world."
+
+"Oh, Monsieur, Monsieur!" she said, and then could say nothing more,
+her little chin quivering piteously. I could not bear to see it. I had
+motioned to Cæsar to put on Fatima the side-saddle lying on the grass,
+and now I said,
+
+"Let me put you on her back," and bent to lift her; but she drew back.
+
+"Oh, no, no, Monsieur!" she cried. "I know why you do it, and I know
+what a sacrifice it is to you. I cannot let you give up Fatima!"
+
+"Then you are depriving me of a great happiness," I softly answered.
+"I had hoped you would take her and keep her and love her. It would
+be a great comfort to me in distant America to think of you as being
+kind to her sometimes for the sake of old St. Louis memories."
+
+I looked steadily into her eyes.
+
+"Mademoiselle, may I put you on her back?"
+
+She bowed her head, and I lifted her to her seat, put her foot in the
+stirrup and the bridle in her hand. Then I threw my arm over Fatima's
+neck.
+
+"Good-by, Sweetheart," I whispered, "take good care of your mistress,"
+and kissed her on the white star on her forehead. Still with my arm
+over her neck I reached up my hand to mademoiselle.
+
+She put her hand in mine, and I kissed it as I had kissed it when she
+chose me her king; then I lifted my eyes and looked straight into
+hers.
+
+"Good-by, Mademoiselle, and au revoir," I said, and dropped her hand.
+
+She could not answer for the same piteous quivering of the chin, but
+her lips formed "Au revoir"; and then she turned Fatima and rode
+slowly under the leafy arch that led through a long tunnel of foliage,
+due east.
+
+"Monsieur," said the prince, and I started; for a moment I had
+forgotten his existence.
+
+He had withdrawn courteously while I was making my adieus with
+mademoiselle, busying himself with little preparations for departure.
+Now he had mounted and drawn his horse to my side.
+
+"Monsieur, you have taught me to honor and admire all American
+gentlemen. If there is any service I can ever do you, I hope you will
+give me the opportunity of showing you how much I appreciate the great
+service you have done us this night."
+
+"Monsieur le Prince," I answered quickly, too eager with my own
+thoughts to thank him for his kind words, "there is one kindness you
+can show me that will more than repay me for anything I have ever done
+or ever could do. Write me of mademoiselle's safe arrival when you
+reach Baden. I will give you my address," and I tore a leaf from my
+memorandum-book, wrote my address upon it, and thrust it into his
+hand.
+
+"It is a small commission, Monsieur," he answered, "but I will be most
+happy to execute it."
+
+He grasped my hand, said "Au revoir," and cantered quickly away after
+mademoiselle.
+
+I watched them riding side by side under the leafy dome until their
+figures were lost in the darkness, mademoiselle still with bent head,
+and he with his face turned courteously away as if not to seem to see
+should she be softly crying. And if there was for a moment in my heart
+a jealous envy that he should ride by mademoiselle's side and I be
+left behind, I put it quickly away, for I knew him to be a noble and
+courteous gentleman, and one to whose honor I could trust the dearest
+thing in life.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+EXIT LE CHEVALIER
+
+    "The King of France with forty thousand men,
+    Went up a hill, and so came down agen."
+
+
+Clothilde, Cæsar, and I had ridden late into the night before we had
+reached the little village on the Seine where my boatman, Gustave, was
+to tie up. But it was moonlight and we rode through a beautiful
+country dotted with royal châteaus,--the birthplaces of illustrious
+kings,--and I had my thoughts, and Clotilde and Cæsar had each other:
+for Cæsar was the first of her kind Clotilde had seen since coming to
+France, and much as she might enjoy the attentions of footmen in
+gorgeous liveries, after all they were only "white trash," and she
+loved best her own color. Clotilde was rapidly becoming consoled; and
+though she only spoke creole French, and Cæsar only English, save for
+the few words he had picked up since coming to Paris, they seemed to
+make themselves very well understood.
+
+So the ride had not been so tedious as it might have been. And when we
+had found Gustave's boat tied to the bank and had routed up him and
+his wife, and delivered Clotilde into their care (and their
+admiration and awe of the black lady was wonderful to see), and Cæsar
+and I had hunted up a fairly comfortable inn and had two or three
+hours of sleep, we were all quite ready to start on again.
+
+Feeling that Clotilde was a sacred trust, I was anxious both for her
+safety and for her welfare, and thus it was that the early morning
+found me following the windings of the Seine by a little bridle-path
+on its banks, hardly twenty feet from Gustave's boat dropping down
+with the tide. Gustave's wife was in the forward part of the boat,
+preparing breakfast for the three, and the savory odor of her bacon
+and coffee was borne by the breeze straight to my nostrils on the high
+bank above her. Gustave himself was in the stern of the boat, lazily
+managing the steering-oar and waiting for his breakfast, and
+incidentally grinning from ear to ear at Cæsar, riding a pace behind
+me and casting longing glances at the thatched roof of the little
+boat's cabin, whence issued in rich negro tones the creole love-song
+Yorke had sung to Clotilde on the Ohio boat:
+
+    "Every springtime
+    All the lovers
+    Change their sweethearts;
+    Let change who will,
+    I keep mine."
+
+I had straitly charged Clotilde that she must keep herself closely
+concealed within the cabin, but I had said nothing to her about also
+keeping quiet. Now I was idly thinking that perhaps I had better give
+her instructions upon that point also, when down the stony road some
+three feet higher than the bridle-path, and separated from it by a
+bank of turf, came the thunder of hoofs. I glanced up quickly. A
+little party of horsemen, five or six in number, were dashing down the
+road toward us, and in the lead was the Chevalier Le Moyne! At sight
+of us they drew rein, and the chevalier, looking down on me (for the
+first time in his life), brought his hat to his saddle-bow with a
+flourish.
+
+"Good morning, Monsieur. I hear you are off for America."
+
+"Good morning," I answered coolly, merely touching my own hat. "You
+have heard correctly"; and I wished with all my heart that I had had
+time to tell Clotilde to keep still, for up from the boat below,
+louder and clearer than ever, it seemed to me, came the refrain of her
+foolish song:
+
+    "Tous les printemps,
+    Tous les amants
+    Changent de maîtresses;
+    Qu'ils changent qui voudront,
+    Pour moi, je garde la mienne."
+
+The chevalier was listening pointedly.
+
+"An old song, Monsieur, that I have often heard in St. Louis. And the
+voice, too, I think is familiar. It is the black maid of the Comtesse
+de Baloit, is it not? Perhaps her mistress is with her; if so, our
+quest is at an end."
+
+"What do you mean, Monsieur le Chevalier!" I exclaimed, affecting
+virtuous indignation, and feeling a little of it, too, for I liked not
+the chevalier's manner.
+
+"You have heard, I suppose," he answered, with a light sneer, "that
+the comtesse has disappeared from Paris. At almost the same moment it
+was announced that monsieur had started for America, and some of the
+comtesse's friends thought it not impossible that they had gone
+together. From the warbling of that nightingale yonder I judge they
+were not far wrong."
+
+Not until this moment had it occurred to me that any one would connect
+the flight of the comtesse with my departure, and I hardly knew
+whether I was more ragingly angry at the thought or secretly glad.
+There was no question as to my state of mind toward the chevalier.
+That he should speak in such a light and sneering tone of any lady,
+but most of all that he should so speak of the loveliest lady on
+earth, was not to be borne. Yet I was glad, for some reasons, that
+such a mistaken surmise had arisen: it would throw pursuit off the
+track until Pelagie was well on her way to the German frontier, and
+the truth would come out later and my lady not suffer in her
+reputation (which indeed I could not have endured).
+
+So instead of giving free vent to the anger that raged in my heart, as
+I longed to do, I thought it wise to dally with the chevalier and keep
+him as long as possible on the wrong scent, for every moment of delay
+to the chevalier was setting mademoiselle farther on her way.
+
+"Your news, Monsieur," I said, "is most astonishing, but your
+insinuations also most insulting to a lady whose honor and reputation
+shall ever be my dearest care."
+
+Now the chevalier was five to one (for I could not count upon Cæsar
+for fighting, as I might have counted upon Yorke). I do not say that
+that fact made the chevalier more bold or less careful in his manner,
+but I certainly think that had we been man to man he would not have
+answered as he did.
+
+"Your virtuous indignation is pretty to see, Monsieur," he answered;
+"but I have the warrant of the republic to search whatever domains I
+may suspect of harboring the comtesse, and I think I will use my
+rights on yonder boat, where I see the face of her maid at the
+window."
+
+I glanced quickly at the boat. Sure enough, in the little square of
+glass that formed the window of the cabin was framed Clotilde's black
+face. And her nose (already broad enough) being flattened against the
+glass, and her eyes rolling wildly with curiosity and fear as she
+gazed at the party of armed horsemen on the bank, she made a ludicrous
+picture indeed. I would have liked to laugh heartily but that it was
+my rôle to display chagrin and anxiety rather than a careless levity.
+
+"Monsieur," I said seriously, "you are quite right: that is Clotilde,
+the maid of Mademoiselle la Comtesse. I was requested last evening to
+take her back to America and return her to her friends in St. Louis.
+It will always be my greatest pleasure to render the comtesse any
+service within my power, and I did not stop to question why she wished
+to get rid of her maid."
+
+"Your explanation is most plausible, Monsieur,"--the chevalier's tone
+was intentionally insulting, and, but that I had mademoiselle's
+interests more at heart than my own sensitive self-esteem, would have
+been hard to brook,--"but since I hold a warrant of search, if
+Monsieur permits, I will do myself the honor of visiting his boat."
+
+Now I cared not at all whether the chevalier visited the boat or not,
+knowing well he would not find the comtesse there. My only anxiety was
+to temporize as long as possible and keep him still suspicious of my
+complicity with mademoiselle's flight, that she might profit by his
+delay in discovering the true scent. So I answered sternly:
+
+"Monsieur, that boat is for the time being United States territory.
+You step upon its planks without my consent at your peril. I will at
+once report the matter to our minister at Paris, Mr. Livingston, and
+if a war between the United States and France is the result, you will
+have to give an account to the First Consul of your acts which caused
+that war."
+
+I was not enough of a diplomat to know whether I was speaking within
+my rights or not, but I trusted to the chevalier being no better
+informed than I, and at the best I was but speaking against time. The
+effect of my speech was all that I could have desired. The chevalier
+looked immediately crestfallen, and turned to consult with his
+comrades. For full five minutes (I could have wished it ten times
+five) they carried on a conference that at times appeared to be
+heated, though always low-toned. Then the chevalier turned to me
+again, and his manner was no longer insulting, but of such respect as
+is due one gentleman from another.
+
+"Monsieur," he said, "perhaps I have no right to _demand_ that I be
+allowed to search a boat belonging to an American gentleman, but if
+Monsieur will permit me to do so he will oblige me greatly, and it
+will be the means of clearing him at once of suspicions that may have
+unjustly accrued to him."
+
+There was no wisdom in delaying longer.
+
+"Since Monsieur puts it in that way," I said, "I can have no object in
+refusing his request. I shall have to ask you, however, that you wait
+a few minutes until I step aboard and warn Gustave and his wife of the
+purpose of your visit, lest they be unnecessarily alarmed."
+
+The chevalier showed that he liked not the last part of my speech. He
+no doubt thought that my purpose in going aboard first was to find a
+secure hiding-place for the comtesse. However, he had no alternative
+but to acquiesce. My real purpose was to warn Gustave and his wife
+that on no account were they to betray at what hour or where Clotilde
+had come aboard. She was to have come aboard at Paris at four o'clock
+the day before; and they, having no inkling of the true state of the
+case, but suspecting, I believe, some intrigue between the "dark lady"
+and her lovers, sympathetically promised implicit obedience. With
+Clotilde I was even more strenuous. Her story must agree with
+Gustave's: she had boarded the boat in Paris at four of the afternoon;
+but especially was she to know nothing of her mistress's plans--why
+or where she had gone. With her I appealed to her love for her
+mistress, and warned her that the comtesse's liberty, possibly her
+life, might depend upon her discretion. With the others a promise of
+liberal rewards if they proved true, and dire threats should they
+betray me, I believed secured their fidelity.
+
+I had had Gustave tie the boat to the bank before boarding it myself;
+I now invited the chevalier and his friends to come aboard. Leaving
+two of their comrades to hold their horses, the three others climbed
+down the bank and hastened to comply with my invitation. As they did
+so I saw Cæsar dismount, tie his own horse and mine securely to two
+saplings, and clamber up the bank beside the horsemen. I thought his
+motive was probably to take advantage of this opportunity to stretch
+his legs, and perhaps also to indulge his curiosity with a nearer view
+of the French gentlemen, and I saw no reason to interfere--especially
+as the two gentlemen, young blades whom I knew by sight, not only
+offered no objections, but began at once to amuse themselves with his
+clownish manners and outlandish speech.
+
+Of course the chevalier's quest was futile, as also was his
+examination of his three witnesses. They all stuck to their text,--the
+embarkation of Clotilde at four o'clock on the afternoon previous in
+Paris,--and Clotilde was as stupid as heart could desire, professing
+absolute ignorance of her mistress's plans, and knowing only that she
+herself was being sent home to America because she was homesick; and
+with a negress's love of gratuitous insult when she thinks she is
+safe in offering it, she added in her creole dialect:
+
+     "De Lord knows, I's sick o' white trash anyhow. I's mighty
+     glad to be gittin' back to a country ob ladies and
+     gen'lemen."
+
+The chevalier's two companions laughed, but the chevalier looked
+perplexed.
+
+"Monsieur," he said, with an air of exaggerated deference, "I have
+discovered nothing on your boat, either by search or by examination of
+the witnesses, that can implicate you in any way with the flight of
+the Comtesse de Baloit. But will you permit me to ask you one
+important question? How does it happen that you are not riding Fatima,
+and that you are riding the horse which answers exactly to the
+description of the one the comtesse was riding when she disappeared?"
+and the chevalier could not quite keep the tone of triumph out of his
+voice as he propounded his question. I had been expecting it, and I
+was prepared for it. I should have been much disappointed if he had
+not asked it.
+
+"Monsieur," I answered, "Fatima met with a serious accident just after
+leaving Paris. I was obliged to leave her in the hands of a veterinary
+surgeon on the outskirts of St. Denis, who has also a small farm
+connected with his establishment for the care of sick horses. He
+promised me to take the best of care of her and to return her to me in
+America as soon as she was sufficiently recovered. I bought this horse
+from a dealer to whom the surgeon directed me. I cannot say whether it
+resembles the horse on which the Comtesse de Baloit left Paris; I did
+not see the comtesse when she left Paris."
+
+Which was the only truth in my statement; but I did not for a moment
+consider that I had told a lie, but only that I had employed a ruse,
+perfectly permissible in war, to throw the enemy off the track. He
+snatched at the bait.
+
+"Will Monsieur give me the address of that horse-dealer?"
+
+"With pleasure, as nearly as I am able," and thereupon I described
+minutely a place in St. Denis that never existed. But St. Denis was
+only four miles this side of Paris, and should the chevalier go all
+the way back to find out from the mythical horse-dealer where he had
+procured my horse, much valuable time would be lost and mademoiselle
+would, I hoped, be beyond all risk of being overtaken.
+
+By one little artifice and another we had already managed to delay
+them for a good three quarters of an hour, and now, by an apparently
+happy accident, as long a delay again was promised. A great noise of
+shouting and trampling of horses' hoofs arose on the bank above us.
+
+We looked up and saw the five horses plunging frantically, with the
+two Frenchmen uttering excited cries as they tried to hold them, and
+Cæsar doing his share in trying to hold the horses and more than his
+share in making a noise. As we looked, one of the horses broke away
+and started up the road toward Paris. The two Frenchmen dashed wildly
+in pursuit, each man leading a horse with him, and Cæsar running on
+behind gesticulating madly, and bellowing at the top of his lungs.
+
+I had taken advantage of the excitement of the fracas to slip from the
+post the rope that held us to the bank. We glided gently away down the
+river, with no one (unless it might have been Gustave, but he said
+nothing) noticing that we were moving until we were many yards below
+our mooring-place. The anger of the chevalier and his friends when
+they discovered it knew no bounds. Gustave was full of apologies for
+his carelessness, as he called it; I was dignified.
+
+"Gustave," I said severely, "make a mooring as quickly as possible,
+that Monsieur le Chevalier and his friends may rejoin their horses."
+
+Gustave made all haste apparently, but without doubt he fumbled, and
+we were some two or three hundred yards farther down the river before
+we were finally tied to the bank.
+
+"Good-by, Messieurs," I said politely as the three hastened to leap
+ashore. "I trust you will have no difficulty in recovering your
+horses."
+
+They stayed not upon the order of their going, as Mr. Shakspere says,
+but scrambled up the bank and on to the hot and stony road, and the
+sun, now well up in the sky, beating strongly on their backs, they
+started at a round pace toward Paris, their horses by this time out of
+sight around a distant bend in the road.
+
+Cæsar had given up the pursuit and returned to where he had tied our
+horses. I signaled to him to bring them down the river, and mounting
+his and leading mine, he was soon at our mooring-place.
+
+Riding down the soft turf of the shady bridle-path a few minutes
+later, I heard Cæsar chuckling behind me. I turned in my saddle:
+
+"What is it, Cæsar?"
+
+"I done it, Marsa!"
+
+"Did what, Cæsar?"
+
+"Done mek dat hoss run away. I put a burr un'er his girth. Den when he
+plunged I cotched de bridle and let him loose. He, he, he! Hi, hi,
+hi!" and Cæsar rolled in his saddle in convulsions of mirth, while the
+shore echoed to his guffaws.
+
+I looked at him in astonishment for a moment. Then he had planned it
+all: tying the two horses, clambering up to the road, making himself
+the jest of the two Frenchmen, and all the time the burr concealed in
+his hand, no doubt, waiting his chance.
+
+"Cæsar, you are a general!" I said. "Yorke could not have done
+better." And then, his mirth being contagious, I threw back my head
+and laughed as long and as loud as he.
+
+I turned in my saddle once more and looked up the road. Through the
+hot sun plodded the three figures: the chevalier with bent head and, I
+doubted not, with gnashing teeth. I waved my hand toward him and
+called, though he could neither see nor hear:
+
+"Good-by, Chevalier Le Moyne; this cancels a few debts!"
+
+I have never seen him since.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+UNDER THE OLD FLAG
+
+    "And many an eye has danced to see
+      That banner in the sky."
+
+
+It was in the early days of March, some eight months later, that the
+big barge in which I had come down the Ohio, and thus far on the
+Mississippi, put me ashore at New Madrid with my saddle-bags and my
+horse Bourbon Prince; for so I had promptly named the black beauty for
+whom I had exchanged my chestnut mare. He could never quite take the
+place of Fatima in my affections, but I had grown very fond of him:
+partly for his virtues, for he was a thoroughbred of famous lineage,
+and partly, I have no doubt, because he had once belonged to
+mademoiselle.
+
+Of mademoiselle I had not heard for many months. I had arrived at home
+in the late summer, to find my father a physical and almost a mental
+wreck from the stroke of paralysis that had laid him low nearly three
+months before. Yet I had never loved my strong, stern father in the
+prime of manhood, managing great business enterprises, occupying
+places of honor and responsibility in the State, as I loved this
+feeble and broken old man with the face and the manner of a little
+child. As the weeks went on and he gradually grew able to move about,
+it was my pride and my joy to walk slowly down Chestnut Street, my
+father leaning heavily on my arm, and looking up into my face to
+comment with childish delight upon whatever pleased him in the
+streets.
+
+I had had to assume, to the best of my ability, his heavy business
+responsibilities, and the charge of his great properties, and but that
+my mother was herself a fine business woman and thoroughly informed on
+my father's affairs I might have made shipwreck of it all. It was not
+the life I had chosen for myself, but it lay so directly in the path
+of duty there was no escaping it, and it kept every moment so fully
+occupied there was no time left for brooding over private troubles.
+
+I had received a letter from the Prince de Polignac about two weeks
+after my return home, telling me of the safe arrival in Baden of the
+Comtesse de Baloit. It was a very courteous letter, thanking me once
+more for the great services I had rendered them on that eventful night
+in the Chantilly parks, and inclosing a pleasant message of
+acknowledgment from the Duc d'Enghien for the kindness shown his
+cousin the countess. Mademoiselle had added a line in her own writing:
+
+     "Fatima is well, and I love her for the sake of dear old St.
+     Louis.
+
+                    PELAGIE."
+
+To most people that might seem a very common-place little message; to
+me those sixteen words were the most wonderful ever written. I twisted
+and turned them until each one became a volume of tender sentiments,
+and the little signature "Pelagie" almost too sacred to be looked at,
+and only to be kissed, shut up in my own room in the dark, or with
+none but the moon to see.
+
+I had replied to the prince's letter immediately, sending a courteous
+message to the duke and a special one to Pelagie about Clotilde, whom
+I had sent under safe escort to St. Louis. But although I had
+intimated to the prince that it would give me very great pleasure to
+hear occasionally of the welfare of the countess, I never heard from
+any of them again.
+
+This, of course, was an especial grief to me on Pelagie's account, but
+also it touched me a little that the prince should so soon have
+forgotten me and what he was pleased to term my "great services" to
+him, for I had been strongly attracted to him by his noble bearing and
+chivalrous protection of mademoiselle. Often, in thinking of them,--he
+a noble young prince of great manly beauty and endowed by nature with
+all charming and lovable qualities; she the most exquisite of
+womankind,--I thought it would be strange indeed if in the intimate
+companionship of that long ride together they had not become so deeply
+interested in each other as to forget the existence of a young
+American gentleman three thousand miles away.
+
+When in the winter there came news of the Cadoudal plots against the
+life of Napoleon, in which the young Prince de Polignac and his older
+brother the duke were involved; that both brothers had been arrested,
+tried, and condemned to death; and, later, that Napoleon had granted
+them a free pardon, I could easily believe that other interests than
+love and marriage had so absorbed the prince as to make him forgetful
+of a distant acquaintance.
+
+On the heels of this appalling news, which shook the world and which
+yet left me glad and grateful that the chivalrous young prince had
+been saved from the ignominious death of an assassin, there came a
+letter to me from Captain Clarke, written in St. Louis, inviting me to
+join the expedition of discovery and exploration which Mr. Meriwether
+Lewis and he were to conduct up the Missouri River and across the
+mountains.
+
+Few duties have come to me in life more difficult to perform than the
+writing of that letter declining the invitation. It was the life I
+longed for, to be had for the taking, and an expedition of such kind
+under the leadership of two men like my captain, whom I still adored,
+and Mr. Meriwether Lewis, whom I greatly admired, was the strongest
+temptation that could be presented to me.
+
+But I knew well it was not for me. It would, no doubt, be a year or
+two in the accomplishing, with many hazards to life and limb, and I
+was now the virtual head of the family, with mother and sisters and
+invalid father all looking to me for protection and guidance and
+comfort. No, it was not to be thought of.
+
+Without consulting any one I sent my answer, but I suppose my face was
+an open book to my dear mother, and in some moment of abstraction I
+had forgotten to be cheerful and so betrayed that something was
+troubling me. At any rate, she came to my room one night, and there,
+in the way that mothers have, she beguiled my secret from me. She
+agreed with me that it would never do in my father's state of health
+to join such an expedition, but she was greatly distressed for what
+she called my disappointment, though I tried to assure her it was not
+enough to think about.
+
+Now mothers have a way of finding a salve for every hurt. I suppose it
+is a talent God has given them, that this world may be a pleasanter
+place for living in, and that the rugged path we have to tread through
+it may be smoother and pleasanter to our feet. (Though I hope no one
+will think because I have said this that I am one of those long-faced
+people who think this world a vale of woes to be traversed as quickly
+as possible, looking neither to the right nor to the left, lest they
+see something to please their eyes. I have ever found it a pleasant
+world, and my path through it of exceeding interest, with some sorrows
+and many difficulties to test one's mettle and add to the zest of
+living; but also with many wonderful and beautiful things lying all
+along the path, that God has placed there that one may stop and enjoy
+them and rest by the wayside.)
+
+Now the salve my mother found for this hurt was one to my especial
+liking.
+
+"Though you could not be gone from home two or three years, my son,"
+she said, "a matter of two or three months could make no great
+difference to any one; why not go out to St. Louis, see your friends
+there, and help the expedition get under way?"
+
+My heart gave a great leap. "And get news of mademoiselle from Dr.
+Saugrain," I said to myself; but then I hesitated. Would my father
+miss me too sadly? for he had seemed to lean upon me much for comfort
+and companionship. When I expressed my fears to my mother, she
+hesitated also, but we both finally agreed we would leave it to her to
+broach the matter to my father, and if it seemed to distress him too
+greatly, we would say nothing more about it.
+
+To my surprise, he was almost more eager for it than my mother. It
+need not have surprised me, for even in the old days my father, though
+stern, had never been selfish, and now all the unselfishness of his
+nature had seemed to grow strong with his feebleness.
+
+Thus it was that I stood once more on the shores of the Great River.
+Had my impatience permitted me to wait a little longer at Pittsburg, I
+might have found a boat going all the way to St. Louis, but I had
+rather take the ride of nearly a hundred and fifty miles on Bourbon
+(for so I had shortened his name) than to spend a day in idle waiting.
+A barge going to New Orleans (New Orleans had been under our flag
+since the twentieth of December, and the river was teeming with craft
+bearing our merchandise to the once prohibited market) took me on
+board and put me ashore at New Madrid in the early morning, and I lost
+not a moment's time in getting started on my northward way.
+
+The spring was early that year, and in the warm and sheltered valley,
+lying open to the south, where New Madrid nestles, the orchards were
+already a pink and white glory, and in the forest glades the wild
+azaleas and the dogwood were just ready to burst into bloom. Riding
+under leafy archways of tall trees garlanded with wild vines, or
+through natural meadows dotted with clumps of shrubbery, as if set out
+by the hand of man for a park, where the turf was like velvet under
+Bourbon's feet; crossing little streams that a sudden rush of
+headwater from the hills had swollen to dangerous torrents, or other
+streams that backwater from the Great River had converted into inland
+lakes; the air sweet with the fragrance of the wild crab and
+blossoming grape; wood-thrush and oriole, meadow-lark and
+cardinal-bird, making the woods ring with their melodies--this ride
+through Upper Louisiana in the early springtime was one long joy to
+eye and ear and nostril. Farther north the spring was less advanced,
+only little leaves on the trees, and for flowers a carpet, sometimes
+extending for miles, of creamy-white spring-beauties, streaked with
+rosy pink, laid down for Bourbon's feet to tread upon; and for birds
+the modest song-sparrow and bluebird, earliest harbingers of spring.
+
+I stayed the first night in Cape Girardeau (and thought of the
+chevalier in hiding for weeks among the Osages near by); the second
+night I spent with the Vallés in Ste. Genevieve. I had known young
+François Vallé in St. Louis the winter before, and meeting me on the
+street as I rode into town, he carried me off at once to his father's
+house with true Louisiana hospitality--a hospitality that welcomed the
+coming but did not speed the parting guest. I found it hard work to
+get away the next morning, with such friendly insistence did they urge
+me to remain for a visit, seeming to feel also that I was putting a
+slight upon their quaint old town--the oldest in Upper Louisiana--by
+so short a stay.
+
+But I was impatient to be on my way, and my impatience grew as I
+neared St. Louis. A long day's ride brought me toward evening to the
+banks of the Maramec, full to the brim of its high banks with
+backwater from the Mississippi. I thought, at first, I would have to
+swim it, but, fortunately, I spied a horn hanging from the limb of a
+sycamore above my head, and I knew enough of the ways of this frontier
+country to know that a horn by a river-bank meant a ferry. So I blew
+it lustily, and in five minutes there appeared from under the
+overhanging trees of the opposite bank a flatboat, paddled by an old
+man, who not only ferried Bourbon and me safely across dry-shod, but
+persuaded me to spend the night with him in his little cabin; for the
+night was coming on cloudy and dark, and there were still nearly
+twenty miles to ride, and swollen streams to cross that might mean
+trouble in the dark. He had not the great house of the Vallés, with
+troops of slaves to wait on us and an abundance of frontier luxuries
+(for Mr. François Vallé, Sr., was the richest man in all that country)
+but his hospitality was as genuine. For the ferriage he took money,
+since that was his business; for the night's lodging and supper and
+breakfast he would have none of it. True, my bed was only a bearskin
+on the hard floor, and my supper and breakfast were the same,--a slice
+of bacon and a bowl of hominy,--but such as he had he gave me of his
+best.
+
+In the early dawn I had a plunge in the Maramec for bath (and its
+waters had the icy tang of the melting snows on the distant
+mountains), and then I made a careful toilet, for in a few hours I
+would see my old friends in St. Louis, and, at thought of the merry
+glances from bright eyes I would soon be meeting, my heart sank within
+me that Pelagie's would not be among them.
+
+As I neared St. Louis, every step of the way was full of reminders of
+her. Crossing La Petite Rivière, I thought of the day of the picnic on
+Chouteau's Pond, and involuntarily I listened for the call of the
+whippoorwill. But instead there was the happy song of the spring birds
+filling the woods that crested the banks, and my heart grew lighter in
+response to their joyous melodies.
+
+I entered the town by the lower entrance, leading through the stockade
+on to the Rue Royale, for I was of a mind to ride through the streets
+of the town and see whom I should chance to meet before presenting
+myself at Dr. Saugrain's.
+
+I had advanced no great distance when I saw coming to meet me a
+splendid procession: young men and maidens, parents and children, the
+whole population of the town, I should think, in gala array, and
+singing as they came.
+
+I was overwhelmed at the prospect of such honor accorded me, and
+greatly touched, too, that my old friends should welcome me back so
+gladly, but I was in a quandary what to do: whether it would be more
+dignified to stay Bourbon in the middle of the road and await their
+approach, or whether to advance to meet them.
+
+It puzzled me greatly, also, that they should have known the exact
+moment of my arrival, for although both Dr. Saugrain and Captain
+Clarke knew of my intended visit, they could hardly have calculated to
+such a nicety not only the day but the very hour of my entry into
+town. It must be that pickets had been stationed to descry my approach
+from a distance and give the signal.
+
+Still puzzling my brains over the wonder of it all, and hardly knowing
+whether to feel more proud or more frightened at the honor intended
+me, and wishing with all my heart that I had known of it that I might
+have arrayed myself in a costume befitting the occasion, I slowly drew
+near the procession, and the procession drew near me.
+
+Then suddenly I discovered what nothing but my domtiferous vanity had
+prevented me from discerning from the first: this was a religious
+procession bearing the banners of the church and singing Aves and Te
+Deums. I had known such processions before in St. Louis on saints'
+days, and always headed by the two most beautiful maidens in the town,
+bearing silver plates, who, as the procession drew up to the church,
+stood on either side of the door holding the plates to receive alms. I
+drew Bourbon to one side of the road and waited.
+
+Yes, there were the two beautiful maidens with the silver plates, and
+I was not surprised to see that one was Mademoiselle Chouteau; and as
+she drew near she could not resist a saucy look of recognition in her
+dancing eyes, entirely out of character in the leader of a religious
+procession. I smiled back at her, my heart already growing warmer and
+lighter with her friendliness, and then I glanced at the other: a wavy
+mass of soft, dark hair, little ringlets about white neck and brow,
+lips like a scarlet pomegranate blossom, and long, black lashes lying
+on an ivory cheek, where the pale rose was fast turning to crimson
+under my gaze.
+
+It was Pelagie! Her cheek told the tale that she knew I was looking at
+her, yet not once did she lift her eyes and look at me. I wonder that
+my heart did not break through my breast, so great a bound it made
+when I discovered her, and then all the blood in my body flowed back
+upon it, and I sat on Bourbon as one carved in marble, while friends
+and acquaintances passed by and smiled up at me in kindly welcome. Not
+until Josef Papin left the ranks and came up to me with outstretched
+hand could I recover myself and begin to feel alive again, with the
+blood slowly running back in its courses and tingling in my
+finger-tips.
+
+"Come," he said, when the first greetings were over, "tie your horse
+to the tree, and we will fall in at the end of the line and go up to
+the church together. This is no saint's day, as you might think, but
+we are to have mass for the last time under the old rule. The United
+States troops come over to-day from Cahokia and take possession."
+
+This was wonderful news to me, and I could not but feel a great
+sympathy with him, for he spoke with a voice that faltered. What would
+it not have meant to me if my own city of Philadelphia were being
+transferred to the rule of France or Spain!
+
+On our way he told me what my soul most longed to hear: how
+mademoiselle came to be in St. Louis.
+
+Her cousin, the Duc d'Enghien, had begun to feel that his home was no
+longer a safe place for her, for Bonaparte's spies were watching him,
+and he felt that though Baden was neutral territory he might at any
+moment be arrested and thrown into prison. That would leave Pelagie
+entirely unprotected, and he had begun to consider some other safer
+retreat for her. When mademoiselle found that she was to be sent away
+from Ettenheim, she begged that she might return to St. Louis, the
+only place she had known as home, and to the people she loved, who had
+been to her kindred and friends. It was only after much pleading that
+the duke had been persuaded to let her go so far from home again, but
+mademoiselle's heart was set on it.
+
+"And," said Josef Papin, "as we both know, when she will, she will; I
+defy any man to gainsay her. She arrived two weeks ago by way of New
+Orleans, with a Monsieur and Madame Dubois, newly married, I believe,
+who were coming over to America to settle."
+
+"Monsieur and Madame Dubois!" I said, in some excitement.
+
+"Yes; do you know them?" asked Josef, curiously.
+
+"I am not sure. I may have met them; I met a Monsieur and Madame
+Dubois once at Chantilly near Paris," I answered carelessly, "but very
+likely they are not the same."
+
+"No, they could not be," answered Josef, "for they were married only
+just before leaving for America."
+
+And then there was no chance to say anything more, for our end of the
+procession was nearing the church door, where on either side stood
+Mademoiselle Chouteau and Pelagie, holding out their silver plates
+already piled high with livres.
+
+As I glanced at Pelagie I felt as if royalty radiated from her--from
+the proud pose of her dainty head to the high-bred arch of her little
+foot. "A princess of Condé!" I exclaimed to myself half angrily, "and
+meekly holding the church plate for negroes and Indians and humble
+habitans, and smiling up into the faces of her old friends with a
+royal sweetness."
+
+I was on the side next her as we drew near the door. Will she look at
+me? I wondered. We were the last in the line; it would hinder no one
+if I stopped a moment beside her.
+
+But I could not make her look up at me. One louis d'or after another I
+piled upon her plate, but the only effect it had was to make it
+tremble in her hands and the color deepen steadily in her face. I
+could not stand there gazing rudely at her, and I went into the church
+beside Josef Papin as in a dream, half doubting it was mademoiselle,
+yet watching her eagerly as she and Mademoiselle Chouteau bore the
+plates up the aisle and held them aloft before the altar for the
+priest to bless.
+
+The service that followed was indescribably solemn and touched me
+greatly; it was as though it were a service for the dead, and the
+people (the whole village was there, every man, woman, and child I had
+known the year before) chanted the responses with the tears running
+down their cheeks. Josef Papin had told me that the old priest who had
+baptized all the younger generation and married their parents was
+going away with the Spaniards, unwilling to be subject to a foreign
+rule, and the mourning of the people for their father was from the
+heart.
+
+As they knelt upon the floor to receive the benediction (and the sound
+of their kneeling was like the breeze among the dry leaves of autumn)
+they broke out into a long, low wail that rose and swelled and then
+died away in the sound of suppressed sobbing. Nevermore under Latin
+rule would they kneel in their dear old church, but under the rule of
+the hated Anglo-Saxons, their hereditary foe. Nevermore would the
+priest they had loved and reverenced for years extend his hands over
+them in blessing. The good father's voice broke again and again as he
+tried in vain to utter the familiar words, until at length, his hands
+upraised to heaven, tears streaming from his eyes, he uttered the
+simple words, "Go in peace, my children."
+
+I was near the door and I slipped quietly out. It was not a time to
+meet old friends, and I felt like one intruding upon a house of
+mourning. Heads were still bowed in the solemn hush that followed the
+benediction and no one saw me go. I hurried back to where I had left
+Bourbon, mounted him, and rode slowly up toward Government House.
+
+Long before I reached it the streets were filled. With the quick
+change from grave to gay, natural to these volatile creoles, the same
+people that a few moments ago had been all tears and sorrow were now
+all excitement and curiosity. Down from the fort on the hill marched a
+troop of Spanish soldiers, stopping at Government House to salute the
+governor, and then forming in company order in front of the house to
+await the coming of the United States troops.
+
+Beside Governor Delassus on the gallery of Government House stood my
+old friend Mr. Meriwether Lewis; for he seemed an old friend to me,
+though I had known him but that one memorable day in Washington. In
+response to a friendly wave of the hand from both I dismounted and ran
+up the steps to speak to them for a moment. They presented me to a
+third officer, Captain Stoddard, the officer in command of the United
+States troops who were to take possession, and also, as Governor
+Delassus informed me, empowered by the French prefect at New Orleans
+to receive the city for the French republic from the Spanish.
+
+I stayed only a moment, for Captain Lewis told me I would find Captain
+Clarke and Dr. Saugrain at the landing at the foot of the Rue
+Bonhomme, so I followed in the wake of the motley crowd of habitans,
+negroes, and Indians trooping along the Rue Royale and filling La
+Place with a many-colored throng, as they had filled it on the day I
+first set foot in St. Louis.
+
+Bourbon Prince picked his way carefully along the steep path that led
+down the bluff to the landing at the foot of the Rue Bonhomme, where
+the boats from Cahokia bearing the United States troops were already
+approaching the shore, and where I found awaiting them, as Captain
+Lewis had said I should, my old friend, the little doctor, and my
+captain (for so I shall always call Captain Clarke), and the warmth of
+their greeting set my heart to dancing merrily.
+
+My spirits had been rising steadily every moment since I had recovered
+from my stupefaction at the sight of Pelagie. What though she would
+not look at me, I was nothing daunted; for now that she was safe on
+American soil,--yes, _American_, Spanish no longer,--nor chevaliers
+nor dukes nor First Consuls should deter me from boldly trying to win
+her. For the first time since I had known her I felt that I had a
+right to try. She was no longer a titled lady of France, and I was now
+my own master and could maintain her in greater luxury than she had
+ever known. I would take her home with me to Philadelphia! and my
+dear mother and my fond old father would love her as they loved my
+sisters. My spirit was exultant, and that she dared not meet my eyes
+lent more of hope than discouragement.
+
+So it was with a happy heart that I met the little doctor's beaming
+glance, and felt the strong grasp of my captain's hand as he uttered
+his hearty "Welcome home, my lad." And little I cared that he called
+me lad; indeed, had he addressed me by any other title I should have
+missed some of the friendliness of his greeting.
+
+"You are to stay at Émigré's Retreat, you know," said Dr. Saugrain;
+"Madame Saugrain is as happy in the thought of your home-coming as if
+you were her own boy."
+
+But Josef Papin coming down the bluff at that moment and overhearing
+the doctor, interposed:
+
+"No, Dr. Saugrain, he is my guest this time. You had him all last
+winter, and you have had Captain Clarke and Captain Lewis all this
+winter; you must share some of your honors with me."
+
+It was not for me to decide a question of such kind, and though my
+heart turned longingly to the hospitable hearth that had first
+entertained me in St. Louis, feeling that in no other house would it
+seem so truly a home-coming, yet I was not sure but it was better that
+it was finally decided that I should stay with Josef Papin, for I was
+determined to put my fortune to the touch, and should Pelagie prove
+unkind (a contingency, however, that I refused to contemplate), it
+would be embarrassing indeed to be under the same roof with her.
+
+But now there was no longer time for discussion of any kind, for the
+boats were running their keels into the bank, and Lieutenant Worrall,
+temporarily in command of the troops, was the first man to leap
+ashore. We all went down to meet him, and when he had formed his
+battalion in line, we accompanied him up the steep bluff and down the
+Rue Royale to Government House, a great throng following.
+
+Then Lieutenant Worrall drew up his troops facing the Spanish troops.
+The open space where the Rue Royale crossed the Rue de la Tour was
+densely packed with people. Every man, woman, and child of the
+village, it seemed to me, must be there, yet I looked in vain for
+either Madame Saugrain or Pelagie. I fastened Bourbon farther up the
+street, and at the invitation of Governor Delassus sent us by an
+orderly I accompanied Dr. Saugrain, Josef Papin, and my captain to the
+gallery of Government House, where we found also both the Chouteaus
+and many of the leading citizens of the village.
+
+As soon as the American troops were drawn up in line, Governor
+Delassus stepped to the front of the gallery, holding in his hand a
+document bearing the seals of the United States and of Spain, and at a
+sign from him, Captain Stoddard stepped to his side, a similar
+document in his hand. Then Governor Delassus held the paper up so that
+all the people might see, and, as every voice was hushed and all eyes
+turned on him, he read:
+
+     "Now be it known unto all men by these presents that I,
+     Carlos D. Delassus, in quality of lieutenant-governor, at
+     the requirement duly made to me by Amos Stoddard, agent and
+     commissary of the French republic, have delivered to him the
+     full possession, sovereignty, and government of Upper
+     Louisiana, with all the military posts, quarters, and
+     fortifications thereto belonging or dependent thereof."
+
+     Immediately Captain Stoddard took up the refrain, reading on
+     from where the governor stopped:
+
+     "And I, Amos Stoddard, commissary as such, do acknowledge to
+     have received the said possession on the same terms
+     mentioned in these presents, of which I acknowledge myself
+     satisfied and possessed on this day. In testimony whereof
+     the lieutenant-governor and myself have respectively signed
+     these presents, sealed with the seal of our arms, being
+     assisted with the witnesses signed below. Of which
+     proceedings six copies have been made out, to wit, three in
+     the Spanish and three in the English languages.
+
+     "Given in the town of St. Louis of Illinois, 9th March,
+     1804.
+
+            "Amos Stoddard            (seal)
+
+            "Carlos Dehault Delassus  (seal)
+
+     "In presence of
+       Meriwether Lewis,
+         Captain First United States Regiment Infantry.
+       Antoine Soulard,
+         Surveyor-General, etc.
+       Charles Gratiot."
+
+As Captain Stoddard finished reading, the governor turned to him and
+with formal courtesy placed him in possession of Government House.
+Captain Stoddard accepted it with a brief and appropriate speech, and
+then, the silence still unbroken, the stately don turned once more to
+the people and spoke to them directly:
+
+"Inhabitants of Upper Louisiana:
+
+"By the king's command I am about to deliver up this post and its
+dependencies!
+
+"The flag under which you have been protected for a period of nearly
+thirty-six years is to be withdrawn. From this moment you are released
+from the oath of fidelity you took to support it."
+
+There was a stir among the people. Tears were running down the
+weather-beaten faces of some of the older men, and many of the women
+were sobbing quietly. Visibly moved himself, the governor added
+another word:
+
+"The fidelity and courage with which you have guarded and defended the
+flag will never be forgotten; and in my character of representative I
+entertain the most sincere wishes for your perfect prosperity."
+
+The governor bowed and stepped back, and instantly there broke from
+the people a storm of _adios_ and _benitos_ with tears and waving of
+hands.
+
+The governor motioned to a soldier standing by. The soldier stepped to
+a corner of the gallery which could be seen from the fort on the hill,
+and waved his hat. Instantly puffs of white smoke issued from the
+full battery of the fort, followed by the roar of the cannon rolling
+across the wide river to the distant bluffs of Cahokia. As the last
+echo died away the soldier waved his hat once more. Slowly the flag of
+Spain floating above the white tower sank. Once more the cannon
+roared, and slowly the banner of France rose, higher and higher, until
+its folds were flung proudly to the breeze, above the tower on the
+hill, above the Great River, above the old French town where it had
+floated thirty-six years before.
+
+Almost every soul, save negroes and Indians, in that multitude
+watching in breathless silence the exchange of the flags, was French,
+and as the banner of the land they had never ceased to love and to
+call home floated out on the breeze, with one accord they fell on
+their knees, eyes streaming, arms outstretched toward the loved symbol
+of their fatherland.
+
+It had been the intention that the flag should remain there but a few
+minutes--just long enough to show that Upper Louisiana was French, and
+that France ceded it to the United States. But now Pierre and Auguste
+Chouteau, the older Papin, Dr. Saugrain, all the leading citizens on
+the gallery of Government House, gathered around Captain Stoddard and
+begged him, with trembling voices and misty eyes, to let the old flag
+stay for another day.
+
+"Let us be Frenchmen for twenty-four hours," they begged, "and after
+that we will try to be loyal citizens of the United States, as we have
+been loyal citizens of Spain."
+
+When Captain Lewis and Captain Clarke added their plea for the
+Frenchmen, Captain Stoddard willingly granted it, and stepping to the
+front of the gallery, he announced that for twenty-four hours the flag
+of the French republic would float over St. Louis.
+
+Then broke forth a delirium of joy. Men threw their arms around one
+another and embraced and kissed in a fashion strange, indeed, to us
+Anglo-Saxons; and women fell into one another's arms and sobbed. The
+roar of the cannon had not ceased to roll over the heads of the people
+at intervals of every two minutes, and now the United States troops
+took their line of march up the Rue de la Tour to the fort on the hill
+(for though the American flag did not float from it, they were to hold
+it in the name of France); and the Spanish troops marched away.
+
+The ceremonies for the day were over; the cannon ceased to roar, and
+Captain Stoddard who was now in possession of Government House,
+invited us all to stay to déjeuner. The meal was a long and
+ceremonious one, with the Spanish don on Captain Stoddard's right and
+one of the Chouteaus on his left, and I far down the table with some
+of the younger men; and through it all I was thinking of that first
+meal I had taken in St. Louis in this same Government House a year and
+a half before, and of the toast that roused such enthusiasm then; and
+every moment my impatience grew to get away and visit Émigré's Retreat
+and Madame Saugrain, and--the Rose of St. Louis.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+THE ROSE OF ST. LOUIS
+
+    "What's in a name? that which we call a rose
+    By any other name would smell as sweet."
+
+
+But my impatience was of little avail, for before we left Government
+House Dr. Saugrain invited me to dinner at Émigré's Retreat, and
+restless and impatient as I might be, I did not dare show myself there
+until the dinner-hour.
+
+Five o'clock found me sitting in the dear old living-room, awaiting,
+with trembling the entrance of madame and Pelagie. It was the same
+dear old room I had pictured to myself so often, and all the grand
+salons of Paris that I had seen since last I saw it did not make it
+look any the less cozy and homelike to my eyes. It was a warm spring
+afternoon, and the western windows were open, and the white curtains
+were stirring in the breeze, only there was no maiden in white on the
+low seat by the window, and no guitar and no Leon.
+
+I had but a moment to wait. The door opened and in came madame, both
+hands outstretched and running to meet me, and as I bent low before
+her, taking my face in both her hands and putting a kiss on my cheek
+and calling me "My son." And behind her came Pelagie, walking slowly
+but looking up at me, yes, looking at me at last, with starry eyes and
+a great pulse throbbing in her snowy throat, and little tongues of
+color coming and going in her cheeks. I was almost of a mind there,
+right before madame, to take her in my arms and call her mine, for
+mine I was determined she should be; and I looked at her with such a
+threatening glance I think she divined my half-purpose and shrank back
+a little.
+
+So instead I merely bowed over her hand and said gaily:
+
+"You condescend to look at me at last, mademoiselle; I feared to-day I
+was to be forever banished from your friendly glances."
+
+And she, relieved from her first apprehension, answered saucily:
+
+"If monsieur comes unannounced, how can he expect to be recognized
+after so many months of absence?"
+
+And then in stalked, majestically Leon, limping very slightly, and
+when he caught sight of me coming up to me and sniffing at me a
+moment, and then springing upon me with such wild bounds of delight
+that I had to call hold, lest his great paws play havoc with my fine
+Paris clothes that I had donned in mademoiselle's honor. And to quiet
+him I said in a high, small voice, in palpable burlesque of
+mademoiselle:
+
+"Taise-toi, mon ange!" and we both laughed merrily.
+
+I was so happy that I was ready to do everything that was foolish,
+and I believe mademoiselle was happy, too, for nothing that I did was
+too foolish for her to laugh at.
+
+Then in came the little doctor, running up to me and insisting on
+embracing me (because I was in his own house), pulling down my head
+and kissing me on each cheek, at which I blushed greatly, though I had
+not blushed when madame kissed me. And then came my captain and
+Captain Lewis, and everyone talked at once, asking all manner of
+questions on all manner of subjects, and I had scarcely a chance to
+say another word to Pelagie.
+
+And then came dinner. As usual, madame put me beside her, and Pelagie
+sat at the other end of the table. But there was no scorning this
+time, and I had better chance to look at her than if she sat beside
+me, and perhaps that was best, for my eyes could say to her much more
+than my lips would dare in such a company.
+
+Narcisse waited on the table, and was all smiles of welcome; and
+half-way through dinner, on some pretext or other, in came Clotilde,
+and greeted me, half crying through her smiles at memory of our trials
+together. And last of all came Yorke, grinning from ear to ear, and
+"declarin' to gracious I'd growed a foot sence," whereupon I was of a
+mind to thrash him on the spot, and told him so, which made him grin
+the more, if that were possible.
+
+It was a grand dinner, and I told Madame Saugrain I had never tasted
+in Paris anything half so good as her wild turkey and croquecignolles
+and gooseberry wine, which I meant with all my heart, and which
+greatly pleased her housewifely soul.
+
+Back in the living-room, when dinner was over, I missed something, and
+looked around the room to discover what it was. It was the long French
+mirror in which I had once watched Pelagie--the pride of madame's
+heart.
+
+"Why, madame," I said, "what have you done with your mirror?"
+
+She shrugged her shoulders and looked ruefully at her husband.
+
+"Antoine," she said, "needed some quicksilver for his experiments.
+Voilà! my mirror!"
+
+I glanced at Dr. Saugrain; he blushed and looked guilty, and so, for
+some reason, I thought, did Captain Lewis.
+
+"I will explain," said my captain. "You must know, my lad, that these
+two," indicating the doctor and Captain Lewis with a wave of his hand,
+"have been confederates all winter in black art. They have lived in
+the laboratory, and the instruments they have evolved for our trip up
+the Missouri and over the mountains are fearful and wonderful to
+behold. We are each of us provided with a box of little phosphorus
+sticks by which we are to do away entirely with all use of tinder. But
+much more wonderful than those, out of madame's mirror Dr. Saugrain
+has fashioned little glass tubes holding quicksilver, and with a
+measure laid off on the side by which we may be able to tell just how
+hot or how cold it may be. And more wonderful still, he has fashioned
+other little tubes by which we are to tell when it is going to storm
+and when it will be fair weather. And I cannot begin to tell you all
+the wonderful appliances this magician has fashioned for our comfort
+and safety this winter, aided and abetted by his willing slave,
+Captain Lewis."
+
+That unloosed the doctor's tongue, and there was no getting away the
+rest of the evening from the wonders of science; and so strange were
+the things he and Captain Lewis had to tell of what science could do
+that I could have greatly enjoyed their talk had I not been longing
+for a few words with Pelagie.
+
+I determined that another day should not go by; without my having
+them, and so, in the course of the evening, I managed to ask her if
+she would ride with me the next afternoon to Chouteau's Pond. A
+riding-party of two to Chouteau's Pond was of frequent occurrence in
+the village, and I would not have feared a refusal but that Pelagie
+had now been living so long where stricter social forms prevailed, so
+I awaited her answer with trembling. But she gave a shy assent, and
+for me the evening at Émigré's Retreat was a grand success.
+
+Twelve o'clock the next day, March the tenth, saw us all once more at
+Government House; and once more the American troops were drawn up
+before it, and once more the people filled the streets.
+
+The people were very quiet; there was no longer any rejoicing; but
+every eye was lifted to the flag that was so soon to sink from sight.
+
+There were many Indians in the streets,--Delawares, Sacs, Shawnees,
+and others,--attracted to the town by the noise of firing the day
+before. Captain Stoddard had asked Governor Delassus to speak to them
+and explain to them the change of government, and the soldiers had
+been sent to gather them up close to the gallery of Government House,
+where Don Delassus might speak to them. A dark-faced throng, serious
+of countenance, they stood looking up at us, not a muscle of their
+countenances changing while the governor spoke to them in the formal
+and stately fashion they loved.
+
+"Delawares, Sacs, Shawnees, and others, my red brothers:
+
+"Your old fathers, the Spaniard and the Frenchman, grasp by the hand
+your new father, the head chief of the United States. By an act of
+their good-will, and in virtue of their last treaty, I have delivered
+up to them all these lands. They will keep and defend them, and
+protect all the white and redskins who live thereon. You will live as
+happily as if the Spaniard were still here.
+
+"I have informed your new father, who here takes my place, that the
+Delawares, Shawnees, and Sacs have always conducted themselves well;
+that the chiefs have always restrained their young men as much as
+possible.
+
+"For several days we have fired off cannon to announce to all the
+nations that your father the Spaniard is going, his heart happy to
+know that you will be protected and sustained by your new father, and
+that the smoke of the powder may ascend to the Maker of life, praying
+him to shower on you all a happy destiny and prosperity in always
+living in good union with the whites."
+
+There were many guttural "Ughs!" as he finished, and I think, from the
+way the dark eyes scanned the faces of the new officers, they
+comprehended at least a part of what had been said to them.
+
+Once more a soldier at the corner of the gallery waved his hat toward
+the white tower; once more the cannon boomed and slowly the tricolor
+of France descended, while the Stars and Stripes rose to meet it.
+Half-way up the flagstaff they stopped. For a moment they floated in
+the breeze, side by side, and an involuntary cheer sprang from the
+people at the friendly sight. Then slowly the tricolor sank, and
+slowly rose the starry banner, flinging out its broad bars of white
+and crimson, beautiful emblem of liberty and the sovereignty of a free
+people, over the little village, nestling among the trees on the
+bluffs, that may one day be a mighty city; over the Great River
+flowing to the Gulf that a not far future may see bearing the commerce
+of a world on its bosom; over the broad prairies stretching to the
+distant mountains which coming years will surely see peopled with
+happy millions.
+
+My heart swelled within me. I swung my hat high in the air and lustily
+led the cheers of our troops and our little party on the gallery. But
+we were only a small band, and we made not much noise, and all the
+French and Spaniards stood and looked sadly on. And because our hearts
+were touched by their sorrow, we cheered no more, but looked up at
+our beautiful banner with pride and joy and love in our hearts.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Three hours later I was sitting on the gallery at Émigré's Retreat
+waiting for mademoiselle, as I had waited for her on the day of the
+picnic at Chouteau's Pond. Narcisse was holding Bourbon Prince by the
+driveway below, and I was struggling to preserve a calm exterior, for
+my heart was going like a trip-hammer while I listened for my lady's
+coming.
+
+Out upon the gallery she stepped, riding-habit and hat and veil of
+latest Paris mode--not the little Pelagie of the picnic day, but
+Pelagie a princess of Condé, and my heart almost failed me.
+
+I looked at her, and she was smiling at me with a smile I did not
+understand. Then she looked away, and my eyes followed hers. Around
+the corner of the house Yorke was leading a horse,--a white star on
+the forehead and one white foot like Bourbon Prince, but beautiful
+chestnut in color. For a moment I forgot my lady. Down the steps I
+sprang, and my arm was around the neck of the chestnut mare.
+
+"Sweetheart!" I whispered in her ear. "Do you know me, sweetheart?"
+
+She whinnied with joy and rubbed her soft muzzle up and down my arm,
+and whinnied again, while Yorke showed all his teeth in his delight,
+and my lady laughed and clapped her hands like a happy child.
+
+I had not thought it possible she could bring Fatima with her and so
+had not asked for her, though, truth to tell, I had had but little
+chance to ask her about anything.
+
+When I said so to her, "I would not have come without her," she said,
+looking shyly at me. "But I hope you do not want her back, for I love
+her dearly."
+
+Yes, I wanted her back, I said to myself; but with her mistress, too;
+but my only answer to mademoiselle was a smile that I think she
+understood, for she looked quickly away from me.
+
+Then I put her on Fatima's back, who bore a Parisian saddle now
+instead of a pillion, and out through the stockade we rode, and down
+the rough path to La Petite Rivière, and through the ford (deeper now,
+from spring freshets, than it had been when I listened to the
+whippoorwills), and along the wooded bank on the other side, where we
+had raced to get away from the redskin (though that she never knew),
+and still I had not said the words I meant to say.
+
+Under the tree that had been the goal for our race I drew up a minute.
+Here, I thought, will be a place of happy omen, for here I won my
+first dance with her, and here I will win her. But suddenly I recalled
+that this was the spot where I had first seen the chevalier; no, it
+was of evil omen. "By hairbreadth escapes we always win," he had said.
+I feared, the "luck of the Le Moynes" and their baleful motto.
+
+Where we had stopped to look at the lake before, I stopped again. It
+was almost more beautiful in its setting of the soft pinks and greens
+of early spring than it had been under the golden sun of autumn, and
+here, I thought, I will say it. But the glimpse of the ivied mill
+tower among the trees, and the beautiful water and its wooded banks,
+reminded Pelagie of Ettenheim, and she began to tell me of a letter
+she had just received from the Duc d'Enghien, which made her very
+anxious.
+
+"He writes," said Pelagie, "that he is being followed everywhere by an
+Englishman who, he feels sure, is a spy in the pay of Bonaparte--I
+will never call him emperor!" said Pelagie, with fiery eye. "And while
+he says he feels no alarm for himself, he is more and more glad to
+think that I am so safely away from all dangers."
+
+But the thought of her letter had saddened Pelagie for a while, and I
+would not speak then. How little we dreamed that on that very day,
+perhaps at that very hour, the young duke was being seized by
+Napoleon's emissaries, in violation of all treaties of neutrality, and
+hurried to the gloomy fortress of Vincennes, where, ten days later,
+after a mock trial of two hours in the dead of night, with no chance
+of defense given him, he was taken out and shot and buried in the
+trench where he fell. When the dreadful news reached us, weeks later,
+it darkened for a while my sweet Pelagie's life, as it was the one
+crime not even the friends of Napoleon can excuse or forgive: the one
+dark blot on his fame time will never erase.
+
+But that afternoon we were in happy ignorance of what was happening
+four thousand miles away, and Pelagie's sadness was but a passing
+shadow and in a little while we were both joyous again.
+
+"Rock Spring," I thought, "beloved of lovers, will be the place." But
+at Rock Spring I could think of nothing but Yorke astride the
+chevalier's back, the grimy spectacle the chevalier presented when
+Yorke was dislodged, and then the fearful peril Pelagie had been in
+when I fled with her in my arms on Fatima's back. No, Rock Spring was
+not the place.
+
+And so we were once more back at the ford, almost home, and the long
+shadows lying on the cool water, and a thrush singing his evening-song
+in the wooded crests behind us, and my tale had not been told. We had
+had much sweet converse, and many times the words were on my lips, but
+somehow--I know not how--Pelagie always managed to turn me aside. At
+least I think she did, for with the words on my lips I would find
+myself talking of something else.
+
+Now, as our horses swashed their noses in the cool water, and sent the
+bright drops in showers about us, I looked down upon her, the dark
+green of her riding-habit making a rich foil to the soft glow of her
+cheek, and the drooping plume of her hat falling over her snowy neck
+and mingling with the dark ringlets, and one little hand from which
+she had drawn the glove playing with Fatima's tawny mane--and I took a
+sudden resolution.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "do you know that to-day you are no longer a
+proud lady of France, but a simple American maiden?"
+
+She looked up at me, startled. I think she knew what was coming, but
+she answered bravely, though softly:
+
+"Yes, monsieur," and then dropped her eyes and fell to playing with
+Fatima's mane again.
+
+"Mademoiselle, do you remember on La Belle Rivière the wager you would
+not let me make?"
+
+"Yes, monsieur," still more softly.
+
+"Mademoiselle, if I had made that wager then I would have won it
+to-day. You taught me better, and I would not win you by a wager now
+if I could. But oh, mademoiselle, you said by worth and deeds of
+prowess a maiden's hand should be won; and there is no one in the
+world--least of all I--worthy of you, mademoiselle, and no deeds of
+prowess could be grand enough to deserve you, and I have nothing to
+win you with but my great love; will that avail me,--Pelagie?"
+
+She did not answer for a moment; she was all rosy and drooping, and
+with a happy smile about her lips, as she had been in the cabinet of
+the First Consul.
+
+I put my great hand on her little one, still playing with Fatima's
+mane, and clasped it tight, though it fluttered like a bird at first
+and then lay quiet.
+
+"Pelagie, Pelagie, look up at me," I whispered. "I may call you
+Pelagie, may I not?"
+
+Swiftly and shyly she looked up into my eyes, and I looked down into
+heaven.
+
+"Yes, monsieur," she whispered.
+
+Suddenly she broke into a low laugh, and tried to draw her hand away
+from mine.
+
+"My name is not Pelagie," she said.
+
+"Not Pelagie!" I exclaimed, thinking she was playing me some merry
+trick, and wishing she had chosen some other time to play it.
+
+"No, monsieur," she said soberly. "They named me Pelagie when they
+brought me over sea, but my name is Louise Adelaide, for my aunt the
+Abbess of Remiremont."
+
+I was silent for a moment, for I liked not to think of little Pelagie
+by any other name. Then I gently took her hand again and raised it to
+my lips:
+
+"Louise Adelaide," I said, "may do for a princess of Condé, but you
+will always be my little Pelagie to me," and so great was the love in
+my heart that my voice trembled as I spoke, and we were both very
+still for a little, while her hand lay quietly in mine.
+
+Suddenly a thought struck me:
+
+"Pelagie," I said, "you have never spoken my name; I do not believe
+you know what it is."
+
+"Yes, I do, monsieur." She looked up at me saucily. "Shall I tell you
+what it is?"
+
+"Call me by it!" I implored her softly.
+
+For answer she lifted her arms and drew my head down toward her and
+whispered it in my ear.
+
+And I, what did I do?
+
+What would any man have done whose heart was running over with love
+for the most adorable maiden in the world, and her sweet face so
+near?
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+FAMOUS COPYRIGHT BOOKS IN POPULAR PRICED EDITIONS
+
+
+Re-issues of the great literary successes of the time. Library size.
+Printed on excellent paper--most of them with illustrations of marked
+beauty--and handsomely bound in cloth. Price, 75 cents a volume,
+postpaid.
+
+BEVERLY OF GRAUSTARK. By George Barr McCutcheon. With Color
+Frontispiece and other illustrations by Harrison Fisher. Beautiful
+inlay picture in colors of Beverly on the cover.
+
+"The most fascinating, engrossing and picturesque of the season's
+novels."--_Boston Herald._ "'Beverly' is altogether charming--almost
+living flesh and blood."--_Louisville Times._ "Better than
+'Graustark'."--_Mail and Express._ "A sequel quite as impossible as
+'Graustark' and quite as entertaining."--_Bookman._ "A charming love
+story well told."--_Boston Transcript._
+
+HALF A ROGUE. By Harold MacGrath. With illustrations and inlay cover
+picture by Harrison Fisher.
+
+"Here are dexterity of plot, glancing play at witty talk, characters
+really human and humanly real, spirit and gladness, freshness and
+quick movement. 'Half a Rogue' is as brisk as a horseback ride on a
+glorious morning. It is as varied as an April day. It is as charming
+as two most charming girls can make it. Love and honor and success and
+all the great things worth fighting for and living for the involved in
+'Half a Rogue.'"--_Phila. Press._
+
+THE GIRL FROM TIM'S PLACE. By Charles Clark Munn. With illustrations
+by Frank T. Merrill.
+
+"Figuring in the pages of this story there are several strong
+characters. Typical New England folk and an especially sturdy one, old
+Cy Walker, through whose instrumentality Chip comes to happiness and
+fortune. There is a chain of comedy, tragedy, pathos and love, which
+makes a dramatic story."--_Boston Herald._
+
+THE LION AND THE MOUSE. A story of American Life. By Charles Klein,
+and Arthur Hornblow. With illustrations by Stuart Travis, and Scenes
+from the Play.
+
+The novel duplicated the success of the play; in fact the book is
+greater than the play. A portentous clash of dominant personalties
+that form the essence of the play are necessarily touched upon but
+briefly in the short space of four acts. All this is narrated in the
+novel with a wealth of fascinating and absorbing detail, making it one
+of the most powerfully written and exciting works of fiction given to
+the world in years.
+
+BARBARA WINSLOW, REBEL. By Elizabeth Ellis.
+
+With illustrations by John Rae, and colored inlay cover.
+
+The following, taken from story, will best describe the heroine: A
+TOAST: "To the bravest comrade in misfortune, the sweetest companion
+in peace and at all times the most courageous of women."--_Barbara
+Winslow_. "A romantic story, buoyant, eventful, and in matters of love
+exactly what the heart could desire."--_New York Sun._
+
+SUSAN. By Ernest Oldmeadow. With a color frontispiece by Frank
+Haviland. Medalion in color on front cover.
+
+Lord Ruddington falls helplessly in love with Miss Langley, whom he
+sees in one of her walks accompanied by her maid, Susan. Through a
+misapprehension of personalities his lordship addresses a love missive
+to the maid. Susan accepts in perfect good faith, and an epistolary
+love-making goes on till they are disillusioned. It naturally makes a
+droll and delightful little comedy; and is a story that is
+particularly clever in the telling.
+
+WHEN PATTY WENT TO COLLEGE. By Jean Webster. With illustrations by C.
+D. Williams.
+
+"The book is a treasure."--_Chicago Daily News._ "Bright, whimsical,
+and thoroughly entertaining."--_Buffalo Express._ "One of the best
+stories of life in a girl's college that has ever been written."--_N. Y.
+Press._ "To any woman who has enjoyed the pleasures of a college life
+this book cannot fail to bring back many sweet recollections; and to
+those who have not been to college the wit, lightness, and charm of
+Patty are sure to be no less delightful."--_Public Opinion._
+
+THE MASQUERADER. By Katherine Cecil Thurston. With illustrations by
+Clarence F. Underwood.
+
+"You can't drop it till you have turned the last page."--_Cleveland
+Leader._ "Its very audacity of motive, of execution, of solution,
+almost takes one's breath away. The boldness of its denouement is
+sublime."--_Boston Transcript._ "The literary hit of a generation. The
+best of it is the story deserves all its success. A masterly
+story."--_St. Louis Dispatch._ "The story is ingeniously told, and
+cleverly constructed."--_The Dial._
+
+THE GAMBLER. By Katherine Cecil Thurston. With illustrations by John
+Campbell.
+
+"Tells of a high strung young Irish woman who has a passion for
+gambling, inherited from a long line of sporting ancestors. She has a
+high sense of honor, too, and that causes complications. She is a very
+human, lovable character, and love saves her."--_N. Y. Times._
+
+THE AFFAIR AT THE INN. By Kate Douglas Wiggin.
+
+With illustrations by Martin Justice.
+
+"As superlatively clever in the writing as it is entertaining in the
+reading. It is actual comedy of the most artistic sort, and it is
+handled with a freshness and originality that is unquestionably
+novel."--_Boston Transcript._ "A feast of humor and good cheer, yet
+subtly pervaded by special shades of feeling, fancy, tenderness, or
+whimsicality. A merry thing in prose."--_St. Louis Democrat._
+
+ROSE O' THE RIVER. By Kate Douglas Wiggin. With illustrations by
+George Wright.
+
+"'Rose o' the River' a charming bit of sentiment, gracefully written
+and deftly touched with a gentle humor. It is a dainty book--daintily
+illustrated."--_New York Tribune._ "A wholesome, bright, refreshing
+story, an ideal book to give a young girl."--_Chicago Record-Herald._
+"An idyllic story, replete with pathos and inimitable humor. As
+story-telling it is perfection, and as portrait-painting it is true to
+the life."--_London Mail._
+
+TILLIE: A Mennonite Maid. By Helen R. Martin. With illustrations by
+Florence Scovel Shinn.
+
+The little "Mennonite Maid" who wanders through these pages is
+something quite new in fiction. Tillie is hungry for books and beauty
+and love; and she comes into her inheritance at the end. "Tillie is
+faulty, sensitive, big-hearted, eminently human, and first, last and
+always lovable. Her charm glows warmly, the story is well handled, the
+characters skilfully developed."--_The Book Buyer._
+
+LADY ROSE'S DAUGHTER. By Mrs. Humphry Ward. With illustrations by
+Howard Chandler Christy.
+
+"The most marvellous work of its wonderful author."--_New York World._
+"We touch regions and attain altitudes which it is not given to the
+ordinary novelist even to approach."--_London Times._ "In no other
+story has Mrs. Ward approached the brilliancy and vivacity of Lady
+Rose's Daughter."--_North American Review._
+
+THE BANKER AND THE BEAR. By Henry K. Webster.
+
+"An exciting and absorbing story."--_New York Times._ "Intensely
+thrilling; in parts, but an unusually good story all through. There is
+a love affair of real charm and most novel surroundings, there is a
+run on the bank which is almost worth a year's growth, and there is
+all manner of exhilarating men and deeds which should bring the book
+into high and permanent favor."--_Chicago Evening Post._
+
+THE SPIRIT OF THE SERVICE. By Edith Elmer Wood. With illustrations by
+Rufus Zogbaum.
+
+The standards and life of "the new navy" are breezily set forth with a
+genuine ring impossible from the most gifted "outsider." "The story of
+the destruction of the 'Maine,' and of the Battle of Manila, are very
+dramatic. The author is the daughter of one naval officer and the wife
+of another. Naval folks will find much to interest them in 'The Spirit
+of the Service.'"--_The Book Buyer._
+
+A SPECTRE OF POWER. By Charles Egbert Craddock.
+
+Miss Murfree has pictured Tennessee mountains and the mountain people
+in striking colors and with dramatic vividness, but goes back to the
+time of the struggles of the French and English in the early
+eighteenth century for possession of the Cherokee territory. The story
+abounds in adventure, mystery, peril and suspense.
+
+THE STORM CENTRE. By Charles Egbert Craddock.
+
+A war story; but more of flirtation, love and courtship than of
+fighting or history. The tale is thoroughly readable and takes its
+readers again into golden Tennessee, into the atmosphere which has
+distinguished all of Miss Murfree's novels.
+
+THE ADVENTURESS. By Coralie Stanton. With color frontispiece by
+Harrison Fisher, and attractive inlay cover in colors.
+
+As a penalty for her crimes, her evil nature, her flint-like
+callousness, her more than inhuman cruelty, her contempt for the laws
+of God and man, she was condemned to bury her magnificent personalty,
+her transcendent beauty, her superhuman charms, in gilded obscurity at
+a King's left hand. A powerful story powerfully told.
+
+THE GOLDEN GREYHOUND. A Novel by Dwight Tilton. With illustrations by
+E. Pollak.
+
+A thoroughly good story that keeps you guessing to the very end, and
+never attempts to instruct or reform you. It is a strictly up-to-date
+story of love and mystery with wireless telegraphy and all the modern
+improvements. The events nearly all take place on a big Atlantic liner
+and the romance of the deep is skilfully made to serve as a setting
+for the romance, old as mankind, yet always new, involving our hero.
+
+LAVENDER AND OLD LACE. By Myrtle Reed.
+
+A charming story of a quaint corner of New England where bygone
+romance finds a modern parallel. One of the prettiest, sweetest, and
+quaintest of old-fashioned love stories * * * A rare book, exquisite
+in spirit and conception, full of delicate fancy, of tenderness, of
+delightful humor and spontaneity. A dainty volume, especially suitable
+for a gift.
+
+DOCTOR LUKE OF THE LABRADOR. By Norman Duncan. With a frontispiece and
+inlay cover.
+
+How the doctor came to the bleak Labrador coast and there in saving
+life made expiation. In dignity, simplicity, humor, in sympathetic
+etching of a sturdy fisher people, and above all in the echoes of the
+sea, _Doctor Luke_ is worthy of great praise. Character, humor,
+poignant pathos, and the sad grotesque conjunctions of old and new
+civilizations are expressed through the medium of a style that has
+distinction and strikes a note of rare personality.
+
+THE DAY'S WORK. By Rudyard Kipling. Illustrated.
+
+The _London Morning Post_ says: "It would be hard to find better
+reading * * * the book is so varied, so full of color and life from
+end to end, that few who read the first two or three stories will lay
+it down till they have read the last--and the last is a veritable gem
+* * * contains some of the best of his highly vivid work * * * Kipling
+is a born story-teller and a man of humor into the bargain."
+
+ELEANOR LEE. By Margaret E. Sangster. With a frontispiece.
+
+A story of married life, and attractive picture of wedded bliss * * *
+an entertaining story or a man's redemption through a woman's love
+* * * no one who knows anything of marriage or parenthood can read
+this story with eyes that are always dry * * * goes straight to the
+heart of everyone who knows the meaning of "love" and "home."
+
+THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS. By John Reed Scott. Illustrated by
+Clarence F. Underwood.
+
+"Full of absorbing charm, sustained interest, and a wealth of
+thrilling and romantic situations." "So naively fresh in its
+handling, so plausible through its naturalness, that it comes
+like a mountain breeze across the far-spreading desert of similar
+romances."--_Gazette-Times, Pittsburg._ "A slap-dashing day
+romance."--_New York Sun._
+
+THE FAIR GOD; OR, THE LAST OF THE TZINS. By Lew Wallace. With
+illustrations by Eric Pape.
+
+"The story tells of the love of a native princess for Alvarado, and it
+is worked out with all of Wallace's skill * * * it gives a fine
+picture of the heroism of the Spanish conquerors and of the culture
+and nobility of the Aztecs."--_New York Commercial Advertiser._
+
+"_Ben Hur_ sold enormously, but _The Fair God_ was the best of the
+General's stories--a powerful and romantic treatment of the defeat of
+Montezuma by Cortes."--_Athenæum._
+
+THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS. By Louis Tracy.
+
+A story of love and the salt sea--of a helpless ship whirled into the
+hands of cannibal Fuegians--of desperate fighting and tender romance,
+enhanced by the art of a master of story telling who describes with
+his wonted felicity and power of holding the reader's attention * * *
+filled with the swing of adventure.
+
+A MIDNIGHT GUEST. A Detective Story. By Fred M. White. With a
+frontispiece.
+
+The scene of the story centers in London and Italy. The book is
+skilfully written and makes one of the most baffling, mystifying,
+exciting detective stories ever written--cleverly keeping the suspense
+and mystery intact until the surprising discoveries which precede the
+end.
+
+THE HONOUR OF SAVELLI. A Romance. By S. Levett Yeats. With cover and
+wrapper in four colors.
+
+Those who enjoyed Stanley Weyman's _A Gentleman of France_ will be
+engrossed and captivated by this delightful romance of Italian
+history. It is replete with exciting episodes, hair-breath escapes,
+magnificent sword-play, and deals with the agitating times in Italian
+history when Alexander II was Pope and the famous and infamous Borgias
+were tottering to their fall.
+
+SISTER CARRIE. By Theodore Drieser. With a frontispiece, and wrapper
+in color.
+
+In all fiction there is probably no more graphic and poignant study of
+the way in which man loses his grip on life, lets his pride, his
+courage, his self-respect slip from him, and, finally, even ceases to
+struggle in the mire that has engulfed him. * * * There is more tonic
+value in _Sister Carrie_ than in a whole shelfful of sermons.
+
+DARREL OF THE BLESSED ISLES. By Irving Bacheller. With illustrations
+by Arthur Keller.
+
+"Darrel, the clock tinker, is a wit, philosopher, and man of mystery.
+Learned, strong, kindly, dignified, he towers like a giant above the
+people among whom he lives. It is another tale of the North Country,
+full of the odor of wood and field. Wit, humor, pathos and high
+thinking are in this book."--_Boston Transcript._
+
+D'RI AND I: A Tale of Daring Deeds in the Second War with the British.
+Being the Memoirs of Colonel Ramon Bell, U. S. A. By Irving Bacheller.
+With illustrations by F. C. Yohn.
+
+"Mr. Bacheller is admirable alike in his scenes of peace and war.
+D'ri, a mighty hunter, has the same dry humor as Uncle Eb. He fights
+magnificently on the 'Lawrence,' and was among the wounded when Perry
+went to the 'Niagara.' As a romance of early American history it is
+great for the enthusiasm it creates."--_New York Times._
+
+EBEN HOLDEN: A Tale of the North Country. By Irving Bacheller.
+
+"As pure as water and as good as bread," says Mr. Howells. "Read 'Eben
+Holden'" is the advice of Margaret Sangster. "It is a forest-scented,
+fresh-aired, bracing and wholly American story of country and town
+life. * * * If in the far future our successors wish to know what were
+the real life and atmosphere in which the country folk that saved this
+nation grew, loved, wrought and had their being, they must go back to
+such true and zestful and poetic tales of 'fiction' as 'Eben Holden,'"
+says Edmund Clarence Stedman.
+
+SILAS STRONG: Emperor of the Woods. By Irving Bacheller. With a
+frontispiece.
+
+"A modern _Leatherstocking_. Brings the city dweller the aroma of the
+pine and the music of the wind in its branches--an epic poem * * *
+forest-scented, fresh-aired, and wholly American. A stronger character
+than Eben Holden."--_Chicago Record-Herald._
+
+VERGILIUS: A Tale of the Coming of Christ. By Irving Bacheller.
+
+A thrilling and beautiful story of two young Roman patricians whose
+great and perilous love in the reign of Augustus leads them through
+the momentous, exciting events that marked the year just preceding the
+birth of Christ.
+
+Splendid character studies of the Emperor Augustus, of Herod and his
+degenerate son, Antipater, and of his daughter "the incomparable"
+Salome. A great triumph in the art of historical portrait painting.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+PRINCESS MARITZA
+
+A NOVEL OF RAPID ROMANCE.
+BY PERCY BREBNER
+
+With Harrison Fisher Illustrations in Color.
+
+Offers more real entertainment and keen enjoyment than any book since
+"Graustark." Full of picturesque life and color and a delightful
+love-story. The scene of the story is Wallaria, one of those mythical
+kingdoms in Southern Europe. Maritza is the rightful heir to the
+throne, but is kept away from her own country. The hero is a young
+Englishman of noble family. It is a pleasing book of fiction. Large 12
+mo. size. Handsomely bound in cloth. White coated wrapper, with
+Harrison Fisher portrait in colors. Price 75 cents, postpaid.
+
+
+Books by George Barr McCutcheon
+
+BREWSTER'S MILLIONS
+
+Mr. Montgomery Brewster is required to spend a million dollars in one
+year in order to inherit seven millions. He must be absolutely
+penniless at that time, and yet have spent the million in a way that
+will commend him as fit to inherit the larger sum. How he does it
+forms the basis for one of the most crisp and breezy romances of
+recent years.
+
+CASTLE CRANEYCROW
+
+The story revolves around the abduction of a young American woman and
+the adventures created through her rescue. The title is taken from the
+name of an old castle on the Continent, the scene of her imprisonment.
+
+GRAUSTARK: A Story of a Love Behind a Throne.
+
+This work has been and is to-day one of the most popular works of
+fiction of this decade. The meeting of the Princess of Graustark with
+the hero, while travelling incognito in this country, his efforts to
+find her, his success, the defeat of conspiracies to dethrone her, and
+their happy marriage, provide entertainment which every type of reader
+will enjoy.
+
+THE SHERRODS. With illustrations by C. D. Williams
+
+A novel quite unlike Mr. McCutcheon's previous works in the field of
+romantic fiction and yet possessing the charm inseparable from
+anything he writes. The scene is laid in Indiana and the theme is best
+described in the words, "Whom God hath joined, let no man put
+asunder."
+
+Each volume handsomely bound in cloth. Large 12 mo. size. Price 75
+cents per volume, postpaid.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers
+52 DUANE STREET :: NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+GET THE BEST OUT-DOOR STORIES
+
+Stewart Edward White's
+Great Novels of Western Life.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP EDITIONS
+
+THE BLAZED TRAIL
+
+Mingles the romance of the forest with the romance of man's heart,
+making a story that is big and elemental, while not lacking in
+sweetness and tenderness. It is an epic of the life of the lumbermen
+of the great forest of the Northwest, permeated by out of door
+freshness, and the glory of the struggle with nature.
+
+THE SILENT PLACES
+
+A powerful story of strenuous endeavor and fateful privation in the
+frozen North, embodying also a detective story of much strength and
+skill. The author brings out with sure touch and deep understanding
+the mystery and poetry of the still, frost-bound forest.
+
+THE CLAIM JUMPERS
+
+A tale of a Western mining camp and the making of a man, with which a
+charming young lady has much to do. The tenderfoot has a hard time of
+it, but meets the situation, shows the stuff he is made of, and "wins
+out."
+
+THE WESTERNERS
+
+A tale of the mining camp and the Indian country, full of color and
+thrilling incident.
+
+THE MAGIC FOREST: A Modern Fairy Story.
+
+"No better book could be put in a young boy's hands," says the New
+York _Sun_. It is a happy blend of knowledge of wood life with an
+understanding of Indian character, as well as that of small boys.
+
+Each volume handsomely bound in cloth. Price, seventy-five cents per
+volume, postpaid.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers
+52 DUANE STREET :: NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+_THE GROSSET AND DUNLAP SPECIAL EDITIONS OF POPULAR NOVELS THAT HAVE
+BEEN DRAMATIZED_.
+
+BREWSTER'S MILLIONS: By George Bar McCutcheon.
+
+A clever, fascinating tale, with a striking and unusual plot. With
+illustrations from the original New York production of the play.
+
+THE LITTLE MINISTER: By J. M. Barrie.
+
+With illustrations from the play as presented by Maude Adams, and a
+vignette in gold of Miss Adams on the cover.
+
+CHECKERS: By Henry M. Blossom, Jr.
+
+A story of the Race Track. Illustrated with scenes from the play as
+originally presented in New York by Thomas W. Ross who created the
+stage character.
+
+THE CHRISTIAN: By Hall Caine.
+
+THE ETERNAL CITY: By Hall Caine.
+
+Each has been elaborately and successfully staged.
+
+IN THE PALACE OF THE KING: By F. Marion Crawford.
+
+A love story of Old Madrid, with full page illustrations. Originally
+played with great success by Viola Allen.
+
+JANICE MEREDITH: By Paul Leicester Ford.
+
+New edition with an especially attractive cover, a really handsome
+book. Originally played by Mary Mannering, who created the title role.
+
+These books are handsomely bound in cloth, are well-made in every
+respect, and aside from their unusual merit as stories, are
+particularly interesting to those who like things theatrical. Price,
+postpaid, seventy-five cents each.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS
+52 DUANE STREET :: NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's notes:
+
+   The list of Illustrations was not part of the original book.
+
+   Page 97: droping changed to dropping (cook was droping still
+            more into the kettle of boiling fat).
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROSE OF OLD ST. LOUIS***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 20911-8.txt or 20911-8.zip *******
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diff --git a/20911-8.zip b/20911-8.zip
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+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+<html>
+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" />
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Rose of Old St. Louis, by Mary Dillon</title>
+    <style type="text/css">
+/*<![CDATA[  XML blockout */
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+<body>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Rose of Old St. Louis, by Mary Dillon,
+Illustrated by André Castaigne and C. M. Relyea</h1>
+<pre>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: The Rose of Old St. Louis</p>
+<p>Author: Mary Dillon</p>
+<p>Release Date: March 26, 2007  [eBook #20911]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROSE OF OLD ST. LOUIS***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3>E-text prepared by Audrey Longhurst, Diane Monico,<br />
+    and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
+    (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p class="figcenter" style="width: 494px;">
+<img src="images/image001.jpg" width="494" height="580" alt="" title="" />
+</p>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p class="figcenter" style="width: 376px;">
+<a name="Very_well_I_shall_expect_to_hear_from_you" id="Very_well_I_shall_expect_to_hear_from_you"></a>
+<img src="images/image002.jpg" width="376" height="580" alt="&quot;&#39;Very well, I shall expect to hear from you&#39;&quot;" title="&quot;&#39;Very well, I shall expect to hear from you&#39;&quot;" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;&#39;Very well, I shall expect to hear from you&#39;&quot;</span>
+</p>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+
+<h1>
+THE ROSE OF<br />
+OLD ST. LOUIS</h1>
+
+<h3>BY</h3>
+
+<h2>MARY DILLON<br /><br /></h2>
+
+<h3>WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY<br />
+ANDR&Eacute; CASTAIGNE AND C. M. RELYEA</h3>
+
+<p class="figcenter" style="width: 149px;">
+<img src="images/image003.png" width="149" height="225" alt="" title="" />
+</p>
+
+<h5>NEW YORK</h5>
+<h4>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP</h4>
+<h5><span class="smcap">Publishers</span></h5>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+
+
+<p class="center">
+Copyright, 1904, by<br />
+<span class="smcap">The Century Co.</span><br />
+<br />
+<i>Published July, 1904</i><br />
+<br />
+<i>Reprinted July, 1904, August, 1904,</i><br />
+<i>September, 1904, October, 1904,</i><br />
+<i>December, 1904, January, 1906,</i><br />
+<i>February, 1907</i><br />
+</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" summary="toc">
+<tr><td align='right'>CHAPTER</td><td align='left'></td><td align='right'>PAGE</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>I </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">I Make my Bow in Cahokia</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_3">3</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>II </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">I Propose a Toast</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>III </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">I Meet an Old Acquaintance</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>IV </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">I Make an Engagement</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>V </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">I Go to a Picnic on Chouteau's Pond</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>VI </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Whippoorwills</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>VII </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">I Twine Christmas Greens</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>VIII </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">I Go to Midnight Mass</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>IX </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Madame Chouteau's Ball</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_119">119</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>X </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">La Guignol&eacute;e</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_135">135</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XI </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Choissez le Roi</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_147">147</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XII </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Midnight Fray</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_157">157</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XIII </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">"A Pretty Boy!"</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XIV </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Creole Love-song</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_181">181</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XV </td><td align='left'>"<span class="smcap">Au Revoir</span>"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_203">203</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XVI </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Virginia Farmer</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_212">212</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XVII </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Great Debate</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_225">225</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XVIII </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Magic Coach</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_245">245</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XIX </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Check to the Abb&eacute;!</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_266">266</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XX </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Bonaparte Gives England a Rival</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_281">281</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXI </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Tempest in a Bath-tub</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_308">308</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXII </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mr. Monroe Arrives!</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_328">328</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXIII </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Consul's Sentence</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_338">338</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXIV </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A New Chevalier of France</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_363">363</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXV </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Comtesse de Baloit Sends for her Hunter</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_375">375</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXVI </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Consul's Commission</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_386">386</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXVII </td><td align='left'>"<span class="smcap">Good-by, Sweetheart!</span>"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_397">397</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXVIII </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Exit le Chevalier</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_414">414</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXIX </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Under the Old Flag</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_426">426</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXX </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Rose of St. Louis</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_448">448</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ILLUSTRATIONS" id="ILLUSTRATIONS"></a>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2>
+
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" summary="loi">
+<tr><td align='left'></td><td align='right'>PAGE</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&quot;&#39;Very well, I shall expect to hear from you&#39;&quot;</td><td align='right'><a href="#Very_well_I_shall_expect_to_hear_from_you">Frontispiece</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&quot;In solitary dignity stood Black Hawk&quot;</td><td align='right'><a href="#In_solitary_dignity_stood_Black_Hawk">152</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&quot;He stopped and turned suddenly to the two ministers&quot;</td><td align='right'><a href="#He_stopped_and_turned_suddenly_to_the_two_ministers">295</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The Signing of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty by Marbois, Livingston, and Monroe</td><td align='right'><a href="#The_Signing_of_the_Louisiana_Purchase_Treaty">370</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="FOREWORD" id="FOREWORD"></a>FOREWORD</h2>
+
+
+<p>My story does not claim to be history, but in every important
+historical detail it is absolutely faithful to the
+records of the times as I have found them. Every
+word of the debate in Congress, every word of Marbois,
+Livingston, Decr&eacute;s, Napoleon, and his two brothers
+on the subject of the Louisiana Cession is verbatim
+from the most authentic accounts. I am indebted
+for the historical part of my story to Gayarr&eacute;'s "History
+of Louisiana," to Martin's "History of Louisiana,"
+to James K. Hosmer's "History of the Louisiana
+Purchase," to Lucien Bonaparte's "Memoirs,"
+to numerous lives of Napoleon, Jefferson, Talleyrand,
+and others, and particularly to Marbois himself, whose
+account of the negotiations on the subject of the cession
+is preserved in his own handwriting in the St.
+Louis Mercantile Library.</p>
+
+<p>As to the local color of old St. Louis, both in its
+topographical setting and in its customs, I have also
+tried to be exact. And here I am very largely indebted
+to that simple and charming old writer, H. M.
+Brackenridge, in his "Recollections of the West" and
+in his "Views of Louisiana"; and also to Timothy
+Flint in his "Recollections"; to J. Thomas Scharf's
+interesting "History of St. Louis," and especially to
+Mr. Frederic L. Billon, St. Louis's historian <i>par
+eminence</i>. I make also the same claim for exactness
+as to the local color of Washington at that early day;
+for which I have made so many gleanings in many
+fields&mdash;a little here, a little there&mdash;that it seems hardly
+worth while to give special credit to each.</p>
+
+<p>In non-essential points I have occasionally taken
+the liberty belonging to a writer of fiction, having
+condensed into one several debates in Congress, as
+well as several interviews between Talleyrand and
+Livingston, and two interviews between Bonaparte
+and Marbois.</p>
+
+<p>Nor have I hesitated to use the names of the early
+St. Louis settlers, because they are names still well
+known and honored in the city which they helped to
+found. I have touched upon them but lightly, and
+have tried to make those touches true to the characters
+of those estimable gentlemen and gentlewomen
+of the old French r&eacute;gime.</p>
+
+<p class ="author">
+<span class="smcap">Mary Dillon.</span><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>
+THE ROSE OF<br />
+OLD ST. LOUIS</h2>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p>
+<h1>THE<br />
+ROSE OF OLD ST. LOUIS</h1>
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<h3>I MAKE MY BOW IN CAHOKIA</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men<br />
+Gang aft a-gley."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>"And this is the village of St. Louis, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>I bowed respectfully to my captain standing in
+the prow of the boat and looking across an expanse of
+swirling muddy water to the village on the bluffs beyond.
+I spoke more after the manner of making
+polite conversation than because I was desirous of information,
+for I knew without asking that it could be
+none other.</p>
+
+<p>My captain answered me: "Yes, my lad, yonder is
+St. Louis, and this is De Soto's river; what dost think
+of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think, sir, 'tis a great river, though not so clear
+a stream as the Delaware, and muddier even than the
+Ohio."</p>
+
+<p>I spoke calmly, but my heart was beating fast, and
+I could feel the blood rushing through my veins. I
+had been ill with what the boatmen call river fever,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span>
+and had lain in the bottom of the boat wrapped in my
+blanket, alternately shivering with chills and burning
+with fever, oblivious to all about me, so that I had not
+known when we swept out of the Ohio into the Mississippi,
+past Fort Massac, nor when we had tied up
+at Kaskaskia for a long rest.</p>
+
+<p>We had landed late the evening before at Cahokia,
+and been most hospitably entertained by Mr. Gratiot.
+There had been a great banquet in honor of Captain
+Clarke, with dancing far into the night, and many
+guests from St. Louis. I, being still an invalid, had
+been put to bed in Mr. Gratiot's beautiful guest-chamber,
+and given a hot posset that put me to sleep
+at once, though not so soundly but that I could dreamily
+catch occasional strains of the fiddles and the
+rhythmic sound of feet on the waxed walnut, and many
+voices and much laughter.</p>
+
+<p>Had I been well, it would have vexed me sore not to
+have been able to lead in the minuet one of the beauties
+of Cahokia, whose fame had reached even my distant
+home in Philadelphia, for I had been carefully
+trained in the steps and the figures, and was young
+enough to be proud of my skill in the dance. But
+feeling ill as I did, the sounds of revelry combined
+with the posset only to soothe me into a heavy slumber.</p>
+
+<p>I woke in the early dawn to find Yorke, Captain
+Clarke's big black, standing beside my bed, with a
+bowl of smoking gruel. He showed a formidable array
+of white ivory as he grinned amiably in response to
+my questioning look:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Mars' Gratiot send you de gruel wid his complimen's,
+sah, and he and de capen bofe say you's not to
+git up dis mohnen, sah."</p>
+
+<p>Yorke always considered that to state a request of
+"de capen" was sufficient to insure compliance. He
+could not dream of any one setting his authority at
+naught. With me, too, Captain Clarke's authority
+was paramount. It had only been by a promise of absolute
+submission to that authority that I had persuaded
+my kinsman in Kentucky to allow me to accompany
+the captain on his mission to the governor
+of Illinois at St. Louis.</p>
+
+<p>So, when Yorke said the captain had ordered me to
+remain in bed, I thought for a moment I would have
+to obey; but having swallowed the hot gruel, into
+which Yorke had put a modicum of good Orleans
+ratafia, I was straightway infused with new spirit (I
+meant not that for wit), and such strength flowed
+through my limbs as I had not felt for days.</p>
+
+<p>"Yorke," I said, springing out of bed with a haste
+that made me light-headed for a moment, "help me
+into my clothes, and be quick about it; I think I hear
+sounds below that betoken getting ready for departure."</p>
+
+<p>Even as I spoke I ran to a stand on which stood a
+basin and a small ewer of water. I filled the basin,
+and plunged my head into the icy water. I drew it
+out, sputtering and shivering, and, seizing a towel,
+gave my head and neck and hair so vigorous a rubbing
+that I did not see Yorke slip out of the room.
+When I turned to speak to him I found him gone,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>
+afraid either of being a partner in my disobedience
+to the captain, or of being left behind if he delayed
+longer.</p>
+
+<p>Left to myself, I did my best to hurry with my
+clothing. I had not much experience in dressing myself,
+but I had been compelled to leave behind me in
+Philadelphia the black boy who had never before,
+since I could remember, been absent from me a day.
+I had been eager enough to part with him, thinking it
+ill befitted a soldier of fortune, as I intended to be, to
+be coddled by a valet, and I had not missed him much,
+for Yorke had been always ready to lend a helping
+hand when I needed it. Now I was of a mind to curse
+the vanity that had led me to fit myself out with doeskins
+that were of so snug a cut they needed much
+tugging to get into them, and with endless lacings
+with which my awkward fingers, clumsier than ever
+from the icy water and the trembling the fever had
+left me in, fumbled desperately.</p>
+
+<p>But I was ready at last, and seizing my sword-belt
+in one hand and my hat in the other, I started with
+hot haste for the door, fearing I might be, after all,
+too late. As I opened it, a sound smote my ears that
+struck terror to my heart: the voices and the laughter
+of young maidens. I stepped back involuntarily. I
+had not thought of the possibility of meeting any one
+at that early hour but my host and my captain, and
+I had not given a thought to my appearance. Now I
+took an anxious survey of myself in the small French
+mirror that hung above the stand. I was vexed beyond
+measure at what I saw.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"They will take me for a girl," I muttered between
+my teeth, "and flout me accordingly."</p>
+
+<p>It had ever been a source of extreme mortification
+to me that I should have rosy cheeks like any maiden's,
+but now, owing to the hard scrubbing I had given
+them, they were all aflame, and their color was heightened
+by the pallor my recent illness had given to brow
+and temples. My hair, from its wetting, was curling
+in ringlets all around my head. I seized a brush and
+tried desperately to reduce them to straightness, but
+the brushing served only to bring out in stronger relief
+the glint of gold that I despised, and certainly
+my eyes had never looked more blue and shining.</p>
+
+<p>"They will think me a girl or a baby!" I muttered
+once more, and was in such disgust with myself I was
+ready to go back to bed. But bethinking me that
+would only leave me the longer in this House of
+Dames, I seized my belt once more, buckled it on with
+a vicious twitch, and strode boldly to the door.</p>
+
+<p>There I stopped a moment to collect all my courage,
+soothing myself with the reflection that I stood a
+good six feet in my moccasins, and though I carried
+no superfluous flesh, my shoulders were as broad as
+my captain's and my muscles like whip-cords. Fortified
+by these considerations, I strode on boldly to the
+landing at the head of the wide staircase leading down
+to the great hall.</p>
+
+<p>There I stopped again; for while the landing was
+in gloom, the hall was brilliantly illuminated by a
+roaring, blazing lightwood fire, looking cheery enough
+in the gray light of the frosty morning, and throwing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>
+into strong relief two groups on either side of
+the fireplace. On one side stood my captain, evidently
+ready for a start, and making his adieus to his
+host. I glanced eagerly at Mr. Gratiot and at the elderly
+man who stood beside him, who, I thought, was
+likely to be none other than Mr. Francis Vigo. I had
+heard much of these two men from General George
+Rogers Clarke, whose lonely retreat on the Ohio I had
+often visited during my stay in Kentucky. They had
+been General Clarke's best friends and helpers in the
+early days of the war, when he had made that daring
+attack on Vincennes, and I knew Captain Clarke's
+mission to St. Louis had something to do with discharging
+his brother's obligation to them. They were
+smaller men than my captain, of a slender, graceful
+build, and the hair of both was quite white, but from
+my post of observation I could see that they were men
+of courtly manners, well used to the ways of the world,
+and talking now quite eagerly with all the wealth of
+gesture and expression natural to Frenchmen.</p>
+
+<p>The firelight played strongly on the face of my captain,
+whom I had already begun to adore, as did every
+one who came into close companionship with him. I
+gazed admiringly at his broad, white brow, clear-cut
+features, and firmly knit figure, a little square of
+build, but looking every inch the frontier soldier in
+his leathern doublet and leggings and high-laced moccasins.
+Over one shoulder he had thrown his blue
+military cloak, for the trip across the river promised
+to be a cold one, and he carried in his hand a hat with
+a drooping plume. I wondered if the merry group of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>
+girls on the other side of the fireplace was not impressed
+by such a handsome and soldierly stranger,
+and a bachelor to boot. I thought I could detect an
+occasional conscious glance in his direction and a furtive
+preening of skirts and fluttering of fans, that betokened
+they were not insensible to the presence of
+the brave captain.</p>
+
+<p>There were six of the young maidens, and all but
+two of them were in ball costume; flowered silks, and
+arms and shoulders gleaming white through fine lace,
+powdered hair, and patches and paint, they might
+have stepped out of a Philadelphia ball-room, I
+thought, and was astonished at the thought. I had
+not expected to find court beauties on the frontier, yet
+the Chouteaus, the Gratiots, and the Papins were
+names I had often heard in my own home as men of
+wealth and vast emprise.</p>
+
+<p>The six girls were chatting gaily in French, and
+I was so absorbed in my contemplation of them that
+I did not at first consider the strangeness of their appearance
+in that costume so early in the morning.
+When it did occur to me, I concluded the four must
+have come over from St. Louis to attend the ball and
+had no other dress to return in, and the other two
+were doubtless Mr. Gratiot's daughters, which I
+learned afterward was the true explanation.</p>
+
+<p>But now bethinking me it was high time to make
+my descent, and running quickly over in my mind
+the way to make it most effective,&mdash;for I wished to
+bear myself bravely before the young maidens,&mdash;I determined
+to place my left hand on the hilt of my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>
+sword, to hold my hat, which also bore a sweeping
+plume, in my right hand pressed close to my heart,
+and with head held high and borne a little backward,
+to descend with the stately minuet step. I flattered
+myself that with such a manner as I felt sure I could
+assume those saucy maidens would forget my rosy
+cheeks and my curls and think only of my air of
+<i>grand seigneur</i>.</p>
+
+<p>I glanced down to see that my costume was all
+right, and now I was glad that my doeskins fitted so
+perfectly, even if they were hard to get into in a
+hurry, that my high moccasins were so beautifully and
+elaborately beaded in purple and yellow, with broad
+slashes of fringe falling from the tops of them, and
+that my leathern doublet sat so well, as my peep into
+the mirror had convinced me it did.</p>
+
+<p>As I started down, feeling well satisfied with my
+costume, yet trembling inwardly at the thought of the
+array of bright eyes I was to encounter, my glance fell
+on an untied lacing at one knee. I stooped to retie it,
+and at that moment heard what seemed to me the
+sweetest voice I had ever listened to, call:</p>
+
+<p>"&Agrave; moi, Leon, &agrave; moi," followed by a clear, soft
+whistle.</p>
+
+<p>I was still clumsily fumbling with my lacers (my
+fingers have ever been all thumbs when there is any
+dainty task to be performed) when I heard a rush of
+soft, padded feet, and down the corridor behind me,
+in response to that clear whistle, bounded a great
+dog. Through the arch that my bent limbs made in
+stooping he saw the glow of the firelight from below<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>
+and made straight for it. But alas! the arch was narrower
+than he thought, and dog and man went rolling
+and tumbling down the staircase, bumping and bounding
+from stair to stair, a wild m&ecirc;l&eacute;e of doeskin legs
+and shaggy paws and clanging sword and wildly
+brandished arms, making vain clutches at the air to
+stay the headlong descent.</p>
+
+<p>Deep-mouthed yelps voiced the terror of the dog at
+this unexpected Sindbad who refused to be shaken off.
+No words could voice the overwhelming shame of the
+man at this unmannerly presentation of himself before
+a group of young maidens, when so dignified an
+entrance had been planned.</p>
+
+<p>As we struck the polished walnut of the hall floor,
+I disentangled myself and sprang to my feet, where I
+stood, scarlet with shame, head drooping, a pitiable
+object indeed. There had been an amazed, and perhaps
+on the maidens' side a terrified, silence during
+our noisy descent. Now from the maidens there arose
+first a suppressed giggle and then an irresistible peal
+of laughter, joined to the hearty guffaws of the men.
+My shame was fast giving place to rising wrath, in
+no degree appeased by the consciousness of the spectacle
+I presented. The dog, a magnificent mastiff, by
+that time recovering from his confusion, and feeling
+as keenly as I, no doubt, the derogation of his dignity,
+and, with a dog's unreason, regarding me as the agent
+of his humiliation when I was in fact the victim of
+his own stupidity, sprang at me with a vicious growl.</p>
+
+<p>Here was an occasion to vent my boiling wrath.
+Quick as thought my sword sprang from its sheath<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>
+and came down flat-sided with a ringing blow on the
+brute's head. I have ever been a merciful man to all
+beasts, and dogs and horses I have loved and they
+have loved me; and even in my wrath and the quick
+necessity of defense I remembered to use the flat
+of my sword; yet such is the strength of my sword-arm
+from much practice, increased, I fear, by a
+venom instigated by those silvery peals of laughter,
+that I bowled the brute over as easily as if he had been
+a ninepin.</p>
+
+<p>With a howl of mingled rage and pain he recovered
+himself instantly and crouched to spring upon me
+once more, with such bloodthirst in his eyes that I
+saw now I would have to defend myself in earnest.
+But as he was almost in the act of springing, from
+among the group of maidens there rushed what
+seemed to my dazzled vision a small whirlwind of
+satins and laces and velvets and jewels, and flung
+itself upon the dog with a ringing cry of "&Agrave; bas,
+Leon! tais-toi, mon ange!"</p>
+
+<p>The brute yielded obedience at once to the restraining
+arm and tones of command, though still regarding
+me with vicious eyes and uttering threatening
+growls.</p>
+
+<p>As for me, I stood as if turned to stone, still in an
+attitude of defense, the weight of my body thrown
+forward on the right foot, the hilt of my sword pressed
+against my breast, the point presented to receive the
+onslaught of the brute. In that attitude I stood frozen,
+for never had I beheld such a vision of loveliness.
+The arm that encircled the shaggy neck of the dog<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>
+was bare almost to the shoulder, the sleeve of finest
+lace having fallen back in the energy of her action,
+and never have I seen an arm so white, so round, or
+tapering so finely to the slender wrist and exquisite
+little hand clutching a lock of Leon's mane. Masses
+of wavy dark hair were drawn loosely back from a
+brow of dazzling whiteness into a cluster of soft curls
+on top of the head, where it seemed to be caught by a
+jeweled aigret, which yet permitted tiny ringlets to
+escape about the temples and the nape of the snowy
+neck. She had thrown herself with such abandon on
+the dog, and was holding him with such exertion of
+strength, that the narrow skirt of her satin gown, flowered
+in palest pink and silver, revealed every line of
+a most exquisite figure down to the little foot extending
+backward from her skirts and showing the high
+arch of the instep in its stocking of embroidered silk.</p>
+
+<p>I had gazed with impunity, for the drooping white
+lids and the long, dark lashes sweeping the perfect
+curve of the cheek showed all her looks were for the
+dog, to whom she incessantly murmured in French
+mingled words of command and endearment. But
+suddenly she lifted her little head and flung it
+proudly back, with such a blaze of indignation and
+scorn in her dark eyes I felt withered under it. The
+scarlet curve of her lips fell away to disclose two rows
+of pearly teeth, close set, and through them, with a
+vicious snap, came the one word:</p>
+
+<p>"B&ecirc;te!"</p>
+
+<p>I could not for a moment think that the word was
+meant for the dog, and such a rage slowly welled in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>
+my veins as restored me at once to my self-command.
+I dropped the point of my sword to the floor and
+straightened myself to as proud a pose as hers.</p>
+
+<p>"I pray you pardon, Mademoiselle," I said haughtily.
+The words were meek enough, but not the tone
+nor the manner, and so enraged was I that I hesitated
+not a moment over my French. My accent, I knew,
+was good, for, my aunt having married Monsieur
+Barb&eacute; Marbois, I was thrown much with French people;
+but I had been ever careless of my grammar,
+and in a moment of less excitement I might have hesitated
+in venturing on the native tongue of so fair a
+creature. But now my French poured from me in an
+angry torrent:</p>
+
+<p>"I pray you pardon. Danger alone is my excuse.
+I do not doubt a dog is worth much more to Mademoiselle
+than the life of an American gentleman. I
+make you, Mademoiselle, my compliments and my excuses."</p>
+
+<p>Then returning my sword to its scabbard with an
+angry ring, I made her a low and sweeping bow of
+ironical courtesy and strode hotly from the room. I
+was in such a tumult of rage and mortification that
+not until I reached the landing on the banks of Cahokia
+Creek, where the boats were tied and the men
+busily making ready for the departure, did I bethink
+me that I had left the house without a word of adieus
+or thanks to my host for his courtesy. I began to fear
+that my sense of self-respect would compel my return,
+and rather would I have faced a battalion of the British
+than another flash from those dark eyes; nor could
+I hope to make another so masterly a retreat as I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>
+plumed myself this one had been. But as I glanced
+back toward the house on the bluffs that had proved
+my undoing, to my intense relief I saw that the three
+gentlemen had followed not far behind me and were
+even now descending the pathway to the creek. I hastened
+to meet them and make my apologies.</p>
+
+<p>A more courteous gentleman than Mr. Gratiot I
+never met. He spoke very good English indeed, his
+accent I believe not so good as my French one, but his
+grammar much better.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear young gentleman, you acquitted yourself
+nobly," he was kind enough to say. "In the eyes of
+the young ladies, if I may possibly except Mademoiselle
+Pelagie, you are a hero. But they are much chagrined
+that you should have left them without giving
+them a chance to express their sympathy or their admiration."</p>
+
+<p>The sound of those silvery peals of laughter was
+too vividly in my remembrance to permit me to accept
+Mr. Gratiot's compliments without a large grain of allowance
+for a Frenchman's courtesy, but I bowed low
+in seeming to accept them. Then he introduced me
+to his companion, who proved not to be Mr. Vigo after
+all, but Dr. Saugrain, the French &eacute;migr&eacute; so renowned
+for his learning. I looked at him keenly as I made my
+bow, for I had heard something of him in Philadelphia,
+and in Kentucky there had been so many tales of
+the wonderful things he could do that I think most
+people looked upon him as a dealer in black arts. But
+he was in no respect my idea of a Mephisto. He was
+small and wiry of build, and dressed in black small-clothes,
+with ruffles of finest lace at wrist and knee.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Black silk stockings showed a well-turned calf in no
+whit shrunken with age, and his silver shoe-buckles
+glittered with brilliants. His hair, iron-gray and
+curly, was tied in a short queue with a black satin ribbon,
+and beneath a rather narrow and high brow
+beamed two as kindly blue eyes as it had ever been my
+lot to meet.</p>
+
+<p>His greeting was most cordial, though there was a
+merry twinkle in his eye while speaking to me that
+made me feel he might still be laughing inwardly at
+my ridiculous descent of Mr. Gratiot's staircase.
+With a very grand manner indeed, and with much use
+of his hands, as is the fashion of Frenchmen, he said:</p>
+
+<p>"My dear sir, it mek me mos' proud and mos'
+'appy to know you. Vous &ecirc;tes v&eacute;ritablement un brave.
+Le capitaine d&icirc;ne chez moi to-day; I s'all be d&eacute;sol&eacute;
+and inconsolable if he bring not also his ver' dear
+young frien'." Then, with a sudden and entire
+change of manner, he laid his finger beside his nose
+and said in a loud whisper:</p>
+
+<p>"My frien', I would not min' you kill that dog,
+moi! I lofe 'im not."</p>
+
+<p>But while his words did not sound kind to me, who
+am such a lover of dogs that nothing but the necessity
+of self-defense would ever make me lift a hand
+against one, yet, all the time he spoke, his eyes twinkled
+more merrily than ever, and I wondered at the
+man whose manner could change so quickly from the
+grand seigneur's to that of a king's jester, and I puzzled
+my brains mightily to know what his connection
+with the dog could be.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<h3>I PROPOSE A TOAST</h3>
+
+<p class="center">"The rose that all are praising."<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<p>"And this is the village of St. Louis, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>My discomfiture, my mortification, my rage,
+the vision of dainty beauty, the strange little savant&mdash;every
+remembrance of my brief visit to Cahokia had
+been swept away by the rushing waters of the great
+river of which I had read and heard so much.</p>
+
+<p>My brain was teeming with tales of the Spanish adventurer
+De Soto; of the French trader Joliet; of the
+devoted and saintly Jesuit, beloved of the Indians,
+P&egrave;re Marquette; and of the bold Norman La Salle,
+who hated and feared all Jesuits. I saw the river
+through a veil of romance that gilded its turbid waters,
+but it was something far other than its romantic
+past that set my pulses to beating, and the blood rushing
+through my veins so that I hardly heard my captain's
+answer, and hardly knew what I replied to him.</p>
+
+<p>Through the months of my sojourn in Kentucky
+there had been one all-absorbing theme&mdash;the closing
+of the Mississippi to American boats by the Spanish,
+and their refusal to grant us a right of deposit on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>
+Isle of New Orleans. Feeling had run so high that
+there were muttered threats against the government
+at Washington.</p>
+
+<p>There were two factions, each acting secretly and
+each numbering thousands. One was for setting off
+at once down the river to capture New Orleans and
+take exclusive possession of both sides of the river;
+and if the government at Washington would not help
+them, or, still worse, forbade them the emprise, they
+would set up an independent government of the West.
+The other faction, inspired by secret agents of the
+Spanish government, was for floating the Spanish
+flag and proclaiming themselves subjects of Charles
+of Aragon. Spain's secret emissaries were eloquent
+of the neglect of the home government in the East,
+and its powerlessness to help the Westerners if it
+would, and it was said they clenched their arguments
+with chink of Spanish gold. Treason and patriotism,
+a wild indignation at wrongs unredressed, and a
+wilder enthusiasm for conquest sent the blood of
+Kentucky to fever-heat. Passions were inflamed
+until it needed but a spark from a tinder to set them
+ablaze.</p>
+
+<p>With me, friend and distant kinsman of the
+Clarkes, there was no possibility of being touched by
+the taint of treason. But while it would be treason of
+the blackest dye, and most abhorrent to my soul, to
+submit to Spain's rule, to my young blood there could
+be no treason in compelling Spain at the point of the
+sword to submit to our demands. I was all for war,
+and when the cooler judgment of General Clarke and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>
+his brother, my captain, prevailed to calm for a time
+the wild tumult of war, I was bitterly disappointed.</p>
+
+<p>Now for the first time I was beholding the river that
+had aroused the mighty tempest in Kentucky, and it
+was not the tales of De Soto and La Salle, of Joliet
+and P&egrave;re Marquette, that sent the blood rushing
+through my veins, but the thought that this was the
+mighty river forbidden to our commerce, that the
+swirling brown water at my feet was rushing down to
+the Spanish city on the Gulf, and I longed to be one
+of an army rushing with it to secure our natural and
+inalienable rights by conquest.</p>
+
+<p>I knew that Captain Clarke was visiting St. Louis
+to make some arrangements for his brother's debts&mdash;debts
+incurred principally to Mr. Gratiot and Mr.
+Vigo for no benefit to himself, but in rescuing and
+protecting the people of Illinois from the Indians and
+the British; debts belonging of right to the government,
+but repudiated by it, and left to be borne by the
+noble man who, almost alone, by a heroism and genius
+for war unparalleled had saved all that Western country
+to the Union.</p>
+
+<p>I knew this was my captain's errand, yet I hoped
+there might be some touching on the question of the
+river navigation with the Spanish governor of St.
+Louis, and I had visions of returning to Kentucky
+and, amid the acclaims of our fellow-citizens, announcing
+that Captain Clarke, assisted by his young kinsman,
+had succeeded in convincing the Spanish governor
+Delassus of the wrongs inflicted upon American
+commerce by the unjust interdiction; that Delassus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>
+had thereupon remonstrated with the intendant at
+New Orleans, and, as a result, the river was thrown
+open to the Gulf, and a port of deposit granted on the
+Isle of New Orleans where our merchants might store
+the goods they brought down the river for sale.</p>
+
+<p>It was because my brain was teeming with such
+sweet dreams of glory that I answered my captain so
+absent-mindedly and so little to the point. It was still
+so early that the low morning sun at our backs had
+just begun to gild the bluffs before us. We could not
+have had a finer first view of the Spanish town of
+which we had heard so much. High and dry on its
+limestone bluffs, where no floods for which the great
+river is so famous could ever reach it, it extended in a
+straggling line for a mile and a half. Its dwellings,
+some of them of imposing size, were embowered in
+trees, and, at that distance, seemed to stand in the
+midst of large gardens. Behind the village rose another
+hill, on the summit of which stood a fort, and
+from the fort, in either direction, palisades curved
+around the town, interrupted at intervals by demilunes,
+and terminating at the bluffs in stone towers.
+Behind this second terrace the land continued to rise
+in a succession of terraces, covered partly with low
+bushes and shrubs and partly with high, waving
+woods, giving an impression of indescribable richness
+to the landscape, every detail of which the level rays
+of the bright morning sun brought out in strong relief.
+The whole made a most impressive appearance,
+more like the picture of walled towns on the Rhine
+than like anything I had seen in our country.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>We were now so far out in the stream that the men
+could no longer use their poles, and were trusting to
+the great sail they had spread to catch a stiff south-eastern
+breeze, assisted by vigorous strokes of their
+paddles, and I could see that against the swift current
+they were straining every nerve and yet were steadily
+being borne below the village and the landing-place.</p>
+
+<p>Paddling on the Schuylkill and the Delaware was
+ever a favorite pastime with me, and I doubt not I was
+a little proud of my skill. Forgetting my recent illness
+and the weak state it had left me in, I seized the paddle
+from a young fellow who seemed to me well-nigh
+giving over, and unceremoniously tumbled him out of
+his seat into the bottom of the boat, while I took his
+place. To my astonishment, I found this was an entirely
+different stream from the steadily flowing rivers
+of the East. My paddle was like to be snatched from
+my hand at the first dip into the powerful current,
+and though I saved it by a mad and desperate clutch,
+yet it felt like a feather in my hands, and I saw my
+captain (who had witnessed my peremptory usurpation
+of the paddle) trying to suppress a sly smile,
+while my mortified ears caught the sound of derisive
+snickers behind me, and Yorke, the impudent black,
+grinned openly from ear to ear.</p>
+
+<p>The worst of it was, I myself could see we were
+losing ground more rapidly than before. Now, I had
+ever a horror of owning myself beaten (unless it were
+in argument, for I have no skill with words). I would
+fight to the last gasp, but I would never surrender,
+which is sometimes a foolish way, but more often wins<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>
+victory out of defeat. With my captain looking on, I
+felt that defeat even in so small a matter would be a
+disgrace I could never survive. And so, admonishing
+myself to keep cool, and remembering a turn of the
+wrist that an old Indian had taught me in Pennsylvania,
+I very soon caught the trick of the blade and
+found myself holding my own. Hope returned, and
+I gradually put forth more and more strength, until,
+to my great satisfaction, I at last saw that we were no
+longer drifting down-stream, but steadily making
+head against the current, with fair promise of reaching
+our landing-place. Then, indeed, did I feel exultant,
+and such courage leaped through my veins,
+and so swift and sure and strong were my strokes, that
+I felt I could alone, with my single arm, bring the
+great boat to harbor. But for the second time that
+morning was my vanity my undoing. We did indeed
+make the landing, where a great concourse of people
+had gathered to meet us, among them a stately Spanish
+don (who, I had no doubt, was the governor) surrounded
+by a retinue of officers; but as the keel of our
+boat grounded in the soft mud and my captain called
+me to come with him to meet the governor, and I arose
+in my place to obey him, suddenly a great blackness
+and dizziness seized me, and I knew no more until I
+opened my eyes to find myself being borne, on the
+shoulders of four men, up the steep bluff toward the
+village street. I insisted in the most forcible terms on
+being put upon my feet at once, but as I spoke in English,
+and the soldiers were either Spanish or creole
+French, my entreaties and imprecations were lost<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>
+upon them. Nor did my kicking and pushing avail
+me any better; they but held me the more firmly for
+my struggles. Then I called out lustily for help, and
+the ever-ready Yorke (but with the grin that I had
+learned at times to consider detestable) ran to my aid.</p>
+
+<p>"Yorke!" I shouted to him; "make the rascals put
+me down this minute, and do you, sir, shut that <i>domtiferous</i>
+mouth of yours. I warn you, sir, you grin at
+your peril!"</p>
+
+<p>My mother had ever a horror of the oaths with which
+gentlemen lard their conversation, and because I loved
+and honored her greatly, I had resolved that I would
+never, to use her words, "sully my mouth" with one.
+But often feeling the need of some more emphatic expressions
+than our language provides except in the
+form of oaths, I had coined for myself a small vocabulary
+to be used on occasions requiring great emphasis.
+Since these words all began with a <i>d</i>, I had the satisfaction
+of feeling that I was sufficiently emphatic
+without violating the respect due my mother.</p>
+
+<p>Whether it was the strangeness of the form of my
+imprecations or the length of my adjective that scared
+Yorke, certain it is that he was sobered at once, and
+with the solemnity of the Spanish don himself he soon
+made the soldiers understand that they must put me
+down. Once on my own feet, though I still felt a little
+shaky, I was able, by availing myself of Yorke's arm,
+to climb the steep path leading up the bluff, and soon
+found myself in the main street of the village, which
+the <i>habitans</i> called the Rue Royale.</p>
+
+<p>We had come out into a large square or marketplace,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>
+filled with the throng of people I had seen at
+the landing and many more, so that, as the people
+surged backward and forward to get a nearer view, the
+whole open space looked like a great posy-bed of many-hued
+flowers waving in a summer breeze. And if
+St. Louis had had a foreign look to me when viewed
+from a distance, still more did I feel as if I were in a
+strange town in a strange land as I heard the babble
+of strange tongues about me and saw the picturesque
+costumes of the habitans, so unlike anything I had
+ever seen in Philadelphia or Kentucky. Negroes were
+chattering their queer creole patois, and Indians of
+many nations were gathered into groups, some of them
+bedizened with the cheap finery of the stores, some of
+them wearing only bright-hued blankets, but with
+wonderful head-dresses of eagle feathers, and all of
+them looking gravely on with a curiosity as silent as
+that of the habitans was noisy and babbling. The
+presence of so many Indians and on such friendly
+terms struck me as strange, for in Kentucky there
+were no such friendly relations between Indians and
+whites, and the presence of so many of them would
+have betokened danger and caused much uneasiness.</p>
+
+<p>It thrilled me much that our coming should have
+made so great excitement in the village, and doubtless
+my vanity would have taken fire again if I had not
+known that it was my captain these people had come
+to see, and not myself, of whom they had never
+heard. Even my captain I knew must shine in a
+reflected glory, as the brother of General George
+Rogers Clarke, whom the people of St. Louis worshiped<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>
+as their savior in the affair of 1780, when
+the Osages surprised the men at work in the fields,
+and whom all the Indians of Illinois regarded with
+fear and reverence as the great "Captain of the Long
+Knives." Yet I could see that many of their curious
+glances fell on me also, and I let go of Yorke's arm
+and walked steadily with my head in the air, as befitted
+the friend of Captain Clarke.</p>
+
+<p>We had stopped in front of a large stone building
+set inside a walled inclosure. My captain, who was
+in advance with the governor and his party, as he
+entered the inclosure turned and beckoned to Yorke
+and me to follow him. The throng parted to let us
+through, and as we entered the gates I saw that the
+governor had stopped on the wide gallery that ran
+round the four sides of the building, and with a
+stately flourish was bidding my captain welcome to
+Government House.</p>
+
+<p>With Yorke close at my footsteps, I followed the
+governor's party through a wide door into a great
+room that extended through the house (as I could see
+by the open doors and windows at the rear), and that
+was almost as wide as it was long, with doors opening
+into rooms on both sides. Here I was presented to
+Governor Delassus, who received me cordially, and
+who, with his dark eyes and punctilious manners, was
+my idea of a Spanish don.</p>
+
+<p>On either side of him stood two men who also
+greeted me cordially, but without the punctiliousness
+of the Spaniard. They were the two Chouteaus, Auguste
+and Jean Pierre. I had heard much of them,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>
+both in Philadelphia and in Kentucky, and I found
+it difficult to conceal the curiosity with which I regarded
+them. I had expected to find two rough frontiersmen,
+somewhat after the manner of Daniel Boone
+or Simon Kenyon, both of whom I had seen at General
+Clarke's; but they were very far from that. Auguste,
+the elder, and who, almost more than his step-father,
+Laclede, was the founder of St. Louis, was the
+graver of the two, with keen, shrewd eyes that betokened
+the successful man of business. Pierre (as
+everybody called the younger) looked not at all like
+his brother: taller and slenderer of build, his flashing
+dark eyes and gay manners must have been inherited
+from his father, Laclede, for Madame Chouteau
+(whom I came to know very well later) was even
+graver and sterner in manner than her eldest son,
+Auguste.</p>
+
+<p>But interested as I was in meeting these men,&mdash;and
+there were many others of whom I had heard, Manuel
+Lisa, Gabriel Cerr&eacute;, Francis Vigo, and Josef
+Marie Papin,&mdash;I could not resist casting many a furtive
+glance toward a table set in the rear of the great
+room. My bowl of gruel in the early morning had
+satisfied me at the time, but I was still weak from
+illness and much fasting, and my hard pull at the
+paddles had left me famished indeed. It was now,
+I was quite sure by the sun and the shadows, nearly
+eleven o'clock, and I began to feel the dizziness once
+more, and to be seized with a terrible fear that I
+should again be overcome. It was with a great joy,
+therefore, that I began to observe black servants<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>
+bringing in smoking viands and arranging them upon
+the table, and no words ever sounded more pleasant
+in my ears than the governor's invitation to breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>As we were about to sit down, my captain on the
+governor's right, and I very kindly placed on his left,
+with Mr. Pierre Chouteau beside me, there was a noise
+at the door, and Mr. Gratiot and Dr. Saugrain entered.
+They were welcomed in such fashion it was
+easy to see they were both prime favorites in that
+society. In response to my captain's inquiries, they
+said they had left Cahokia very shortly after us,
+bringing the young ladies over in two small boats,
+and the boats being light and easily handled, they had
+nearly overtaken us.</p>
+
+<p>At the mention of the young ladies I felt myself
+flush painfully, and I almost thought the little doctor
+regarded me with a wicked twinkle in his eyes.
+But I was not sure, and I resolutely put the thought
+of them out of my mind, while I devoted myself to the
+more serious matters of the table.</p>
+
+<p>And, indeed, seldom has it been my lot to sit down
+to a more delicious meal. It was my first taste of
+French cookery, and I proved then, what I had often
+heard, that the French have a talent for savors and
+seasonings, and for dainty service, denied to us Anglo-Saxons.
+It may be, also, that my long fasting (for
+my light breakfast had hardly broken my fast) added
+a sauce to the viands more potent than any Frenchman's
+skill, for my appetite had come back with a
+rush, and for the first time in many days I ate like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>
+a well man, and a very hungry one. So well, forsooth,
+did I ply my knife and fork that Pierre Chouteau
+could not forbear congratulating me, in his
+polished French manner, on my prowess as a trencherman;
+at which I had the grace to blush.</p>
+
+<p>And now, having taken the edge off my hunger, I
+had leisure to enjoy the swift exchange of wit and
+repartee flashing back and forth across the table in
+mixed English, French, and Spanish. There had been
+many toasts, most courteously worded and delicately
+drunk, for I noticed these Frenchmen were not deep
+drinkers, and did not feel it necessary to drain their
+glasses at every toast, as is the manner in Kentucky.
+My captain's health had been drunk and he had responded
+with the governor's (nor did our polite hosts
+forget to honor me), and the gaiety began to grow
+somewhat noisy, when a youngster, who had, no doubt,
+been drinking a little more than was good for him,
+sprang to his feet. Waving his goblet toward Yorke
+(who stood behind Captain Clarke's chair grinning
+delightedly at every flash of wit, whether he understood
+it or not), he called out:</p>
+
+<p>"I drink to the health of Monsieur Yorke, gentlemen,
+tallest and most smiling of sable Mercurys. May
+his inches never be fewer nor his smiles grow less."</p>
+
+<p>I saw my captain frown, and Yorke, who did not
+understand one word that was said, since it was all
+in French, easily understood the gesture toward him,
+and the hesitating glances in his direction, and the
+half-lifted glasses as their owners were in doubt
+whether the toast was to be taken in jest or earnest.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>
+His eyes rolled in terror from the proposer of the
+toast to Captain Clarke, and back again. I knew my
+captain would never brook the indignity of having
+his health drunk at the same table and by the same
+people who afterward drank his slave's, and fearing
+an awkward <i>contretemps</i>, I sprang to my feet to avert
+it. I lifted my glass high as I cried:</p>
+
+<p>"Listen to me, messieurs! Is there no fair lady to
+whose honor your young men would drink? For
+never could we drink to the ladies after drinking to a
+negro and a slave. I give you, messieurs, the fairest
+lady in St. Louis!"</p>
+
+<p>As I said it, for one fleeting moment I had a vision
+of a round white arm bare to the shoulder, a slender
+hand grasping a tawny mane, and black eyes flashing
+with scorn. Perhaps it was due to that vision
+that my voice had a ring in it that brought every man
+to his feet, and as glasses clinked, each man drank
+to the lady of his love with a rousing cheer.</p>
+
+<p>As we brought our glasses to the table, rims down,
+the young man who had proposed Yorke's health
+said, with a bow of apology to me:</p>
+
+<p>"I accept my rebuke, and if the gentleman permit
+I would like to repeat his toast: To the fairest lady
+in St. Louis&mdash;Dr. Saugrain's ward!"</p>
+
+<p>"Fill up your glasses, gentlemen, drain them to
+the lees, and throw them over your shoulders; 'tis a
+worthy toast," cried the governor; and, filling his to
+the brim, and draining it at one draught, he flung it
+over his shoulder&mdash;an example which the others,
+benedict and bachelor, followed with ardor. In the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span>
+midst of the crashing of glass, I thought I caught Dr.
+Saugrain's and Mr. Gratiot's eyes fixed curiously on
+me. I turned to Mr. Pierre Chouteau:</p>
+
+<p>"Dr. Saugrain's ward must be fair indeed, to
+rouse such enthusiasm," I said.</p>
+
+<p>"Vraiment," returned Pierre, "she is the Rose of
+St. Louis. But you dine with Dr. Saugrain to-day:
+you will see, and then you will know. Young Josef
+Papin yonder, who proposed the toast, is wild about
+her. And so are half the young men of the village."</p>
+
+<p>"Vraiment," I murmured to myself, "if she is
+fairer than the scornful Mademoiselle Pelagie, she
+is fair indeed!"</p>
+
+<p>And yet I found myself looking forward to Dr.
+Saugrain's dinner with suppressed excitement, while
+I puzzled my brains to interpret his and Mr. Gratiot's
+enigmatical glances in my direction.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<h3>I MEET AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"I am his Highness's dog at Kew;<br />
+Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you?"<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>"Allons!" said Mr. Pierre Chouteau, "I will show
+you the village. There are yet two hours before
+Dr. Saugrain's dinner-hour arrives."</p>
+
+<p>We were standing on the wide gallery of Government
+House, looking up the Rue de la Tour to the
+"Fort on the Hill" with its massive round towers of
+stone and high stockade. We had made our adieus to
+Governor Delassus, and we were quite ready to accept
+Mr. Chouteau's invitation. Mr. Gratiot and Mr.
+Auguste Chouteau excused themselves from accompanying
+us on the ground of pressing business, but
+Mr. Auguste Chouteau said he hoped soon to see us
+at his own house, and Mr. Gratiot promised to meet
+us at dinner at Dr. Saugrain's.</p>
+
+<p>So it was only four of us who set out (or five, if
+you count the black as one), Mr. Chouteau and my
+captain leading, Dr. Saugrain and I following, with
+Yorke trailing in the rear; for Captain Clarke did
+not dare leave that ingenious black to his own devices,
+being well assured that it would certainly result
+in disaster to himself or to some of the habitans.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Diagonally across the street, at the corner of the
+Rue de la Tour and the Rue Royale, was a large garden,
+shut in by solid stone walls higher than a man's
+head. Over the top of the walls fell branches of fruit-trees,
+and grape-vines still with a few clusters of late
+grapes hanging from them. Beyond were the tops
+of lofty shade-trees, and between the branches, where
+the foliage was rapidly thinning, we could catch
+glimpses of the stone chimneys and dormer-windows
+of a great house.</p>
+
+<p>We turned into the Rue Royale and walked by the
+stone wall stretching north a long distance. The
+morning had been frosty, but the noon sun was hot,
+and we were glad to shelter ourselves under the overhanging
+boughs. It was Auguste Chouteau's place,
+but Pierre said he would let his brother have the
+pleasure of showing it to us; and we were about to
+pass the wide entrance-gate half-way down the long
+wall when we were stopped by a strange procession.
+Out of the gate filed slowly, solemnly, one at a time,
+a long line of fantastically dressed Indians. The two
+in front were attired alike in shabby old United States
+uniforms, with gold epaulets much tarnished and
+worn, dilapidated gold lace on collars and sleeves,
+and wearing on their heads military hats with long
+draggled plumes. From thigh to the low moccasins
+their legs were entirely unclothed, and a more ludicrous
+combination than the civilized coats and the
+bare brown legs I had never seen. The two in military
+coats were evidently chiefs, and were followed by a
+long line of braves sweltering under heavy Mackinac<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>
+blankets, each armed with a scarlet umbrella in
+one hand and a palm-leaf fan in the other, to protect
+them from the sun. Apparently they did not
+glance in our direction, but each one as he passed Mr.
+Chouteau saluted him with a guttural "Ugh!" to
+which Mr. Chouteau responded in the most military
+fashion.</p>
+
+<p>"They are on their way to my place, and we
+will let them get well ahead of us," Mr. Chouteau
+said, as the last brave passed us. "It would hardly
+be dignified to be trailing in their rear; we will step
+into my brother's garden for a moment and give them
+time to get out of our way."</p>
+
+<p>The massive gates, which, I saw, could be heavily
+bolted and barred, stood open, and we passed through
+into a park-like inclosure, beautifully laid out and
+kept in perfect order, with velvet turf and noble forest
+trees, and, in one part, a garden of vegetables and
+flowers. Set in the midst was a noble stone mansion
+some sixty feet in front, with wide galleries shaded
+by a projection of sloping roof, which was pierced by
+dormer-windows. Several smaller stone buildings
+were grouped around it, and from one to the other
+negroes were passing on various errands, giving a
+cheerful impression of industry and prosperity. I
+caught the flutter of a white dress disappearing
+through a wide door opening from the gallery into the
+house, and I would have liked to get a nearer view of
+the mansion and its inmates. But an exclamation
+from Mr. Chouteau put all thoughts of petticoats out
+of my mind.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Diable!" he ejaculated, "'tis Black Hawk
+himself. Now what is the meaning of this, think
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>I followed his glance, and saw coming from one of
+the outbuildings the noblest specimen of a savage I
+had ever beheld. Unlike the others, he was decked in
+no worn-out finery of the white man, bestowed upon
+him in exchange for valuable furs, but in the fitting
+costume of a great chief, his head-dress of eagle
+feathers falling back from the top of his head almost
+to his high beaded moccasins. He was far above the
+usual stature of Indians, and what increased his appearance
+of height was the lofty brow and noble
+dome, beneath which two piercing eyes and strong
+aquiline nose gave additional character to a most
+striking face.</p>
+
+<p>I thought both Mr. Chouteau and Dr. Saugrain
+looked a little troubled for a moment, but as the savage
+stalked majestically toward us, Pierre advanced
+to meet him, and with a courteous but commanding
+wave of his hand stopped him.</p>
+
+<p>"What has brought my brother from his island on
+the bosom of the Great Father of Waters?" he asked,
+after both had exchanged formal greetings.</p>
+
+<p>Black Hawk turned his piercing eyes upon my captain.
+"It was whispered among my braves," he said,
+"that the great Captain of the Long Knives had sent
+his brother to St. Louis. I bring him a greeting from
+my people."</p>
+
+<p>Most men would have been abashed by the ceremonial
+tone and gestures with which Black Hawk<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>
+accompanied his speech, but if my captain felt any
+embarrassment he did not show it. With as ceremonious
+a manner as the chief's, he replied at once:</p>
+
+<p>"The great chief of the Sacs has honored my brother
+and myself. I will bear your greeting to the Captain
+of the Long Knives, and it will fill his heart with
+happiness to know his red brother has not forgotten
+him."</p>
+
+<p>Black Hawk only grunted approval, but I think he
+was pleased, for he turned to Mr. Chouteau with a
+more condescending manner:</p>
+
+<p>"I will go with my brother to his wigwam. I will
+eat with him and sleep with him."</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing for Mr. Chouteau to do but acquiesce,
+though when his back was turned on Black
+Hawk he made a queer grimace and said rapidly, in
+English, which probably Black Hawk did not understand:</p>
+
+<p>"There will be trouble, my friends; my yard is full
+of Mandans, Arickarees, and Osages. They love not
+the Sacs, and Black Hawk is a turbulent fellow if any
+misunderstanding should arise. You see," he said to
+Captain Clarke, lapsing again into French, "these
+fellows have usually started back up the Missouri
+long before this time, but they have all waited this year
+to see the brother of the great Captain of the Long
+Knives. They planned their exit from Auguste's yard
+at the exact moment to get a good look at you."</p>
+
+<p>My captain laughed his hearty laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"And then they glanced not in my direction even,
+after all."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Do not deceive yourself, mon capitaine; they
+looked you over thoroughly. Not one of them but
+would know you again among a thousand. But they
+timed their exit also with the hope of making an impression
+on you, and to that end, as you saw, had
+donned their finest toggery."</p>
+
+<p>We had left Auguste Chouteau's yard and were
+going north again along the stone wall, Black Hawk
+stalking majestically beside Captain Clarke, upon
+whom he from time to time looked down and bestowed
+a grunt of approval. Across the street from us now
+was an open square (La Place Publique, Mr. Chouteau
+called it), and drawn up around it were many
+queer little French <i>charrettes</i>, loaded with cord-wood
+and drawn by small mustangs. The owners of the
+charrettes were most of them taking a noonday nap
+under the shade of the trees in La Place, and their
+mustangs were nodding drowsily in their shafts in
+sympathy with their owners. This was the same open
+place we had first come upon after climbing the
+bluff, and now, as we came to the corner of La Place,
+and the street leading down to the river (Mr. Chouteau
+said the street was called La Rue Bonhomme),
+I looked down the steep road and saw at the foot of it
+the landing-place, and our boats tied to great posts,
+with some of our men in charge.</p>
+
+<p>I could distinguish on the great flatboat that had
+followed us, carrying our provisions and our horses,
+my own mare, Fatima, with her proudly arched neck.
+Before I had time to think of my manners I had put
+my fingers to my lips and uttered through them the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>
+shrill whistle with which I had used to call her. Instantly
+her head was flung swiftly up, and I saw her
+start as if to come to me, while up the bluff was
+borne her shrill whinnies, high above the shouts of the
+men, who had as much as they could do to keep her
+from breaking halter in her mad plunge for liberty
+to answer the call she had never disobeyed.</p>
+
+<p>I was ashamed of my boyish trick, and apologized
+at once to the two gentlemen and to my captain.
+But Dr. Saugrain said it was a fortunate reminder:
+if we cared to send for our horses they could meet
+us at Mr. Chouteau's, for it would be a long and hot
+walk from there to his house at the extreme southern
+end of the village. So Yorke was despatched for the
+two horses, and right glad was I at the thought of
+being on Fatima's back once more, for it was a full
+two weeks since I had mounted her.</p>
+
+<p>We were on the next block now, skirting another
+stone wall with overhanging boughs. Mr. Chouteau
+said it was his mother's place, and he would have to
+insist upon our stopping to pay our respects to her.</p>
+
+<p>"You know," he said, "madame ma m&egrave;re is a sort
+of mother to the village, and she would feel herself
+deeply aggrieved should such distinguished guests
+pass her by."</p>
+
+<p>We entered another inclosure beautifully embowered
+in trees, and found a long, low building, not of
+stone, like her son's house, but built, in the French
+fashion, of upright logs. On the wide gallery sat
+Madame Chouteau herself, dressed in the style of the
+habitans who had filled the streets on our arrival,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>
+but in richer materials. Her petticoat was of black
+satin, and her short gown, or jacket, was of purple
+velvet with wide lace in sleeves and at the neck, and
+gorgeously beaded moccasins on her feet. But it
+was her head-dress which struck me as the most remarkable
+part of her costume, and Pierre Chouteau
+whispered to us, with a droll grimace:</p>
+
+<p>"Regardez the head-dress of madame; she expects
+us, is it not? She is en f&ecirc;te."</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to be a handkerchief of some thin material,
+purple in color, and worn like a turban, but
+entwined with ribbons and flowers until it became
+a gorgeous coronet, and added indescribably to the
+majesty of her presence. Already over seventy, with
+white hair, she was yet as erect as a girl, and her eye
+was as keen as an eagle's. Even my captain was
+abashed before its glances, which seemed to be taking
+a complete inventory of his physical, mental, and
+moral qualities. It was a bad quarter of an hour for
+me (whom she hardly deigned to notice), in spite of
+the good ratafia and delicious <i>croquecignolles</i> a small
+black boy brought out on a tray and placed on a
+stand at her side, and which she served to us with
+stately courtesy.</p>
+
+<p>As for Black Hawk, it was more than he could
+stand when her severely questioning glance fell upon
+him. Without losing an ace of his dignified solemnity
+of demeanor, he turned his back abruptly on
+the old lady, and stalked slowly and majestically
+down the path and out the gate. We hoped we had
+rid ourselves of him, but we found him waiting for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>
+us when we had made our formal adieus to madame.
+Just before we reached Pierre Chouteau's house he
+dropped back and walked beside Dr. Saugrain and
+myself. I thought he wished to pay me some of the respect
+he had been showing my captain, and I felt
+flattered accordingly. But I was mistaken; he had
+something to say to Dr. Saugrain. With many premonitory
+grunts he said it finally, and it had a startling
+effect upon the little doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"Let great medicine-man watch," said Black
+Hawk, solemnly; "White Wolf will steal Little Black
+Eyes. Black Hawk has many ears and many eyes;
+he has seen White Wolf talking to Red Dog, and he
+has heard their whispers."</p>
+
+<p>Such was the doctor's agitation that, although we
+were just entering Mr. Chouteau's great yard (so
+filled with all manner of buildings, warehouses, shops,
+and cabins for negroes and Indians that it seemed
+like a separate village of itself), he called to my captain
+and Mr. Chouteau and begged them to excuse
+him. He felt that he must return home at once and
+assure himself of the safety of his ward, he said,
+though we need not cut short our visit to Mr. Chouteau,
+but come to him later, in time for dinner. But
+Yorke coming up at that moment with our horses, and
+riding his own, Captain Clarke bade him dismount
+and give his horse to Dr. Saugrain, and insisted upon
+accompanying him home. Mr. Chouteau readily excused
+us, only courteously making a condition that
+the visit cut short now should be renewed at our earliest
+convenience.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As for me, I was a little sorry not to see more of
+Mr. Chouteau's place, for everywhere there were
+throngs of Indians in picturesque costume, and on
+the gallery of the great house a bevy of young
+maidens evidently awaiting our approach. But Fatima
+was calling me frantically with her delighted
+neighs, and the moment I was on her back, and felt
+her silken muscles stretch and tighten rhythmically
+beneath me, I cared no more for Mr. Chouteau's interesting
+place with its Indians and young maidens,
+and only longed for a right to leave my companions
+and have one good dash with Fatima across country,
+over fences and ditches. I would not have been
+afraid, in my present mood, to have put her at the
+high stone walls with which every one in St. Louis
+seemed to fence in his place, and so wild with delight
+was Fatima at meeting her master once more
+I think she would have taken them like a bird.</p>
+
+<p>But the doctor was more impatient than I, and
+first taking Black Hawk aside for a minute's low-toned
+consultation, he made his hasty adieus to our
+host, and bidding us follow him, he was off. Turning
+off the Rue Royale into the Rue Bonhomme, he went
+up the hill a long block to the Rue de l'&Eacute;glise, and
+then, turning to the left, he called back to us:</p>
+
+<p>"'Tis a straight road from here on, messieurs;
+shall we race for it? It may mean more than life to
+a fair lady."</p>
+
+<p>For answer I laid the reins on Fatima's glossy
+neck and whispered to her:</p>
+
+<p>"Get up, Sweetheart!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>In a flash she had passed the two other horses and
+her dainty hoofs were flinging the soft dirt of the
+road in their faces. It was more a country lane than
+a village street, with scattered houses tree-embowered,
+and just back of Auguste Chouteau's place,
+which I recognized from the rear, was a church, and
+behind it the crosses of many graves, and beside it
+a priest's house with two black-robed priests taking
+a noonday siesta in comfortable chairs on the shady,
+vine-covered gallery. They awoke with a start as
+Fatima thundered by, and the two other horses, now
+well in the rear, pounded after, and I doubt not they
+thought it was the beginning of another 1780 affair, so
+frightened did they look.</p>
+
+<p>It did not take Fatima long to cover that mile and
+a half, and when I saw that we were approaching the
+stockade at the end of the road, with only one house
+between (which, like the Chouteaus', was set in a
+great yard inclosed with high stone walls), I drew rein
+under a wide-spreading oak and waited for the others.
+And as I waited I began once more to wonder what
+kind of creature Dr. Saugrain's ward could be: the
+acknowledged belle of St. Louis and now in some extreme
+danger from a white villain and a rascally Indian,
+for so I had easily understood Black Hawk's
+figurative language&mdash;the White Wolf and the Red
+Dog.</p>
+
+<p>I could hear the soft thrumming of a guitar, and a
+low voice crooning songs, of which I could now and
+then catch a word of the creole French. I did not
+doubt it was the doctor's ward who thus beguiled the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>
+hours with melody, and I grew vastly impatient to
+meet the loveliest lady in St. Louis and the sweetest
+of singers, if I could judge from the snatches of song
+that floated to my ears.</p>
+
+<p>In a minute more the doctor himself rode up, shouting
+lustily before he reached the gate, "Narcisse, Narcisse!"
+which put a sudden end to the music. As a
+black boy ran out in answer to his call, the doctor
+sprang as nimbly from his horse as I myself could
+have done, and flung the boy his reins with a sharp
+command to take care of the horses. He started
+swiftly for the house, but stopped suddenly and
+turned to Narcisse.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are your mistress and mademoiselle?" he
+asked, in a tone so sharp and excited the boy was
+frightened and stammered as he answered:</p>
+
+<p>"In the house, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"You are sure?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; 'fore God, sir, they're in the living-room
+this minute."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank God!" ejaculated the doctor, and then I
+saw, to my astonishment, that he was all white and
+trembling. He recovered himself in a moment and
+turned to us with the suavity of a genial host:</p>
+
+<p>"Gentlemen, I fear that rascal Black Hawk has
+played us a scurvy trick; very likely for reasons of
+his own he wanted to get rid of me. He has given me
+a bad quarter of an hour, but otherwise he has only
+given me the pleasure of welcoming you a little earlier
+to &Eacute;migr&eacute;'s Retreat. Let us go find the ladies."</p>
+
+<p>Before we had time to reply, round the corner of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>
+the house sauntered slowly a huge mastiff, and as I
+caught a glimpse of him my heart sank into my
+boots, and there seemed to rise into my throat a tumultuous
+beating that was nigh to choking me: not
+from fear of the dog, though the moment he caught
+sight of me he stopped, every muscle tense, the hair
+on his mane erect, his eyes red, glowing, vicious, while
+he uttered one deep angry growl after another.</p>
+
+<p>It was not fear of the brute that set my pulses
+throbbing painfully: it was the truth that flashed
+upon me for the first time&mdash;<i>Dr. Saugrain's ward was
+Mademoiselle Pelagie</i>! At that moment through the
+open door came a clear whistle and the sweetest voice
+I had ever heard, calling in ringing tones of command:</p>
+
+<p>"&Agrave; moi, Leon!"</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<h3>I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"A rosebud set with little wilful thorns"<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>It was too late to beat a retreat. I caught once
+more a merry twinkle in the little doctor's eyes
+as we followed the dog, who, obedient to his mistress's
+voice, had rushed before us into the house. I felt
+the red blood surging to the roots of my hair, and I
+knew when I stopped on the threshold beside my captain
+to make my grand bow that I looked more like
+an awkward country lout than the fine gentleman I
+was in the habit of considering myself.</p>
+
+<p>I hardly dared raise my eyes, and yet I saw very
+distinctly that if Mademoiselle Pelagie in ball costume
+was bewitching, Mademoiselle Pelagie in simple morning
+dress was an angel. The room was a long, low one,
+cool and shady from the sheltering galleries outside,
+and with many windows, all open to catch the southern
+breezes that kept the dimity curtains bellying like
+white sails. On a low seat beside one of the open windows,
+looking out into cool depths of dusky green, sat
+Mademoiselle Pelagie. Her white dress, short of skirt<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>
+and reaching hardly to the daintiest of ankles, was
+just low enough in the neck to show the round, white
+throat, and just short enough in the sleeve to leave uncovered
+below the elbow the beautifully molded arm.
+Across her shoulders was a broad blue ribbon that held
+the guitar to whose soft thrumming I had been listening,
+and one restraining hand was laid on Leon's head,
+who sat beside her, erect on his haunches, regarding
+me with angry suspicion.</p>
+
+<p>She rose as we entered, and still holding her guitar
+with one arm, while the other hand lifted her skirt
+daintily, she made us the deepest and most graceful
+of curtsies. Then she lifted her dark eyes shyly to
+Captain Clarke and with a ravishing smile bade him
+welcome in broken English. To me she vouchsafed
+not even a glance. I stood by stiff as any martinet
+while she made soft speeches to the captain in her
+adorable baby-English, and the captain responded in
+his most gallant fashion.</p>
+
+<p>I grew more rigid and more gauche every minute,
+and I know not what would have become of me if the
+doctor, who had left the room to look for his wife, had
+not come to my relief. He came in, bringing Madame
+Saugrain with him, and a sweet and simple little old
+lady she proved to be. Her cap was almost as flowery
+as Madame Chouteau's, but she was as warm and cordial
+in her manner as the other was stern and forbidding.
+She greeted my captain first, of course, but she
+was as cordial to me as to him, and in her motherly
+way she called me "My son," which, after my icy
+reception from another lady, went straight to my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>
+heart. I was grateful to her in spite of the fear I felt
+that it was my very youthful appearance had called
+forth the endearing term.</p>
+
+<p>We were all comfortably seated, Captain Clarke
+chatting gaily with Mademoiselle Pelagie, I pointedly
+addressing all my conversation to Dr. Saugrain and
+madame, when Narcisse came in with a tray of cooling
+drinks&mdash;a mild and pleasant beverage made of raspberry
+conserves and lime-juice mixed with some spirits
+and plenty of cold spring water. I liked it well,
+and would have taken another glass, for I was thirsty
+and our ride had been a warm one, and Madame Saugrain
+urged it upon me, but as I was about to take it
+I heard a saucy voice saying:</p>
+
+<p>"'Tis no wonder that you empty not your glass,
+Captain Clarke; 'tis a drink much more suited to
+maidens and to young boys than to men."</p>
+
+<p>My glass was half extended, but I drew it back hastily,
+and then was angry with myself, for I heard a
+mocking laugh that I was sure was intended for me,
+and for the life of me I could not refrain from glancing
+quickly in mademoiselle's direction. Her eyes
+met mine with more of scorn in their dark depths than
+I could well stand. I gazed steadily into them for as
+much as half a second with all the defiance in my
+glance I knew how to convey, and then I turned again
+to Madame Saugrain:</p>
+
+<p>"If you will permit me to change my mind, madame,"
+I said, "I would like another glass of your
+delicious beverage."</p>
+
+<p>And then, lifting it to my lips, I added:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I drink to the ladies: they add fragrance and
+beauty to our lives, like the red berries; comfort
+and strength, like this good ratafia; sweetness, like
+the sugar; and if sometimes they also add bitterness
+and acid, like the limes, it is doubtless for our
+good."</p>
+
+<p>The gentlemen both touched glasses with me as they
+drank to my toast, the little doctor preternaturally solemn,
+and my captain almost as grave, but for a wicked
+twinkle in his eye. I knew they thought my toast
+a boyish one, and doubtless understood its inspiration,
+while they struggled to preserve their gravity out of
+courtesy to me. Whether mademoiselle's eyes were
+more mocking than ever I did not know, for I looked
+not in her direction. But madame glowed with genuine
+pleasure and declared 'twas a pretty toast, and
+she thanked me for her share in it. Whereupon mademoiselle
+said in the gravest voice:</p>
+
+<p>"I also, monsieur, thank you for my share in it, for
+I suppose the lime-juice is mine," and, to my amazement,
+when, as in duty bound, I glanced at her, since
+she spoke directly to me, I saw that her eyes were
+downcast, and the richest color had flamed into the
+warm white of her cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>I know not what I might have said or done, so repentant
+was I at once for having caused her annoyance,
+had not a short, sharp exclamation from Dr.
+Saugrain startled us all:</p>
+
+<p>"'Tis that skulking Osage again. What does he
+here, Narcisse?"</p>
+
+<p>"He bring note, m'seh, for La Petite," answered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>
+Narcisse, rolling his eyes at the unwonted sharpness
+in his master's tones.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Saugrain turned at once to mademoiselle.</p>
+
+<p>"Pelagie," he said, "what does this mean? Who
+is sending you notes by Red Jean?"</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle looked up half defiantly, half inclined
+not to reply to such peremptory questioning in
+the presence of strangers. But on second thought she
+answered quite submissively:</p>
+
+<p>"It was the young Chevalier Le Moyne who is staying
+at Gabriel Cerr&eacute;'s."</p>
+
+<p>"Now, I like not that," said the doctor, hastily; and
+then bethinking himself, he ordered Narcisse to take
+away the empty glasses and keep an eye on Red Jean.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't let him get out of your sight as long as he
+stays about the place; he will be stealing the horses if
+you don't watch him."</p>
+
+<p>The moment Narcisse had left the room the doctor
+repeated:</p>
+
+<p>"I like not that; I begin to think Black Hawk may
+have had good reason to warn us against the White
+Wolf and the Red Dog."</p>
+
+<p>Then, turning to mademoiselle, he added more
+gently:</p>
+
+<p>"I like not to inquire into mademoiselle's little affairs,
+but this is of the gravest importance. Will you
+tell us the contents of that note, ma ch&egrave;re?"</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle hesitated, and glanced almost unconsciously
+at the captain and at me. We both sprang
+to our feet at the same moment, and the captain
+spoke:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The lad and I will step out on the gallery, where,
+if you permit, we will light our pipes."</p>
+
+<p>But with a quick gesture of dissent, mademoiselle
+also sprang to her feet.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no! mon capitaine, no, no! Meestaire, it is
+not'ing, not'ing. I will say all before you. 'Tis only
+that the chevalier asks may he escort me to the peek-neek
+on Chouteau's Pond."</p>
+
+<p>"Sit down, gentlemen, if you please," said the doctor;
+"I think it wise for us to hold a council of war.
+I shall need your advice much, possibly your help.
+First, I want to say that some weeks ago I received
+letters from France warning me of a plot to capture
+Mademoiselle Pelagie and carry her back to France. A
+week ago this mysterious stranger arrived in St. Louis.
+Gabriel Cerr&eacute; picked him up in Ste. Genevieve and
+brought him home with him, and that is about all any
+one knows of him, except that he claims to be of an
+old French family, who has saved enough from the
+wreck to permit him to travel and see the world.
+When he has finished this trip he declares he will return
+and settle on his estates on the Loire which he
+says have been returned to him by Bonaparte. Whether
+Black Hawk meant him when he bade me beware
+of the White Wolf I know not. I could get very little
+information when I spoke to him before leaving Pierre
+Chouteau's, and I am not sure he had any to give me,
+yet I think he knows something. I confess I have been
+suspicious of this fellow from the first, arriving, as he
+did, on the heels of my letter of warning. And now
+what think you 'tis best to do?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I was eager enough to say what I thought best to do,
+but I knew my place better than to speak before my
+elders, and so I waited for my captain. Mademoiselle
+was not so modest, or perhaps she thought no one had
+a better right than herself to speak on a subject so
+nearly concerning her.</p>
+
+<p>"I think, sir," she said, lapsing into her native
+tongue, "you wrong the Chevalier Le Moyne. I have
+seen much of him in the week of his stay at Gabriel
+Cerr&eacute;'s, and he has been invariably respectful and
+most gentleman-like in all his demeanor."</p>
+
+<p>"'Tis the very fact of his seeing so much of you,
+my child, that first roused my suspicions. He is forever
+hanging round you at dance and dinner; not even
+Josef Papin gets much chance to come nigh you."</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle flushed slightly at the mention of
+Josef Papin's name&mdash;a name I was beginning, for
+some reason, to dislike.</p>
+
+<p>"I should think," she said demurely, "there might
+be other reasons for that than suspicious ones"; and
+then she laughed merrily when I murmured, "Vraiment!"
+and touched my heart with my handkerchief.
+I thought she was mocking me again.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle is quite right," said Captain Clarke,
+gravely; "there are doubtless very natural reasons for
+the chevalier's devotion, yet I think it would be well,
+nevertheless, to act on Dr. Saugrain's suspicions.
+May I inquire whether mademoiselle has accepted the
+chevalier's offer of escort?"</p>
+
+<p>We all listened eagerly for the answer.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said mademoiselle; "I had just received the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>
+note when you arrived, and I would not answer it
+until I had consulted my guardian. He is very stern
+with me, messieurs," turning to us with a witching
+smile that I could see pleased the good doctor
+greatly.</p>
+
+<p>"Then," continued the captain, "it would be a
+very easy matter, I suppose, to decline his escort."</p>
+
+<p>But La Petite pouted.</p>
+
+<p>"Not so easy, mon capitaine. I have no reason to
+offer, and it would shut me off from accepting a second
+invitation."</p>
+
+<p>"I think," said Dr. Saugrain, "it would be better
+that you should not go to the picnic. Chouteau's
+Pond is beyond the stockade, and shut in by the
+woods; it would be an ideal spot for a surprise and a
+capture. There are always plenty of rascally Osages
+to be hired for a trifle to carry out any such villainy."</p>
+
+<p>"Not go!" exclaimed mademoiselle, in dismay.
+"But it is given for me! It is my f&ecirc;te! Josef Papin
+planned it entirely for me, he said."</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle was now growing rosy red, for, with
+a child's eagerness to carry her point at all hazards,
+she had said more than she meant to.</p>
+
+<p>"Then why did not Josef offer himself as your
+escort?"</p>
+
+<p>"He will, probably, later; but," and she tossed
+her head like the spoiled beauty she was, "it will serve
+him right, for being so slow, to find that I have accepted
+another. Besides which," and she shrugged
+her shoulders with all the airs of a Parisian dame,
+"you know your bourgeois etiquette. I cannot accept<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>
+another: it would be a just cause for a duel au pistolets."</p>
+
+<p>"C'est vrai," said the doctor, with an answering
+shrug, and looking woefully perplexed.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, if you will permit me," suggested the captain,
+"since mademoiselle is so sure Mr. Papin will ask
+her later, why can she not plead to the chevalier a
+previous engagement?"</p>
+
+<p>But not for a moment would mademoiselle listen to
+that.</p>
+
+<p>"And be the laughing-stock of all St. Louis when
+it gets about, as it surely will. I refuse the chevalier
+because I prefer to wait for Monsieur Papin. Monsieur
+Papin hears of it and invites some one else to
+teach me not to be so sure, or," primly, "I have given
+him undue encouragement."</p>
+
+<p>"Then," said the doctor, gravely, "I see nothing
+for it but that you stay away from the picnic and
+write the chevalier that you have decided not to go.
+Unless," he added hastily, seeing the gathering storm
+on Pelagie's brow, "unless&mdash;" and then he hesitated,
+much embarrassed. "Perhaps our young friend here
+would like to attend one of our rural picnics, and
+would be willing to look after you and give you the
+opportunity of writing to the chevalier that you have
+a previous engagement."</p>
+
+<p>It was now my turn to blush. I had been ardently
+longing to offer my services, but not for a moment had
+I thought of daring. Now it was thrust upon me.</p>
+
+<p>"If mademoiselle would be so good," I murmured,
+bowing low, "I am her obedient servant."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But mademoiselle was speechless. One moment she
+turned white, and the next she turned red, and then
+white again. When she found her voice she said,
+looking not at all at me, but straight at Dr. Saugrain:</p>
+
+<p>"I will remain at home, monsieur. I care not to be
+a burden upon unwilling hands."</p>
+
+<p>And then rising to her feet, with her head held
+high, her guitar on one arm, and the other hand still
+on the mastiff's head, she said:</p>
+
+<p>"Allons, Leon!" and was sweeping proudly from
+the room.</p>
+
+<p>I was in such consternation that probably I would
+have sat like any bumpkin and let her go, if not that,
+as she passed me, although her head was turned from
+me, it was not quite so much turned but that I caught
+a sudden quiver of the little chin, held proudly in air,
+and something bright glistening on the long, dark
+lashes. I sprang quickly before her. There was an
+angry growl from Leon, who no doubt thought I intended
+to serve his mistress the same trick I had
+served him, but I did not heed it.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle!" I entreated, "I beg you will reconsider.
+Nothing could give me more pride and
+pleasure. Besides," adopting an argumentative tone,
+"you know it would be my only chance for attending
+the picnic, and I have a vast desire to engage in some
+of your St. Louis festivities, and to meet some of the
+young maidens I was deprived of meeting last night."</p>
+
+<p>She was compelled to stop,&mdash;I barred her way; but
+for a few moments she showed no signs of relenting.
+She dashed away the shining drops from her lashes,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>
+and quieted Leon with a low "Taise-toi." But
+gradually I saw her face change, and then, still holding
+herself proudly, and with the air of a queen graciously
+condescending to bestow a favor upon a suppliant,
+but also with a smile of radiant sweetness, she
+spoke, and her voice was like the song of the thrush
+beside running waters:</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, monsieur; if I am not to be considered
+as putting myself under obligations to a stranger, I
+will go and write the chevalier that I have a previous
+engagement."</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<h3>I GO TO A PICNIC ON CHOUTEAU'S POND</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"Many a youth and many a maid<br />
+Dancing in the chequered shade."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>The good doctor uttered a sigh of relief as mademoiselle
+left the room, followed by madame, who
+no doubt, in the goodness of her heart, went out to
+praise the young lady for having done as she ought,
+and to condole with her for being obliged to go to the
+picnic with a man she knew so slightly, and knew but
+to dislike.</p>
+
+<p>The sigh was quickly followed by a frown.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish that my ward had not so strong a will of
+her own. I scarce think it safe for her to go to Chouteau's
+Pond at all if, as I fear, her enemies are plotting
+to capture her."</p>
+
+<p>"I will defend her with my life, sir," I hastened to
+aver, "since you are so good as to intrust her to me."</p>
+
+<p>The doctor smiled at my boyish ardor, but said
+kindly:</p>
+
+<p>"I would trust her with you sooner than with most,
+my lad, for I believe I have seen enough of you to
+know that you are brave to a fault, and entirely trustworthy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>
+But you know not the wiles of these treacherous
+Osages, and if this Chevalier Le Moyne is the
+man I fear he is, he is a much to be dreaded villain."</p>
+
+<p>"Whom do you fear him to be?" the captain and I
+uttered in one breath.</p>
+
+<p>The good doctor hesitated a moment and then
+seemed to take a sudden determination.</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid I have no right to be letting you into
+my confidence, for it is not mine alone. In what I am
+about to say to you it is my country reposing a confidence
+as well. But our brief acquaintance has inspired
+me with trust in you both, and I have need of
+advice and help in this emergency, and perhaps of a
+good sword, if one of you be free to offer it. It is not
+the fortunes of a simple maid, such as my little Pelagie
+seems to be, that are alone involved, and yet I am
+not at liberty to tell you what great issues are at stake.
+We will say, by way of illustration, it would be to the
+advantage of an Orleanist to get rid of all possible
+Bourbon claimants to the throne of France, would it
+not? Merely by way of further illustration, suppose
+there were some young Orleanist, far removed from
+any pretensions to the throne, who by marrying a
+young Bourbon maid much closer to the throne, but,
+of course, barred from it by her sex, should prevent
+her marrying royalty and so having a son who might
+succeed to the throne. Do you follow me?"</p>
+
+<p>We both bowed our comprehension, for we were too
+eager to interrupt him by a word. The doctor went
+on:</p>
+
+<p>"And suppose by such a marriage he removed one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>
+more obstacle from the path of a powerful kinsman in
+his progress toward the throne. And if this young Orleanist
+were penniless and the Bourbon maid rich in
+prospect, he would save his kinsman the necessity of
+providing for him. And if he were dissolute and unprincipled,
+he would hesitate at no means to accomplish
+his ends. And if he were handsome, after a fashion,
+and accomplished in all Parisian arts, there would
+be reasonable chance of his success with a young
+maiden but little versed in the wiles of the world. Although
+I have used this merely as an illustration, this
+is very much the situation that confronts Pelagie's
+friends. You see, I have some reason to feel alarmed,
+and I fear I have no right to permit her to go to this
+picnic. Yet," with a grimace, "what can I? Where
+a wilful maiden will, a man is helpless.</p>
+
+<p>"And now, messieurs, you see how fully I have
+trusted you, not only with my affairs, but the affairs
+of France. I am not asking for a pledge of secrecy,
+for I feel no such pledge is necessary. Pelagie
+and her interests and the interests of her house in
+France I believe to be as safe in your hands as in my
+own."</p>
+
+<p>As the doctor uttered these last words he sprang to
+his feet, and betrayed the intensity of his feeling by
+the mist in his eyes, the tremor in his voice, and the
+dramatic clasping of his hands.</p>
+
+<p>By a simultaneous emotion of sympathy, both the
+captain and I found ourselves on our feet also. The
+captain extended his hand, and, like the straightforward,
+simple-minded gentleman he is, said only:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Your trust is not misplaced, Dr. Saugrain; your
+secret is safe."</p>
+
+<p>I was almost too deeply moved for words; I could
+only murmur as I bowed low over the hilt of my
+sword:</p>
+
+<p>"Safe as my honor!"</p>
+
+<p>I know not with what emotions my captain had listened
+to this long recital. As for me, I had been intensely
+interested. Yet I could not tell why it should
+not please me to find that this scornful little lady was
+presumptive heiress to wealth and titles, probably
+even of royal rank, for so I could not but understand
+the doctor's illustration.</p>
+
+<p>"Does Mademoiselle Pelagie know all this?" inquired
+the captain. "Does she know her rank and
+prospects? Is it permitted to speak of them to her?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, no, no!" uttered the doctor, rapidly, with
+vigorous protestations of head and hands. "Pelagie
+knows nothing but that almost longer ago than she
+can remember she lived in a beautiful house with
+many servants, and with a father and mother who
+idolized her, but who went away from her one day
+never to return. Of course she knows now why they
+never returned, but that is all. She has lived with us
+in America nearly ten years, and I think she has
+learned to love Madame Saugrain and me almost as if
+we were indeed her father and mother, and we could
+not love child of our own more tenderly.</p>
+
+<p>"And so you see, my dear young sir," regarding
+me with affectionate concern, "what a weighty responsibility
+I have put upon your young shoulders.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>
+If the burden is too great for you, I absolve you from
+your offer as escort, and Pelagie shall stay at home
+whether she will or not. I think it would be far the
+better way."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, no, sir!" I protested eagerly. "I am
+proud you think me worthy such a responsibility. I
+will never let her out of my sight for one moment, and
+I promise to bring her back to you in safety."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," said the doctor, gravely; "that is
+what I would wish. Do not let her out of your sight
+if it is possible. Even if she seems to be fretted by
+your espionage I hope you will bear with her temper,&mdash;which
+I know to be a royal one,&mdash;and persist in
+your watchfulness. I shall be deeply grateful to
+you."</p>
+
+<p>By the time the day of the picnic arrived, I flattered
+myself I had made some slight progress in Mademoiselle
+Pelagie's regard. Very slight, to be sure, yet I
+thought she did not treat me with quite the disdain
+she had shown at first. Indeed, I even thought I sometimes
+detected that she was listening with interest
+when Madame Saugrain or the good doctor was questioning
+me about my life at home in Philadelphia.</p>
+
+<p>Twice a day at least we were brought together at
+the table, for the captain and I had taken up our abode
+at Dr. Saugrain's. It was not without much demur
+that we had, at last, accepted the doctor's urgent invitations
+to do so. To be sure, there was no hostelry
+in the village, except the low tavern where the disreputable
+Indians and rough river-men congregated,
+and we would have been obliged to accept some of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>
+many hospitable invitations extended us by the Chouteaus,
+the Papins, the Cerr&eacute;s, indeed by nearly every
+leading citizen of St. Louis, all eagerly vying with
+one another for the privilege of entertaining General
+Clarke's brother. I think the captain's hesitancy
+arose from the feeling that he ought to accept &Eacute;mile
+Yosti's or Manuel Lisa's hospitality, since his business
+was chiefly concerned with them; but with me it was
+the feeling that it would be intolerable to dwell under
+the same roof with my Lady Disdain, and be subjected
+to countless little ignominies at her hands. Yet when
+the doctor presented it to us as a very great favor
+to him at this time, when he might need our assistance
+as well as our advice in protecting Mademoiselle Pelagie,
+we could object no further, and I, at least, was as
+eager to stay as I had before been unwilling. To me it
+seemed the more reasonable that he might easily need
+what assistance our swords could give him, if there
+were really on foot a plan to capture mademoiselle,
+because the doctor's house was set in a large garden,
+at the extreme borders of the village, next to the
+stockade and with no neighbor within hearing.</p>
+
+<p>The day of the picnic rose clear and bright, changing
+soon to the purple haze and soft air of a day in
+late November. Breakfast was hardly over when the
+picnickers began to pass the house, some of them walking
+in merry groups, some in little French carts
+drawn by oxen or small, hardy ponies, but many of
+them, I noted with a beating heart, on horseback carrying
+double, the maiden on a pillion holding fast
+with her arm around her escort's waist. Was it thus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span>
+my Lady Disdain expected to be carried to the picnic,
+I wondered, and could not tell for the life of me whether
+I most hoped it or dreaded it.</p>
+
+<p>But my hopes and fears were alike vain. I sat
+smoking on the shady gallery, and was beginning to
+wonder when my lady would see fit to start, for by
+now the procession had thinned out to almost none,
+only a straggling couple occasionally hurrying by as
+if they feared they were late and must hasten to be
+in time for the sport. I began to think it possible she
+had changed her mind and would stay at home rather
+than go with an undesired escort.</p>
+
+<p>I had risen early, and though I had made an unusually
+careful toilet, calling Yorke to my aid to see
+that every lacer was fresh and securely tied, and my
+buckles shining, yet I had made much haste also, not
+knowing at what hour mademoiselle proposed starting,
+and fearing greatly to annoy her by being one moment
+tardy. So here had I sat smoking on the shady
+gallery a good two hours awaiting my lady's pleasure,
+and beginning inwardly to fume, for my temper was
+not such as to bear meekly even the caprices of a beautiful
+maiden&mdash;no, not though she might be also some
+great lady in disguise.</p>
+
+<p>But when I had for the tenth time started up to
+stride angrily up and down the gallery, I heard the
+creaking of wheels, and around the corner of the house
+came a little French charrette, its wooden wheels making
+a great noise, drawn by one ox and Narcisse walking
+beside it, driving. I was filled with dismay, for to
+me it seemed not a mode of conveyance suited to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>
+dignity of the son of one of the proudest families of
+Philadelphia, to say nothing of Mademoiselle Pelagie.
+Besides, I had had visions of the fine figure I was to
+cut before the St. Louis beaus and belles on my prancing
+and curveting Fatima, whose glossy coat was like
+satin this morning from the extra rubbing I had ordered
+Yorke to give her.</p>
+
+<p>But as Narcisse passed me and pulled off his hat
+with an amiable grin, I saw a great hamper in the
+charrette, and from a spicy whiff borne to my nostrils
+by a passing breeze I knew he was conveying our dinner
+to the picnic-grounds, and I was duly thankful
+that neither Fatima nor I was to be hampered ('tis
+a poor pun, and my father hath ever taught me 'tis
+the lowest form of wit) with clumsy packages dangling
+from saddle and arm.</p>
+
+<p>In a moment more, around the corner of the house
+again came a black, leading a small Indian horse
+gaily caparisoned, and fitted with a lady's pillion, and
+immediately behind, Yorke, leading my own Fatima.
+I knew then we were about to start, and my heart began
+once more its silly thumpings. Yet would I not
+move from my seat, where I had assumed an attitude
+of indifference, until I suddenly heard behind me a
+cool and haughty voice:</p>
+
+<p>"Are you not ready, sir? It is high time, I should
+think, we were on our way, or we will be too late for
+the d&eacute;jeuner."</p>
+
+<p>Now was I in wrath indeed, to be spoken to in tones
+of reproach when I had every reason to expect at least
+an excuse, if not an apology, for having been kept so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span>
+long waiting. I rose to my feet in leisurely fashion
+and made mademoiselle a most elaborate bow, as I replied
+in a voice as cool and haughty as her own:</p>
+
+<p>"Had I been informed at what hour mademoiselle
+would require my presence, I should have been belted
+and hatted and not have detained your ladyship for
+even a moment, to say nothing of having wasted two
+good hours of my own time in idle waiting."</p>
+
+<p>As I spoke I stooped to pick up my sword-belt from
+the floor beside my chair, and began slowly to buckle
+it on. My eyes were on my belt, but not so closely
+but that I could see a little smile hover around mademoiselle's
+lips, and I thought she was not displeased
+to find I had a little spirit of my own and was not
+always to be cowed by her scornful airs. I was so
+elated by the discovery that I, foolishly, prolonged
+the buckling beyond all possible necessity, and mademoiselle's
+good humor was quickly exhausted. She
+tapped her little foot impatiently for a moment and
+then spoke as icily as before:</p>
+
+<p>"Since monsieur finds difficulty with his belt, I will
+ask Yorke to put me on my horse and then send him
+to your assistance."</p>
+
+<p>All my foolish elation was gone in a moment, and,
+between my mortification and my impatient haste, I
+fumbled in earnest. I was in desperate haste; for not
+for a moment did I intend to let Yorke put her upon
+her horse: yet so swiftly had she swept down the long
+gallery and the steps to the driveway a little distance
+off, and so slow had I been with my buckle, that I
+reached her side just in time to hear her say:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yorke, put me on my horse, and then go at once
+and buckle your master's belt. We are like to be all
+day getting to Chouteau's Pond."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, missy," said Yorke, and flinging Fatima's
+reins to Narcisse, prepared to obey her, though he
+could only have comprehended by intuition, for not
+a word of her tongue did he understand.</p>
+
+<p>I was restored at once to my equanimity by her impatient
+tones, and I spoke to Yorke with a calm authority
+he dared not disobey:</p>
+
+<p>"Take care of Fatima, Yorke; I will attend to mademoiselle,"
+and without giving her time to object I
+coolly lifted her to her horse. She was only a feather's
+weight, but I think she liked not that fashion of
+mounting, and was minded for a moment to kick and
+scream like an angry child. But she thought better
+of it, and though the quick flame sprang into her
+cheek, she bowed her thanks in stately fashion, and I
+springing on Fatima's back and bidding Yorke to follow
+at once, we set forth at a round pace.</p>
+
+<p>Not a word did she speak as we galloped side by
+side down the driveway, through the gate, and along
+the short bit of road that extended to the stockade.
+When we had passed through, there was not much
+more than a rough foot-path, that began to descend
+very soon from the high bluffs, sometimes by a gentle
+incline, sometimes by a steep and rocky descent, to
+the valley of La Petite Rivi&egrave;re.</p>
+
+<p>The path was no longer wide enough for two horses,
+and we were compelled to ride in Indian fashion. Fatima
+was ahead and was picking her way daintily and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>
+surely, but slowly. The little Indian horse, being much
+more used to such rough paths, would have gone on
+more rapidly, and fretted at being kept back by Fatima.
+So, no doubt, did his rider, for presently, in her
+formal way, she said:</p>
+
+<p>"If monsieur will permit, I will take the lead. I
+think my pony knows the path better and can show
+you the way."</p>
+
+<p>But I had been specially warned to keep ever in advance,
+and it did not add to mademoiselle's good humor
+that I was compelled to refuse her the <i>pas</i>. I was
+beginning to feel that my task was a thankless one,
+and the picnic on Chouteau's Pond did not look to me
+quite so alluring as it had looked a few days before.
+Perhaps my face betrayed my feeling; for when we
+reached the foot of the incline and our path broadened
+out as it turned to follow the windings of the little
+river toward the pond, mademoiselle rode up beside
+me, and with a very pretty air indeed, half arch, half
+shy, wholly sweet, she said:</p>
+
+<p>"I pray monsieur will not think me ungrateful.
+I do not forget that but for his courtesy I could not
+have gone to my f&ecirc;te."</p>
+
+<p>Then she added roguishly:</p>
+
+<p>"But I will make amends. I will introduce you to
+many St. Louis belles, the fascinating Pelagie Chouteau,
+&Eacute;milie Gratiot, who dances like a fairy, and Marguerite
+and Marie Papin, the beautiful sisters. And
+there are many more just as beautiful."</p>
+
+<p>I bowed gravely:</p>
+
+<p>"I thank you, mademoiselle. I have heard much of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>
+the beauty of the St. Louis demoiselles, and have desired
+much to meet them. You remember it was
+largely for that inducement I consented to undertake
+the difficult task of looking after your ladyship."</p>
+
+<p>Pelagie pouted.</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you persist in calling me 'your ladyship'?
+I am only mademoiselle."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" I said, with affected surprise: "your
+manner has led me to suppose you marquise at least,
+if not duchesse."</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle reddened, but spoke very seriously
+and very sweetly,</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid I have very bad manners, and a very
+bad temper. But I intend to be good now, and to remind
+me I give you permission when I am haughty or
+disagreeable to call me comtesse."</p>
+
+<p>The sycamores and cottonwoods that bordered our
+path had lost more than half their leaves, and the
+soft haze of the late November sun filtering through
+flecked mademoiselle with pale gold. It touched her
+dark hair and turned it to burnished bronze, it
+brought a faint rose to the warm white of her cheek,
+and made little golden lights dance in the shadows of
+her eyes uplifted to mine. The mysterious fragrance
+of late autumn, of dying leaves and bare brown earth,
+and ripening nuts and late grapes hanging on the
+vines, and luscious persimmons on the leafless trees,
+rose like incense to my nostrils and intoxicated me. I
+hardly knew how I answered as I looked deep into her
+shadowy eyes, and I was almost glad that, our way
+crossing the little river by a steep path leading down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>
+to a shallow ford, I was compelled once more to take
+the lead.</p>
+
+<p>Half-way across we stopped to let our horses dip
+their noses in the cool water dashing merrily over the
+stones. Fatima only played with it, swashing her
+muzzle well, and flinging the bright drops over mademoiselle's
+horse, who drank steadily. The opposite
+bank was more heavily wooded, and I became aware,
+as I sat idly flecking the foam from Fatima's flanks
+with my riding-whip, that I had for some time been
+hearing a whippoorwill calling and its mate replying.
+The woods looked dense enough to be the haunts of
+the lonely birds, but, nevertheless, I felt uneasy and
+began to listen&mdash;for rarely, indeed, does one hear a
+whippoorwill in the daytime. I knew birds well,
+and I soon became convinced that these whippoorwills
+were like none I had ever heard. They were too deliberate
+in their calls and replies, and the varying
+number of each sounded like a system of signals. I
+began to wish mademoiselle had not been so tardy in
+starting, that we might have had company on our
+way, and I strained my ears if I might hear anything
+of Yorke, who should be not far behind.</p>
+
+<p>But there were no signs of Yorke; and mademoiselle's
+horse had finished drinking, and there was no
+excuse for our delaying longer. I would not alarm
+mademoiselle with my suspicions, yet I wanted my
+firearms ready to my hand. I drew my pistol from
+its holster and laid it across my saddle-bow, saying
+carelessly that if I caught a glimpse of that whippoorwill
+in the woods I should shoot it for my aunt in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>
+Paris, who was making a collection of American
+birds.</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle Pelagie accepted my explanation without
+comment, and I led the way up the steep bank opposite.
+Once up, I saw, to my satisfaction, that the
+path was still wide enough for two. I put mademoiselle
+on the side nearest La Petite Rivi&egrave;re, and I rode
+next the woods; and though mademoiselle had suddenly
+grown talkative, and was full of a saucy French
+wit, I fear I must have seemed very stupid to her, for
+all the while I was trying to keep up my share of
+repartee and quip I was listening, listening. Mademoiselle
+noticed at last that I was somewhat distrait.</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you keep your eyes turned upon the
+woods, monsieur? In France we are taught that it is
+polite to look at a lady when she speaks."</p>
+
+<p>"Pardon, mademoiselle," I stammered. "I am
+looking for that whippoorwill."</p>
+
+<p>"Your apology is more than sufficient, monsieur,"
+in her haughtiest tones. "There will, no doubt, be no
+other opportunity so suitable for adding to your
+aunt's collection."</p>
+
+<p>I had kept my eyes fixed on the woods even while
+speaking to her, not daring to turn them away, but at
+her tone I turned quickly toward her.</p>
+
+<p>"Pardon, mademoiselle la comtesse," I began
+saucily, but went on seriously. "Permit me, I beg, to
+seem rude, though it is farthest from my desire to appear
+so. It is more than the whim of my aunt that is
+at stake. Some day I will explain to you."</p>
+
+<p>Even as I spoke I was startled by a sharp crackle
+followed by a stealthy rustle, as if some one had inadvertently<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>
+stepped upon a dry twig and had then glided
+quickly away. I turned at once to the woods, and
+could almost have sworn I caught a fleeting glimpse
+of a copper-colored hand, and the flash of a rifle-barrel.
+But as I gazed longer I saw nothing but the dense
+foliage of the low scrub-oaks that grew under the tall
+forest trees, and I hoped I was mistaken.</p>
+
+<p>A level bit of road stretched ahead of us.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you race with me, mademoiselle, to yonder
+tree?"</p>
+
+<p>The quicker we got to Chouteau's Pond the better, I
+thought, and the faster we left the whippoorwills
+behind the better also.</p>
+
+<p>"I will race you and beat you," she said gaily;
+"my little La Bette is fleet of foot. But what shall be
+the prize?"</p>
+
+<p>"If I win," I said boldly, "the first dance to-day."</p>
+
+<p>I thought a shadow of annoyance passed over her
+face, but it cleared and she answered slyly:</p>
+
+<p>"And if I win, I claim the first whippoorwill you
+shoot; the second may go to your aunt."</p>
+
+<p>"Done!" I said grimly. "Are we off?"</p>
+
+<p>It was evident that fleet as La Bette might be, Fatima
+was far fleeter. But not for worlds would I have
+left mademoiselle behind; so, while seeming to urge
+Fatima forward, I was, in reality, giving her the constant
+little touch that meant a check. Still I was
+mindful of my prize, and when we were not more
+than twenty yards from the tree, and I thought we
+were safe, I gave Fatima the rein and passed the tree
+a full length ahead.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I felt a little more comfortable now, for I thought
+if I had really seen a redskin with a gun lurking
+among the bushes, we must have left him well behind,
+and we fell into a comfortable little jog-trot, side by
+side again. Suddenly I heard once more the ominous
+crackle of a dry twig, and turning quickly, I looked
+full into a pair of dark eyes peering through the
+bushes. I hesitated not a moment, but raising my pistol,
+leveled it straight at the eyes, and would have fired
+but that a voice called to me in good English:</p>
+
+<p>"Hold, monsieur! Do not fire!"</p>
+
+<p>And from behind the clump of bushes sprang a
+more elaborately dressed man than any I had yet seen
+in St. Louis. In truth, I thought him too foppishly
+arrayed for the woods, for there were fine ruffles at
+wrist and knee, and beneath his leathern doublet
+peeped the edges of a satin waistcoat, canary-colored.
+His hair was long and curled and tied with a ribbon,
+but it was not powdered, and over his forehead it fell
+in short, black curls that made his skin look very white
+and pink; indeed, I was not at all sure but the pink of
+his cheeks and the red of his lips were more of art's
+cunning than nature's mingling. A soft, dark mustache
+on his upper lip, carefully trained and curled,
+proved him a Parisian of the latest mode, and I at
+once felt an instinctive dislike and distrust of him.
+I had never seen him before, but I was not at all
+surprised when mademoiselle addressed him as Chevalier
+Le Moyne and paid me the compliment of presenting
+him to me.</p>
+
+<p>There was just a little disapproval in mademoiselle's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span>
+manner, for the chevalier had certainly been caught
+spying, if nothing worse; and he had the grace to be
+embarrassed, and hastened to make his apologies in
+voluble French, which he seemed to take for granted I
+did not understand.</p>
+
+<p>"I missed mademoiselle from the f&ecirc;te, and I sauntered
+out to see if there were any signs of her approach.
+Mademoiselle must know that it is no f&ecirc;te for
+me when the queen is away, and the day is <i>triste</i> indeed
+that is not lighted by her eyes. I was not sure
+it was mademoiselle when I heard voices, and so I
+looked through the bushes to see before addressing
+her."</p>
+
+<p>"You spoke just in time," mademoiselle replied.
+"Monsieur took you for a whippoorwill, and a moment
+more," with an arch glance at me, "he might
+have added you to his aunt's collection."</p>
+
+<p>I thought at first my lady must be heartless indeed
+to make a jest of a very narrow escape from death,
+but as I glanced at her, I saw little tongues of flame
+leaping in and out of her cheeks, and a great pulse
+beating in her throat, and I knew the light manner
+was only a mask.</p>
+
+<p>I watched the chevalier narrowly as she spoke of
+the whippoorwill, and I saw him look quickly at her
+with a startled glance, but her evident innocence reassured
+him. I spoke to him in his own tongue, partly
+to show him I understood it very well and he must
+be careful what he said before me, and partly because
+I was not sure he understood mine. Indeed, I
+had many times been thankful that my French was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span>
+almost as natural to me as my English, for in this
+French-and Spanish-speaking town there was almost
+no one could speak my tongue. Once in a great while
+(but not often) mademoiselle attempted it, either to
+practise her English or out of compliment to my captain,
+who was not quite so fluent with his French
+as I. (And when she did, her pretty broken accents
+made our rough language sweet as the song of
+birds.)</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur was fortunate to speak so soon," I
+said. "I am looking for whippoorwills, and I took
+you for one. A moment more would have been too
+late."</p>
+
+<p>But as I spoke I looked straight into his eyes with
+a meaning he could not misunderstand. His glance
+fell, and a deep red slowly mounted from beneath
+the artificial pink of his cheeks and spread over his
+face. He recovered himself in a moment, however,
+and answered me gaily:</p>
+
+<p>"Thanks, monsieur, for a narrow escape. 'Tis the
+luck of the Le Moynes. Perhaps you know the motto
+of our house?&mdash;'By hairbreadth escapes we <i>always
+win</i>.'"</p>
+
+<p>And this time he looked straight into my eyes, and
+conveyed by his glance a haughty challenge.</p>
+
+<p>I bowed a mute acceptance of it; and mademoiselle,
+conscious from our manner we were not particularly
+amiable toward each other, hastened to avert any
+threatening unpleasantness.</p>
+
+<p>"I think the chevalier will excuse us if we hasten
+on. We are already late, and I fear we will keep d&eacute;jeuner
+waiting."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The chevalier bowed low, with his hand on his
+heart, and stepped aside to allow us to pass.</p>
+
+<p>It was but a five minutes' ride till we left the woodland
+path and the merry company of the little river
+and stood on the shores of Chouteau's Pond. I had
+not expected to find such a beautiful woodland lake,
+and at my exclamation of delighted surprise, mademoiselle
+looked pleased indeed.</p>
+
+<p>"We are proud of our pond, which Mr. Auguste
+Chouteau has made for us," she said. "Is it not as
+beautiful as your Pennsylvania lakes?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have never seen a more beautiful!" I ejaculated
+fervently, and I spoke truly.</p>
+
+<p>We had drawn rein on a point of high land, and at
+our feet the waters of the little river, in foaming rapids
+and tumbling cascades, stretched up to the foot of
+a high dam, where the waters of the lake poured over
+in a silver flood. To the right, embowered in trees,
+were the vine-covered stone towers of Chouteau's
+mill, and beyond, gentle grassy slopes, with drooping
+trees dipping their branches in the water. To the
+left rose high banks with overarching foliage, and
+then for a mile or two the lake wound from one embowered
+cove to another, till it was lost in the hazy
+distance. Directly below us, it lay a glorious topaz in
+the soft November sun, for which the dark porphyry
+of oaks, the tawny gold of cottonwoods, and the emerald
+of turf and darker green of cedars made a jeweled
+setting richer and more harmonious than would
+have been the flaming scarlet and gold of our Eastern
+woods. On the bosom of the little lake a white sail
+was floating lazily, for there was but little breeze, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>
+two or three canoes were darting swiftly from shore
+to shore, the dip of their paddles breaking the lake
+to flashing silver.</p>
+
+<p>There were no other signs of life, and now mademoiselle
+took the lead and we followed the right shore
+of the lake behind the stone mill, along the shady,
+grassy slopes, until, after several windings, we came
+out on a little cove where a silvery fountain bubbled
+up and flowed down in a tiny rivulet to the lake.
+Around the fountain was soft green turf, with natural
+seats of rock, shaded by lofty trees, where the deep
+forest came down to the shores of the cove, and here
+we found our party of merry revelers. Horses, ponies,
+and oxen were all tethered deep in the forest, while
+young men and maidens were running to and fro,
+arranging tempting piles of broiled fowl, venison, and
+game pasties on the white cloth, spread on the green
+grass. A delicious odor of coffee came from a great
+caldron, hung over a stone fireplace on an improvised
+crane, and two young men were mixing, in a
+great bowl, a spicy compound of spring water, ratafia,
+sweet spices, and raspberry wine.</p>
+
+<p>They hailed the arrival of mademoiselle with delight,
+and young Josef Papin came running up, and
+took hold of her horse's bridle-rein, and led her to the
+head of the table, where they had made a throne for
+the queen of the f&ecirc;te out of a flat rock, covered with
+bright-colored capotes, and wreathed with garlands of
+bright-leaved vines.</p>
+
+<p>He claimed it his due, as giver of the feast, to sit at
+her right, and awarded to me, as a courtesy due her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>
+escort, the seat on her left. In the merry scramble for
+places that followed (there was nothing rude in it:
+these French folk are gentle and courteous in their
+gayest frolics) the chevalier was forgotten. When he
+came in, late (somewhat flushed, as if he might have
+been running when no man was looking, but debonair
+and smiling, with many apologies), there was no place
+for him near mademoiselle, and I was not sorry.
+Neither, I confess, did he seem to be, for he devoted
+himself pointedly to Mademoiselle Chouteau, as fascinating
+a little coquette as mademoiselle had described
+her.</p>
+
+<p>Half-way through the meal the chevalier made an
+excuse for going for a cup of water to the spring, and,
+in passing behind mademoiselle, he stopped a moment
+to ask her, in a low tone, for the first dance. It was
+not so low but that I overheard, and I heard, too, the
+tone of regret with which she told him it was already
+promised. I might have thought the tone only a tribute
+to politeness had I not caught her glance, which
+said louder than any words, "I had much rather it
+were you," and I said to myself, "Either mademoiselle
+is a most dangerous coquette, or the chevalier has
+already succeeded in at least winning her interest,"
+and for a moment it sprang to the tip of my hasty
+tongue to release her from her promise. But I shut
+my lips firmly before the words were out.</p>
+
+<p>"Ce gar&ccedil;on-&ccedil;&agrave;! The second, then?"</p>
+
+<p>I turned away my head and did not willingly hear
+any more, but I could not quite help overhearing the
+chevalier once again, in a tone intended to be quite<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>
+cutting, and for that reason, no doubt, more distinct:</p>
+
+<p>"If mademoiselle's dances are not taken for the entire
+afternoon, perhaps she will be so kind as to say
+which one she will graciously grant me?"</p>
+
+<p>I did not hear her reply; but I heard his joyful response
+to it:</p>
+
+<p>"A thousand thanks, ma belle reine; au troisi&egrave;me,
+donc!"</p>
+
+<p>I was in two minds through the rest of the meal:
+should I hold mademoiselle to her promise, which was,
+evidently, irksome to her, or should I free her from it?
+I resolved, finally, that the dance was fairly mine and
+I would hold her to it. Yet when the music sounded
+and the line was forming I was a little late in reaching
+her side, for I had been following the chevalier's
+example and getting my dances promised ahead, and
+Mademoiselle Chouteau had been so full of her little
+French coquetries I had found it hard to get away in
+time to claim mademoiselle's hand. I found her tapping
+her little foot impatiently, and an ominous line
+between her dark eyes. I made my apologies humbly,
+but mademoiselle was coldly scornful.</p>
+
+<p>"Had I known monsieur would find it so irksome
+to keep his engagement I could have released him.
+There were others who would have appreciated the
+honor, since it is my duty to open the dance."</p>
+
+<p>"It is inexcusable," I murmured, "but it was unavoidable";
+and without waiting for further recriminations
+I led her to the head of the line.</p>
+
+<p>I had never seen the minuet danced with more grace<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>
+and spirit. These Frenchmen have winged feet, and
+though I knew my steps well and had not thought myself
+particularly awkward, yet now it seemed to me
+impossible, with my great size, not to seem, to mademoiselle
+at least, a clumsy giant. It made me more conscious
+of my awkwardness that I was leading the line
+with mademoiselle, reine de la f&ecirc;te, and a perfect
+fairy for grace, and that, opposite us, with Mademoiselle
+Chouteau, was the chevalier, full of Parisian airs,
+which looked a little ridiculous to me, but were, no
+doubt, the admiration of all the maidens.</p>
+
+<p>And if anything could have made me more clumsy
+it was the accident that befell me in the sword-figure.
+It fell to my lot to cross swords with the chevalier, and
+I cannot be sure that he did it wilfully, yet so it
+seemed to me. By a twist of his wrist he loosened my
+sword from its grasp, and it fell clattering to the
+ground at the very feet of my lady. Had I been expecting
+anything more than the usual crossing of
+points my grasp would have been firmer, and I really
+think I was not to blame. Yet I was covered with
+confusion, and as I stooped to pick it up, necessarily
+delaying the progress of my lady, who was leading her
+line of maidens under the arch of swords, I glanced at
+her face, expecting nothing less for my gaucherie than
+the mocking smile I had learned to dread. To my
+amazement, my glance was met with the sweetest of
+smiles, and it was the chevalier who winced this
+time.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope monsieur will pardon the chevalier's awkwardness,"
+she said; "he is, no doubt, more at home<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>
+in a Parisian ball-room than at a rustic dance on the
+turf."</p>
+
+<p>After that, you may be sure, I carried myself
+proudly, and so elated was I by her unexpected sweetness
+that I lost all sense of awkwardness, and I began
+to hear murmurs of admiration that I knew were intended
+for my ears, and lent wings to my feet, also.</p>
+
+<p>"A handsome pair!" "What grace!" "He carries
+his head like a grand seigneur!" and Mademoiselle
+Chouteau was wicked enough, as we crossed in the
+dance, to look up at me and whisper saucily:</p>
+
+<p>"I die with impatience, monsieur, for la troisi&egrave;me!"</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<h3>WHIPPOORWILLS</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"Is this that haughty, gallant, gay Lothario?"<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>It was in the third dance, in the middle of an intricate
+figure (and Mademoiselle Chouteau was
+proving herself a most bewitching partner), that I
+suddenly discovered that neither mademoiselle nor the
+chevalier was dancing; nor could I see them anywhere,
+though my glance shot rapidly into every leafy
+nook and corner.</p>
+
+<p>An unreasoning terror seized me, and with all my
+might I tried to think what I could do. Should I
+leave my partner and fly in pursuit, as I longed to do,
+the figure would be broken up, and should my fears
+prove unfounded I could never again hold up my head
+among the St. Louis maidens. Yet I thought if I
+waited until the dance was over there would be time
+for the worst to happen, and I had promised not to let
+mademoiselle out of my sight. Now did I curse my
+folly (with many of my big <i>d</i>-inventions) that, since
+I had come to the picnic solely to look after mademoiselle,
+I had allowed myself to make any engagement
+with any other maiden, however bewitching.</p>
+
+<p>In my agony of indecision, though I was still going<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span>
+through the figure in a dazed fashion, great drops of
+perspiration started out on my brow. At that moment
+there came a pause in the dance, while the figure
+was changing, and above the babble of talk that broke
+forth I heard the distant call of a whippoorwill. It
+was enough. I bent low and whispered to my partner:</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, do you think you could invent a
+pretext by which we could both be excused from the
+dance? Could you be taken suddenly ill?"</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle Chouteau looked up at me quickly; I
+think for a moment she thought I wanted to get her
+away for a cozy flirtation in a quiet little nook, such as
+some of the other young couples seemed to be enjoying.
+But when she saw my anxious face she spoke quickly,
+with the prompt resource I have ever noted in young
+maidens:</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, monsieur! In a moment you will see
+me grow quite pale, and then we will go and ask
+Gabriel Cerr&eacute; and Marguerite Papin to take our
+places."</p>
+
+<p>She was as good as her word: in a moment she really
+seemed to me to turn pale, and she said, quite distinctly,
+so that those standing near could hear:</p>
+
+<p>"I am very tired, monsieur; I will have to ask you
+to excuse me from dancing. Perhaps we can persuade
+another couple to take our places."</p>
+
+<p>I think Gabriel Cerr&eacute; and Mademoiselle Papin were
+a little loath to give up their pleasant chat, but on
+Mademoiselle Chouteau's representing that the dance
+would be broken up, and she was really not able to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>
+take another step, they very amiably consented to take
+our places.</p>
+
+<p>Then I had to explain to Mademoiselle Chouteau,
+very hurriedly, the reason for my strange request, and
+in doing so I was compelled to confide to her somewhat
+of my fears, and beg her to be silent if any one should
+notice that I too had disappeared. She proved a good
+ally, and, on my expressing my perplexity as to where
+to look, she suddenly remembered that she had seen
+mademoiselle and the chevalier, as the dance was beginning,
+enter the woodland path that led on around
+the lake to Rock Spring at its head.</p>
+
+<p>"A favorite resort for young people, and especially,"
+she added slyly, "les amants."</p>
+
+<p>The dance had been moving rapidly and it was not
+yet over; they could not be so far away but that I
+could overtake them, and I felt a little relieved. Yet
+I must see Mademoiselle Chouteau disposed of among
+her friends; I could not leave her discourteously, and
+every second of delay fretted me greatly. When that
+was accomplished, I caught Yorke's eye (for he had
+arrived very shortly after us, and having made himself
+generally useful at the d&eacute;jeuner, was now watching
+the dancers with grinning delight), and motioned
+to him to follow me.</p>
+
+<p>I slipped into the woodland path, and Yorke did not
+keep me waiting long. As rapidly as possible I told
+him my suspicions, and bade him slip into the woods
+where the horses were tethered and bring his own horse
+and Fatima by some roundabout way, so as to be unseen,
+and follow me on the path to the head of the lake.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was a comfort to feel that Yorke would not be
+many minutes behind me, for impatient as I often was
+with his pranks and his eternal grin, I knew him to be
+a good fighter, and true as steel. Still more of a comfort
+was it to know Fatima would be within calling of
+my whistle, for I knew not into what I was going, and
+if those dark forests overhanging the cliffs on the opposite
+shore of the lake were as full of the treacherous
+savages as the frequent call of the whippoorwills
+had led me to think, I might find that the only road
+to safety for both mademoiselle and myself was on
+Fatima's back.</p>
+
+<p>So it was with better courage (though I will not
+deny that my heart was beating fast) that I set off
+at a round pace on the woodland path toward the head
+of the lake. I had ever an eye for the beauties of
+nature, and an ear attuned to all its voices, yea, and a
+nostril for its sweet odors, and engrossed as I was
+(rushing on lest I might be too late, yet dreading every
+step that I fall into some ambush of whippoorwills),
+I still could not but note how softly the November sun
+fell through the half-bare branches, flecking the path
+with shine and shadow; how glowing cardinals and
+flaming orioles, not yet started south, flitted through
+the trees in rollicking sport; and how the sweet odor
+of dying leaves mingled with the soft call of wood-thrushes.
+The cottonwoods had laid down a path of
+gold for me to walk upon, but, fortunately, it had
+rained the night before and the leaves were still damp
+and so did not rustle to my tread.</p>
+
+<p>I had hurried on at a breathless pace, following the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>
+path that in its turn followed the windings of the lake
+for nearly a mile, when suddenly I heard voices at
+no great distance ahead of me. I stopped for a moment,
+my heart beating so fast I could scarce listen.
+Yes, it was a man's voice and a maiden's, speaking in
+low tones as if for each other's ears alone, and I did
+not doubt it was mademoiselle and the chevalier.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was most distasteful to me to think of playing
+eavesdropper, and I was of half a mind to stop
+where I was and wait until they had finished what
+they had to say and were ready to return. I would at
+least be near enough at hand to prevent a capture
+should it be attempted. But as I waited, mademoiselle's
+voice was suddenly raised, and I heard her say
+in a tone of pain:</p>
+
+<p>"Do not make me distrust my guardian! I can believe
+no wrong of him! He has been the only father
+I have known."</p>
+
+<p>I caught nothing of the chevalier's reply but the two
+words "interested motives"; but I thought, since it
+was evidently no tender interchange of sentiment to
+which I would have to listen, but the rascal was maligning
+my good friend Dr. Saugrain, it was my duty
+to listen with all my ears. I crept forward softly,
+fearing lest a crackling twig or a dry leaf might betray
+my presence, and fearing, too, since I could not discover
+whence the voices came, that I might come upon
+them unawares and so reveal myself.</p>
+
+<p>Which I came very near doing. Another step, and
+I would have stepped over the brink of a low bluff
+which encircled a cup-like depression. A cluster of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>
+tall oaks rose from the center of the little glen thus
+formed, sheltering a silvery fountain gushing from a
+great rock and then, in a bright rivulet, dancing merrily
+over moss and stones to the lake.</p>
+
+<p>This, then, was Rock Spring, and the source of
+Chouteau's Pond! A sylvan retreat indeed for lovers,
+and I had heard it was much frequented by them.
+A fringe of crimson sumac-bushes screened the edge
+of the bluff and effectually screened me from two
+people just below me. I liked not to be spying, but
+I felt that duty and honor both, and my pledged word
+to the doctor, demanded that I keep mademoiselle in
+sight. So I cautiously leaned forward and looked.</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle was seated on a boulder with her face
+turned toward me and uplifted to the chevalier, who
+was standing with his back to me, looking down on
+her. Her dark eyes were wide and startled, full of
+surprise and pain; I was not sure but there were tears
+in them. Her straight brows were drawn together in
+a deep furrow, and the scarlet lips, usually so like a
+Cupid's bow, were set and stern. I wondered what the
+chevalier could be saying in that low voice of his to
+move her so deeply. As he finished, mademoiselle
+sprang to her feet, generous indignation in her flashing
+eyes and ringing tones.</p>
+
+<p>"I can never believe it! Either I have no such prospects,
+or he has some good reason for not telling me
+yet. I will never doubt his truth and honesty!"</p>
+
+<p>Then I heard the chevalier's reply, low and distinct:</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, your friends in France doubt both<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>
+the friends of your father and mother. They have
+sent me here to find you and bring you back with me
+to your rich estates, to your rank and position, and
+to the friends who love you. But they know well Dr.
+Saugrain will never let go his hold on you, until he
+can get control of your property himself, and so they
+have instructed me to use all caution and secrecy.</p>
+
+<p>"In the woods yonder, on the other side of the lake,
+is a trusty escort to ride to Cape Girardeau, where a
+boat is waiting to take you to New Orleans. In New
+Orleans is a ship ready to sail the moment mademoiselle
+puts her foot upon its deck, and in a little more
+than a month you will be in Paris, among friends who
+will receive you with outstretched arms, surrounded
+by every luxury, living the life of grande dame as you
+ought to live, among the great nobles where you rightfully
+belong, and not in this rude, rough country
+among Indians and boors. And mademoiselle will
+permit me to add, there is no great lady in France so
+fitted by nature to adorn her high station as she. She
+will have all Paris at her feet. Come with me now,
+mademoiselle! There is no time to be lost! Any
+moment we may be interrupted and it may be too
+late."</p>
+
+<p>My eyes did not leave mademoiselle's face through
+all this long speech, and I saw her expression slowly
+change. The generous indignation was still there, but
+I saw that the picture that he presented of the life
+that awaited her in Paris began to fascinate her. She
+spoke slowly and doubtfully:</p>
+
+<p>"I will tell Dr. and Madame Saugrain all you have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>
+told me, and if it is right, they will let me go with you.
+I will not doubt my friends."</p>
+
+<p>The villain saw that he was gaining ground:</p>
+
+<p>"They are not your friends! They are your bitterest
+foes. They are keeping you from everything
+that will make your life grand and beautiful, with
+the hope of their own gain some day. They will never
+let you go! If home and Paris and friends and
+wealth and rank and power are to be won at all, it
+must be at once. Five minutes more may be too late.
+That boy [with infinite scorn] may have discovered
+your absence and come to seek you."</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the chevalier dropped on one knee, his
+hand on his heart. I turned quickly away (for I would
+not listen to what I feared would be a declaration of
+love), and, as I turned, I saw Yorke coming up the
+path, leading the two horses, who were picking their
+way as cautiously as if they knew the occasion demanded
+the utmost secrecy. I motioned to Yorke to
+leave the horses where they were (I knew they were so
+trained they would stand perfectly still without
+tying) and to come silently to me. I felt that the moment
+of rescue could not be far distant.</p>
+
+<p>He had crept cautiously up just as the chevalier
+ceased speaking. I was intent on noting the position
+of the horses and forming a plan of rescue, and so did
+not observe Yorke, or I might have prevented what
+followed. He had stolen up softly behind me, and, unconscious
+that he was on the edge of a bluff, had
+stepped a step beyond me. Of course he went over at
+once, heels over head, turning a complete somersault,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>
+and alighted erect, astride the neck of the kneeling
+chevalier.</p>
+
+<p>At his terrified cry I turned quickly, just in time to
+see him alight; and if it had been a time for laughing
+it would have been a funny sight indeed: the look
+of startled terror on mademoiselle's face gradually
+changing in spite of herself to one of convulsive merriment;
+the chevalier, his nose ground in the dust,
+squirming helplessly and sputtering vigorously in
+French; and, lastly, the big black, the white balls
+of his eyes almost starting from his head in amazement
+and fright, and a ceaseless torrent of ejaculations
+pouring through his white teeth!</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Oh, Lordy! Oh, my gracious! Oh, de good
+Lord! Oh, massy!"</p>
+
+<p>Yet he made no effort to rise, and I began to suspect
+he was enjoying the situation, for the more vigorously
+the Frenchman sputtered the louder the negro bellowed.</p>
+
+<p>It was time for me to interpose, but I wished to
+avoid the appearance of having been spying on them,
+with Yorke, from above, otherwise I could easily have
+leaped down the low bluff. Looking around hastily, I
+discovered, what I had not noted before, that the
+main path led around the foot of the bluff into the
+little glen from below. I had followed a branch of it in
+coming to the top of the bluff. I ran quickly down to
+the lower entrance of the glen, but there I stopped a
+moment to assume an air as of one leisurely strolling.
+I did not pretend to see the group until I was well into
+the glen where I could also be seen. Then I struck an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span>
+attitude of intense surprise for mademoiselle's benefit
+(who by this time had caught sight of me), and when
+I had sufficiently recovered from the surprise for utterance,
+I spoke to Yorke in tones of stern command:</p>
+
+<p>"What are you doing, sir, on monsieur's back?
+Have you taken him for a horse? Or a donkey? Off,
+sir, this moment, and make your humble apologies
+to the chevalier."</p>
+
+<p>Yorke was not much afraid of my stern tone. Still
+yelling bloody murder, he contrived a most audacious
+wink with the eye next to me, but he tumbled off
+slowly, and then I hastened to help the chevalier to his
+feet. He was a sorry spectacle, and I saw mademoiselle's
+look of suppressed amusement change to pity
+and concern. Blood was gushing from his nose all
+over his fine clothes, and his face was so begrimed
+and gory it would have been impossible to guess it was
+the dapper Parisian.</p>
+
+<p>But he was in such a blind rage that for once he
+ignored his clothes. Stanching the blood as best he
+could with his flimsy lace handkerchief, he poured out
+a torrent of abuse in mingled French and English, on
+Yorke and on me, but principally on me. I tried to
+interpose a polite word of regret, but he would not
+listen to me.</p>
+
+<p>"You air a sneak, a cowaird, sir! You spy on mademoiselle
+and me! Cowair-r-r-d! I will have the satisfaction!
+Sacr&eacute; Dieu! You have no doubt told the negro
+to leap upon my back! I will have r-r-r-evenge!"</p>
+
+<p>And as if reminded by that last word, he turned to
+mademoiselle and spoke in French:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Fly with me at once, mademoiselle! You will not
+stay to be at the mercy of a sneaking spy. See! I will
+call my red friends. Do not be afraid! They will
+carry you off, but I will be with you, and we will find
+horses and fly."</p>
+
+<p>And without waiting for an answer he turned and
+imitated three times the call of a whippoorwill.</p>
+
+<p>I knew what that meant&mdash;that in a moment the
+Osages would be upon us; and hardly had his first call
+left his lips before I too had turned and uttered the
+shrill whistle that always brought Fatima to my side.</p>
+
+<p>As I knew, the last whippoorwill call had not died
+away when from the woods on the opposite side of the
+lake, silently, swiftly stole first one dark figure and
+then another, until at least a dozen savages, armed and
+painted, were bearing down upon us with the fleetness
+of deer. In a moment more they would be upon us,
+and neither Yorke's life nor mine would be worth the
+asking, and, what was far harder to contemplate,
+mademoiselle would be captive in their hands.</p>
+
+<p>She stood for a moment petrified with horror at the
+sight of the swiftly advancing savages, and then she
+turned to me in an agony of entreaty.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, fly, fly at once!" she said, "you and your
+black man, before it is too late."</p>
+
+<p>I turned to Yorke:</p>
+
+<p>"Go as mademoiselle bids you; get your horse and fly."</p>
+
+<p>Yorke tried to remonstrate, but I would not let him
+open his lips.</p>
+
+<p>"No; you will only hinder me now. If worse comes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>
+to worst, you can at least bear the news. Go at once!"
+And without waiting for further orders, Yorke
+turned, scrambled up the face of the bluff, and was
+off.</p>
+
+<p>"But you will go, too!" she cried, as I turned again
+to her.</p>
+
+<p>"And leave you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, do not mind me! They will not hurt me!"
+And then, as I stood perfectly still, with my pistols
+ready, but with no intention of leaving her to the
+tender mercies of the savages and the savage mercies
+of the chevalier, she grew desperate, grasping my arm
+and trying with her feeble strength to push me toward
+safety.</p>
+
+<p>"I implore you," she entreated, "if you have any
+feeling of friendship for me, fly before it is too late!"</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said, "I stir not one step from
+this spot unless you go with me."</p>
+
+<p>"I will but hinder you," she cried, "and prevent
+all possibility of escape. Oh, do not stay for me!"</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," said the chevalier, who had been
+enjoying this scene, with no attempt at concealing his
+relish for it, "go with monsieur, since he desires it."</p>
+
+<p>Even as he spoke, the first of the Osages darted into
+the glen; the others were close at his heels; but at the
+same moment from the entrance of the glen nearer to
+us came the thunder of hoofs, and Fatima was at my
+side, her eyes flashing, her hoofs pawing the earth, her
+nostrils snorting with rage: for well she guessed that
+painted savages meant danger to her master.</p>
+
+<p>I was on her back in a moment, and, stooping, lifted
+mademoiselle swiftly to the crupper in front of me.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>
+Holding her there with my left arm, I wheeled Fatima
+with the one word of command, "Go!" and turning
+my head as she flew over the rough earth, I leveled
+my pistol at the chevalier.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not stir, monsieur, at the peril of your life!"
+I called to him, and kept him covered as we flew. I
+knew the savages were running to try to head me off
+but I paid no attention to them until, rounding a great
+boulder, the chevalier (his face ghastly with rage and
+disappointed revenge, for so sudden had it all been he
+had had no time even to draw his pistol to prevent the
+rescue until too late) was out of my range, as we were
+out of his. Then, turning my pistol swiftly on the
+Osage in the lead,&mdash;none too soon, for his rifle was leveled
+at us,&mdash;I fired. The poor fellow fell forward
+with a wild yell that turned my heart sick; yet none
+the less, the others rushing on with their wild whoops
+to avenge him, I drew my second pistol and fired once
+more.</p>
+
+<p>But I knew not with what result, for mademoiselle,
+with a convulsive shudder and a look of mortal woe,
+cried out:</p>
+
+<p>"You have killed the chevalier!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, mademoiselle," I answered grimly; "I have
+killed the poor whippoorwill you asked me for"; and
+then had all I could do without paying any more attention
+to the savages, for mademoiselle had fainted and
+lay like one dead on my arm, her white face upturned
+to mine, her long black lashes sweeping the marble
+cheeks, and the dark curls falling backward from the
+white brow and floating on the wind, as Fatima flashed
+along the woodland path like a swallow on the wing.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<h3>I TWINE CHRISTMAS GREENS</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"Woman's at best a contradiction still."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>Yorke had reached the picnic-ground just long
+enough ahead of us to create pandemonium.
+He had reported both mademoiselle and me as killed
+and scalped by this time, and a band of a hundred
+savages, with the chevalier at their head, on their way
+to the picnic.</p>
+
+<p>The massacre of 1780 was still fresh enough in the
+memory of St. Louis folk to make this seem no improbable
+tale, and the utmost confusion ensued. Some
+of the young men, with Josef Papin and Gabriel Cerr&eacute;
+at their head, were for going at once to our rescue; but
+the maidens implored, and Yorke averred it was too
+late, and reported the savages in such numbers as
+would make such an undertaking only foolhardy.
+(And by this you must not judge Yorke a villain and
+a coward; he would have been the first to volunteer
+and the loudest to urge on the others, but he had heard
+Fatima's hoofs behind him, and knew we were safe,
+and, rascal that he was, could not resist his practical
+joke nor his negro love of producing a great effect.)</p>
+
+<p>Into this wild pandemonium of women screaming<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>
+unintelligible cries to each other as they hastily got
+together their belongings and packed them into charrettes
+and saddle-bags, amid sobbings and wailings,
+and men shouting hoarsely to mustang and pony as
+they struggled with bit and bridle, mademoiselle and
+I rode; and their joy at seeing us alive, and our hair
+still on our heads, knew no bounds.</p>
+
+<p>I told them the true state of the case&mdash;that there
+were not more than a dozen or twenty of the savages
+at the most, and I hardly thought the chevalier would
+bring them down upon us. Yet, knowing that he might
+be in a mood for risking everything to recapture mademoiselle,
+I recommended that the men form themselves
+into two bands to ride in the front and in the rear,
+with the maidens between the two, and to start at once.
+We could go no faster, of course, than the charrettes
+could go, and the savages could easily overtake us if
+they desired; but I did not believe they would dare,
+for our numbers were greater than theirs, and the
+young men were all well armed.</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle had recovered from her fainting, but
+was still white and weak. And because I did not believe
+she was able to sit La Bette, I recommended that
+she ride in Josef Papin's charrette with Mademoiselle
+Chouteau and let Josef ride her horse. We two,
+young Papin and I, brought up the rear; and I did
+not see mademoiselle again except once, for a moment,
+when we were crossing La Petite Rivi&egrave;re, and I rode
+up by her side to see that the charrette went steadily
+through the water. Her head was on Mademoiselle
+Chouteau's shoulder, who was supporting her with her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>
+arm. Her eyes were closed, and Mademoiselle Chouteau
+whispered to me, "She is asleep!" but at that she
+opened her eyes quickly and looked up at me. She
+tried to smile, but I think the terror of it all was still
+strongly with her. She said:</p>
+
+<p>"I have not thanked you, monsieur; but I know I
+owe you my liberty, if not my life, and I am not ungrateful."</p>
+
+<p>It was very sweetly said, but there was a horrible
+fear at my heart that she would rather have been captured
+by the redskins, and gone away with the Chevalier
+Le Moyne, than to have been rescued by me.</p>
+
+<p>Just at the stockade we met a party of horsemen.
+Dr. Saugrain and my captain were in the lead with
+Black Hawk, who had reported Red Jean with a band
+of Osages lurking in the woods, and they were on their
+way to clear them out, lest they molest the picnic or
+the village. Amid a babble of excitement, every one
+trying to talk at once, our tale was told. And as Dr.
+Saugrain and my captain thought it was best to go on
+and try to capture the chevalier and his band, and as
+our escort was no longer needed for the maidens, I
+turned my horse and rode back with them to find the
+chevalier.</p>
+
+<p>I confess it would have done me good to bring him
+in a captive, but I was doomed to disappointment. We
+scoured the woods, and the only traces we found of
+him and his band were the prints of horses' hoofs
+going south,&mdash;a dozen horses, I should think,&mdash;and,
+just where Rock Spring bubbles up in a silver fountain,
+a torn and bloody lace handkerchief. I gave the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>
+good doctor a full account of the conversation I had
+listened to, and he ground his teeth with rage at the
+chevalier's duplicity. He was much touched at Pelagie's
+chivalrous defense of him; yet, as delicately as I
+could, I tried to tell him that at the very last I feared
+the chevalier had succeeded in insinuating some seeds
+of doubt and suspicion in mademoiselle's mind. The
+doctor and my captain both agreed that it was time
+to tell Pelagie the full truth of the matter. She
+should know all about herself and her expectations,
+and who were her friends and who her foes.</p>
+
+<p>I was curious to see what effect the revelation would
+have upon her; or it could hardly be called a revelation,
+since the chevalier had already revealed it&mdash;rather
+the confirmation of his tale. But in that, too, I
+was doomed to disappointment. She was ill for several
+days and confined to her room,&mdash;the effect of the
+excitement she had passed through,&mdash;and before she
+was well enough to be about again, my captain and I
+had set off, with Black Hawk as guide and Yorke as
+factotum, to make a visit to Daniel Boone at his home
+on the Missouri River.</p>
+
+<p>We found the grand old man as happy as a child in
+the beautiful home he had at last made for himself
+and his family at the very outposts of civilization.
+We were gone four weeks, exploring the woods and
+mountains and rolling prairies of the beautiful country,
+and coming home on a great flatboat down the
+swiftly rolling Missouri, past Fort Bellefontaine,
+where the Missouri empties into the Mississippi (where
+we were royally entertained by the Spanish commandant),<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>
+and so at last by the Mississippi back to St.
+Louis.</p>
+
+<p>I found myself trembling with a mingling of fearful
+and pleasant anticipations as I rode up the steep
+bluff on Fatima's back, and we took the Rue de
+l'&Eacute;glise to Dr. Saugrain's house.</p>
+
+<p>It was the day before Christmas, and I had not remembered
+it; but as we passed the church in the rear
+of Auguste Chouteau's place, through the open doors
+we could see young men and maidens winding
+long garlands of Christmas greens and festooning
+them over doors and windows, while shouts of merry
+laughter floated out to us. I was for drawing rein
+and going in to help with the trimming; but my captain
+(who, I believe, was shy of the maidens) insisted
+we must first pay our respects to our host.</p>
+
+<p>The little doctor met us at the gate with a beaming
+face, and when Narcisse and Yorke had led away our
+horses we entered once more the long, low room we had
+first entered nearly two months before. The windows
+were no longer open, looking out into cool green foliage,
+with white muslin curtains stirring in the
+breeze, and there was no maiden in a white robe, with
+the blue ribbon of a guitar across her shoulders, singing
+creole love-songs. Instead, crimson damask curtains
+were falling over the white ones, and a great fire
+of logs was blazing in one end of the room, looking
+cozy and cheery enough on this crisp December day.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, in spite of its coziness, I thought it had a dreary
+look. Leon was lying before the fire, and though he
+looked at me a little doubtfully, as he slowly rose and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>
+shook himself, I felt a rush of friendliness toward
+him, and showed it so plainly, as I called him to me,
+that at last he capitulated, and we have ever since been
+the best of friends.</p>
+
+<p>Then Madame Saugrain came running in, flushed
+and rosy from the kitchen, where she had been superintending
+the baking of Christmas tarts and croquecignolles,
+and bringing with her appetizing whiffs of
+roasting and frying. My captain laughingly told her
+that the good smells made him hungry.</p>
+
+<p>"You shall come and see," she said; and led us into
+the great kitchen, where, on tables as white as snow,
+were piled heaps of golden-brown croquecignolles, cut
+in curious patterns, and the big black cook was dropping
+still more into the kettle of boiling fat, and bringing
+out puffy and wondrously shaped birds and beasts.
+Narcisse, on his knees on the hearth, was turning two
+great fowls suspended before the fire, from which
+oozed such rich and savory gravy as made one smack
+his lips. On another table a huge venison pasty and
+tarts and cakes of many kinds were temptingly arrayed,
+and madame's pride in her housewifely preparations
+for the Christmas feasting was pretty to see.
+She would have us taste her croquecignolles and little
+cakes, and had a glass of gooseberry wine brought out
+of the store-room for each of us, and we drank it
+standing in the kitchen, and helping ourselves from
+the pile of croquecignolles.</p>
+
+<p>But kind and charming as was madame, and toothsome
+as were her cakes, and much as her gooseberry
+wine tickled our palates, I was yet on nettles to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>
+gone and join the young people at the church.
+Whether madame guessed it or whether it was just
+one of her kindly thoughts, she said in her motherly
+way:</p>
+
+<p>"But, my son, you should be at the church. The
+maidens will be vexed with me if I keep you talking to
+an old woman, when they might be having your help
+with the wreaths."</p>
+
+<p>"If you think they need me?" and I tried to look as
+if only a stern sense of duty could induce me to go.</p>
+
+<p>Madame Saugrain laughed, with the merry twinkle
+in her eye that made her as captivating as a young
+maiden.</p>
+
+<p>"Allons donc!" she said. "Quel gar&ccedil;on!" And
+with my best bow to her and a salute to my captain
+and the good doctor, I whistled to Leon to accompany
+me and strode quickly down the road toward the little
+church.</p>
+
+<p>But as I neared it I slackened my pace, and but for
+very shame I would have turned and fled again to the
+shelter of madame's motherly smile. I had not seen
+Mademoiselle Pelagie since the day of the picnic, and
+I was much in doubt whether she regarded me as her
+rescuer to be esteemed with grateful and friendly feeling,
+or as the cause of the loss of a dear friend, perhaps
+a lover. I felt very sure I would be able to tell at our
+first meeting in which light I was held, and, screwing
+up all my courage, I made a bold dash for the church
+door.</p>
+
+<p>Scarcely had my shadow darkened the doorway
+when I was surrounded by an eager group, saluting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>
+me with every form of friendly welcome back to St.
+Louis; but the face I looked for was not among them.
+Mademoiselle Chouteau and Mademoiselle Papin
+seized me, one by either arm, and led me to a great
+pile of greens, and would have set me at once to work
+in tying them to long ropes. But I begged them to
+permit me first to pay my respects to the rest of my
+friends; for over in a dark corner I had seen Pelagie
+at work, with two or three young men around her,
+supplying her with greens for her nimble fingers to
+weave into garlands, and she had not come with the
+others to greet me. I thought at least that little courtesy
+was due me, for, whether she liked or resented my
+rescuing her, I had risked much in the doing of it.</p>
+
+<p>I was filled with bitterness toward her, but could
+have no more kept away from her than the moth from
+the flame. My bitterness now gave me courage, and I
+sauntered up to her with what I flattered myself was
+quite as grand an air as the chevalier's might have
+been. Hand on the hilt of my sword, hat doffed, with
+its plume sweeping the ground, I bowed low.</p>
+
+<p>"If mademoiselle has not forgotten an old acquaintance,
+will she permit me respectfully to salute her?"</p>
+
+<p>She had been seated on a low seat with the side of
+her face toward me, and may or may not have been
+aware of my approach. As I spoke, she rose quickly
+and turned toward me, the rich blood rushing over her
+face and neck for a minute, and receding and leaving
+her almost as white as when I had held her in my
+arms and she had thought the chevalier killed.</p>
+
+<p>She did not speak, but she held out her hand, and I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>
+bowed low over it, and barely touched it with my lips.
+The young men (among whom was of course Josef
+Papin) crowded around me with friendly greetings,
+and for a few minutes we talked fast, they asking and
+I answering many questions about Daniel Boone and
+our adventures in the far West.</p>
+
+<p>I did not look at mademoiselle as we talked, but&mdash;it
+is a way I have&mdash;I saw her all the time. I think it must
+be because I am so much taller than most people that
+I can see all that goes on around me (or, perhaps
+more truly, beneath me) without seeming to look. I
+saw mademoiselle regard me with a strange glance, as
+if she were looking at some one she did not know, and
+was trying to explain him to herself. Then she sat
+down and quietly went on with her work, her head
+bent, and not looking at me again.</p>
+
+<p>I talked on for a few minutes, and then turned to
+make my adieus to mademoiselle. She looked up at
+me with a friendly smile and I saw, what I had not
+noticed before, that she was paler and thinner than
+when I had seen her last, and there was a look in her
+dark eyes as of hidden trouble.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you not stay and help us, monsieur?" she
+said in that voice which, from the first time I had
+heard it, had always seemed to me the sweetest in the
+world. Of course it set my silly pulses to beating
+faster, but I answered steadily and with an air of cold
+courtesy:</p>
+
+<p>"I regret that I cannot accept mademoiselle's invitation;
+I have promised my services elsewhere"; and
+with another low bow I turned on my heel and, holding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>
+my head high, went back to weave garlands with
+Mademoiselle Chouteau and Marguerite Papin.</p>
+
+<p>And because I was so big and they were so petite,
+they delighted in ordering me around (and I delighted
+in obeying), and they made me mount to the highest
+beams to suspend garlands, and applauded me when
+I arranged them to suit their fancy, and laughed at
+me or scolded me when I was awkward and stupid,
+until my back ached and my heart grew light; for I
+forgot for a time that mademoiselle, for whom I had
+risked my life, had not even cared to give me a
+friendly welcome back to St. Louis.</p>
+
+<p>The last garland was fastened in its place, the last
+stray bit of evergreen and rubbish swept from the
+doors, the church garnished and beautiful to behold.
+There was the noisy bustle of preparing for departure
+and the calling back and forth:</p>
+
+<p>"Be sure you are at midnight mass, Gabriel."</p>
+
+<p>"Au revoir at midnight mass, Pelagie."</p>
+
+<p>"I will see you at midnight mass, monsieur."</p>
+
+<p>And for me there was a moment of embarrassment.
+Was it my duty to offer myself as escort to any of the
+maidens? For though the hour was early it was already
+dark. Or, since I was going direct to mademoiselle's
+house, would I be expected to accompany
+her? I glanced over to her corner; she had already
+left the church. I looked through the open doorway;
+she was walking down the Rue de l'&Eacute;glise with Josef
+Papin.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle Chouteau," I said, "may I have the
+pleasure of walking home with you?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But all the way up the Rue de l'&Eacute;glise and down
+the steep incline of the Rue Bonhomme, and up the
+Rue Royale to the great barred gate that led into the
+stone-walled inclosure of Pierre Chouteau, while
+Mademoiselle Chouteau, with her nimble tongue, was
+flitting from one bit of village gossip to another, like
+a butterfly among the flowers, I was saying bitterly to
+myself:</p>
+
+<p>"And she had even the discourtesy to walk away
+without waiting to see whether the guest of her house
+was going home or not."</p>
+
+<p>It was a long mile and a half from Pierre Chouteau's
+house to Dr. Saugrain's, and it was a frosty
+December evening. It was only five o'clock, but the
+stars were out, and through the leafless trees I could
+see lights twinkling from the houses as I passed.
+Faster and faster I walked, as my thoughts grew more
+and more bitter toward mademoiselle, and by the
+time I had reached the cheery living-room, with its
+blazing lightwood fire, I was in such a glow from
+exercise and indignation as made the fire all unwelcome.</p>
+
+<p>I had quite made up my mind, on my long walk,
+that mademoiselle should find me as cool as herself;
+and through the evening meal I scarce looked at her.
+But if I had fancied mademoiselle suffering from
+some secret trouble, I changed my mind at supper.
+She sat between my captain and her guardian,
+and was in such merry mood that she had my captain
+alternately laughing uproariously at her wit, and
+making fine speeches about her beauty, in a fashion<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>
+that quite amazed me, for I had ever considered him
+a sober-minded fellow, above all such light ways.</p>
+
+<p>Nor did she refrain from a slight stab at me whenever
+it was possible to get it in. I took no more notice
+of these than I could help, yet I felt my cheeks, already
+burning from my frosty walk, grow hotter and
+hotter, until the very tips of my ears were on fire; and
+I felt it the unkindest cut of all when she said,
+with her pretty accent and air of polite condescension
+to a very young boy:</p>
+
+<p>"'Tis a long walk from Mademoiselle Chouteau's,
+monsieur, but it has given you une grande couleur.
+What would not our St. Louis belles give for such
+roses!"</p>
+
+<p>I turned toward her just long enough to say
+gravely, "I thank you, mademoiselle," and then renewed
+at once my conversation with madame. But I
+could see from the tail of my eye that she had the
+grace to blush also, and to be ashamed of her petty
+persecutions, for she left me to myself the remainder
+of the meal.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+<h3>I GO TO MIDNIGHT MASS</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"Tender-handed stroke a nettle,<br />
+And it stings you for your pains;<br />
+Grasp it like a man of mettle,<br />
+And it soft as silk remains."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>In our room, making ready for midnight mass,
+which all the family, including guests, were expected
+to attend, my captain told me what Dr. Saugrain
+had said to him about mademoiselle. He had
+told her fully her history and expectations (save only
+her exact rank and title, which he had thought best
+still to withhold from her), and the plans of her
+friends for her future. He had also told her very
+plainly that he had suspected the chevalier of just
+such an attempt at her capture as he had made, and
+for that reason had been so unwilling that she should
+go to Chouteau's Pond.</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle had listened, and had asked him many
+questions, and had at last said that she could not
+doubt the truth of her guardian, but she thought it
+possible the chevalier was honest also, and misjudged
+Dr. Saugrain because he did not know him. The
+doctor had tried to convince her of the chevalier's duplicity,
+and showed her the letter of warning from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span>
+France concerning him; but the doctor was not sure
+that mademoiselle was convinced, and he had determined,
+as soon as safe convoy could be found, to send
+her to her friends in Paris.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime mademoiselle did not seem happy,
+and the good doctor was much puzzled to know whether
+it was, as he hoped, regret at leaving his wife
+and himself, who had been father and mother to her,
+or, as he feared, a secret regret for the chevalier, and
+a lurking doubt of the Saugrains.</p>
+
+<p>And now all my bitterness toward mademoiselle
+had suddenly vanished. I seemed to understand fully
+the state of mind the poor girl was in, and there was
+no room in my heart for anything but a great pity
+for her. The remembrance of her face as I had seen
+it when the chevalier was talking to her, the generous
+indignation changing to doubt, and then the gradual
+kindling of a desire for the life depicted to her by
+the chevalier (and, perhaps, a touch of a softer emotion
+for the chevalier himself),&mdash;it was like reading
+an open book, and I said to myself:</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle is torn by conflicting emotions: her
+love for her friends here whom she is to leave, and
+longing for the life in Paris which may soon be hers,
+and, perhaps, love for the chevalier, whom she feels
+she ought to despise. What does it matter if she sometimes
+vents her irritation with herself upon me, whom
+she regards as but a boy? I shall not resent it; but
+if I find a chance I will try to let her know I understand."</p>
+
+<p>But I had no chance on the way to mass. Madame<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>
+Saugrain seemed to take it for granted that Captain
+Clarke and the doctor would walk with mademoiselle,
+and I was her peculiar property; and I suppose I had
+given her the right to think so by always pointedly
+devoting myself to her.</p>
+
+<p>It was a solemn service at that midnight hour: the
+bare little church made beautiful with our garlands
+of green, and the twinkle of many candles around the
+altar; the heads bowed in prayer; the subdued murmur
+of voices making the responses; the swelling note
+of triumph in the Gregorian chant; and then coming
+out under the quiet stars and exchanging greetings
+with friend and neighbor.</p>
+
+<p>And last of all the quiet walk home, and, to my surprise,
+I was walking by mademoiselle's side. I was
+surprised, for it was not of my arranging, and it set
+my blood to leaping to think it was possibly of hers. I
+made up my mind that no word of mine should mar
+the friendliness of the act, and I plunged quickly into
+a lively discussion of the ball that was to take place at
+Madame Chouteau's on Christmas evening. But she
+interrupted me almost in the beginning, and, as was
+her habit when she talked with me, she spoke in
+French. It was only rarely she tried her English,
+though, when she did, it was with such a witching
+grace I could have wished it oftener.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," she said, "I have been so unmaidenly
+as to inflict my company upon you for the walk home
+when you had not solicited it, but I had a reason for so
+doing. I hope," as if a sudden thought had struck
+her, "I have not interfered with other plans. Had
+you desired to escort some one else home?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not," I said coolly, for I was unaccountably
+irritated by the suggestion. "And I did not solicit
+the honor of being your escort only because I had
+reason to suppose it would not be agreeable to you."</p>
+
+<p>"It was for that I am here without an invitation,"
+she answered quickly. "I have many times given you
+occasion to think me entirely without manners. I
+have often been very rude to you. I wish to ask your
+pardon for my silly speeches at the table, and for all
+my unamiability, and to assure you I have not forgotten
+your great services to me, and I am not ungrateful.
+It is because I have naturally a very bad temper;
+and now I believe I am not quite well, I am so irritable
+of late."</p>
+
+<p>Several times I had tried to interrupt her; I could
+not bear to have her humiliate herself to me (for I
+was sure it must be a humiliation to one of her haughty
+temper). But she would not listen to my interruptions;
+she went steadily on with a voice so low and
+sweet and sad it quite unmanned me.</p>
+
+<p>Yet because I thought her voice trembled, and in
+the moonlight (for the late moon was now well up in
+the sky) I was sure I saw something bright glistening
+on her long lashes, and because my heart was torn
+for her, and I was seized with a horrible fear that she
+might weep, and I would not know what to do&mdash;for all
+these reasons I spoke quickly and lightly:</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, you have the temper of an angel,
+and if sometimes you lose it, I fear it is because only
+an angel with wings could be patient with a blundering
+giant like me."</p>
+
+<p>"You are no blunderer, monsieur," she said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>
+gravely; "and if you are a giant, you are one of the
+good kind who use their strength and their courage in
+rescuing distressed damsels. I hope they will not all
+requite you as badly as I have done."</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle,"&mdash;I spoke as gravely as she had
+spoken,&mdash;"I hope you will not let the remembrance of
+any service I have been able to render you prove a
+burden to you. I would risk much more in your service,
+if the occasion offered, than I risked then, and
+find my delight in so doing." And then I added: "I
+wish you would promise me that if you should ever
+need such service again&mdash;if you are ever in peril of
+any kind, and I am in reach&mdash;that you will call on
+me."</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle hesitated a moment before she replied:</p>
+
+<p>"You are heaping coals of fire on my head, monsieur;
+you are far kinder to me than I deserve, but&mdash;I
+promise."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, mademoiselle; you have given me my
+reward, and if you were ever unamiable to me, you
+have fully atoned. Sometimes I think, mademoiselle,"
+I went on, inwardly trembling but determined, "that
+you did not esteem it so great a service that I rendered
+you&mdash;that perhaps you had rather not have been
+rescued. Am I wrong?"</p>
+
+<p>I was looking down on her and watching her narrowly
+as I spoke. I could see, even by the uncertain
+light of the moon, that she went suddenly white, and
+there was a perceptible pause before she spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"I hardly think, monsieur, that you have any right<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>
+to ask me such a question, but I am going to answer
+your question by another." And slowly the color
+crept back into her face, and grew brighter and
+brighter, but she went steadily on. "Did you overhear
+what the Chevalier Le Moyne was saying to me
+in the glen?"</p>
+
+<p>It was my time to wince. Must I confess to eavesdropping?
+It was hard enough to do that under any
+circumstances&mdash;but she might think I had listened too
+to the chevalier's wooing; it seemed to me I could not
+so outrage her sense of delicacy as to let her think that.
+I had been reared to revere the truth, but for once I
+thought it not wrong to chip a little from its sharp
+edge.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said, "I will confess to you. I
+missed you and the chevalier from the dance. I had
+been warned that the chevalier might attempt to carry
+you off, and I had given my word not to let you out
+of my sight. Of course I went at once in search of
+you, and because I believed the whippoorwills we had
+heard in the woods to be signal of savages, I bade
+Yorke follow me with the horses. I heard voices, and
+in following them came to the top of the bluff encircling
+the glen. I would scorn to be an eavesdropper
+under ordinary circumstances, but a chance word
+caught my ear, and when I found the chevalier was
+not pleading a lover's cause, but maligning my friend
+Dr. Saugrain to the maiden he loves as his own
+daughter, I felt it my duty to listen. Your rejection
+with scorn of the chevalier's base insinuation against
+Dr. Saugrain delighted my heart, but when I found<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>
+that he was continuing with devilish ingenuity to seek
+to undermine your faith in your guardian, I concluded
+it was time for me to interfere. I told Yorke to be
+ready with the horses, and myself went down to the
+entrance of the glen, intending to interrupt the chevalier,
+and use my pledge to your guardian as authority
+for requesting your return. Imagine my astonishment
+to find Yorke, whom I had left in charge of the
+horses, astride the chevalier's neck! What followed
+you know, and now you know what I heard and why
+I listened. Was it wrong?"</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle was silent for a minute. I think she
+was not quite sure that I had not heard more than I
+confessed to, but she was willing to hope I had not.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," she said, "you were no doubt justified
+in listening, if one can ever be justified in listening to
+what is not intended for his ears. But you have used
+some harsh expressions concerning the chevalier, and
+I think it is possible you wrong him, even as he
+wronged my guardian. I do not for one moment believe
+that my guardian has had any but the best of
+motives in keeping from me all knowledge of my rank
+and wealth; but I might still be ignorant of it, and I
+know not for how much longer, if the chevalier had
+not revealed it to me. Dr. Saugrain corroborated all
+that he has said. He only refuses to believe that the
+chevalier was sent by my friends to take me back to
+Paris. He accuses him of being in a plot to get possession
+of my person and of my wealth. Yet that is
+exactly the accusation made by the chevalier against
+Dr. Saugrain. Dr. Saugrain admits that all the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>
+chevalier said about my present rank and future
+prospects is true. Why should not the rest be true&mdash;that
+he had been sent by my friends to bring me back
+to Paris? Can you not see that he does not necessarily
+seem to me so black as he does to you and my guardian?
+And it seems a hard thing to me that he should
+be a refugee among savages, leaving a blackened reputation
+behind him (for there is no one in St. Louis
+who does not vilify him), when he was actuated by
+most chivalrous motives, however mistaken they
+might be; for he thought he was rescuing a wronged
+maiden from those who had unlawful possession of
+her, and restoring her to her friends. I cannot but
+feel shame and regret that I should have caused the
+chevalier so great a journey, at such cost of money
+and fatigue, in vain, and that he may be even now
+suffering all kinds of exposure from wild savages, if
+not in peril of his life."</p>
+
+<p>Now here was the opportunity I had desired to assure
+her of my sympathy, and tell her that I understood
+the difficulties in which she was placed; but my
+tongue clove to the roof of my mouth. When I
+thought of that villain (for whatever mademoiselle
+might think, I never for a moment doubted his villainy)
+my blood boiled, and, instead, I blurted out
+roughly:</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, 'tis incomprehensible to me how
+you can for one moment give the word of such a man
+as the chevalier, whom you have known so short a
+time, equal credence with the word of such a man as
+Dr. Saugrain, thorough Christian gentleman in every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>
+fiber of his being, and your lifelong friend and benefactor,
+your more than father."</p>
+
+<p>But I had spoken beyond my right. Mademoiselle
+turned on me with cold fury:</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur, I have not sought this interview that
+you should teach me my duty to my guardian, nor
+criticize my attitude toward the chevalier. I am sorry
+we have allowed the others to get so far ahead of us,
+but if we hasten we may overtake them and I will relieve
+you from further attendance." Whereupon she
+started ahead at a round pace.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle!" I called to her, "I entreat you to
+listen to me for a moment."</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle stopped and turned toward me, and
+we stood facing each other in the middle of the road,
+alone in the white moonlight, for the others were quite
+out of sight around a bend in the road, and there were
+no houses near. Below us lay the Mississippi, a white
+flood in the moonlight, and far across the river the
+twinkling lights of Cahokia, one of them, no doubt, in
+Mr. Gratiot's house, where I had first seen mademoiselle.
+Her eyes were flashing scorn at me now, as they
+flashed at me when she knelt with her arms around the
+great shaggy brute, and, looking up in my face, called
+me "B&ecirc;te!" There was no doubt about it, mademoiselle
+could be a little fury at times, and no
+doubt she would have liked to call me once more,
+"B&ecirc;te!"</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said, "I am so unhappy as to be
+always offending you. From the moment when I
+made my descent of Mr. Gratiot's staircase on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>
+back of your dog, to the present moment, I seem to
+have been able to make myself only ridiculous or
+offensive to you! I beg you to believe that it is a
+matter of the deepest regret to me that this should be
+so, and to believe that to offend you is ever farthest
+from my desire. I realize that I was over-zealous for
+Dr. Saugrain, whom I greatly admire and love, and
+that you certainly had never given me any right to
+take such interest in you and your affairs as I just
+now displayed. I beg you to believe that I shall never
+again offend in like manner, mademoiselle la comtesse."</p>
+
+<p>I saw her face slowly change from its expression of
+scorn to that same wondering look I had noticed in
+the church, as if she were regarding some one she did
+not know and was trying to understand. As I uttered
+the last words, "mademoiselle la comtesse," another
+and a swift change came over her. Her eyes fell, her
+head drooped. Still standing there in the moonlight,
+she suddenly buried her face in her hands and sobs
+shook her slender figure.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, mademoiselle!" I cried. "I beg, I
+implore, you to forgive me. I am, indeed, a brute!"
+And as she continued to sob drearily, I was beside myself.
+What could I do? She looked so like a little
+child, and I was so big, to have hurt her seemed cruel
+and shameful. I was in a state of desperation. I
+begged her and implored her not to weep; but it
+seemed to me she only sobbed the harder. What did
+one do, I wondered, with a weeping maiden? Had it
+only been a child I would have known, for I had ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>
+a way with children; but before a weeping maiden I
+was helpless.</p>
+
+<p>And still mademoiselle sobbed on, her sobs coming
+faster and harder, until, in a paroxysm of grief (or I
+know not what), she flung herself upon a low bank
+beside the road, moaning and crying aloud.</p>
+
+<p>Instantly my courage returned to me. Mademoiselle
+was acting like a child; I should treat her as one.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said firmly, "I cannot permit
+you to sit upon the cold ground. I am very, very sorry
+for you, but you must at once arise and dry your
+eyes and tell me what is the matter, so that I can help
+you."</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle but wept the louder. There was no
+help for it; at the risk of being rude I must stop her
+weeping and make her rise from the ground.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle!" I said sternly, "you will oblige
+me by rising at once from that cold ground or you
+will compel me to go for Madame Saugrain and deliver
+you into her hands."</p>
+
+<p>For a second, amazement at my tone of authority
+kept her silent, then followed a storm of sobs and
+tears more violent than before.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry, mademoiselle," I said, in a tone purposely
+cool and cutting (though it was my own heart
+I stabbed with my coldness), "that you compel me to
+treat you <i>comme enfant</i>. I shall wait one minute, and
+if you do not rise from the ground in that time I shall
+call your friends." Then I drew myself up tall and
+stiff, like a sentinel, turned my back on mademoiselle,
+and took out my watch to note the time by the moon-beams.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>There was no answer, but the sobs grew less until
+there was only an occasional convulsive catching of
+the breath. Then came a moment of quiet. There
+were neither sobs nor moans. Then a small and plaintive
+voice said gently:</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur, I will be good now."</p>
+
+<p>I turned quickly. Mademoiselle was starting to rise
+from the low bank; I grasped her hands and helped
+her to her feet and looked down upon her. Her
+face was flushed with weeping; her hood had fallen
+back and her dark curls were in wild disorder; she
+might have been a beautiful child who had been
+naughty but was now subdued. She adjusted her
+hood and her curls as best she could, and then walked
+quietly along beside me. We neither of us spoke, and
+we walked rapidly and in a few minutes overtook the
+others and came up to the house together, and into the
+big living-room, where fresh logs piled in the great
+chimney-place were blazing and crackling, and lighting
+every cranny of the long room.</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle was paler than usual, but otherwise
+there were no signs of the tempest she had just been
+through, and I looked at her with wonder. Madame
+Saugrain, noticing her pallor, and thinking she was
+cold, put her down on the wooden settle in the chimney-place
+to warm by the glowing fire, and bustled
+about helping Narcisse to bring in plates of croquecignolles
+and cups of hot mulled gooseberry wine,
+which was much to my satisfaction, for the frosty air
+and the lateness of the hour had put a keen edge
+on an appetite that was ever ready for trencher
+service.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Now the settle on which mademoiselle sat had a
+high back and was turned away from the rest of us,
+so that, as we engaged in helping Madame Saugrain,
+we might easily have forgotten the little figure hidden
+away upon it. Perhaps the others did, but I did not.
+My mind hovered around it all the time; but I was divided
+between a desire to take her some cake and wine,
+which I was sure would do her good, and a fear of my
+reception if I did, and a baser fear that I might
+thereby lose my own toothsome cake and fragrant
+wine, which was at that moment making most potent
+appeals to my inner man by way of the nostrils.
+"For," I said to myself, "I know the ways of maidens.
+They like not to see men eat. It seems in their
+minds a greater compliment to them if a man do but
+nibble and sip and seem to be careless of his victuals
+and drink, which I maintain is a great mistake, for a
+good trencherman is ever a good lover, and a man to be
+trusted in all the serious business of life."</p>
+
+<p>To ease my conscience and my appetite at the same
+time, I disposed of a croquecignolle and my steaming
+cup of wine with such haste that the one stuck in my
+windpipe and liked to choke me, and the other burnt
+my mouth well and might as well have been boiling
+water for all the pleasure my palate got out of it.
+Then I pretended to suddenly remember mademoiselle,
+and carried her a plate of cake and a cup of wine
+with fear and trembling.</p>
+
+<p>She refused them, as I thought she would, but
+looked up at me very sweetly and asked me very gently
+to sit down beside her for a moment, and I remember<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span>
+thinking as I did so that I had been wise to secure my
+cake and wine first, else would I have gone hungry,
+since I could scarce have the face to eat if mademoiselle
+would not eat with me. But I still thought it
+would do her good to have at least a little of the wine,
+and, remembering how well she had yielded to discipline
+when she found she must, I set the wine on the
+hearth where it would keep warm for further use, and
+then turned to hear what she had to say.</p>
+
+<p>"I only want to say to you, Monsieur, that I am
+very much ashamed of myself this evening, but I am
+very unhappy, and I have brooded upon my unhappiness
+until I have become nervous and irritable, and, as
+you saw to-night, incapable of self-control. Is that a
+sufficient excuse for behaving like a spoiled child?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said, "it is far more than sufficient,
+but I am more distressed than I can tell you
+that you should be so unhappy. If you would but tell
+me the cause perhaps I could help you. Is it anything
+you can tell me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, no, no!" said Pelagie, hastily, and then
+seeing perhaps by my face that it hurt me that she
+should think it impossible I could help her, she added
+hesitatingly: "That is, I think not. Perhaps it might
+be possible. I will think about it to-night and to-morrow,
+and perhaps at Madame Chouteau's dance,
+if I have an opportunity, I may tell you. I believe,"
+still more slowly, "if any one could help me, you
+could."</p>
+
+<p>I am sure I thanked her more with my eyes than
+with my voice, but I know she understood, and then,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>
+thinking she had had more than enough of serious converse
+for one evening, I resumed my r&ocirc;le of stern disciplinarian
+and made her eat a little of the cake and
+drink most of the wine, pretending all the time that
+she was a naughty child to be sternly dealt with. And
+I could see that the warm wine and the foolish play
+were bringing back the color to her cheeks and the
+brightness to her eyes and the gay ring to her voice,
+which pleased me greatly. Then my captain called
+to me that it was high time to be saying good night to
+the ladies, or rather good morning, and I rose to go,
+but I turned first and leaned over the back of the tall
+settle:</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, at the picnic on Chouteau's Pond I
+won the first dance with you, I think somewhat against
+your will. If I should ask you for the first dance to-morrow
+night, would you give it to me willingly?"</p>
+
+<p>"Willingly, Monsieur," with a glance into my eyes
+(which were very near her own) by far the sweetest
+I had yet had from hers.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+<h3>MADAME CHOUTEAU'S BALL</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"The uncertain glory of an April day."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>We met at reveille the next morning at nine&mdash;the
+great Christmas feast when kinsfolk all
+gather at the house of the head of the family and
+make merry together. Then I saw for what all the
+mighty preparations of the day before were intended.
+The roasted fowl and venison pasty, smoking hot,
+were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials
+beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever
+less of a talent for the description of such things than
+for making away with them.</p>
+
+<p>It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for
+over an hour, mingling with our enjoyment of Madame
+Saugrain's good things such pleasant converse as
+Frenchmen excel in. Dr. Saugrain himself had always
+something wise and witty to say, and being a man of
+deep learning and much science, was often, also, most
+instructive. An hour, therefore, passed quickly
+enough, and I was glad to see that mademoiselle was
+looking more as she had looked before the picnic on
+Chouteau's Pond than I had seen her since my return.
+But I had chance for little more than the good wishes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>
+of the day with her, for the company was large and
+my seat, as usual, was near Madame Saugrain, at the
+other end of the table from hers. My thoughts had
+dwelt much upon her when I lay on my bed the night
+before, a long hour ere sleep visited my eyelids. I
+had lived over the events of the evening, and of the
+weeks that I had known her, and she had seemed to
+me not one, but many maidens. Haughty, meek, scornful,
+merry, mocking, serious, sad, sweet&mdash;in how
+many moods had I not seen her, and in each in turn
+she had seemed to me the sweetest. I always forgot,
+when I was with her, that she was a great lady in
+France and destined soon to return to her home land
+and her rightful position. I never could think of
+her as anything but Dr. Saugrain's ward: wilful,
+sweet, and capricious, the belle of St. Louis, the toast
+of the young men and the idol of the young maidens.
+That as a rule she had treated me with scorn or indifference
+did not in the least detract from her charms
+for me, but the unwonted sweetness of the night
+before had quite gone to my head, and I was henceforth
+her willing slave.</p>
+
+<p>From the breakfast-table we separated; the captain
+and Dr. Saugrain going to the doctor's laboratory,
+where he was making some wonderful experiments
+with phosphorus, by which one might at any moment
+obtain a light, without the aid of tinder, by means of
+little sticks of wood dipped in the phosphorus! 'Tis
+not to be wondered at that many people think Dr. Saugrain
+a dealer in black arts when he can accomplish
+such supernatural results by the aid of science!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As for me, I had an engagement with Josef Papin
+and Gabriel Cerr&eacute; and some other young men to go
+duck-shooting on the Maramec, a good day's tramp,
+and we did not expect to be back until nearly time for
+Madame Chouteau's dance. I think the matrons
+and the maidens expected to spend the day in going
+to church and in making visits, which seemed to me
+a dull way to spend Christmas, but no doubt they
+liked it.</p>
+
+<p>It was a grand day for shooting, the air so clear and
+dry, just frosty enough to send the blood leaping
+through our bodies; and we came home with a great
+string of prairie-chicken and duck and partridge&mdash;enough
+to supply the village for a week. We were a
+little later than we had intended in getting home,
+and tired enough to go right to bed, but I, for one,
+would not have missed this my first opportunity to
+appear in <i>grand costume du bal</i>, to say nothing of the
+joys of the dance.</p>
+
+<p>There was a hot supper waiting for me, which
+rested me wonderfully; and then, with Yorke's help,
+I had a quick bath and was into my ball dress in a
+shorter time than I had dared to hope. Yorke had
+laid out my dress for me and looked to the lace ruffles
+and lacers, so that I had only to jump into it and
+let him tie me up, and I was ready.</p>
+
+<p>I was glad that I had such a becoming costume
+with me, for, without being unduly vain, I knew
+that the rich plum-colored coat and breeches and the
+lilac satin waistcoat with fine lace frills and a touch
+of gold here and there were a good offset to my yellow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>
+hair and rosy cheeks, which, much as I despised
+them at times, I was yet at other times well satisfied to
+endure. I liked, too, the looks of my leg in a fine white
+silk stocking and low pumps with shoe- and knee-buckles
+of brilliants, and was not above being proud
+of a well-turned calf and ankle.</p>
+
+<p>Madame and mademoiselle had gone on ahead in
+a charrette, as better suited to their <i>costumes du bal</i>
+than horseback-riding, and Dr. Saugrain and Captain
+Clarke had ridden by their side, leaving me to finish
+dressing and hurry after them as soon as I could.</p>
+
+<p>A mad haste seized me before I reached Madame
+Chouteau's lest the first dance should be over and I
+lose my promised honor. I reflected, too, that mademoiselle
+would think me always tardy in keeping my
+engagements with her, and the thought lent spurs to
+my movements. I entered the great ball-room in
+breathless haste. The walnut was waxed to the last
+perfection of slipperiness, and not taking heed to
+my steps, my feet slipped up. But I caught myself
+from falling, though not without as many gyrations
+of long arms and long legs as a Dutch windmill might
+accomplish on a windy day.</p>
+
+<p>My remarkable entry was greeted with a shout of
+laughter by the young men and maidens, who by this
+time had come to know me well. I did not mind that,
+but I looked hastily toward Mademoiselle Pelagie, and
+there, between the straight black brows, was the ominous
+little frown I had learned to dread. What
+availed my beautiful plum-colored velvets and lavender
+satin, lace, and buckles, if I only succeeded in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>
+being an awkward hobbledehoy? I must retrieve myself!</p>
+
+<p>I drew myself up in my grandest manner and
+walked up to Madame Chouteau, sitting in state in a
+great arm-chair near the chimney-piece. With my
+courtliest bow, in my best French, I made my compliments
+to her as if I had been accustomed to entering
+rooms in no other fashion. Then I made the circuit
+of the room, talking for a minute or two to each
+of my acquaintances, lingering longest by Mademoiselle
+Chouteau, whose eyes were dancing with mirth,
+and so round the circle, head thrown back (but being
+careful of my steps), until I came to mademoiselle.
+There I stopped, with another low bow. Looking down
+on her, I was glad to see the frown was no longer there,
+but a look of something far pleasanter, almost like
+admiration, had taken its place.</p>
+
+<p>Of course she was surrounded by young men&mdash;that
+did not displease me: I liked to see her admired. She
+was wearing the same gown she had worn at Mr.
+Gratiot's the first time I saw her, and I said to myself:
+"I know not what her rank in France may be,&mdash;comtesse,
+marquise, or duchesse,&mdash;but I know she
+looks every inch la reine." I think my pride in her
+lent stateliness to my steps as I led her out in the
+dance. I know that for her sake I wished to look as
+much le roi as it was in me to look.</p>
+
+<p>But there was no chance during the minuet for
+mademoiselle's promised confidence, and as the evening
+went on I began to think there would be none at
+all. There had been the old folks' minuet, when Dr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>
+Saugrain led out Madame Chouteau on the floor, and
+his plump little calves, silk-robed, had twinkled beside
+her stately steps in wondrous fashion. And then
+had come supper,&mdash;a bounteous feast of delicate cakes
+and sweetmeats and rich salads and cold fowl, with
+gooseberry wine and a sweet punch brewed from New
+Orleans ratafia,&mdash;and I feared that would put an end
+to the festivities, and still there had been no chance.</p>
+
+<p>But 'tis a wonderful thing on what a small matter
+great matters will sometimes turn! Though there may
+be those who would think it no great matter that I
+should find myself riding home in the moonlight with
+mademoiselle on a pillion behind me, and Fatima
+going at so slow a pace as put her in a constant fret
+of wonder as to what could be the reason that her master
+kept her down so, and mademoiselle telling me her
+story in a low tone (for being so near my ear she did
+not have to raise her voice), and sometimes trembling
+so much that the little arm which was pretending to
+circle my great waist to hold on by (but which only
+reached by uttermost stretch a quarter-way around)
+would almost lose its grip.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed a great matter to me, and it happened in
+this wise: I had barely spoken to mademoiselle since
+our dance, when just as I was getting a glass of gooseberry
+wine and a croquecignolle for Mademoiselle
+Chouteau (she said she had no stomach for salads and
+meats at a dance) mademoiselle came up to me, inquiring
+most anxiously had I seen her capote. 'Twas
+of heavy silk, and lined with the skins of beavers, and
+would have been very costly in Philadelphia, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>
+handsome enough for our greatest dames. I had not
+seen it, but offered to go at once in search of it as soon
+as I had carried the wine and croquecignolle to Mademoiselle
+Chouteau.</p>
+
+<p>We hunted together in all the most impossible
+places, and mademoiselle growing every moment more
+anxious, because she was keeping madame and Dr.
+Saugrain waiting. They were tired and longing to
+get home, and I said, half in jest:</p>
+
+<p>"Had I a pillion, Mademoiselle, we would tell madame
+not to wait, and when we had found your capote
+I could bring you home with me on Fatima."</p>
+
+<p>But mademoiselle answered quickly:</p>
+
+<p>"Would you be so good, Monsieur? I doubt not
+Madame Chouteau would lend us a pillion, and it
+would greatly relieve my anxiety in keeping madame
+waiting."</p>
+
+<p>I hardly knew whether I felt more joy or consternation,
+but mademoiselle gave me no time to decide
+which, but hurried me with her to persuade her guardians
+not to wait. I thought the arrangement did not
+altogether please the doctor, and he demurred greatly;
+but his good wife, who never differed with mademoiselle
+(whether through being over-fond or a little in
+awe, I am not sure), persuaded him that it was all
+right and quite the best way.</p>
+
+<p>And five minutes after the charrette, with my captain
+and the doctor accompanying it, drove out of
+Madame Chouteau's gate, the capote was found,
+mademoiselle herself suddenly remembering where she
+had laid it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I have never felt quite sure that mademoiselle had
+not known all the time where it was. But I admired so
+much the cleverness that could contrive to accomplish
+her end (for myself, I could never plan or scheme,
+though quick enough to act if occasion presented) that
+I forgave the little deceit, if there was any&mdash;maidens
+not being like men, who must be true and straightforward
+in even the smallest matters, lest their honor
+be attainted.</p>
+
+<p>But when I had mounted Fatima and lifted mademoiselle
+to her pillion, and felt her little arm steal
+round my great waist (as it needs must, to keep her
+from falling), my stupid heart began to beat so fast
+and to thump so hard against my waistcoat I feared
+the buttons would give way, and was greatly shamed
+lest mademoiselle should feel it thumping and guess
+the cause. Yet presently Fatima, not being accustomed
+to petticoats falling over her flanks, pranced on two
+feet in such a fashion as to cause mademoiselle to
+clutch me convulsively with both arms, whereupon I
+found myself suddenly calm and master of the situation.
+It was the work of a minute or two to reduce
+Fatima to order and make her understand
+that petticoats and a pillion were entirely proper.
+That being accomplished, and Fatima made to understand
+also that she was to go at her slowest pace, I
+was ready to hear mademoiselle's story, which finally
+she began:</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur, I feel that I must take advantage of
+this opportunity so providentially offered me. I
+had not thought to confide in any one, but I am in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>
+sore need of advice, and I know not where else to
+turn."</p>
+
+<p>"I know not, Mademoiselle," I answered, "whether
+I am good at giving advice. I had rather you would
+ask me to do for you some perilous and arduous service.
+But if it is advice you need most, then such as
+I can I will give you truly and faithfully."</p>
+
+<p>"I thank you, Monsieur"; and then mademoiselle
+was silent for so long a time that I half turned in my
+saddle to look at her. She looked up at me with a
+pitiful little smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Have patience, Monsieur&mdash;I will soon find my
+courage; but I have need to trust you greatly, for I
+am trusting you with the safety, perhaps the life, of a
+friend. You will not let any harm come to him
+through my betrayal?"</p>
+
+<p>"I promise, Mademoiselle," I said, "to do nothing
+you will not approve. But there should never be any
+question of a betrayal. If a trust has been given and
+received, then it is sacred, but it is not betrayal if it
+has been forced upon one without his consent."</p>
+
+<p>I said this because I began to have a glimmering of
+the truth, and I did not want mademoiselle to violate
+her conscience. No good can ever come from that, I
+have found, and much as I wanted to hear what she
+had to tell me, I could not listen comfortably if I
+thought she were really betraying a trust. I was still
+turned in my saddle, watching her face, and I saw it
+lighten at once, and something like a great sigh of relief
+seemed to come from the depths of her breast.</p>
+
+<p>"I see, Monsieur," she said, "you men understand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>
+right and wrong better than we maidens. It has troubled
+me greatly that I should prove unfaithful to a
+trust, and yet I saw no other way. And now, for fear
+my courage will ooze out, I must tell you quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Two weeks ago I received a letter from the Chevalier
+Le Moyne, a week ago I received a second, and
+yesterday I received a third. The purport of all these
+letters is the same. I have returned no answer to any
+of them, though each has begged for an answer and
+given me full instructions as to how to send it.</p>
+
+<p>"The chevalier has gone no farther south than Cape
+Girardeau. He is waiting near there, in an Osage
+camp, to seize an opportunity to rescue me, he says,
+and restore me to my people. If I had replied to
+either of these letters, professing my willingness to
+go with him, then I should have received a note of instructions
+as to where to be on a certain day and at a
+certain hour. But I have replied to none, and the last
+letter has grown desperate. In it he says if he does
+not hear from me he shall return to St. Louis on the
+evening of the Jour des Rois and be present at the
+dance, which is by custom a masked dance, and will
+then find means to carry me off. If I am not willing
+to go with him, then I must send him a letter before
+the Jour de l'An, telling him so finally, when he will
+return to New Orleans and leave me to my fate. Now,
+Monsieur, it will seem to you an easy matter that I
+should write him, finally, that I will not go with him.
+But a woman's heart is a strange thing. I want to
+go with him, with all my heart, and yet I shudder at
+the very thought of going with him. When I let my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>
+thoughts dwell on the glories that await me in Paris,
+wealth and power and luxurious living, and the society
+of the great and the noble, such as the chevalier
+has described it, I feel as if I must go, and all this life
+which has been so sweet to me here on the very borders
+of civilization grows utterly distasteful. Yes, even the
+friends that have been so dear to me begin to seem
+rude and boorish, as the chevalier called them. Sometimes,
+in some of my wayward moods, the very perils
+of the journey attract me with a strange fascination.
+The ride through the forest with savages for guards;
+the long journey in an open boat on the bosom of the
+great Father of Waters; and at last the perilous voyage
+by sea, all draw me strangely. At such times the
+chevalier seems to me an angel of light, and my only
+hope of escape from my narrow confines to a broad
+and beautiful life. But there are times when it all
+seems very different: when the thought of leaving my
+two dear guardians is unbearable, and the life I have
+known and loved from childhood, among sweet, true
+friends, the only life I desire. Ah, Monsieur, I am so
+torn by these conflicting states of mind that what wonder
+my guardians think me changed! They believe
+the chevalier's tales have spoiled me for my life in
+St. Louis, and that I would gladly leave them. When
+I see them sad over what they believe to be my heartlessness
+my own heart is like to break, but I say nothing,
+and they believe me to be entirely ungrateful
+and unfeeling.</p>
+
+<p>"So you can see how unhappy I have been and am,
+and how sometimes I am tempted to break away from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span>
+it all and fly with the chevalier to new scenes, whether
+they bring joy or sorrow."</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle did not tell me all this without much
+hesitation, sometimes stopping entirely until she could
+find courage to go on again, and, as I said before, often
+trembling so much that the little arm about my great
+waist nearly lost its grip. I did not interrupt her
+once, but waited, even after she had finished, for fear
+she might have more to say. And presently she added:</p>
+
+<p>"If I do not answer the chevalier's letter he will be
+here on the Jour des Rois, and it is more than likely
+he will lose his life in the attempt to carry me off,
+even if I were willing to go with him."</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said slowly, "it is a hard thing
+you have asked me, and I feel sure that whatever I
+may say I will make you angry, as I did last night.
+Of course you know that what I would most like
+would be that you should let the chevalier come on the
+Jour des Rois, and we would capture him, and there
+would be an end to all this trouble. But you know,
+too, that since you have trusted me with his secret I
+would feel in duty bound to save him and get him
+safely outside the stockade again, even, if need were,
+at the risk of my own life. The thing, therefore, that I
+wish you would do, and that seems to me the only
+thing to do, is to write him at once, telling him you
+will never go with him, and bidding him return at
+once to France since his task is a hopeless one."</p>
+
+<p>"And cut myself off from seeing France and recovering
+my possessions!"</p>
+
+<p>"'Tis not cutting yourself off." (I spoke a little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>
+sternly, for I was beginning to feel irritated that she
+could not see the utter folly of thinking for a moment
+of going with the chevalier.) "Your guardian is
+only waiting for two things, and as soon as they are
+accomplished he will send you to Paris. He is awaiting
+letters from your friends to say the time is ripe for
+your return, and they are ready to receive you, and
+he is waiting to find a proper person in whose care he
+can place you to make the voyage."</p>
+
+<p>"Then here is the time and the opportunity," said
+mademoiselle, eagerly: "my friends have sent the
+chevalier for me, and he is waiting to conduct me
+there."</p>
+
+<p>I could have shaken her, for a minute, her stupidity
+seemed so vast to me. Then I remembered she was
+really only a child, and that there are many things
+maidens do not understand so well as men. So I tried
+to speak gently, but so plainly that once for all she
+might understand.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said, "do you not see that the
+very fact that the chevalier is trying to induce you to
+go to France alone with him is proof either of his villainy
+or of his colossal stupidity? Were he the angel
+of light he has sometimes seemed to you, and should
+he carry you safely to France and deliver you into
+the hands of your friends, yet who, in gay and skeptical
+Paris, would not be willing to believe the worst
+of both of you? The society that he has painted to
+you as ready to fall at your feet would be only ready
+to spurn you. Forgive me, Mademoiselle, for speaking
+thus plainly, but there is no man in the world who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>
+would not believe that the very fact of the chevalier's
+trying to persuade you to go with him to France
+proves him a villain of the deepest dye."</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle did not answer; but her arms slipped
+from my waist, and presently I felt her little head
+resting on my broad back, and sobs were shaking her
+little figure. I did not dare stir, for fear of disturbing
+her, but it was very uncomfortable to sit so rigidly
+erect, not daring to move, because a beautiful little
+black and curly head was resting a little above the
+small of one's back, while tempests of tears were
+drenching one's military cloak, and the shaking from
+the sobs was making queer little shivers run up and
+down one's backbone.</p>
+
+<p>Now this was the second time my brutality had
+brought mademoiselle to tears. This time I thought
+it was good for her, and was of a mind to let her weep
+it out, though all the time longing to turn around and
+take her in my arms and let her weep upon my breast
+instead of on my back.</p>
+
+<p>But presently I was aware of heroic efforts to stifle
+the sobs and stay the tears, and then I heard a most
+woebegone voice:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, monsieur, what shall I do? what shall I do?"</p>
+
+<p>Now, I had brought Fatima to a standstill, for I was
+afraid to let her go even at a slow walk when mademoiselle
+had no arm to hold on by, and her head bobbing
+at every step of Fatima's into the ticklish part
+of my back. And by chance we had stopped where
+the Rue Bonhomme climbs down the bluff to the
+river, and our boats lay moored at its foot. Suddenly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>
+an answer to her question flashed into my head. It
+seemed to me a perfect solution of all difficulties, but
+in the nature of the case I could say nothing to mademoiselle
+until I had consulted Dr. Saugrain and my
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>One thing I could say, however, and I reiterated
+what I had said before:</p>
+
+<p>"One thing you can do at once, mademoiselle:
+write to the chevalier so firm and positive a refusal
+that he will never trouble you again, and then go and
+tell your guardian all about it. He deserves this confidence
+from you, and I think you will never be very
+happy until you have made him feel that there is no
+change in your grateful affection to him."</p>
+
+<p>There was another moment of silence, and then, in
+the meekest of tones:</p>
+
+<p>"I will do all you tell me, monsieur."</p>
+
+<p>I could not believe it was the same haughty mademoiselle
+who had so scorned "ce gar&ccedil;on-&ccedil;&agrave;." But
+I was not going to show her the elation I could not
+help feeling in her change of attitude; and being also
+most sorry for her, and everything settled as far as
+it could be about the chevalier, I thought it time that
+she should be diverted from her unhappy thoughts,
+and so I bade her look down on the great river, now
+rolling, a silver flood under the moon, straight to Cape
+Girardeau, where the chevalier was lingering, and past
+fort and forest on to the rich city of New Orleans.
+For a moment the old longing returned to be one
+of a great army borne on its swift waters to capture
+the haughty city that held the gateway to the sea. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>
+thought it no harm to tell mademoiselle what my
+dreams had been, and we both laughed merrily at the
+audacity of them.</p>
+
+<p>But the night was passing, and gently lifting mademoiselle's
+arm and placing it so that it should once
+more hold her secure on her pillion, I put Fatima to
+a gentle canter; and as I felt Pelagie's clasp tighten,
+my pulse leaped faster in my veins, and I gave Fatima
+full rein, and we went thundering down the Rue
+Royale, past Madame Chouteau's place, with the last
+revelers just coming through the great gates; past
+Auguste Chouteau's house, standing dark among its
+trees; past the Government House, still brightly
+lighted, for Governor Delassus and his retinue were
+just entering the great hall; turned up the Rue de la
+Tour, with the tower at the top of the hill shining
+white in the moonlight, then down the long stretch of
+the Rue de l'&Eacute;glise, faster and faster, as mademoiselle
+clung closer, until we reached the gate of &Eacute;migr&eacute;'s
+Retreat, and a great dog came rushing to meet us
+with mighty bounds and joyous barks, and would have
+overpowered us both with his clumsy caresses but that
+a sweet voice (never before one half so sweet) called:</p>
+
+<p>"&Agrave; bas, Leon! Tais-toi, mon ange!"</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+<h3>LA GUIGNOL&Eacute;E</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"By sports like these are all their cares beguiled."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>I woke the next morning with a feeling of elation
+that for a moment I did not understand; then I
+recognized that it was a feeling that mademoiselle and
+I would never again be on any but the friendliest of
+terms. No more fear of merry scoffing or haughty
+disdain! I had a right to look now for only kindness
+and friendliness.</p>
+
+<p>But I did not know mademoiselle. The morning
+was bleak; a fine drizzle of rain, freezing as it fell,
+was hanging jeweled pendants from every twig and
+branch. I went down-stairs, to find that morning coffee
+was being served in the living-room, on a small
+table drawn up before a blazing fire of logs. Mademoiselle,
+who did not often come to early coffee, was
+serving it, in a warm-looking gown of some wool stuff,
+deep red in color, and I thought it suited well her dark
+beauty and the bleak morning. I stopped at the threshold
+to make my low bow, and then went forward,
+expecting a less formal greeting. But she only looked
+up from the silver urn, whence she was drawing a
+cup of coffee for the captain, long enough to say,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span>
+"Good morning, monsieur," in her iciest tones, and
+then went on talking gaily to the captain of the ball
+the night before. I did not understand at all, but I
+thought it quite possible I had imagined her coldness;
+and so, without seeming to push myself unduly, I
+sought to join in the conversation when opportunity
+offered. I think the captain seconded my efforts out
+of the courtesy natural to him; but mademoiselle made
+it so plain that she desired to ignore me that I soon
+took my cup and withdrew to a corner of the fireplace.
+I hope I did not do anything so boyish as to sulk
+there, but of that I am not sure.</p>
+
+<p>When the good doctor came bustling in from his
+laboratory a few minutes later, half frozen, but
+burning with enthusiasm over some experiments he
+was making with quicksilver, he brought his coffee
+to my warm corner, and I at once simulated the deepest
+interest in his account of his morning's work&mdash;though
+I confess I have never taken any great interest
+in science, and from what he seemed to expect the
+quicksilver to do I did not feel altogether sure that he
+was not, in truth, dabbling in black art.</p>
+
+<p>There was a long mirror at the other end of the
+room&mdash;one that Madame Saugrain had brought from
+France, and the pride of her heart. As we talked I
+could glance in it and see mademoiselle perfectly without
+seeming to look at her. I observed that she grew
+more and more distrait, only half listening to the
+captain, and very evidently trying to overhear our
+conversation. I had not known that mademoiselle was
+so interested in science, and I began to make deep and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span>
+learned speeches (or, at least, I hoped they sounded
+so) on quicksilver and on every subject allied to it.
+I did not hesitate to make some remarkable statements,
+for whose truth I modestly said I could not vouch.
+The doctor was too courteous to show the surprise I
+think he must have felt at some of them, but if I had
+not been so interested in my investigations in the
+mirror (which, I am sure, is closely allied to quicksilver)
+I would have noticed without doubt that knowing
+twinkle of the eye that I had seen at least twice
+before. My glances in the mirror, however, showed me
+that my learned speeches had produced their intended
+effect on mademoiselle, at least, and once more I
+caught that wondering glance fixed upon me.</p>
+
+<p>I did not see mademoiselle again until the evening
+supper-hour. After breakfast Dr. Saugrain invited
+the captain and me to ride with him up to Pierre
+Chouteau's, and on the ride he told us that mademoiselle
+had come to him that morning in the laboratory
+and had told him all about the chevalier. I was
+much touched that she had acted upon my advice so
+promptly, and half forgave her for her treatment of
+me at coffee, though I understood it the less. The
+doctor did not say so directly, but I judged from one
+or two little remarks that he and Pelagie had had
+a thorough clearing up of all their misunderstandings
+and were once more on the old confidential terms. He
+spoke especially of her "sweetness," and said his
+advice had been, like mine, to write the chevalier at
+once a firm refusal. But the good doctor was greatly
+troubled.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I shall never feel quite secure again," he said,
+"till I have Pelagie safe with her friends in France;
+so I shall seek the first opportunity of sending her
+there. 'Tis for that I am going to consult Pierre
+Chouteau, and I thought you might have some suggestion,
+one or both of you, as to how to find an escort
+for her."</p>
+
+<p>I was so eager with my plan that had flashed on
+me the night before that I could not wait to show the
+proper courtesy to my captain. He certainly had a
+right to speak first, but I broke forth, "I have a plan,
+sir&mdash;" and then was abashed and stopped short.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor understood, and nodded to me.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; let the captain speak first, and then we will
+hear your plan."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said the captain, with his friendliest smile;
+"let the lad speak. He has a plan that seems to me
+not wholly unpracticable and may prove the very
+thing."</p>
+
+<p>Thus encouraged, I rushed ahead:</p>
+
+<p>"I have been talking to Captain Clarke about it,
+sir, and he thinks it can be done. My last letter from
+home said that Colonel Livingston was about to join
+his father in Paris. My family know Colonel Livingston
+well, and a letter from my father would insure
+the protection of both Colonel and Mrs. Livingston for
+mademoiselle on the voyage."</p>
+
+<p>But the good doctor shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"I could never get Pelagie to New York, I fear; to
+both Madame Saugrain and myself, such a journey
+seems an almost impossible undertaking."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But Captain Clarke has that all arranged," I
+cried.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor looked at the captain, who answered,
+smiling:</p>
+
+<p>"It is my good Achates who has arranged it, but I
+heartily approve of his plans. It is time we were getting
+back to Kentucky, and he proposes that we take
+mademoiselle with us to my sister, Mrs. O'Fallon.
+There she can stay until we can find a suitable escort
+up the Ohio to Port Duquesne, and across the mountains
+to New York. There are boats going up the river
+every week, and always some one going back to the old
+home to whom we could intrust mademoiselle. I
+think it a good and feasible plan."</p>
+
+<p>But we had quite reached Pierre Chouteau's before
+we had persuaded the doctor that our plan was at all
+a practical one. Not, as he assured us, that he could
+not trust mademoiselle with us, but the difficulties,
+dangers, and inconveniences of such a trip, for a
+young maiden with no woman in the party but her colored
+maid, seemed to him almost insurmountable.
+However, he was so nearly convinced by my eloquence
+and the captain's logic that just as we were turning in
+at Mr. Chouteau's he said:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, my dear friends, it may be possible.
+We will see! I must take time to consult Madame
+Saugrain, and, until then, not a word to mademoiselle,
+I beg of you both."</p>
+
+<p>We both readily promised, though I was so elated at
+what I considered the already assured success of my
+plan that I might have found it difficult not to speak<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span>
+to mademoiselle about it if she had not been in the
+same icy mood to me at supper (though sweet and
+most charming to the captain and her guardian) as
+she had been at breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>The next day Dr. Saugrain told us that he and his
+wife had talked far into the night about Pelagie, and
+they had come to the conclusion that our plan was the
+best solution of the difficulties. He said madame had
+wept much at the thought of parting with Pelagie,
+and of all the difficulties and dangers she must encounter,
+before she could become reconciled to the
+thought of it; but now she was quite resigned, and had
+already begun to plan what clothes and other conveniences
+it would be necessary for Pelagie to take with
+her, and how they could best be got ready.</p>
+
+<p>"And, after the manner of women," the doctor said,
+"from the moment she began to think about clothes,
+she began to grow cheerful. And she has such confidence
+in Clotilde, who will go with her, and who has
+had entire charge of her since her babyhood, that she
+thinks she will be as well taken care of as if she were
+with her herself. But we both think," he added,
+"that it will be wiser to say nothing to Pelagie about
+it until it is almost time to make the start. If, for any
+reason, our plan should fail, her mind will not be unsettled
+by it, and she will be no worse off than if we
+had not thought of it. Moreover, the fewer we take
+into our confidence the better, for I am assured the
+chevalier has spies and secret emissaries that we do
+not suspect. We will give him no chance to thwart
+our plans!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The good doctor spoke the last words so grimly that
+it was easy to understand in what esteem he held the
+villain, and both the captain and I heartily approved
+his precaution.</p>
+
+<p>There followed busy days for me. The captain, who
+was much engaged in settling up the business for his
+brother which had brought him to St. Louis, had little
+time for aught else, though Governor Delassus, the
+Chouteaus, and Mr. Gratiot made many demands upon
+him for counsel and for social festivities, in which last
+I was courteously included. When these fell upon
+the evening I was very ready to join in them, but my
+days were more than full. All the arrangements for
+mademoiselle's comfort on the boat my captain had
+intrusted to me, and I was determined that nothing
+should be left undone to make her voyage on the Great
+River as comfortable as possible. The cabin, a rough
+affair at its best, was partitioned into two, and the
+larger one made as clean as six blacks scrubbing hard
+on hands and knees could make it. Then I got from
+Pierre Chouteau a small stove such as he often used
+on his boat in winter trips up the Missouri, and set it
+up in the cabin, cutting a hole in the roof to give
+egress to the stovepipe. From Madame Saugrain I
+got some strips of warm, bright carpet and some clean
+warm bedding, and I set Yorke to work, under my
+careful supervision, to make the two beds for mademoiselle
+and her maid, to tack down the strips of carpet,
+to put up some white ruffled curtains (also Madame
+Saugrain's gift) at the square bit of window,
+and to polish up the brass handles of the portable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>
+locker that was to hold mademoiselle's wardrobe. I
+thought, when all was done,&mdash;the small table covered
+with a white cloth, and two shining candlesticks on it,
+and the three comfortable chairs arranged about it,&mdash;I
+thought it cozy and complete enough for a trip to
+France; and my heart beat high when I thought of the
+t&ecirc;te-&agrave;-t&ecirc;tes with mademoiselle that must almost necessarily
+fall to my lot on a voyage of at least a week.
+But, in the meantime, I was seeing very little of her,
+between being busy all day and often invited out in
+the evening&mdash;and not getting much satisfaction when
+I did; for either she was incased in her icy hauteur,
+or, if she chanced to be kind, I was so brimming over
+with my secret, so afraid I should let it slip, I was unnaturally
+constrained with her.</p>
+
+<p>Before I knew it the Jour de l'An was upon us, and
+the doctor and the captain had both agreed it would
+be wise to set out on the day before the Jour des Rois.
+On no account would it do to risk remaining over the
+Jour des Rois, lest the chevalier should accomplish his
+purpose in spite of mademoiselle's letter of refusal.</p>
+
+<p>Now, as its name signifies, the Jour de l'An is the
+greatest of all days to these St. Louis Frenchmen.
+Preparations had been making for it all the week.
+The governor himself was to give a grand ball at
+Government House, and I had heard mademoiselle
+telling Captain Clarke, as we sat at supper on New
+Year's eve, how that would be only the beginning of
+a round of festivities, and that Marguerite Papin,
+Pelagie Chouteau, and she had been making the bean-cake
+that afternoon.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And what is the bean-cake, pray, Mademoiselle?"
+I inquired, determined to take matters into my own
+hands and be no longer shut out from conversation as
+if I were infected.</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle looked up in surprise at my audacity,
+and for a moment was of half a mind not to reply to
+me; but she thought better of it, and answered coolly
+and formally:</p>
+
+<p>"'Tis a cake, Monsieur, with four beans baked in it.
+It will be cut to-morrow night at the governor's ball,
+and the four maidens who receive the slices with the
+beans will be the queens of the ball. They will choose
+four kings, who will then be obliged to get up the ball
+for the Jour des Rois, and at that these four kings will
+choose four queens, who will choose four other kings,
+who must give the next ball. 'Tis an endless chain of
+balls till Shrove Tuesday arrives, to finish it all up
+with one grand carnival ball; and so you see, sir, if you
+stay in St. Louis I can promise you a merry winter."</p>
+
+<p>I almost laughed as I thought how little she dreamed
+that she would not be here herself. Yet the prospect
+sounded alluring, and I could have been well pleased
+to spend the winter in the gay little village, if the
+fates had ordained. I answered her to that effect, and
+then I added:</p>
+
+<p>"If you could but give me any hope that I should
+be chosen a king, I might take fate into my own hands
+and stay anyway."</p>
+
+<p>"There is much ground for hope, sir," she answered
+demurely, "since both Pelagie Chouteau and
+Marguerite Papin are almost certain to be queens."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then, with a quick beat of the heart, I thought perhaps
+she had not liked it that they had been friendly
+and I had been polite. If her manner to me could be
+so accounted for I was well content, for at least it did
+not argue indifference.</p>
+
+<p>But before I could reply there was a great noise,
+outside on the gallery, of shuffling feet and smothered
+whispers, and mademoiselle clapped her hands and
+cried:</p>
+
+<p>"La Guignol&eacute;e!" And at the same moment there
+arose, to the quaintest air, a chorus of men's voices:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Bon soir, le ma&icirc;tre et la ma&icirc;tresse,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Et tout le monde du logis!<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Pour le premier jour de l'ann&eacute;e<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">La Guignol&eacute;e vous nous devez.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Si vous n'avez rien &agrave; nous donner,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Dites-nous le;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Nous vous demandons pas grande chose, une &eacute;chin&eacute;e&mdash;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Une &eacute;chin&eacute;e n'est pas bien longue<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">De quatre-vingt-dix pieds de longue.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Encore nous demandons pas de grande chose,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">La fille ain&eacute;e de la maison.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Nous lui ferons faire bonne ch&egrave;re&mdash;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Nous lui ferons chauffer les pieds."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Horrified at these last words of the song, I scarcely
+dared glance at mademoiselle; but when I did dare,
+to my amazement, she was smiling good-humoredly,
+and I saw the words meant nothing to her. But the
+chorus was interrupted at that moment by a single
+voice which I recognized at once as Josef Papin's,
+singing a ditty about doves and cuckoos and nightingales,
+and winding up by declaring that he was dying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>
+for the soft eyes of his mistress. I saw that mademoiselle
+recognized the voice, too, and I was vexed to see
+the bright color and downcast eyes that betokened
+she understood these words perfectly.</p>
+
+<p>But the chorus began again immediately:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Nous saluons la compagnie<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Et la prions nous excuser.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Si l'on a fait quelque folie."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>(I thought this apology most becoming.)</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"C'&eacute;tait pour vous d&eacute;sennuyer;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Une autre fois nous prendrons garde<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Quand sera temps d'y revenir.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Dansons la guenille,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Dansons la guenille,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Dansons la guenille!"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>And then the doors were flung open, and there burst
+in upon us a motley crew of grotesque and hideous
+masks, each one bearing a basket or bucket or sack,
+and all singing and shouting in every key and in no
+time:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Bon soir, le ma&icirc;tre et la ma&icirc;tresse,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Et tout le monde du logis!"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Madame Saugrain and mademoiselle sprang up
+from the table and ran to the kitchen, returning with
+both hands full, and followed by a procession of servants
+bringing eggs and sugar and butter and flour
+and poultry and wine&mdash;a goodly donation indeed for
+the Jour des Rois ball, and for which the maskers
+showed their thanks by dancing <i>la guenille</i>, a truly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>
+Saturnalian performance, somewhat shocking to my
+Eastern notions of propriety. But evidently neither
+the doctor nor his wife nor mademoiselle saw any harm
+in it, for they applauded it greatly, after the French
+fashion, by clapping of hands and crying "Encore!"</p>
+
+<p>Yorke had come in with the other servants from the
+kitchen, and it was a sight to see his great eyes rolling
+in ecstasy and his white teeth displayed from ear to
+ear as he watched the mummers, and I was not surprised
+to see him follow them like one bewitched as
+they went up toward the Rue des Granges to Paschal
+Cerr&eacute;'s house, singing:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Bon soir, le ma&icirc;tre et la ma&icirc;tresse,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Et tout le monde du logis!"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>"You will be having Yorke dancing la guenille," I
+said to the captain, "when he gets back to Kentucky."</p>
+
+<p>"An he does," answered the captain, with a grim
+smile, "I will bastinado him." For I think the captain
+did not like some of the figures of la guenille any
+better than did I.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<h3>CHOISSEZ LE ROI</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"She moves a goddess and she looks a queen."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>Le Jour de l'An was a full day with me. Though
+I did not go to early mass with the family, I
+left the house when they did and had a fast gallop
+on Fatima's back through the gray dawn down to the
+boat, for there were still a few finishing touches to
+be put to my decorations and arrangements for mademoiselle's
+comfort, and I was in feverish haste that
+all should be in readiness. Captain Clarke and I
+spent the day in visits of ceremony made at the houses
+where we had been so often and so kindly entertained
+during our stay. They were really farewell visits,
+though for prudential reasons we said nothing of our
+approaching departure. At every house we were
+served with croquecignolles and wine or ratafia by the
+young maidens and their mothers, and we were so hospitably
+urged to eat and drink that had we done anything
+more than make the merest pretense for the
+sake of good fellowship we would have been in no
+condition for the dance in the evening.</p>
+
+<p>Frenchmen know better how to manage their drinking
+than do we Anglo-Saxons. I know not how they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>
+do it, but I know not a young fellow appeared at the
+governor's house in the evening who had apparently
+taken more than was good for him; and yet had our
+Philadelphia lads been through the ordeal of proffered
+glasses all day long, I warrant there would not
+have been a corporal's guard able to line up in good
+order at the governor's ball. But all these young St.
+Louis Frenchmen were out in fine feather, and carrying
+themselves grandly, eyes bright and heads steady,
+ready to lead out to the governor's table the belles
+of St. Louis, dazzling in brocades and feathers, lace,
+and powder and black patches.</p>
+
+<p>It was a goodly feast, ragout and roast fowl and
+venison pasties, and cakes and tarts and rich conserves
+making the tables groan; but the crowning moment
+was when the governor's stately butler brought
+in the bean-cake (almost as much as he could carry)
+and set it down before the governor. 'Twas a breathless
+silence as the governor cut each slice and sent it
+first to the maiden nearest him and then to the next in
+order. I was not in the least surprised when one of
+the four beans fell to mademoiselle's lot; I would have
+been surprised if it had not. There was a burst of
+ringing cheers, led by Josef Papin, when the lucky
+slice came to her, and I thought, "He knows he will
+be chosen king," and smiled with bitterness at the
+thought.</p>
+
+<p>I had not seen mademoiselle all day. As I glanced
+at her now, smiling and coloring with pleasure at
+the cheers that betokened her popularity, it flashed
+into my mind that she would reign a queen indeed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>
+when she came into her own in France, for I was very
+sure there were no court ladies could compare with her
+for beauty and grace.</p>
+
+<p>The governor himself crowned the four queens, and
+then they had to retire into the background for a
+space while their elders danced the first minuet, in
+which the governor led out Madame Chouteau in
+stately measure. But after that formal opening of
+the ball the young people had it all their own way,
+and the four queens queened it royally each with a
+flock of suitors around her. I said to myself proudly,
+"I will not hang on to any of their trains." There
+was no possible doubt but that mademoiselle would
+choose Josef Papin (since the chevalier was not there),
+and while I would have liked it well if one of the others
+had chosen me, just to show mademoiselle that all did
+not scorn me, I would not seem to sue for favors. So
+I attached myself to Mademoiselle Chouteau (who had
+not been so lucky as to draw a bean); and she being
+in the sauciest mood (and looking exceeding pretty),
+and I feeling that I was at least as well dressed as
+any other man (since I had on my plum-colored velvets
+and my finest lace), and therefore at my ease, we made
+ourselves so entertaining to each other that I began
+in my heart to feel a little regret that this was to be
+my last ball with her.</p>
+
+<p>I would not so much as look at mademoiselle, whose
+silvery laugh sometimes floated to my ears, for she had
+treated me shamefully of late, and, as far as I could
+see, without the least reason. Just once I caught her
+eye, however. I do not know how it happened, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>
+there was a moment of almost silence in the crowded
+room. The violins were not playing, no one was dancing,
+and for one fleeting moment, every one, or nearly
+every one, seemed to have ceased talking. Into this
+strange silence, through the open windows, there
+floated the clear call of the whippoorwill,&mdash;only one,
+for the buzz and clamor and clatter of many voices
+surged up again instantly, and the violins began to
+scrape and screech themselves into tune, and no one
+seemed to have noticed either the silence or the whippoorwill.
+But I could not for the life of me help one
+swift glance toward mademoiselle, and I met her eyes
+seeking mine in a look of startled alarm that was almost
+terror. I held her glance long enough to say to
+her with my eyes, "Do not be afraid; I will see what
+it is," and I had the satisfaction of seeing, before she
+turned away, that she understood and was reassured.</p>
+
+<p>A few minutes later I slipped outside. I was not
+entirely at ease about that call, it had meant so much
+once. And I was not at all sure of the chevalier. A
+ball like this, with every one off guard, would be just
+his opportunity. Outside there was a motley throng
+of negroes, river-men, and Indians, hanging around to
+get glimpses of the dancers and the guests coming and
+going. The yard was brightly lighted in spots by
+flaming lightwood torches, which left the other parts
+in deepest gloom. I noticed among the throng a little
+group of mummers, such as had been at Dr. Saugrain's
+the night before in hideous masks. This did
+not at first seem strange to me, but afterward I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span>
+thought it must be unusual, for they belonged peculiarly
+to New Year's eve.</p>
+
+<p>Leaning against a post that held a lightwood torch,
+a little withdrawn from the others, in solitary dignity,
+stood Black Hawk. I knew if there had been anything
+unusual in the whippoorwill cry he would know it.
+I sauntered up to him carelessly (for if there were
+spies about, I did not want to arouse suspicion), and
+stopped where the light fell full on me, for I knew
+well the value of impressing Black Hawk with the
+splendor of my dress. For the benefit of any possible
+listener, I told him that the governor's halls were
+hot and I must needs get a draft of cold air before I
+could go back to my dancing. Then I talked to him of
+Daniel Boone, for he had been with us on our trip
+to his home, and I knew his admiration for that wonderful
+man. His only responses were a series of
+grunts, but they were amiable ones (I think the old
+savage rather liked me), and as I talked I gradually
+drew nearer. When I was quite close to him, I said
+suddenly, in a low tone:</p>
+
+<p>"Does the Great Chief of the Sacs think there are
+any White Wolves or Red Dogs about to-night?"</p>
+
+<p>I saw a sudden glitter in his eye, but that was the
+only response except the invariable "Ugh!" Then
+I said again in the same low tone:</p>
+
+<p>"If Black Hawk will watch and let his white
+brother know what he finds out, it will greatly please
+the brother of the Captain of the Long Knives."</p>
+
+<p>There was another "Ugh!"&mdash;this time with half
+an inclination of the head, and I went back to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>
+dance satisfied that if there was anything wrong,
+Black Hawk would discover it.</p>
+
+<p>It was half an hour later when Yorke came to me
+between the figures of the dance and begged a word
+with me.</p>
+
+<p>"Jes as soon as yo' can slip out unbeknownst-like,"
+he said, "that thar decent redskin 's waitin' to speak
+to yo'-all at the kitchen doah. Yo' 's to go down
+through the house, so 's nobody outside won't see yo'."</p>
+
+<p>I found an opportunity as soon as that dance was
+over, and going down through the house, with Yorke
+as my guide, I found Black Hawk waiting, and without
+a preliminary word, in slow, sententious fashion,
+he delivered his message.</p>
+
+<p>"Black Hawk say to White Brother, Beware of
+White Wolf and six Red Dogs. Wear devil's faces.
+All gone now. Wait for Little White Fawn going
+home. Black Hawk go home with White Fawn and
+Fine Dress and Long Knives' brother and Little Medicine-man
+and Big Black."</p>
+
+<p>I understood his broken sentences very well. The
+mummers were, as I had half suspected, the chevalier
+and a band of Osages. They would lie in wait for
+Pelagie on our way home and capture her if we were
+off guard. Black Hawk offered his services to guard
+her on the way home, and I gladly accepted them,
+for even then the chevalier's band would outnumber
+us; and while in a hand-to-hand fight I did not doubt
+we were much the better men, they would have greatly
+the advantage of us in being able to spring upon us
+from ambuscade and get the first shot.</p>
+
+<p class="figcenter" style="width: 377px;">
+<a name="In_solitary_dignity_stood_Black_Hawk" id="In_solitary_dignity_stood_Black_Hawk"></a>
+<img src="images/image152.jpg" width="377" height="580" alt="&quot;In solitary dignity stood Black Hawk&quot;" title="&quot;In solitary dignity stood Black Hawk&quot;" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;In solitary dignity stood Black Hawk&quot;</span>
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p><p>Black Hawk had planned our forces well, but I did
+not like his title for me, "Fine Dress"; I would
+rather he had called me "Straight Shoot," the name
+he had several times given me on our trip together up
+the Missouri. I had a lurking doubt that he was rebuking
+me for my vanity.</p>
+
+<p>But there was no time to quarrel about titles. I
+hunted up Dr. Saugrain, whom I found in the wide
+chimney-corner, the center of a group of choice spirits,&mdash;the
+two Chouteaus, Mr. Gratiot, Mr. Cerr&eacute;, Francis
+Vigo, and Manuel Lisa,&mdash;and he was telling them
+all, with great enthusiasm, about his experiments in
+quicksilver, and, to my surprise, they were listening as
+eagerly as if he had been telling tales of war and adventure&mdash;which
+was a marvelous thing to me, to
+whom science was ever dull and dry-as-dust. I liked
+not to interrupt him, but the need was pressing,
+and when I had called him to one side and told him of
+the presence of the chevalier and his Osages, he was
+greatly excited.</p>
+
+<p>The thing that troubled me most was that we were
+without firearms. I had my sword on, of course, and
+so had the captain, but swords would be of little use,
+for the savages would not wait for a hand-to-hand encounter,
+but would fire at long range. The only thing
+to be done was to borrow from the governor; and in his
+grand Spanish manner he pressed all the guns of his
+armory upon us, and said he would send a messenger
+at once to the fort to have a troop despatched to scour
+the town and rid it of every suspicious character;
+which was somewhat of a relief to me, but would have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>
+been more so if I could only have felt more confidence
+in his slow-moving Spanish soldiers.</p>
+
+<p>But the governor begged, since it was a matter that
+required no haste, that we would say nothing to
+alarm his guests and so break up the dance in undue
+time, for, as he said, the kings had not yet been
+chosen, and it would be a great pity to interfere
+with that pleasant ceremony. As for me, I would
+have been quite willing to dispense with it. There
+would be no pleasure to me in seeing mademoiselle
+pin her bouquet on the lapel of Josef Papin's coat,
+thus choosing him her king; but there was nothing to
+do but go back to the ball-room and see it out.</p>
+
+<p>As I entered the room, there happened to be a little
+break in the coterie of young men surrounding mademoiselle,
+and through it I met her glance of eager
+inquiry. She had evidently missed me from the room,
+and had her suspicions as to the cause of my long
+absence. I returned her glance with an assuring smile
+that all was well, and went on to where I had left
+Mademoiselle Chouteau a half-hour before. I could
+not have expected her to sit in a corner waiting for
+me all that while, yet when I found that she too had
+her little coterie, and I was evidently not missed, I
+felt unaccountably hurt and forlorn: as if there was
+no place for me, an alien, among these St. Louis
+French people. As I had done many times before, I
+turned to Madame Saugrain for comfort.</p>
+
+<p>It was nearing midnight, and I had wondered as
+I came in why they were not dancing. Now I saw
+the reason of it. Down through the center of the floor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>
+came the governor, followed by his tall butler bearing
+a silver tray with four small bouquets upon it. He
+went directly to mademoiselle first, and then to the
+three other queens in turn, presenting each with
+one of the bouquets and making to each a gallant
+little speech, which the four maidens received with
+smiles and blushes and curtsies as became them,
+but mademoiselle also with a stately grace befitting
+a queen.</p>
+
+<p>Then there was a moment of intense expectancy,
+for it was mademoiselle who was first to place her
+bouquet on the lapel of the coat of the chosen king.
+I would not look at her. I did not want to see her
+put it upon Josef Papin's coat, though there was no
+other there more fitting to receive it or who would
+make a more royal king for such a queen. So I half
+turned my back and talked busily to madame, who
+listened to me not at all, so engrossed was she in the
+spectacle. It seemed to me a long time in the doing,
+and presently I saw in madame's eyes a light of eager
+surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Look, m'ami, look!" she cried to me. But I
+would not look; no, not even when I began to feel
+a suspicion of what was going to happen, from a
+queer feeling in my backbone, and my heart beating
+like a trip-hammer, and the blood rushing to the roots
+of my hair.</p>
+
+<p>"Look, look! I beg you to turn!" madame cried
+again. But I would not turn, though I heard a subdued
+murmur of voices all around me, and a soft rustle
+of silken skirts coming nearer and nearer&mdash;not until<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>
+the soft rustle stopped close beside me, and a sweet
+voice said:</p>
+
+<p>"Shall I pin my bouquet upon Monsieur's back?
+I believe it is usual to pin it upon the lapel of the
+coat."</p>
+
+<p>Then I turned quickly, and for all the answer I
+made I dropped on one knee and held toward her the
+lapel of my coat, and as she stooped to pin it on I
+looked straight into her eyes. And what my eyes said
+to hers I know not, but quickly the white lids drooped
+over hers and shut me out from heaven, while the long
+black lashes lay upon her cheek, and the rich blood
+swept in a slow flood from the snowy throat to the dark
+waves of hair that crowned her white brow.</p>
+
+<p>And now her fingers trembled so in pinning on the
+flowers that she was long in the doing of it (though
+I could have wished it much longer); and when she
+had finished I seized the hand that trembled, and for
+the first time I had ever dared I pressed my lips upon
+it. I saw another wave of color sweep her face, and
+then she bade me rise, and as I stood beside her a
+burst of acclaims came from every lip, "Vive le roi!
+Vive le roi!" and from one, "Vive le roi et la reine!"
+and I could not have been prouder had I been king
+indeed, and she my royal consort beside me!</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+
+<h3>A MIDNIGHT FRAY</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>Josef Papin was the first to bow the knee to me
+in mock homage, and as his laughing eyes met
+mine he said, in a tone not so low but that mademoiselle
+might have heard if she had listened:</p>
+
+<p>"I owe you a grudge, sire. You have stolen the
+honors I so dearly coveted."</p>
+
+<p>A sudden impulse seized me.</p>
+
+<p>"Would you like to be detailed on some special
+service to your king and queen?" I asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Most certainly, sire."</p>
+
+<p>"Then stay by me, and when the ceremony of
+choosing the next king begins I will tell you about it."</p>
+
+<p>Here was a heart as true as steel, ready to be generous
+to a successful rival and loyal unto death to his
+queen. It would not hurt to have one more guard
+for mademoiselle on our midnight ride; we would then
+more nearly match in numbers the chevalier's band,
+and by numbers alone might intimidate him from
+even making the attack. Which was much to be desired,
+since there would be two ladies in our party,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span>
+and fighting and bloodshed are not for tender hearts
+like theirs to know.</p>
+
+<p>But more than that, I thought I could give him no
+greater pleasure than the chance to prove himself of
+some real service to mademoiselle, and I would like
+to atone for stealing the honors he had felt so sure of.
+And more still: we had decided, in our hasty conference
+a little while before,&mdash;Dr. Saugrain, my captain,
+and I,&mdash;that it would not do at all to wait until the day
+before the Jour des Rois, as we had at first intended.
+Since the boat was in readiness, and the captain's
+business finished, there was no reason why we should
+not start at once. We had decided, therefore, on the
+next morning for our departure, for we all felt that as
+long as the chevalier was lurking about there was no
+safety for mademoiselle until she was well on her way
+to France.</p>
+
+<p>To spirit mademoiselle away without a chance of
+saying good-by to so good a friend as young Papin
+seemed to me unkind to them both. We could trust
+him fully, and he should have his chance to say good-by.
+The captain and Dr. Saugrain had intrusted me
+with the entire arrangement for mademoiselle's safety
+and given me command of our little force, so I could
+make my offer to him with authority. When the opportunity
+offered to explain to him, a very few minutes
+sufficed to tell him our fears for mademoiselle's
+safety. His eyes flashed fire as he listened, and when
+I said to him, "Would you like to make one of our
+guard on our way home?" he grasped my hand and
+wrung it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I thank you, monsieur," he said, and then he muttered
+in my ear:</p>
+
+<p>"What would I not give for one good chance at the
+chevalier!"</p>
+
+<p>Half an hour later our little cavalcade set off from
+the governor's house, the governor himself waving us
+an adieu from the gallery steps. We had placed madame
+and mademoiselle in the center, with Josef Papin
+on one side and myself on the other. Black Hawk
+and Yorke were in the van, and Captain Clarke and
+Dr. Saugrain brought up the rear.</p>
+
+<p>It had been necessary to make to the two ladies some
+explanation of these warlike arrangements, but we
+had said nothing of the presence of the chevalier. I
+knew it would distress mademoiselle, nor was I sure
+that her heart would not dictate a surrender, and he
+would at last accomplish his purpose and bear her
+away with him, a willing captive, to France. We had
+only said that a suspicious band of Osages was lurking
+about, and we thought it wise to take some precautions.</p>
+
+<p>There was, on the Rue de l'&Eacute;glise, which was our
+direct way home, one spot peculiarly fitted for an ambuscade,
+where the road dipped suddenly into a deep
+gully and rose again on the farther side, and where,
+owing to the marshy nature of the soil, the forest had
+not been cleared away. It was a lonely bit of road,
+without houses on either side for a quarter of a mile,
+and I thought it more than likely that the chevalier
+would select this spot for an attack, if he intended to
+make one.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>To cheat him, if possible, we rode up the hill of the
+Rue de la Tour and turned to the left at the fort,
+which was dark and silent, a proof to me that the
+troops had left it, and had, no doubt, ere this rid the
+village of our enemy. The Rue des Granges, down
+which we rode, ran along the crest of the hill, and
+there was no marsh here to be crossed, and the gully
+had run out to a mere depression. We bore no torches,
+and moving as silently as possible through the blackness
+of the night, we hoped we might escape detection.
+But as we came to the head of the gully I
+glanced down, and at that moment a swift spark as
+from a tinder flashed into the air, followed by a steady
+glow, and I knew the chevalier was there and that,
+deeming himself securely hidden among the trees, he
+had just lighted a cigar to keep him company in his
+stealthy watch. And I knew, too, that if I but drew
+my pistol and took steady aim at that glow-worm in
+the dark there would be no more trouble or anxiety
+for any of us on mademoiselle's account. For one
+moment I hesitated, and Fatima, feeling the involuntary
+grasp of her bridle-rein, half stopped. But could
+I have brought my mind to the committing of a cold-blooded
+murder like that, the memory of mademoiselle's
+plea for the chevalier's safety would have palsied
+my arm. Yet my generosity had like to have been
+our undoing. What it was that betrayed us I know
+not. It may have been the tramp of our horses' feet,
+conveyed down the gully as by an ear-trumpet; or it
+is possible that in spite of the darkness our moving
+figures were silhouetted against the faint light in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>
+western sky; or a stone, loosened by one of our horses,
+may have rolled down the gully to the chevalier's
+feet. Whatever it was, I knew we were discovered.
+There was suddenly a soft call of a whippoorwill from
+below us, answered quickly and softly by a half-dozen
+others, and then a sound as of hasty but cautious stirrings.
+I knew what it meant: they had seen us, and
+they would cut us off before we reached our gates. I
+gave a quick word of command:</p>
+
+<p>"Ride as hard and as fast as you can; never mind
+the noise you make. We are discovered! Our only
+hope of avoiding a fight is by reaching the gates
+first."</p>
+
+<p>Black Hawk and Yorke were off like a shot: Yorke,
+I have no doubt, with the intention of getting to cover
+as quickly as possible, but Black Hawk, I believe,
+after a scalp or two. I had to call to them both to come
+back and keep close to the ladies. Mademoiselle had
+uttered not a word, only urged her little La Bette to
+do her utmost, but madame, since the embargo of silence
+was removed, did not cease to utter a string of
+prayers and entreaties to "le bon Dieu" to save us all
+from the savages.</p>
+
+<p>We were on the crest of the hill, and looking down
+to the Rue de l'&Eacute;glise I could get an inkling of what
+progress the savages were making from an occasional
+flash of shining metal in a ray of light from some window;
+for though the hour was late the town was still
+astir from the governor's ball, and lights were in most
+of the houses. As yet they were some distance behind
+us, but though we were on horses and they afoot, they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>
+had a much shorter distance to travel and they were
+fleet runners. We were like a chain, only as strong
+as our weakest link; we were only as fleet as our slowest
+horse, and that was the one that bore madame's
+plump figure. La Bette was not much faster, and
+I began to get in a fever of impatience, as I could see
+the savages were steadily gaining on us. Should we
+meet them in that dark lane leading down from the
+Rue des Granges to the Rue de l'&Eacute;glise we were almost
+certainly at their mercy. In a few minutes it
+was evident to me that at our present rate of progress
+they were sure to meet us there, and there seemed no
+possible way of hurrying our two slow ponies. I
+would have turned back but that I believed the chevalier
+was sharp enough to have sent part of his men up
+the gully to cut off our retreat, should we attempt
+one. There was but one thing to do: Fatima had
+saved mademoiselle once; she should save her again.
+I leaned back of mademoiselle and spoke to Josef
+Papin:</p>
+
+<p>"We will never reach the house before the savages
+at this rate. I shall take mademoiselle on Fatima and
+get her safe inside the gates. You and Black Hawk
+follow me as quickly as possible, and the other three
+will remain to protect Madame Saugrain."</p>
+
+<p>Then I called a halt and explained my plan to the
+others. It needed but a word, and there was no
+demur but a low wail from Madame Saugrain, who,
+I make no doubt, believed Pelagie was going to certain
+death. Mademoiselle herself said nothing; I think for
+the first time she realized that the chevalier was leading<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>
+the Osages and that their only aim was to get
+possession of her.</p>
+
+<p>My explanation had not consumed a minute, and as
+I finished it I turned in my saddle.</p>
+
+<p>"By your leave, Mademoiselle," I said, bent over
+and lifted her from La Bette's back (and never was I
+more thankful for my great strength and that she was
+but a feather-weight, else had the feat proved a difficult
+one) and placed her securely in front of me on
+Fatima. 'Twas not so comfortable a seat as at my
+back, no doubt, but I dared not risk her where I could
+not see what befell her. One word to Fatima:</p>
+
+<p>"Sweetheart, for our lives!" I laid the reins low
+on her neck, and we were off with a long swinging
+stride that soon left even Black Hawk and Papin far
+behind, though they were urging their good horses
+to the utmost.</p>
+
+<p>There was not a moment to be lost, for I could see
+that the savages were nearing the junction of the
+lane and the Rue de l'&Eacute;glise, and we must pass that
+point before them and ride some twenty paces down
+the Rue de l'&Eacute;glise before we should reach the gates
+and a safe refuge behind the walls of &Eacute;migr&eacute;'s Retreat.
+I did not cease to urge Fatima by my voice,
+though never touching her reins. One arm held mademoiselle
+securely, and my right hand lay on the holster
+of my pistol, ready for instant service.</p>
+
+<p>Out of the Rue des Granges we shot like a bolt, into
+the steep and rough lane leading down the hill. Had
+I not held mademoiselle so firmly I think that swift
+swerve at the sharp corner might have unseated us<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>
+both. Faster and faster we flew, like a swallow on
+the wing, Fatima's dainty feet as surely placed among
+the rocks and holes of the rough road as if she had
+been pacing in Rotten Row. Well she knew that a
+misstep of hers now might mean death to all three of
+us, and well she knew that her master trusted her
+perfectly.</p>
+
+<p>I could feel mademoiselle's heart fluttering like a
+caged bird for terror; my own was beating like a
+trip-hammer, for I was near enough now to perceive
+that the savages too were redoubling their efforts and
+it was still a chance which of us would reach the
+corner of the Rue de l'&Eacute;glise first.</p>
+
+<p>"Faster, Sweetheart, faster!" I urged in an agony
+of apprehension as I pressed my knees close to Fatima's
+hot sides, and felt her breath beginning to come
+in long laboring moans as my great weight (with
+mademoiselle's added one, which might yet prove the
+last feather) began to tell on her. Bravely she responded
+to my voice and stretched out farther and
+faster at every stride, and in another moment, with
+another tremendous swerve, we had turned the corner
+into the Rue de l'&Eacute;glise with the foremost of the savages
+not twenty feet behind us. I expected nothing
+less than a bullet in my back, and was glad indeed that
+mademoiselle was in front of me, fully shielded by my
+broad shoulders, for I knew whatever befell me
+Fatima would carry mademoiselle into the garden
+and to the very door of &Eacute;migr&eacute;'s Retreat before any
+savage could possibly reach her. But I felt no bullet,
+nor did any whistle by my ears, and I wondered why,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>
+until I saw, what the savage possibly saw too in the
+dim light, that mademoiselle (whose head had been
+cowering on my breast like a child in great terror trying
+to hide from the sight of danger) had, as we
+turned into the Rue de l'&Eacute;glise, raised her head and
+looked boldly over my shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>I have no doubt the savage feared to shoot, lest he
+should hit that white face, and I did not doubt that
+was mademoiselle's plan, to use herself as a shield for
+me. I was very angry with her, but I had only time
+to draw her head roughly down on my shoulder again
+when we were within the gates and, in a dozen mighty
+strides, at the very door of &Eacute;migr&eacute;'s Retreat.</p>
+
+<p>At the sound of clattering hoofs, Narcisse and half
+a dozen servants, among them mademoiselle's maid,
+Clotilde, came running out on the gallery. I sprang
+from my horse and lifted mademoiselle down, in too
+great haste to be gentle, I fear.</p>
+
+<p>"Take your mistress into the house and bar every
+door and window!" I cried sharply. "The savages
+are after us!"</p>
+
+<p>It needed but that word "savages" to lend wings
+of terror to the usually slow and lazy movements of
+the negroes. With shrieks of women and shouts of
+men, they dragged mademoiselle into the house, and
+I heard the hasty putting up of bars. Then I turned
+to meet that one savage who was so far in advance
+and who must by this time have reached the gates.
+I had no fear, now that I was free of mademoiselle,
+for I felt myself good for two or three of them, and
+I could even now hear the clattering hoofs of Josef<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>
+Papin's and Black Hawk's horse coming down the
+lane, and they were a host in themselves. But by the
+time I had reached the gate there was a great noise of
+shouts and firing and wild halloos at the corner, and
+I ran on, knowing that Papin and Black Hawk must
+have met the savages, and knowing that the two would
+be outnumbered and greatly in need of my assistance.</p>
+
+<p>But I had hardly got into the thick of the m&ecirc;l&eacute;e,
+cutting and slashing with my sword for fear a shot
+would go astray and hit one of my friends should I
+use my pistol, when the savages suddenly turned tail
+and ran off, disappearing in the night like shadows.
+For a moment I thought it was my prowess that had
+put them to flight, and I began in my heart to plume
+myself thereon. But only for a moment, for up the
+Rue des Granges and down the steep lane there came
+charging the belated troops of Spanish horsemen (they
+had stupidly been scouring the other end of the
+village, it seems), and would have charged full upon
+us, no doubt,&mdash;since in the dark one could not tell
+friend from foe,&mdash;had not young Papin called out in
+Spanish that we were friends and belonged to Dr.
+Saugrain's party. Whereupon the officer halted long
+enough to inquire in which direction the savages had
+fled, and with many a round Spanish oath that he
+would not leave one of the red dogs alive if he had to
+follow them to Cape Girardeau, he led his troop clattering
+off toward the stockade. And no sooner had
+they disappeared than down the steep lane came the
+rest of the party, Madame Saugrain half dead with
+fright (for she had heard the sounds of firing and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span>
+of fighting, and feared the worst for Pelagie), the
+doughty doctor and my captain not a little disappointed
+that they should have missed the fray, and
+Yorke almost as much so, since it had turned out to be
+such an easy victory.</p>
+
+<p>But when I had told madame that Pelagie was safe
+in the house and the savages had fled and, except for
+a scratch on my forehead that scarce drew blood,
+no one was hurt (though at that very moment Black
+Hawk came creeping back out of the darkness hanging
+a dripping scalp to his belt, which when I perceived
+I was nigh sick unto death for a moment)&mdash;when
+I told her all this (and, fortunately, madame
+did not see Black Hawk's ugly trophy), she broke
+forth into a Te Deum and went happily up to the
+house, where Pelagie herself came running out to meet
+her, and they fell into each other's arms and, after
+the manner of women, wept long and loud for joy,
+though they had shed no tears when there might have
+been occasion for them.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+
+<h3>"A PRETTY BOY!"</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"And to be wroth with one we love<br />
+Doth work like madness in the brain."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>At the door of the house, Black Hawk and Yorke
+branched off to the servants' quarters, and I followed
+them to see what had become of Fatima, for
+I had left her standing beside the gallery when I ran
+back to meet the savage. I found her standing patiently
+by the stable door waiting to be let in, and she
+whinnied with delight as she heard my step. I called
+to Yorke to come and take care of her (for I was
+in haste to get back to the house), and at the sound of
+my voice Leon came rushing, in great bounds. Together
+we walked down to the well, that I might wash
+the blood from my face before presenting myself to
+the ladies. The well was in a low part of the grounds,
+some little distance from the house, and it was while I
+was vigorously splashing my hands and face that I
+heard a low growl from Leon. I looked up quickly
+and thought I caught the glimpse of a gun, and instinctively
+I sprang to one side, that if any one was
+aiming at me I might cheat him of his aim. At
+the same moment Leon sprang with a terrible roar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span>
+straight at the spot where I had fancied I saw the
+metal shining and where now I was sure I heard the
+rustle of some one fleeing. I followed quickly after, for
+the thought of any human creature in the power of
+that great beast in rage was awful to me. Enemy or
+no, I would if possible save him from being torn to
+pieces by a furious dog.</p>
+
+<p>As I ran, I called to him as I had heard his mistress
+call, and in French, lest he might not understand
+English:</p>
+
+<p>"&Agrave; bas, Leon! Tais-toi, mon ange!" But the
+words had no meaning for him in my gruff voice: it
+was the soft music of his mistress's tones he understood
+and obeyed. I heard another furious roar, a
+wild shriek as of a creature in mortal fear or pain,
+and then a shot. I was on the spot almost before the
+shot had ceased to ring in my ears. There lay Leon on
+the white snow, a dark mass writhing in what I feared
+was a death-struggle, and above him stood the chevalier,
+his smoking pistol in his hand. I knew as soon
+as I saw him in Indian costume that he was the savage
+who had been the foremost of his band, who had followed
+us so closely and had disappeared when I had
+gone to seek him. It was in the doctor's garden he
+had disappeared and lain in hiding to accomplish the
+capture or execute a revenge later.</p>
+
+<p>My own pistol was in my hand, and I covered him
+with it. In that moment of rage when Leon, whom
+I had learned to love and who loved me,&mdash;Leon, <i>her</i>
+dog,&mdash;great, beautiful, tried and trusty companion
+and friend,&mdash;lay dying from a shot from that villain's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span>
+hand: in that moment of rage I came near putting an
+end at once and forever to a life that I believed could
+never be anything but a curse to any mortal associated
+with it. But the words of Pelagie rang in my
+ears and stayed my hand:</p>
+
+<p>"If it is in your power, save the chevalier!"</p>
+
+<p>His own pistol was empty and he knew himself to
+be at my mercy, and that his life was worth no more
+than the snuffing out of a candle; yet, to do him justice,
+he held his ground and returned my gaze as fearlessly
+as he might have done had we stood with drawn
+swords, each ready for the thrust and parry.</p>
+
+<p>The old moon had but lately risen, and, hanging
+low in the eastern sky, her level rays fell full on the
+chevalier's face. It was white enough, but that might
+have been the effect of her sickly light reflected from
+the ghostly snow; the daredevil in his eyes said plainly
+as words, "Do your worst!"</p>
+
+<p>For a full half-minute I kept him covered, and for
+a full half-minute he returned my steady gaze. Then
+suddenly there arose from the house the noise of
+doors opening and shutting and the hurried tramp of
+feet. I knew what it meant. The shot had been
+heard and they were coming to see what had happened.
+In a moment they would all be upon us,&mdash;my captain,
+the doctor, young Papin, yes, and Yorke and Black
+Hawk too,&mdash;and there would be no possibility of saving
+the chevalier.</p>
+
+<p>He heard the noise, also, and he too knew what it
+meant. For one instant his eyes wavered and he
+looked as if he would turn and run, spite of my threatening<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>
+pistol. Only for an instant, and then he drew
+himself up proudly and threw back his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Fire, Monsieur," he said: "Why do you wait
+to let others share the glory?"</p>
+
+<p>For answer I lowered my pistol.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," I said, "you richly deserve death,
+and for a moment you were in deadly peril; but Mademoiselle
+Pelagie, whom you would basely wrong,
+pleads for you, and I spare your life at her intercession.
+If you will turn and run directly south, there
+is a low place in the wall, and on this side a pile of logs
+by which you may easily scale it, and almost directly
+opposite a narrow opening in the stockade through
+which you can force your way. But you must run
+for your life. I will remain here and do what I can
+to prevent pursuit; 'twill be no easy matter to keep
+Black Hawk off your trail."</p>
+
+<p>Yet he did not start at once. He hesitated and his
+eyes fell; then he looked up quickly and half extended
+his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur, you have been a generous foe; will you
+permit that I clasp your hand?"</p>
+
+<p>But a flood of memories rushed over me: his unswording
+me in the dance; his attempt to steal mademoiselle
+at the picnic and to poison her mind against
+her friends; this second attempt, where it was through
+no fault of his that we were not all dead men and
+mademoiselle far on her way to Cape Girardeau, in the
+power of savages and a villain more to be dreaded
+than they. I put my hand behind me and said coldly:</p>
+
+<p>"My hand belongs to my friends and to a foe whom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span>
+I can honor. Monsieur, if you tarry longer, I will not
+be responsible for your life."</p>
+
+<p>Even in the pale light I could see the deep flush
+sweep his cheek and his hand spring involuntarily to
+his sword-hilt. But he thought better of it, turned,
+and strode quickly away toward the low spot in the
+stone wall.</p>
+
+<p>Then I had leisure to think of poor Leon. I knelt
+down beside him, where a dark pool was rapidly widening
+in the white snow. I could see where the red
+fountain gushed from a wound in his shoulder. It
+was possible no vital part had been touched and he
+might be saved could that gushing fountain of life-blood
+be stanched. As it was, his eyes were already
+glazing and his limbs stiffening and his breath coming
+in long-drawn sobs, like a man in extremity. He
+was like to breathe his last before even those hurrying
+feet, fast drawing near, should reach him. I knew
+enough of surgery to know that I must apply a tight
+bandage above the wound; but where should I find a
+bandage? My flimsy lace handkerchief was worse than
+useless. There was no help for it: the purple silken
+sword-sash, of which I was mightily proud, whose long
+fringed ends, tied in a graceful knot, fell almost to
+my knees, must be sacrificed. I hastily unknotted it,
+and tenderly as possible, that I might not hurt the
+poor fellow more than needs must (for his flesh quivered
+under my touch), I bound it round the shoulder
+and with all my strength drew it tight. Quickly the
+gushing fountain stayed, and then taking from my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>
+pocket a flask that my mother herself had always bid
+me carry, I forced a few drops into his fast-setting
+jaws. I knew I had done the right thing when, by the
+time they had all come up, Leon had lifted his head
+and was feebly licking my hand.</p>
+
+<p>Their first exclamations of horror were followed by
+a hail of questions:</p>
+
+<p>"Who has done this?" "Where is he?" "Did
+you see him?" "How did it happen?"</p>
+
+<p>To all their questions I made but one answer:</p>
+
+<p>"I heard the shot, and ran up to find Leon lying
+on the ground, dying as I believed, and I have done
+what I could to help him."</p>
+
+<p>"And you have saved his life, or, at least, if he lives,
+he will have only you to thank," said Dr. Saugrain,
+who had been on his knees beside Leon, examining
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"You and your silken sash," he added, with the
+old twinkle of his eye. "'Twas a noble sacrifice, and
+we all appreciate how great a one."</p>
+
+<p>The good doctor was ever twitting me on what he
+was pleased to call my love of dress; but I made him no
+answer this time, for I was watching Black Hawk,
+who, with an Indian's cunning, had at once discovered
+the footprints in the snow and that there was but
+one pair of them, and was stealing off after them.
+That would never do.</p>
+
+<p>"Great Chief," I cried, "'tis no use following the
+Red Dog; he has had too long a start. Will you help
+us to carry the dog of La Petite to the house, where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span>
+we can put him in a warm bed? 'Twill never do to
+let him lie in the snow, and 'twill take us all to carry
+him comfortably."</p>
+
+<p>Black Hawk hesitated, and then grunted out an unwilling
+consent. I think it seemed to him somewhat
+beneath the dignity of a great chief to carry a dog, and
+only because of his love for La Petite did he bring his
+mind to it. Nor did my little fiction about the Red
+Dog deceive him.</p>
+
+<p>"No Red Dog," he grunted. "White Wolf! Trail
+fresh. Black Hawk bring his scalp to La Petite."</p>
+
+<p>But the doctor saved me the necessity of arguing
+further with him.</p>
+
+<p>"Red Dog or White Wolf, Black Hawk," he said,
+"n'importe! 'Tis the mastiff we must look to now.
+A sad day 'twould be for all of us should he die;
+so lend a hand, vite, vite!"</p>
+
+<p>And this from the doctor, who had told me when
+I first met him he would not have cared had I killed
+Leon, for he loved him not. The truth was that the
+doctor's devotion to Leon and Leon's to him were second
+only to the devotion of the dog and his mistress
+to each other, though, owing to the fact that Leon
+often stalked into his laboratory at inopportune moments,
+sometimes spoiling the most delicate experiment
+by poking his great inquisitive muzzle where it did
+not belong, the doctor's patience was sometimes tried
+almost beyond the limit of endurance.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor's exhortation, uttered in a sharp and
+clipping way peculiar to him when excited, was effectual.
+Very tenderly between us all we managed to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span>
+lift the mastiff, and bore him to the negroes' quarters,
+where, in Narcisse's cabin, we made him a warm
+bed and washed and dressed his wound, and left him
+in a fair way to recovery.</p>
+
+<p>I was a little behind the others in reaching the
+house, for I had delayed about some last arrangements
+for Leon's comfort, and then it had been necessary
+that I should make a hasty toilet. Hands and
+face were soiled with blood and grime (my purple
+velvets I feared were ruined forever, but I would
+not take the time to change them), and my hair was
+in much disorder. A hasty scrubbing of hands and
+face and a retying of my hair-ribbon to try to confine
+the rebellious yellow curls that were tumbling all
+over my head, and that I so much despised, were all
+I permitted myself time for. Yet the few minutes I
+had lingered had been long enough for the launching
+of a thunderbolt, and I arrived just at the moment to
+see the havoc it had made.</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle in her ball-dress had thrown herself
+on her knees beside madame, her white arms flung
+around madame's neck, her face buried in her motherly
+bosom, sobbing piteously. Madame gently
+stroked the dark curls, saying over and over only the
+same words, "My child, my child, my poor child!"
+while the tears flowed down her own cheeks all unnoticed.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor stood beside her, patting as he could
+her white arm or dark curls or tender cheek, and saying
+helplessly:</p>
+
+<p>"Voil&agrave;, voil&agrave;! Quoi donc! N'importe, n'importe!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span>
+and many other as senseless words, and growing
+every moment more hopeless and helpless as mademoiselle
+but wept the more bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>On the other side of the room stood young Papin,
+pale and rigid as if carved in stone, his eyes fixed on
+mademoiselle. I feared that for him too it had been
+a bitter blow, for I could not doubt that it was the
+announcement of mademoiselle's departure on the
+morrow that had created such consternation.</p>
+
+<p>The captain had discreetly turned his back and was
+looking out of the window. At the sound of my entrance
+he turned and beckoned me to him.</p>
+
+<p>"I fear 'twill never do," he whispered; "the
+maiden is breaking her heart."</p>
+
+<p>As if she had heard his words, mademoiselle lifted
+her head, and though her face was tear-stained and
+her hair hanging in disheveled locks about it, it was
+still the most beautiful face I had ever seen.</p>
+
+<p>At sight of me she flung her head back, and her
+eyes flashed. She extended one round white arm
+toward me, and in tones of bitter scorn she exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>"It is you, you, Monsieur, who have done this!
+I will not leave my guardians and my home and go
+away with you! You would not hear of my going
+with the chevalier, yet he was a French gentleman,
+and not merely a pretty boy!"</p>
+
+<p>Madame and the doctor tried in vain to stop her
+tirade. She was in a fury; such blazing eyes, such
+crimson cheeks, and voice quivering with scorn. For
+a moment I was abashed and would have liked to
+slink out of sight. But when she was so ungenerous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span>
+as to call me "a pretty boy," the fire returned to
+my heart, and I too drew myself up proudly.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, listen to me!" I said sternly. "I
+have but a few minutes ago spared the chevalier's life
+when I had him at my mercy, and shown him the way
+to escape from your friends here, who were running
+at the sound of his shot, and who, had they found him
+in Dr. Saugrain's grounds, would have made short
+work with him, I fear." (I could not but note out of
+the corner of my eye while I was speaking the quick
+start of young Papin at this announcement, the eager
+interest of my captain, and the doctor's look of
+dismay.)</p>
+
+<p>"I spared him, and I told him that I spared him,
+only because you had begged me to do my utmost to
+save him if he should ever fall into my power. I
+cannot believe that he would have treated me or any
+one of your friends with the like courtesy. He is now
+well on his way to Cape Girardeau, but I think he is
+not gone so far but that he can be easily overtaken.
+Black Hawk is ready to set out at once; indeed, it is
+with much difficulty that I have restrained him from
+so doing. Then, if you desire it, and Dr. Saugrain and
+madame approve, you can return to France under the
+chevalier's protection."</p>
+
+<p>I lifted my hand as the doctor and his wife both
+started to speak.</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, my friends, permit that mademoiselle first
+tells me her pleasure."</p>
+
+<p>Then, as mademoiselle (whose eyes were no longer
+flashing with scorn, but regarding me with the same<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>
+wonder I had seen in them before) did not speak, I
+said, if possible with greater sternness:</p>
+
+<p>"Speak at once, mademoiselle: shall we send for the
+chevalier and bring him back? There is no time to
+be lost; every minute is carrying him away from
+you as fast as a very good pair of legs for running
+can take him."</p>
+
+<p>I hope I did not exceed the limits of courtesy in so
+speaking of the chevalier, but it was hard to resist a
+little fling at the "French gentleman" to whom the
+"pretty boy" had been so disparagingly compared.
+I caught a twinkle in the doctor's eye and a fleeting
+smile on young Papin's face and on my captain's, but
+I looked only at mademoiselle. She was meek enough
+now, but she no longer looked at me; her dark lashes
+were sweeping her cheek.</p>
+
+<p>"You need not send for him," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"Then, mademoiselle," I went on, a little more
+gently, "it seems to me and to your friends that the
+only other way to return to France is the way we have
+planned. You will be as safe under Captain Clarke's
+care as you would be under Dr. Saugrain's. He will
+take you to his sister, Mrs. O'Fallon, who will be as
+a mother to you, until a suitable escort can be found
+for you to New York to place you under Mr. Livingston's
+care. As for me, I shall not in any way annoy
+you: you need not know I am on the boat; and as
+soon as you are placed in Mrs. O'Fallon's care I shall
+say good-by to you forever, and continue my journey
+east, since it is indeed time I should be starting homeward.
+Dr. and Madame Saugrain will assure you that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span>
+this is the most feasible plan, and I hope once more
+that you will not be deterred from accepting it by
+any fear of annoyance from me. There will be
+none. If you decide to go with us, we must make
+an early start, and there will be many things for me
+to attend to. Captain Clarke will inform me of your
+decision, and I will see Dr. Saugrain and madame
+in the morning. Till then, I wish you all a very good
+night."</p>
+
+<p>I made my grand bow, turned quickly, and left the
+room, though Dr. Saugrain and his wife both tried
+to stay me, and young Papin sprang forward with an
+eager hand to prevent me.</p>
+
+<p>I was bitterly angry, and more hurt and disappointed
+than angry. Outside I strode furiously up
+and down in the snow, calling myself a fool that I
+should care. Mademoiselle might be a great lady in
+France, I said to myself, but to me she had shown herself
+only a fickle, capricious, silly maiden. But even
+as I so spoke to myself my heart revolted. I saw her
+once more weeping in madame's arms, and I began to
+think it was only natural and commendable in her that
+she should be so stirred at the thought of leaving
+friends who had been so good to her, and that I had
+been much harder with her than was well.</p>
+
+<p>And at last, as I began to walk myself into a calmer
+frame of mind, I could have wished that I had not
+made that rash promise to keep myself out of her sight
+on the boat. My word was given and I would have to
+stick to it, but in my own room, as I listened to the
+murmur of voices still going on in the room below me,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>
+I thought no longer with anger, but sadly enough, of
+the long delightful t&ecirc;te-&agrave;-t&ecirc;tes with mademoiselle I
+had dreamed of when I had first planned this trip
+on the Great River.</p>
+
+<p>A bright drop suddenly fell on my hand. I brushed
+my eyes angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"Domtiferation!" I whispered furiously to myself.
+"Mademoiselle was right! A pretty boy indeed!"</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+
+<h3>A CREOLE LOVE-SONG</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"So sweetly she bade me adieu,<br />
+I thought that she bade me return."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>For three days we had been floating down the
+Great River, and for three days I had kept my
+word. Mademoiselle had not been annoyed by me;
+she had hardly seen me. Much to my captain's vexation,
+I had refused to take my meals with him and
+mademoiselle, though our cozy table of three had been
+one of the brightest parts of my dream when I was
+planning this trip.</p>
+
+<p>It was nearing the supper-hour on the evening of
+this third day. The men were making ready to tie
+up for the night (for navigation on the river at night
+was a dangerous matter), and for the hundredth time
+I was wishing with all my heart that I had not been
+so rash as to make that promise to keep out of mademoiselle's
+way. The vision of a hot supper comfortably
+served in her warm and cozy cabin was of itself
+sufficiently enticing, as all my meals since coming
+aboard had been brought to me in any out-of-the-way
+corner of the deck, and I had found them but cold
+comfort. Not that my resolution was weakening,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>
+though my captain let no meal-hour pass without
+doing his best to weaken it, and more than once had
+brought me a message from mademoiselle herself begging
+me to join them at table. No; I was as fixed as
+ever, and, in a way, enjoying my own discomfort, since
+to pose as a martyr ever brings with it a certain
+satisfaction which is its own reward.</p>
+
+<p>The weather had been clear and mild up to this
+time; but this evening an icy sleet was beginning to
+fall, and I glanced at mademoiselle's cabin window,
+brightly lighted and eloquent of warmth and dryness,
+and fetched a great sigh as I looked. A voice at my
+elbow said:</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur is sad?&mdash;or lonely, perhaps?"</p>
+
+<p>I started, for I had supposed myself entirely alone
+on that end of the boat&mdash;the men all busy with their
+tying-up preparations forward, and mademoiselle and
+the captain in the cabin. I lifted my hat and bowed
+ceremoniously.</p>
+
+<p>"Neither, Mademoiselle."</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle hesitated. I saw she felt repulsed,
+and I secretly gloried in her embarrassment. Neither
+would I help her out by adding another word; I waited
+for what she might say further.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," she said presently, "you have shown
+me much kindness in the past, and done me great
+service. I would like to have you know that I am not
+ungrateful."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not desire your gratitude, Mademoiselle,"
+I said coldly (though it hurt me to speak so when she
+was so evidently trying to be friendly with me).<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span>
+"No gentleman could have done less, even if he
+were not a French gentleman."</p>
+
+<p>The light from her cabin window fell full upon
+her. I could see that she colored quickly at my retort,
+and half started to go away, but turned back again.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," she said earnestly, "I have a very
+humble apology to make to you. I hope you will forgive
+me for my rude and wicked speech. I was
+beside myself with sorrow at the thought of being
+so suddenly torn from my friends, and for the time
+nothing else weighed with me, not even that you
+had just saved my life at the peril of your own. Ah,
+how could I have been so base! I wonder not that
+you will not even look at so mean a creature, and you
+do well to shun her as if she were vile."</p>
+
+<p>No man could have resisted her sweet humility.
+For a moment all my anger melted.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, do not apologize to me!" I cried.
+"If there are any apologies to be made, it is I who
+should make them for not knowing how to understand
+and appreciate what you felt."</p>
+
+<p>A quick radiance sprang into her eyes, and with a
+childlike abandon she extended both her hands to me.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you forgive me?" she cried.</p>
+
+<p>I took one hand and held it in both mine, and as I
+bent my knee I lifted it to my lips.</p>
+
+<p>"If I am forgiven, my Queen," I answered softly.</p>
+
+<p>Her dark eyes, tender and glorious, looked down into
+mine. For a moment I forgot she was a great lady in
+France; to me she was only the most bewitching and
+adorable maiden in the wide world. She was wearing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span>
+a heavy capote to shield her from the weather, but the
+hood had fallen slightly back, and the falling sleet
+had spangled the little fringe of curls about her
+face with diamonds that sparkled in the candle-shine,
+but were not half so bright as her starry eyes. I
+could have knelt forever on the icy deck if I might
+have gazed forever into their heavenly depths. But
+in a minute she let the white lids fall over them.</p>
+
+<p>"Rise, Monsieur," she said gently. "You are
+forgiven, but on one condition."</p>
+
+<p>"Name it, my Queen!" And I rose to my feet,
+but still held her hand. "No condition can be too
+hard."</p>
+
+<p>"That you come to supper with us to-night, and to
+every meal while I am on your boat."</p>
+
+<p>The condition fetched me back to earth with a shock.
+I remembered all the cause, and I answered moodily:</p>
+
+<p>"My word has been given, Mademoiselle; I cannot
+go back on my word."</p>
+
+<p>"Your word was given to me, and I absolve you
+from it," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"But in the presence of others," I objected. "I
+am bound by it, unless I be shamed before them."</p>
+
+<p>"Only your captain is here," she said, still gently;
+"and he, too, urges it."</p>
+
+<p>But still I was obdurate. Then at last she drew
+away her hand and lifted her head proudly.</p>
+
+<p>"Your Queen commands you!" she said haughtily,
+and turned and walked away. Yet she walked but
+slowly. Perhaps she thought I would overtake her,
+or call her back and tell her I had yielded. But I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>
+was still fighting with my stubborn pride, and let her
+go. I watched her close her cabin door, then for five
+minutes I strode rapidly up and down, the slippery
+deck.</p>
+
+<p>"Your Queen commands you!" I thrilled at her
+words. My Queen! Yes, but only if I were her
+king. Now that I was away from her, and her glowing
+eyes were not melting my heart to softest wax, I
+was resolved never again to submit to her tyranny and
+caprice. I would go to supper, because she commanded
+it; but I would never for a moment forget
+that she was a great lady of France, and I a proud
+citizen of America&mdash;too proud to woo where I could
+only meet with scorn.</p>
+
+<p>So I went to my cabin and made a careful toilet, and
+when Yorke came to call me to supper, I presented
+myself in mademoiselle's cabin. I had not been in it
+since she had come aboard, and, though I had carefully
+planned and arranged every detail of it for her comfort,
+I would not have known it for the same place.
+What she had done to it I know not; a touch here,
+a touch there, such as women's fingers know how to
+give, and the bare and rough boat's cabin had become
+a dainty little boudoir. The round table, draped in
+snowy linen, with places set for three; the silver and
+glass shining in the rays from two tall candles; Yorke
+and mademoiselle's maid Clotilde bringing in each
+a smoking dish to set upon it; and mademoiselle
+standing beside it like the glowing heart of a ruby,
+her dark beauty well set off by a gown of crimson
+paduasoy, with rich lace through which the graceful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>
+neck and rounded arms gleamed white and soft: it all
+looked to me like a picture from one of Master Titian's
+canvases, and I could hardly believe that if I
+should look through the closely drawn curtains I
+would see the rough and dirty decks of our barge,
+and, beyond, the dark forest of the Illinois shore,
+where even now hostile savages might be lurking,
+ready to spring upon us with blood-curdling yells.</p>
+
+<p>The captain was already there, chatting gaily with
+mademoiselle as I came in, and he had the delicacy to
+make his greeting of me as natural and unsurprised as
+if I had never been absent from the little board, while
+mademoiselle added a touch of gracious cordiality to
+hers.</p>
+
+<p>I was on my mettle. Determined that never again,
+even to herself, should she call me a boy, I summoned
+to my aid all the <i>savoir-faire</i> I could command. I was
+(at least, in my own estimation, and I hoped also in
+hers) the elegant man of the world, discoursing at ease
+on every fashionable topic, and, to my own amazement,
+parrying every thrust of her keen repartee, and
+sometimes sending her as keen in return. I think the
+situation had gone to my head. Certainly I had never
+before thought myself a brilliant fellow, but when I
+rose to make my bow to mademoiselle (and it was
+indeed a very grand one), I hoped that even in her
+mind I would not suffer by comparison with any
+French gentleman, no, though it were the chevalier
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>I did not see mademoiselle again until the midday
+meal next day; for all the morning I was busy with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span>
+the men, making the difficult and dangerous turn
+from the Great River into the Ohio, past Fort Massac.
+Once in the Ohio, there was no surcease from
+hard work&mdash;poling, paddling, or cordelling, sometimes
+all three together, to climb the rushing stream.</p>
+
+<p>Punctually at the noon-hour I presented myself at
+table, and again at supper, and my good star did not
+desert me. Quip and repartee and merry tale and
+polished phrase were all at my tongue's end, and no
+one could have been more amazed than I at my own
+brilliancy.</p>
+
+<p>But I lingered not a moment after the meal was
+over, and I never saw mademoiselle between times.
+If she came out to take the air on deck, I was hard
+at work with the men, sometimes taking my turn at
+paddling, sometimes, though not often, at poling; but
+our crew of French Canadians were better at that
+than I. Indeed, there are no such fellows in the
+world for navigating these dangerous Western waters.</p>
+
+<p>The weather had grown mild, and often in the evening
+I envied Yorke (who had straightway, of course,
+made desperate love to Clotilde, who was old enough
+to be his mother), sitting in the bow of the boat and
+thrumming his banjo lightly as he sang her some creole
+love-song he had picked up in St. Louis.</p>
+
+<p>Our trip was fast drawing to a close. The last evening
+on the river had arrived. We would tie up one
+more night; all hands at the cordelle and the poles, we
+would reach Mrs. O'Fallon's by noon, in time for
+dinner. I had determined not to linger there at all.
+I should go on, the same afternoon, to my uncle's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>
+plantation, not many miles away, and the next day
+start for the East. I had told mademoiselle I would
+say good-by to her forever when we reached Mrs.
+O'Fallon's, but in my own mind I was saying good-by
+to her now. It had been for several days that
+I had felt the weight of this approaching hour, and
+my brilliance had gradually departed. I had grown
+duller and quieter at each succeeding meal, and mademoiselle,
+too, had grown quieter (she could never be
+dull). Sometimes I fancied she looked sad, and once
+I was sure I recognized the trace of tears in her beautiful
+eyes. There was nothing strange in that; it
+would have been strange indeed if she could have left
+home and friends, and started on a long and dangerous
+journey (with no companion but the faithful negro
+woman who had been nurse and lady's-maid and
+trusted friend for ten long years, but who was still
+but servant and slave), and had not often been overcome
+with sadness. Indeed, there were times, when
+she was merriest at the table, when I had mentally accused
+her of heartlessness as I thought of the two
+fond old people mourning for her in &Eacute;migr&eacute;'s Retreat.
+So, though I would have liked to attribute some of
+mademoiselle's sadness to an approaching separation,
+I had no grounds for so doing, and I scoffed at
+myself for the attempt.</p>
+
+<p>That last night at supper I made a desperate effort
+to be my gayest, but it was uphill work, and the more
+so because neither the captain nor mademoiselle seconded
+my efforts with any heartiness; so when supper
+was ended, feeling that the hour had at last come, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>
+stood as mademoiselle rose from her seat, and instead
+of excusing myself at once, as had been my custom, I
+lingered.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said, "we have had our last meal
+aboard together (God prospering our voyage), and I
+desire to thank you for your courtesy, and to say to
+you that whatever there may have been in our intercourse
+during our brief acquaintance not pleasant to
+either of us to hold in remembrance, I hope you will
+banish it from your memory, as I shall from mine. I
+shall think of these weeks always as among the brightest
+of my life, and perhaps, had I been a chevalier of
+France instead of an American boy, I should not so
+easily have said good-by to the Rose of St. Louis; it
+would have been au revoir instead!"</p>
+
+<p>I was standing as I said it all formally, with the air
+of one making pretty compliments: for I did not wish
+mademoiselle to know how every word was from the
+depths of my heart; nor would I have lightly betrayed
+myself before my captain, who was not apparently
+listening, but had turned to give some instructions to
+Yorke.</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle's color came and went as I spoke.
+She did not answer me for a moment, and when she
+did it was in a low tone, and she seemed to speak with
+effort:</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur, you are ungenerous! You will never
+forgive my unhappy speech. Permit me to say you
+have taught me that a chevalier of France may be
+outshone by an American gentleman in bravery, manliness,
+truth, and honor&mdash;in every virtue except the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>
+doubtful one of knowing how to utter pleasant insincerities
+to us maidens. And I will not say good-by.
+Am I not to see you again?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will certainly see you in the morning, Mademoiselle,
+but there may be no time for more than a word,
+and so I take this opportunity to say good-by."</p>
+
+<p>"I will not say good-by, Monsieur"&mdash;with the old
+wilful toss of the head. "I will tell your captain he
+is not to let you go back to Philadelphia so soon. But
+no matter where you go, I will never say good-by; it
+shall always be au revoir."</p>
+
+<p>She smiled up at me with such bewitching grace
+that perforce I smiled back at her, and if she had but
+asked me this evening, as she had on many others, to
+linger in her cozy cabin for a game of piquet, I would
+not have had the courage to say no. But she did not
+ask me, and, much as I longed to stay, there was nothing
+for me to do but to pick up my hat and say,
+with the best grace I could:</p>
+
+<p>"I thank you with all my heart, Mademoiselle, and,
+for to-night at least, au revoir!"</p>
+
+<p>An hour later my captain and I were leaning on the
+rail in the stern of the boat, looking up at the tree-crowned
+bluffs standing dark against the moonlight
+and listening to the soft lapping of the water against
+the boat's sides. We did not realize that we were hidden
+by a great pile of peltries, as high as our heads,
+which Captain Clarke was taking back to Kentucky
+with him to sell on commission for Pierre Chouteau,
+until we heard voices. Mademoiselle and Clotilde had
+evidently found a seat on the other side of the pile of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>
+pelts, and mademoiselle was speaking in plaintive
+tone:</p>
+
+<p>"And they would not let me bring Leon with me!
+He at least would have loved me and been a companion
+and protector when all the world forsake me."</p>
+
+<p>Then Clotilde's rich negro voice:</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, I find out why they not let you
+bring Leon. Mr. Yorke tell me last night. Leon shot,
+the night before we come away."</p>
+
+<p>There was a heartrending cry, and then a torrent of
+swift French:</p>
+
+<p>"Leon shot! My Leon! Why have they not told
+me? Oh, the villains! Who shot him, Clotilde? My
+poor angel! My Leon! No one left to love your poor
+mistress!" And much more that I cannot recall, I
+was so excited and angry that that rascal Yorke should
+have caused her such needless pain. But every word
+of Clotilde's next speech was graven on my heart as
+with a knife of fire.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Yorke say they all hear the shot, and they all
+run out to see what the matter, and there stood the
+lieutenant with pistol in his hand, and Yorke say he
+don' <i>think</i> he shoot him, but&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Clotilde had no chance to say another word.</p>
+
+<p>"Shoot my Leon! He! Ah, I could not have believed
+such baseness! He never forgave him for
+throwing him down-stairs! His last act before leaving
+&Eacute;migr&eacute;'s Retreat! Oh, mon Dieu, what perfidy!
+What a monster!"</p>
+
+<p>And every word was so interrupted with sighs and
+moans and sobs as would have melted a heart of stone.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As for me, I was nearly turned to stone, such horror
+did I feel that she should think me guilty of so base a
+deed. I had no thought of acting in my self-defense,
+but my captain started up at once with a quick exclamation,
+and, seizing my arm, dragged me around the
+pile of pelts. There was mademoiselle, seated on a
+low bundle of them, weeping as if her heart would
+break, and Clotilde trying in vain to stay the torrent
+she had set loose.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," said the captain, quickly, "there
+has been some terrible mistake. It was the chevalier
+who shot Leon; it was this lad" (laying his arm affectionately
+across my shoulders) "who saved his life."</p>
+
+<p>Now half the joy of this speech to me was taken out
+of it by the captain's way of treating me as a boy&mdash;I
+think the captain never thought of me in any other
+light; and I made up my mind on the instant that I
+should seize the very first opportunity to beg him, at
+least in mademoiselle's presence, to treat me as a man.</p>
+
+<p>But mademoiselle was so concerned with the matter
+of the captain's speech, she paid no heed to its manner;
+and it chagrined me not a little that her first
+thought was for Leon, and not that I was innocent.</p>
+
+<p>"Saved his life!" she cried. "Is my Leon alive?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is, Mademoiselle," I said coldly, "and I have
+every reason to believe he is doing well. My 'last act'
+before leaving &Eacute;migr&eacute;'s Retreat was to visit him in
+Narcisse's cabin. I renewed his dressing, and left
+minute instructions as to his care. We had thought to
+spare you this anxiety, Mademoiselle, but two blundering
+servants have undone our plans."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Monsieur," cried mademoiselle, impetuously,
+springing to her feet and extending both her hands to
+me in her pretty French fashion, "how unjust I have
+been to you! How can I ever thank you enough for
+your care of my poor Leon? Your last act in the cold
+and dark of the early morning, and the hurry of departure,
+to see that my Leon was taken care of, and I
+have accused you of making it one of base revenge!
+Ah, Monsieur, can you ever forgive me?" half whispering.</p>
+
+<p>I had taken her hands and was holding them as I
+looked down into her radiant eyes. I bent low and
+kissed them both, first one and then the other, as I said
+(very low, so that the captain and Clotilde should not
+hear):</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, I can forgive you everything."</p>
+
+<p>But I needed not to speak so low, for when I lifted
+my head the captain and Clotilde had both disappeared.
+And whither they had gone, or why, I neither
+knew nor cared. For now a mad intoxication seized
+me. This was the last evening I should ever spend
+with mademoiselle in this world; why should I not
+enjoy it to the full? For the hundredth time we had
+had our misunderstanding and it had cleared away;
+now there should be no more misunderstandings, no
+more coldness, nothing but joy in the warm sunshine
+of her smiles.</p>
+
+<p>So I begged her once more to be seated and to atone
+for all that was unkind in the past by letting me talk
+to her. There could have been no better place, outside
+of her cozy cabin, for this long-dreamed-of t&ecirc;te-&agrave;-t&ecirc;te,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>
+which now at last was to have a realization, than this
+she had herself chosen. The pile of pelts at her back
+kept off the east wind, the young moon in the west
+shone full upon her face, so that I could feast my eyes
+upon its glorious beauty (for the last time, I said to
+myself) and interpret every changing expression.</p>
+
+<p>And yet, just at first, I was afraid I was going to
+be disappointed, after all. Mademoiselle was embarrassed
+and constrained, and it was I&mdash;I, the gauche
+and unsophisticated "boy"&mdash;who had to gently disarm
+her fears and lead her back to her bright and
+natural way. And this is how I did it. Mademoiselle
+had seated herself at my request, almost awkwardly,
+if awkwardness were possible to her, so much afraid
+was she she was not doing quite the proper thing.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot imagine what has become of Clotilde,"
+she said nervously. "I did not send her away."</p>
+
+<p>"I think she has gone to find Yorke and set him
+right about Leon," I answered, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>She smiled slightly in return, but still with some
+embarrassment.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said, "have you observed that
+Yorke has been making himself very agreeable to Clotilde?"</p>
+
+<p>"What folly!" she exclaimed. "Clotilde is an old
+woman. I spoke to her about it quite seriously to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"And what did she say, Mademoiselle?"</p>
+
+<p>"She said that she found Yorke most entertaining.
+'One must be amused,' were her words, and she made
+me feel very young with her worldly wisdom. 'We<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>
+do not contemplate matrimony, Mam'selle, but Mr.
+Yorke and I both think there may be an affinity of
+spirit, regardless of difference in age'! I was amazed
+at her philosophical attitude."</p>
+
+<p>"How did you reply to her, Mademoiselle?"</p>
+
+<p>"She quite took my breath away, but I only said,
+'Clotilde, you will oblige me by seeing as little as possible
+of Yorke on the remainder of the trip.' I had
+fully intended to keep her with me this evening, and
+now she has slipped away. I think I ought to go and
+find her," half rising as she spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"By no means," I answered quickly. "Indeed, I
+am quite on Clotilde's side."</p>
+
+<p>"On Clotilde's side! Impossible, Monsieur! Such
+arrant nonsense!"</p>
+
+<p>All this time I had been standing, for from a maidenly
+shyness (rather new in her, and which I liked)
+she would not ask me to sit beside her, and there was
+no other seat. Now I said:</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, if you will permit me to share your
+bundle of pelts, I believe I can prove to you that it is
+not such arrant nonsense, after all."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, Monsieur," a little stiffly; "I am sorry
+to have kept you standing so long."</p>
+
+<p>She drew her skirts a little aside, and I sat down,
+quite at the other end of the bundle of pelts, but
+nearer to her than I had been in many long days.
+Then, in a purposely didactic and argumentative way,
+I cited to her all the instances in history I could think
+of, winding up with Cleopatra and Ninon de l'Enclos,
+until by entering into the argument she had entirely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>
+forgotten herself and her embarrassment. Then suddenly
+into a little break in our conversation there came
+the clear whinny of Fatima. She was on the other
+boat, tied close to ours, and as we were in the stern
+and she in the bow, she had no doubt heard her master's
+voice and was calling him. I was greatly
+tempted to call her by the whistle she knew, but I did
+not quite dare. She would have broken all possible
+bounds to come to me in answer to that whistle, and
+I would not have been surprised to see her clear the
+space between the two boats.</p>
+
+<p>"That was Fatima," mademoiselle said, and sighed
+a little.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," I said, "and I think I could tell what your
+sigh meant."</p>
+
+<p>"Did I sigh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and it meant, 'I wish it were Leon.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she said; "I was thinking how much Fatima
+loves you, and Leon, too, as soon as he was able
+to forgive your disgracing him so. I think all dogs
+and horses love you, Monsieur."</p>
+
+<p>"That is because I love them, Mademoiselle."</p>
+
+<p>"Does love always beget love?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not always, Mademoiselle; sometimes it begets
+scorn."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I suppose the love dies?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Mademoiselle; unhappily, it but grows the
+stronger."</p>
+
+<p>"That is folly, is it not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, if you will allow me to be a philosopher
+like Clotilde&mdash;love has no regard for sense or wisdom,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span>
+else would Yorke love one of his own age, and I
+would love one of my own country and my own rank."</p>
+
+<p>She said not a word for a long time, but sat with
+downcast eyes. Suddenly she lifted them, and they
+shone with a softer radiance than I had ever seen in
+them before.</p>
+
+<p>"Of what were you thinking, Mademoiselle?" I
+said gently.</p>
+
+<p>She hesitated a moment, and then like the soft sigh
+of a zephyr came her words:</p>
+
+<p>"I was wishing you were a chevalier of France."</p>
+
+<p>"And I, Mademoiselle, was wishing you were a
+maiden of St. Louis, as I supposed you were when I
+first saw you."</p>
+
+<p>"I would not have been of your country, even
+then," she said, with delicious shyness, half looking at
+me, half looking away in pretty confusion.</p>
+
+<p>"Not now, but you soon would be. St. Louis will
+belong to us some day."</p>
+
+<p>"Never!" She spoke in hot haste, all the patriot
+firing within her, and looking full at me with flashing
+eyes. "St. Louis will be French some day, as it used
+to be, I believe with all my heart; but American,
+<i>never</i>!"</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, we had a wager once. Shall we
+have one more?"</p>
+
+<p>"Is it that St. Louis will one day be American?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"I am very willing to wager on that, for it is a certainty
+for me. What shall be the stakes?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, they would be very high."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am not afraid."</p>
+
+<p>I thought for a moment, and then I shook my head.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, I dare not. I am sure St. Louis will
+one day be ours, but the time may be long, and by that
+day the worst may have happened. You may have
+found your chevalier of France."</p>
+
+<p>She looked up at me in a quick, startled way, which
+changed gradually to her old proud look.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur, I know not what stakes you had in
+mind, but this I know: if 'twere a lady's hand it were
+unworthy you and her. A lady's hand is for the winning
+by deeds of prowess or by proof of worth, not by
+betting for it as though 'twere a horse or a pile of
+louis d'or."</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I cried in an agony of shame,
+"forgive me, I beg. Forgive a poor wretch who saw
+no chance of winning by prowess or worth, and who
+was so desperate that he would clutch at any straw to
+help him win his heart's desire."</p>
+
+<p>Her look softened at once, and when she spoke again
+'twas in her gentlest tones.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," she said, "to-morrow we part, and it
+would seem there is but little chance that we shall see
+each other again in this world. Fate has placed our
+lots on different continents, with wide seas between.
+But for to-night let us forget that. Let us think we
+are to meet every day, as we have met in these weeks,
+and let us have a happy memory of this last evening
+to cherish always."</p>
+
+<p>I could not speak for a moment. Her voice, its
+sweet tones breaking a little at the last, unmanned me.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>
+I turned away my head, for I would not let her see the
+workings of my face, nor my wet eyes, lest she think
+me boyish again. It was the sealing of my doom, but
+I had known it always. And there was a drop of
+sweet amid the bitter that I had never dared hope for.
+She, too, was sad&mdash;then she must care a little. In a
+minute I was able to turn toward her again and speak
+in a firm, low voice.</p>
+
+<p>"You are right, Mademoiselle; we will be happy to-night.
+Come," I said, rising and extending my hand
+to her, "let us go watch the revelers on the other boat;
+they, at least, are troubled by no useless regrets."</p>
+
+<p>She put her hand in mine, and we went back by
+the stern rail and stood watching the scene below us.</p>
+
+<p>A plank had been thrown from one boat to the
+other to make easy communication, and the crew of
+our boat, with the exception of the two left always
+on guard, had crossed over. They had cleared a space
+for dancing, and lighted it by great pine-knots cut
+from the forest close by. Yorke, set high on a pile of
+forage with his beloved banjo, was playing such music
+as put springs into their heels. Canadians and negroes
+were all dancing together&mdash;the Frenchmen with graceful
+agility, the negroes more clumsily, even grotesquely,
+but with a rhythm that proved their musical
+ear. Clotilde and a negress cook were the only women,
+and greatly in demand by both Frenchmen and negroes.
+Clotilde rather scorned partners of her own
+color, and was choosing only the best-looking and the
+best dancers of the white men, with a caprice worthy
+of her mistress, I thought, and probably in imitation<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span>
+of her. Yorke did not seem to mind, but with the gayest
+good humor called out the figures as he played.
+Suddenly, as he wound up the last figure with a
+grand flourish, he beckoned to a little Canadian who
+had been specially agile in the dance, and they held a
+whispered consultation. Then Yorke resigned his
+banjo to him, and, leaping down into the middle of the
+floor, seized Clotilde about the waist without so much
+as saying "By your leave," and shouted:</p>
+
+<p>"Choose partners for a waltz!"</p>
+
+<p>Consternation followed, for not more than half a
+dozen had ever seen the new French dance. But when
+the little Canadian started up with his witching <i>trois-temps</i>,
+Yorke and Clotilde glided off rhythmically to
+its strains, the half-dozen followed, more or less skilfully,
+and the rest stood round gazing in respectful
+admiration.</p>
+
+<p>Now I had learned the waltz at home in Philadelphia,
+but it had never been danced at the St. Louis
+parties, and I knew not whether mademoiselle knew
+the step or not. Yet was I seized with a great desire
+to follow Yorke's example.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said timidly, "why cannot we
+have a dance here? See, there is a clear space on the
+deck, and the music is good."</p>
+
+<p>"I waltz but poorly, Monsieur," she answered, looking
+up at me with a bright blush. "Madame Saugrain
+taught me the step, but I have practised it but
+little."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we will be the better matched," I answered
+gaily. But when I had put my arm around her waist,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span>
+and one of her beautiful hands rested on my shoulder,
+and I held the other in my firm clasp, I was seized
+with such trembling at my boldness in daring to hold
+her so near that almost my feet refused to move. Yet
+as soon as we were both gliding to the Canadian's
+music there was no longer any fear in my heart, only
+a great longing that the music might never cease and
+that we could go on forever circling to its strains.
+Wild thoughts whirled in my brain. Why need mademoiselle
+go back to Paris? I believed, as I bent my
+head and looked into her dark eyes uplifted to mine,
+that only a little persuasion would be needed to make
+her give it all up. And I said to myself, "I will try."</p>
+
+<p>But the music stopped. Mademoiselle gently withdrew
+herself from my encircling arm, and suddenly
+cold reason returned. How could I dream of betraying
+Dr. Saugrain's trust! How could I think of persuading
+her to relinquish the glories awaiting her for
+me! And, most of all, how could I dare to think she
+could be persuaded!</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle had thrown off her capote before beginning
+to dance; I picked it up and put it around
+her, and led her back to her seat on the pelts. But she
+would not sit down.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Monsieur," she said; "our evening is over. I
+am going to my cabin. Will you send for Clotilde and
+tell her that I want her?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle! Mademoiselle!" I cried, my heart
+in my mouth to beg her not to leave me without one
+word of hope. But then I stopped. It was all over;
+the world had come to an end.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It is good-by, then, Mademoiselle?" I said steadily,
+and holding out my hand to her.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Monsieur," she said, with that voice that from
+the first time I heard it had ever seemed to me the
+sweetest in the world. "'Tis <i>au revoir&mdash;toujours,
+toujours au revoir</i>!"</p>
+
+<p>I watched her close her cabin door and turned back
+to my place by the rail, black despair in my heart, but
+just one little ray of hope brightening it&mdash;her courageous
+<i>au revoir</i>. Over the plank came Yorke and Clotilde,
+and strolled slowly up the deck together, Yorke
+thrumming his banjo and singing a creole love-song
+he had learned in St. Louis:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Tous les printemps<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Tan' de nouvelles,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Tous les amants<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Changent de ma&icirc;tresses.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Qu'ils changent qui voudront,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Pour moi, je garde la mienne."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Insensibly my heart lightened. "Pour moi, je garde
+la mienne," I said aloud, and added in a whisper:</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;though I must first win her, and win I
+will!"</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+
+<h3>"AU REVOIR"</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"While memory watches o'er the sad review<br />
+Of joys that faded like the morning dew."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>It was a busy morning that followed&mdash;no time for
+idle thoughts or vain regrets. If we were to dine
+with Mrs. O'Fallon at Mulberry Hill, all hands must
+work hard.</p>
+
+<p>A line of ten men with the cordelle was attached to
+each boat to pull it up the stream, and at the same
+time ten more on each boat planted the great pole at
+the bow, and then, pushing on it, walked back to the
+stern, lifted it out of the soft mud, carried it forward
+to the bow, planted it again in the mud, and, pushing
+mightily, again walked back to the stern. In this way
+we made great progress. We moved as fast as the ten
+men on shore carrying the cordelle could walk, and
+the men at the pole lightened their load so greatly,
+they were able to walk at a good round pace.</p>
+
+<p>So it was not yet quite noon when the white walls of
+Mulberry House came in view, the blue smoke curling
+from its chimneys giving promise of good cheer awaiting
+us. The men at the cordelle walked faster, the
+men at the pole pushed harder, and, there being here<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span>
+a chance to use them, two great sweep-oars were fastened
+in the rowlocks, and, four men at each oar, we
+went forward at such a gait that the water curled back
+from our prow in two foaming streams, and before
+many minutes we were running our nose into the bank
+at the foot of Mulberry Hill.</p>
+
+<p>Down the bank came a long line of men and boys,
+chiefly negroes, shouting in every key, and running to
+catch the ropes our crew were throwing them, and tying
+us fast to big stumps left standing on the bank for
+that purpose.</p>
+
+<p>Foremost to step foot on board was young John
+O'Fallon, running first to greet his uncle William,
+whom next to his uncle General Clarke he thought the
+greatest man on earth, and then coming to greet me,
+whom he called "cousin" in his kindly Southern fashion,
+for I could not claim to be kin. He was a bright,
+engaging lad of twelve or thirteen, "with the manners
+of a chevalier of France," I said laughingly to mademoiselle,
+when my captain was bringing him up to present
+to her. She was greatly taken with him at once,
+and as for him, 'twas a case of love at first sight, and
+he took full possession of her, giving me small chance
+to help her off the boat or up the hill.</p>
+
+<p>At the top of the hill, Aunt Fanny, as his mother always
+insisted I should call her, was waiting for us.
+She kissed me on each cheek and called me "my boy"
+in a manner that made me feel very young indeed.
+Much as I loved her, I could have wished that in mademoiselle's
+presence she had treated me as one too old
+for such gracious liberties. But mademoiselle seemed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span>
+not to notice her greeting to me; she had eyes only for
+the beautiful and charming woman and her manly
+little son. Indeed, I felt so much left out in the cold
+(for, after the manner of women, the two instantly
+made violent love to each other) that I was not sorry
+to find letters awaiting me from my uncle, inclosing
+letters from home that required my instant attention.
+When I had read them I knew not whether to be sorry
+or glad. I had fully intended to make no stay at all at
+Mulberry Hill, but go on at once to my uncle's; but
+now that there was no chance left me,&mdash;that marching
+orders I dared not disobey ordered me East at once,&mdash;I
+realized that lurking in the depths of my heart had
+been a secret hope that something would happen to
+delay me longer in mademoiselle's society.</p>
+
+<p>I was at once busy with preparations for a more
+hasty departure than I had expected, so that I saw
+neither Mrs. O'Fallon nor mademoiselle again until
+we were seated at the long table in the great dining-room
+overlooking the river, which here makes a wide
+and graceful sweep to the south. The warm winter
+sun was flooding the room through its many windows,
+lighting up the table with its brave show of silver and
+glass and snowy linen, and by its cheery glow warming
+all hearts and setting all tongues free, so that there
+was a pleasant confusion of talk, such as a hostess
+dearly loves. It was a bright and happy scene, and
+every face was smiling and every heart was gay save
+one; for I could not hope that mademoiselle's bright
+smile and beaming glance disguised another aching
+heart.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I was seated at Mrs. O'Fallon's left hand; a Mr.
+Thruston, whom I had never met, but who was evidently
+paying earnest court to the charming widow,
+was on her right; and mademoiselle was almost at the
+other end of the long table, between Captain Clarke
+and young John&mdash;about as far from me as possible,
+which, since it was to be our last meal together, I felt
+to be a distinct grievance. But as no one was to blame
+but Aunt Fanny, and she had set me beside her to do
+me honor, I could not well find fault.</p>
+
+<p>It was in response to her asking me to show some
+little courtesy to Mr. Thruston after dinner (I do not
+now recall what) that I told her I must set out on my
+journey as soon after dinner as I could start. Her
+short, sharp exclamation of surprise and displeasure
+caught the attention of all the table.</p>
+
+<p>"Brother William, do you hear that?" she called to
+my captain. "Our kinsman leaves us immediately."</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Fanny spoke with her knife poised in air. A
+noble great bird, a wild turkey, was on the platter before
+her, oozing a rich brown gravy from every pore.
+With a deftness I have never seen equaled, she had
+been separating joints and carving great slices of the
+rich dark meat, sending savory odors steaming up into
+my nostrils. Now, as she paused in her work to make
+her announcement, there arose instantly a chorus of
+remonstrances, loudest from young John and his
+younger brother Ben. I answered them modestly, I
+hoped, looking at everybody except mademoiselle,
+who yet, I saw distinctly, turned very pale, then red,
+then pale again.</p>
+
+<p>I addressed myself directly to Captain Clarke:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"My uncle has forwarded me letters from home,
+requiring my presence there as shortly as possible.
+The letters do not enlighten me as to the reasons for
+haste, and I am naturally beset with some misgivings,
+but I hope all is well with my family."</p>
+
+<p>My captain smiled inscrutably.</p>
+
+<p>"Set your anxieties at rest, my lad. I also found a
+letter awaiting me from your father. It explains the
+reasons for haste, but wishes them kept from you for
+the present; but they are of the most agreeable nature,
+and all is well at home."</p>
+
+<p>I was greatly relieved, and so expressed myself.</p>
+
+<p>"But why start immediately?" my captain continued.
+"You will have to wait for a boat, and the
+waiting had best be done here."</p>
+
+<p>"I have found one, sir," I answered. "It is expected
+up the river this afternoon, and goes as far as
+Clarksville. My instructions are to go by way of
+Washington, and call on Mr. Jefferson, so nothing
+could suit me better, for I find the road from Clarksville
+to Washington is comparatively short, and the
+boat is a small keel-boat and likely to make good
+time."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well!" said my captain, pleasantly, "you
+must have been hard at work to find out all this between
+landing and dinner; but I know the reasons for
+haste are imperative, and you are quite right to set
+off at once."</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly mademoiselle spoke up:</p>
+
+<p>"Mon Capitaine, if monsieur is going just where I
+must go, why do not I and Clotilde go with him?"</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment's embarrassing silence, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span>
+then I, feeling the silence unbearable and a great discourtesy
+to mademoiselle, answered her.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, nothing could give me greater pleasure
+if my captain and Aunt Fanny think it could be
+arranged. But I fear the route would be a hard one
+for a lady's traveling, since the boat goes only to
+Clarksville, and from there to Washington there is
+but a bridle-path, and a very rough one."</p>
+
+<p>Then everybody broke forth at once, volubly:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, no, no! We cannot think of letting you
+go!"</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, miss," said Aunt Fanny, in her pretty imperious
+way, "you may think yourself fortunate if
+you get away from here any time in the next two
+months. We do not get hold of a lovely young lady
+visitor very often, and when we do we mean to keep
+her as long as we can. And here is my son John over
+head and ears in love." (Young John blushed like a
+peony.) "Would you break his heart, madam? And
+Ben is no better" (for Ben had been slyly laughing
+at his brother's discomfiture, but now looked very silly
+indeed as he took his share of his mother's tongue-lash).
+"You will be having my family at loggerheads
+if you stay, no doubt, but stay you must, for now that
+we have once seen you, there is no living without
+you."</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle took the speech adorably (as I knew
+she would, though I doubt whether she understood
+half of it), smiling and blushing, and saying in her
+pretty baby-English that they were very good to her,
+and she would not break "Meester Jean's" heart, no,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span>
+nor "Meester Ben's"; she would stay with "dear
+madame."</p>
+
+<p>If I did not thereupon fetch a long and deep sigh
+from the very bottom of my boots, it was not because
+it was not there to fetch, as I thought of all I was
+missing in not spending a happy two months with
+mademoiselle under Aunt Fanny's delightful roof.</p>
+
+<p>But I had short time to indulge vain regrets. We
+were in the midst of dessert, a huge bowl of steaming
+punch brewed by Aunt Fanny before our eyes, and a
+great Christmas cake, which she said she had saved
+for our home-coming, when a small negro burst open
+the door in great excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"Hi, Miss Fanny, she's comin'!"</p>
+
+<p>"Who's coming, Scipio? And where are your
+manners? Go tell your mother if she doesn't teach
+you how to come into a room properly, I will have to
+take you in hand."</p>
+
+<p>It was a terrible threat, and had been many times
+employed&mdash;always successfully, for "Miss Fanny"
+never did "take in hand" the small darkies, and so,
+having no notion of what taking in hand might mean,
+all the terrors of mystery were added to their fears.
+Young Scipio was greatly abashed, and pulled his
+forelock respectfully as he answered Mrs. O'Fallon's
+question.</p>
+
+<p>"It's de boat, missus; she's comin' roun' de
+ben'."</p>
+
+<p>In a moment all was confusion. There was no time
+to be lost. Yorke was despatched to get together my
+belongings, see that they were carried to the landing,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>
+and himself lead Fatima down the bank and on to the
+boat; for to no other would I trust my beauty. The
+boat by this time had nearly reached the landing, and
+there was a hurry of good-bys, Aunt Fanny shedding
+tears of vexation that my visit should be so short, and
+calling me her "dear boy," and kissing me and scolding
+me in one breath.</p>
+
+<p>She and mademoiselle walked as far as the top of
+the bluff with me (I would not let them come farther,
+for the bank was steep and muddy), and then I said
+my good-by to mademoiselle. I raised her hand to my
+lips as I said it, and she looked straight into my eyes
+with eyes that shone with something brighter than
+smiles as she answered:</p>
+
+<p>"Au revoir, monsieur!"</p>
+
+<p>The captain of the keel-boat was shouting to us to
+make haste, and there was no time for another word;
+and I was glad to have it so, for another word might
+have made me indeed the boy Aunt Fanny was always
+calling me.</p>
+
+<p>The two boys, Mr. Thruston, and my captain went
+down to the boat with me (which proved to be a more
+comfortable one than I had dared to hope for), and
+Fatima having been coaxed aboard and quarters
+found for her in a warm shed, and my captain pressing
+my hand with an affectionate "Good-by, dear lad,"
+that was once more near to my undoing, we were untied,
+and the men at the poles pushed hard and walked
+rapidly back to the stern, and the men at the cordelle
+pulled all together, with a long-drawn "Heave, ho,
+heave!" and we were off.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I stood in the stern watching the two figures on the
+bluff until one of them went away and there was only
+one, slender and of but little stature, with soft dark
+curls, and eyes whose tender glow I could feel long
+after the figure was but one indistinct blur, with a
+white hand waving farewell.</p>
+
+<p>Then came another bend in the river and shut her
+from my sight. And there was naught left to me of
+Mademoiselle Pelagie but a memory of tears and
+smiles; of hard words and gentle ones; of cold looks
+and kind ones; of alternate hopes and fears on my
+side; of scorning and&mdash;yes, I believed it with all my
+heart&mdash;of scorning and loving on hers.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+
+<h3>A VIRGINIA FARMER</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"Statesman, yet friend to truth! of soul sincere,<br />
+In action faithful, and in honour clear."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>"What, Fatima! You refuse?"</p>
+
+<p>I dismounted and led her carefully down the
+steep bank and on to the ferry-boat. She followed me
+very willingly, but I stood with my arm over her glossy
+neck, for I saw she eyed the water distrustfully, and
+while I had no fear of her being disobedient to my
+word of command, I knew it would comfort her to feel
+my arm about her neck. She neighed her appreciation,
+and gently rubbed her nostrils against my side, ever a
+token of affection with her. When the boat began to
+move, the two stalwart negroes pulling at their great
+oars and chanting dismally in time to their pulling,
+Fatima again showed signs of excitement, but I easily
+quieted her, and then I had leisure to use my eyes.</p>
+
+<p>This crossing the Potomac to Washington reminded
+me vividly of crossing the Mississippi to St. Louis
+more than three months before. Nor did the capital
+look more impressive at this distance than the village
+of St. Louis. Both were embowered in trees, and,
+but for the two imposing white buildings,&mdash;the President's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span>
+Palace and the Capitol,&mdash;Washington was much
+the less prepossessing village of the two, and I thought
+how much more worthy was our own city of Philadelphia
+to be the capital of the nation.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, when I had led Fatima off the ferry, she
+sank over her fetlocks in mud, and I had to lead her
+some distance before I found ground firm enough to
+warrant my mounting her, lest my weight should make
+the poor creature flounder hopelessly in the mire.</p>
+
+<p>I bore in my pocket a letter from Captain Clarke
+introducing me to Mr. Meriwether Lewis, which he
+had written at Mulberry Hill, after the boat that was
+to bear me away was in sight, and also an address
+he had given me of a respectable innkeeper where I
+might find lodging. The inn was my first quest, and
+that once found and a suitable toilet made, I was
+eager to present my letter of introduction, and, if
+chance favored me, meet the President also.</p>
+
+<p>It was still early, and the road I found myself
+upon (for it could not be called a street, since there
+were no pavements and only at long intervals a house)
+was filled with a well-dressed throng all wending their
+way in one direction. It seemed to me too early an
+hour for gentlemen to be seeking a place of amusement,
+and too late and the throng too generally well
+dressed to be on their way to business. Some were in
+coaches, with coachmen in livery on the box and footmen
+standing up behind, and some were on horseback
+and some on foot, but all, or nearly all, were wearing
+silk stockings and fine ruffled shirts and carefully powdered
+queues and shining shoe-buckles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>A little stretch of brick sidewalk gave an air of distinction
+to a solidly built two-story house with sloping
+roof and dormer-windows, and in front of the
+house, on a stool planted on the curb, sat an old negro,
+bandy-legged, with snowy wool, industriously polishing
+a row of shoes neatly arranged in front of him,
+and crooning happily a plantation melody as he
+worked. I drew Fatima to the curb.</p>
+
+<p>"Good morning, uncle," I said as the negro slowly
+lifted his head, bowed over his brush. "Can you tell
+me who all these people are and where they are going?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mohnen, marsa," the negro returned politely, and
+then looked at me with round-eyed astonishment.
+"Yo' dunno whar they's gwine? Why, sah, dey's
+de Senatahs and Represenatahs, sah, and dey gwine to
+de Cap'tul, sah."</p>
+
+<p>Of course! It was very stupid of me not to have
+thought of it. The negro evidently thought so, too,
+but a sudden excuse suggested itself to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Mought yo' be a stranger in Washington, sah?"
+with a glance of such undisguised pity for any barbarian
+who did not know the capital that I felt myself
+coloring, and to recover my self-respect assured him
+that I had set foot in this "domtiferous" mud-hole
+for the first time just fifteen minutes before.</p>
+
+<p>He was greatly impressed with my emphatic word,
+and addressed me with much-increased respect.</p>
+
+<p>"Den, sah, if I might be so libertious, p'r'aps yo'
+like me to p'int out de 'stinguished gen'lemen."</p>
+
+<p>Nothing could have pleased me better, and I drew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span>
+Fatima still closer to the curb while Bandy Jim&mdash;for
+that, he said, was his name&mdash;proceeded to point out
+the celebrities.</p>
+
+<p>There was passing at that moment a very elegant
+coach, with mounted postilions in pink plush and gold
+lace, and an exceedingly handsome man with an aristocratic
+face leaning back among the cushions, his eyes
+half closed, as if mentally conning a speech for delivery
+in Congress. Bandy Jim did not wait for the eager
+question on the tip of my tongue.</p>
+
+<p>"Dat, sah, is de welfiest and most 'stocratic gen'leman
+in Washington. Dat am Mistah Gubernoor Morris
+of de gre't city of New York. I 'low he studying
+dis minnit on a speech 'bout de Mississippi Riber and
+dem Spanish men."</p>
+
+<p>I looked at him again, more eagerly than before. I
+knew Gouverneur Morris well by reputation, though
+I had never seen him, as one of the most polished and
+scholarly men of the country, and the devoted friend
+of Hamilton, whom I idolized as all that was brilliant,
+great, and noble. But my eagerness was largely due
+to Bandy Jim's suggestion that they were discussing
+the Mississippi question in Congress, and as I looked
+more keenly I hoped he was on the right side, for
+I thought that broad white brow could think great
+thoughts and those clear-cut lips could utter them
+with force.</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you think it will be on the Mississippi this
+morning, uncle?" I inquired, amused that the old
+darky should seem to know the doings in Congress.
+"Do you go up to the Capitol to listen to the debates?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Sometimes, sah, but mos'ly I reads dem in de
+'Post,' sah!" And the proud air with which he let
+me know of his unusual accomplishment beggars description.</p>
+
+<p>"And so you can read, Uncle? And who taught
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ole Miss, sah. I's a free nigger, sah. Ole Miss
+gib me my papers so I mought stay wid my fambly
+when she follow de gin'ral and his father to Mulberry
+Hill in Kaintuck'."</p>
+
+<p>I confess Bandy Jim seemed like an old friend at
+once when I found he had belonged to the Clarkes, and
+in my delight at seeing "one of the family" in a
+strange land, I slipped from Fatima's back and
+grasped him by the hand.</p>
+
+<p>When he found I was just from Kentucky and Mulberry
+Hill, he was more excited than I, and especially
+was he eager for news of "Marse William."</p>
+
+<p>"He mah baby, sah!" he repeated over and over,
+his old eyes shining with visions of other days.</p>
+
+<p>"An' Yorke, sah,&mdash;you know Yorke?&mdash;he mah
+son!" with great dignity and much evident pride in a
+son of such distinction.</p>
+
+<p>I had many things to tell him of Yorke's prowess
+and address that pleased the old fellow greatly. I
+might also have recounted the many times when I
+had had all the will in the world to horsewhip the
+rascal, but I did not distress his old father with any
+of his shortcomings.</p>
+
+<p>The morning was fast slipping away when I bethought
+me it was time to be looking up my lodging<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span>
+and making myself ready for my call at the President's
+Palace. I flung Bandy Jim a piece of gold
+and told him I would see him again. And then as I
+was in the act of mounting Fatima it occurred to me
+he could no doubt direct me.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you tell me how to find the Mansion House,
+Uncle?"</p>
+
+<p>"Right here, sah," grinning with delight; and sure enough,
+what had seemed to me the home of some
+respectable citizen proved to be mine inn. And a
+very good one indeed; for when Bandy Jim had called
+a boy to lead Fatima around the house to the stables
+in the rear, and another to take me in to the landlord,
+I found myself in as clean and comfortable a hostelry
+as one could hope to find. My chamber was a large
+square one, on the second landing, and from its
+windows I could catch glimpses through the bare
+trees of the white building on the hill that I knew was
+the Capitol.</p>
+
+<p>And when a boy had brought my saddle-bags,
+Bandy Jim himself hobbled in to help me dress. He
+had been body-servant to both General Clarke and
+his father, and, old as he was, bent nearly double and
+dim of sight, his fingers were skilled for lacers and
+laces, for buckles and ribbons.</p>
+
+<p>I thought I looked quite as a gentleman should for a
+morning call at the "White House," for that, I understand,
+is what Mr. Jefferson prefers to have the
+President's Palace called. Indeed, I have heard he
+very vehemently objects to having it called a palace at
+all. I was wearing a plain cloth habit of dark green<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>
+with no lace at wrist or knee and only a small lace tie
+at the neck. My shoe-buckles were of the plainest
+silver, but Bandy Jim had polished them till they
+shone like new. I had some thoughts of deferring
+my visit until later in the day, when I might with a
+good grace have worn satin and velvet and fine lace
+ruffles, for I am afraid I was something of a beau in
+those days in my liking for dress. But bethinking me
+that the plainness of my costume would only be an additional
+recommendation in the eyes of the President,
+should I have the good fortune to meet him, I set off
+on Fatima's back, following the straight road, as
+Bandy Jim had directed.</p>
+
+<p>A more forlorn village it has rarely been my lot to
+see: stretches of mud road with neither houses nor
+fields to outline it, and then for a block or more bare
+and ugly houses, hideous in their newness, not having
+even the grace of age to soften their ill proportions.
+I was glad mademoiselle was not there to gaze upon
+the capital of America with eyes that knew so well how
+to be scornful, and that would so soon find her own
+gay French capital so beautiful.</p>
+
+<p>I was in the very act of saying to myself for the
+twentieth time, "Idiots and dolts, not to have selected
+beautiful Philadelphia for a nation's capital!"
+when there rode up beside me a farmer in plain, almost
+rough, clothes, but riding a magnificent horse.
+He was about to pass me (for I was riding slowly,
+out of respect to the mud, which might easily have bespattered
+me so that I would be in no condition for a
+call), but I hailed him:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Are you going my way, my friend?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you are going mine."</p>
+
+<p>"I am going straight ahead to the President's Palace."</p>
+
+<p>"And I to the White House, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Then our ways lie together. Are you acquainted
+in Washington?"</p>
+
+<p>"Somewhat, sir."</p>
+
+<p>I began to think this rather a surly farmer, he
+was so chary of words, so I looked at him more narrowly.
+But I saw nothing surly in his face. Indeed,
+at a second glance, I decided it was as fine a face, its
+features as clearly chiseled, as one often sees, and
+the eyes, beneath the broad white brow, were full,
+open, and benignant.</p>
+
+<p>"He is no ordinary farmer," I said to myself, "but
+most like a wealthy Virginia planter of education and
+social standing, but careless in matters of dress."
+Therefore I addressed him with a shade more of respect
+than I had hitherto used:</p>
+
+<p>"I am a stranger in Washington, sir," I said, "and
+if you are better acquainted here, I thought perhaps
+you would be so good as to tell me something of the
+city."</p>
+
+<p>He unbent immediately, and not only pointed out
+every object of interest on the road, but in a very
+delicate and gentlemanly manner proceeded also to
+pump me as to my name and errand in Washington.
+I was not more amused at his curiosity than at the
+skilful method he employed in trying to satisfy it, but,
+as I flattered myself, I gave him but little satisfaction.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>In reply to some question of mine about the debate
+in Congress on the Mississippi question, he gave me
+such a masterly exposition of the whole subject, so
+clearly and concisely put into a nutshell, I began to
+think my eccentric planter was a political genius, possibly
+a member of Congress, though if so I thought
+his horse was headed the wrong way.</p>
+
+<p>But evidently I had lighted unwittingly upon a rich
+mine of information. It was never my way to neglect
+my opportunities, and I began at once to ply him
+with questions about men and things in Washington.
+Last of all, I asked him about Mr. Jefferson.</p>
+
+<p>Now my family was not of Mr. Jefferson's party:
+we were ardent admirers and strong partizans of Mr.
+Hamilton. Not that we had any fault to find with
+Mr. Jefferson, except for his quarrel with Hamilton.
+But bethinking me that it was quite possible my
+planter might be a "Democrat," as Mr. Jefferson calls
+his party, I spoke guardedly, I thought.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you tell me something of the President, sir?
+Do you admire him? And is it true he is such a sloven
+in dress as they say he is?"</p>
+
+<p>I could not tell from his face whether he were
+Democrat or Whig, for it changed not a whit. He
+answered readily:</p>
+
+<p>"I know Mr. Jefferson quite well. I can hardly say
+whether I admire him or not, but I like him. In fact,
+he is quite a friend of mine. As to his being a sloven
+in dress, is that what they say about him? He dresses
+as well as I do: would you call that being a sloven?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all, sir, not at all!" I answered quickly;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span>
+but to myself I said, "If he dresses no better, God help
+us!" I added aloud:</p>
+
+<p>"I hope, sir, what I have said about the President
+has not offended you, since he is a friend of yours. I
+have never seen him, and was only repeating the general
+report."</p>
+
+<p>The stream of people that had been setting eastward
+earlier in the morning had ceased entirely. We had
+ridden on some distance without meeting any one, but
+at this moment we met two gentlemen on horseback,
+and both took off their hats and kept them off until
+we had passed. I thought it probable that from my
+fine clothes (which, though plain, were of undeniable
+elegance) they took me for a stranger of distinction,
+and I bowed most graciously in return. My farmer
+friend but touched his hat with his riding-whip, and
+then pointed off through the woods to where we
+could see the chimneys of a large house, on the banks
+of the river.</p>
+
+<p>"That," he said, "is Mr. Law's mansion. You may
+have heard of him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes," I answered; "he married Miss Custis,
+and I used to know her quite well, when we were both
+children."</p>
+
+<p>We mounted a little elevation in the road, not enough
+to be called a hill, but enough to give a more extended
+view over the wide acres of brick-kilns and huts of
+laborers and dismal waste land unfenced and uncultivated.
+To the east, in the direction of the Capitol,
+he pointed out the towers of Doddington Manor, the
+house of Daniel Carroll. We had passed so many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>
+houses that seemed to me but little more than hovels
+or barracks that it was a relief to me to see from
+Mr. Law's and Mr. Carroll's places that there were
+some gentlemen's residences in the capital. When I
+said something of the kind to my guide, he replied,
+with some asperity, that there were many gentlemen's
+residences at Alexandria and Arlington and Georgetown,
+only a short gallop away, and that it would not
+be many years until Washington itself could claim as
+many as New York or Philadelphia.</p>
+
+<p>I saw he was one of those violent partizans of the
+"ten-mile square" (probably because his farm lay
+somewhere near), so discreetly turned the discourse,
+since I did not want to bring up the vexed question of
+the superior merits of New York, Philadelphia, and
+the ten-mile square as a seat for the capital.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the President's Palace was in full view,
+and a beautiful building it was, looking very large
+and very white, and, it must be confessed, very bare,
+since there were no gardens surrounding it, nothing
+but mud in front and marsh behind, between it and
+the Potomac.</p>
+
+<p>Fatima picked her way daintily through the mud,
+often half stopping for better footing (as if she knew
+she must not bespatter me when I was going to call
+at the President's house), and by that means the
+farmer's powerful horse (who seemed not to mind the
+mud, knowing there was no finery to be hurt by it)
+got well ahead. I was myself so much engaged with
+the badness of the road that I did not, for a few minutes,
+look up. When I did, I observed that two orderlies<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>
+were holding the farmer's horse, from which he
+had just dismounted, while the farmer himself stood
+on the steps awaiting my approach. One orderly led
+his horse away as I rode up, but the exclamation of
+disgust for the mud that rose to my lips never passed
+them. As I glanced up at this "farmer" in corduroy
+small-clothes, red plush waistcoat, rough riding-boots
+splashed with mud, he had suddenly grown tall
+and majestic.</p>
+
+<p>"Orderly, take this gentleman's horse to the stable!"
+he said, with an air of command, and then
+turned to me with stately dignity.</p>
+
+<p>"Welcome to the White House, my young Philadelphia
+friend," he said, and smiled.</p>
+
+<p>For my confusion knew no bounds. I was never
+quick where a puzzle or trick was concerned, but now
+it slowly dawned upon me that my farmer friend
+was the President of the United States! and I had
+been criticizing him to his face, and talking flippantly
+to him, and even superciliously. My consternation
+grew; I knew not what was the proper thing to do,
+but I stammered out the most abject apology I could
+think of.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jefferson only laughed at my confusion.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, come, sir," he said genially, "there is no
+great harm done. Don't you suppose I know what
+people say of me? You were only repeating the
+'general report,' you know." And then he added seriously,
+as he saw my confusion was but increased by his
+raillery:</p>
+
+<p>"Where no offense is intended, sir, none is taken.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span>
+I beg you will enter the White House, and I will send
+my secretary to you, Mr. Meriwether Lewis."</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke he led the way into the house and into a
+very large and beautiful room, with a full-length portrait
+of General Washington on the walls.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall hope to see you later," he said pleasantly
+as he left me; "if I mistake not, I have some communications
+of interest for you." Then he turned and
+went up the grand staircase and left me alone to my
+miserable pastime of recalling every word and every
+incident of that wretched ride to the White House,
+and from not one of them could I extract an atom of
+comfort to soothe my wounded self-esteem.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+
+<h3>A GREAT DEBATE</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+They "of the western dome, whose weighty sense<br />
+Flows in fit words and heavenly eloquence."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>I had been so abashed by my wretched mistake
+that I had not so much as told the President who I
+was (though, truth to tell, he had not asked me, and it
+would have been only another impertinence on my
+part to have volunteered the information). Yet as I
+sat waiting for young Mr. Lewis, and reviewing in my
+mind the miserable events through which I had just
+passed, it suddenly occurred to me as very remarkable
+that Mr. Jefferson should have known I was from
+Philadelphia, when I thought I had been so particularly
+skilful in betraying no fact concerning myself.
+Moreover, he had not only guessed I was from Philadelphia;
+he must have guessed my identity also, for
+he had "communications of interest" for me.</p>
+
+<p>My curiosity was now so thoroughly aroused, both
+as to how the President knew me and what his communications
+might be, that it began to efface the keenness
+of my mortification. In the midst of my wondering
+surmises, Mr. Lewis appeared and greeted me most
+affably; and when I had presented Captain Clarke's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>
+letter of introduction, he was, if possible, more affable
+still. He was an older-looking man than I had expected
+to see, and with so much of seriousness in his
+countenance, and yet of such frankness and earnestness
+in his manner, that it drew my interest and liking
+at once.</p>
+
+<p>He was the bearer of a very polite message from the
+President, inviting me to dinner at the White House
+at four o'clock that afternoon; and then he proposed
+that we should set out at once for the Capitol, where,
+as he said, a debate of special interest was on the calendar.</p>
+
+<p>I was much touched at the generosity of Mr. Jefferson
+in returning my discourtesy to himself by so courteously
+placing his secretary at my disposal for my
+entertainment, and nothing could have pleased me
+better than Mr. Lewis's proposal. It had been my intention
+to visit the Capitol as soon as this visit of ceremony
+should be performed, but to visit it with a guide
+so much at home as the President's secretary was good
+luck indeed.</p>
+
+<p>I thought it still better luck when I found that, by
+Mr. Jefferson's special invitation, we were to sit in a
+small gallery set aside for the President and his
+friends, and to which a guard in uniform admitted us
+with a key. I was much impressed by the exterior of
+the Capitol (though in such an unfinished state), but
+when I found myself seated in the seclusion of the
+President's own private gallery, looking down upon
+the horseshoe of grave and distinguished senators, I
+could have wished that one of the ladies (of whom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>
+there were a number in the gallery opposite, and who
+cast many inquisitive glances at the two young men in
+the President's box) might have been Mademoiselle
+Pelagie, for I felt sure she would never again think of
+me as a boy, could she but see me in my present dignified
+surroundings.</p>
+
+<p>But it was only for a moment that my attention was
+distracted by the ladies and by thoughts of mademoiselle.
+A gentleman was speaking (Mr. Lewis told me
+it was Mr. Ross of Pennsylvania) in a most impassioned
+manner, and the magic word "Mississippi"
+caught my ear and charmed my attention. Mr. Ross
+was saying:</p>
+
+<p>"To the free navigation of the Mississippi we have
+undoubted right, from nature and also from the position
+of our Western country. This right and the right
+of deposit in the Island of New Orleans were solemnly
+acknowledged and fixed by treaty in 1795.
+That treaty has been in actual operation and execution
+for many years, and now, without any pretense
+of abuse or violation on our part, the officers
+of the Spanish government deny that right, refuse
+the place of deposit, and add the most offensive
+of all insults by forbidding us from landing on any
+part of their territory and shutting us out as a common
+nuisance. I declare it, therefore, to be my firm
+and mature opinion that so important a right will
+never be secure while the mouth of the Mississippi is
+exclusively in the hands of the Spanish. From the
+very position of our country, from its geographical
+shape, from motives of complete independence, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>
+command of the navigation of the river ought to be
+in our hands.</p>
+
+<p>"We are now wantonly provoked to take it. Hostility
+in its most offensive shape has been offered us,
+and hostility fatal to the happiness of the Western
+World. Why not seize, then, what is so essential to
+us as a nation? Why not expel the wrong-doers?
+Paper treaties have proved too feeble. Plant yourselves
+on the river; fortify the banks; invite those who
+have an interest at stake to defend it. Do justice to
+yourselves when your adversaries deny it, and leave
+the event to Him who controls the fate of nations!"</p>
+
+<p>Ah, how his words burnt my brain! I was for leaving
+Mr. Lewis in the President's gallery, running
+down to the great entrance where I had left Fatima
+in charge of a negro boy, mounting her, and riding
+straight back to Kentucky. Once there, I was sure it
+would be an easy matter to raise a company of eager
+patriots and march at their head down the Great River
+to the hostile city. But Mr. Ross had not finished, and
+I could not lose a word of his impassioned speech:</p>
+
+<p>"Why submit to a tardy and uncertain negotiation&mdash;a
+negotiation with those who have wronged you?
+When in possession you will negotiate with more advantage.
+You will then be in the position to keep
+others out. The present possessors have no pretense
+to complain, for they have no right to the country, by
+their own confession.</p>
+
+<p>"The Western people will discover that you are
+making every effort they could desire for their protection.
+They will ardently support you in the contest,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span>
+if a contest becomes necessary. Their all will be at
+stake, and neither their zeal nor their courage need be
+doubted.</p>
+
+<p>"But after negotiations shall have failed; after a
+powerful, ambitious nation shall have taken possession
+of the key of their Western country and fortified it;
+after the garrisons are filled by the veterans who have
+conquered the East: will you have it in your power
+to waken the generous spirit of the West and dispossess
+them? No, no; their confidence in you as
+their rulers will be gone; they will be disheartened,
+divided, and will place no further dependence upon
+you."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment two officers in uniform entered the
+Senate, preceding a gentleman who carried on a cushion
+a document. Immediately the President of the
+Senate, Mr. Burr (a man whom I had been reared to
+dislike and distrust above all men, and whose enmity
+for Mr. Hamilton was sufficient cause to make me his
+foe, yet whose attractive personality, seeing him for
+the first time, I could not deny), called the house to
+order, and requested Mr. Ross to defer the completion
+of his speech until a message from the House of Representatives
+should have been read.</p>
+
+<p>I was all curiosity, for it seemed to me an imposing
+ceremony and one that must be of great moment. But
+I was doomed to disappointment. The gentleman
+bearing the document said something in a low tone to
+the clerk, who repeated it to Mr. Burr. Whereupon
+Mr. Burr rose in his seat.</p>
+
+<p>"Gentlemen of the Senate," he said, "the House of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>
+Representatives sends you a confidential message.
+Sergeant-at-arms, clear the house!"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Lewis rose at once, and signaled to me to follow,
+which I did, very unwillingly. Outside in the corridors
+he said:</p>
+
+<p>"I think this will be but a brief secret conference&mdash;most
+like we can return in a few minutes; and I
+will employ the interim in showing you the building."</p>
+
+<p>From his manner I thought he must know the subject
+of the secret conference, as, indeed, being the
+President's private secretary, he would have every
+means of knowing. But he gave me no hint of it, and
+it was not until long afterward that I learned that in
+the half-hour we were shut out the Senate had confirmed
+the House bill to place two million dollars at
+the President's disposal to commence with more effect
+a negotiation with France and Spain for the purchase
+of the Isle of New Orleans and the East and West
+Floridas.</p>
+
+<p>When the doors were opened again, and we were
+back in our seats in the President's gallery, we found
+Mr. Ross already on his feet, continuing his interrupted
+speech, and evidently the sentences I first
+heard were in reference to the bill just passed.</p>
+
+<p>"I know," he said, "that some gentlemen think
+there is a mode of accomplishing our object, of which,
+by a most extraordinary procedure, I am forbidden to
+speak on this occasion. I will not, therefore, touch it.
+But I will ask honorable gentlemen, especially those
+from the Western country, what they will say, on
+their return home, to a people pressed by the heavy
+hand of this calamity, when they inquire: What has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span>
+been done? What are our hopes? How long will this
+obstruction continue? You answer: We have provided
+a remedy, but it is a secret! We are not allowed
+to speak of it there, much less here. It was only communicated
+to us confidentially, in whispers, with
+closed doors. But by and by you will see it operate
+like enchantment. It is a sovereign balsam which
+will heal your wounded honor; it is a potent spell,
+or a kind of patent medicine, which will extinguish
+and forever put at rest the devouring spirit which has
+desolated so many nations of Europe. You never can
+know exactly what it is; nor can we tell you precisely
+the time it will begin to operate: but operate it
+certainly will, and effectually, too! You will see
+strange things by and by; wait patiently, and place
+full faith in us, for we cannot be mistaken!</p>
+
+<p>"This idle tale may amuse children, but the men of
+the West will not be satisfied. They will tell you that
+they expected better things of you, that their confidence
+has been misplaced, and that they will not wait
+the operation of your newly invented drug; they will
+go and redress themselves!"</p>
+
+<p>Then Mr. Ross proceeded to read a series of resolutions
+he had drawn up, the most important part of
+them being to authorize the President to take immediate
+possession of the Isle of New Orleans, and to
+raise a militia army not exceeding fifty thousand men
+in the Western States, to cooperate with the army and
+navy of the Union; and that the sum of five millions
+of dollars should be appropriated to carry out these
+resolutions.</p>
+
+<p>They took my breath away. "What would I not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span>
+give to be back in Kentucky!" I whispered to Mr.
+Lewis, in irrepressible excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"Calm yourself, my young friend," he whispered
+back. "War is not declared yet. Listen to this next
+speech; it is Mr. White from Delaware. See whether
+he supports or opposes the resolutions."</p>
+
+<p>His opening sentence answered the question:</p>
+
+<p>"As to the closing of the port of New Orleans
+against our citizens, the man who can now doubt that
+it was a deliberate act of the Spanish or French government
+must have locked up his mind against truth
+and conviction, and be determined to discredit even
+the evidence of his own senses. But, sir, it is not only
+the depriving us of our right of deposit by which we
+have been grieved: it is by a system of measures pursued
+antecedent and subsequent to that event, equally
+hostile and even more insulting. I have in my hand a
+paper signed by a Spanish officer, which, with the indulgence
+of the chair, I will read to the Senate."</p>
+
+<p>Then he read a paper signed by Carlos de Grandpr&eacute;,
+warning the subjects of his Majesty of Spain that
+they were to have no communications with America,
+and couched in the most insulting terms. My blood
+boiled as I listened!</p>
+
+<p>"These," said Mr. White, "are the measures that
+have been adopted by the Spaniard, excluding us from
+their shores for a distance of two hundred and seventy
+miles, treating us like a nation of pirates and banditti.
+Would the great Washington have permitted such an
+insult had he still been with us? Spain has dared us
+to the trial, and now bids us defiance. She is yet in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>
+possession of that country; it is at this moment within
+your reach and within your power. It offers a sure
+and easy conquest. We should have to encounter
+there only a weak, inactive, and unenterprising people.
+But how may a few months vary the scene and
+darken our prospects! Though not officially informed,
+we know that the Spanish provinces on the Mississippi
+have been ceded to the French, and that they will, as
+soon as possible, take possession of them. What may
+we then expect? When, in the last extremity, we
+shall be drawn to arms in defense of our indisputable
+rights, where now slumbers on his post the sluggish
+Spaniard we shall be hailed by the vigilant and alert
+French grenadier; and in the defenseless garrison that
+would now surrender at our approach we shall see
+unfurled the standards that have waved triumphant
+in Italy, surrounded by impregnable ramparts and defended
+by the disciplined veterans of Europe. I am
+willing to attribute to honorable gentlemen the best
+of motives; I am sure they do not wish to involve this
+country in a war&mdash;and, God knows, I deprecate its
+horrors as much as any man. But this business can
+never be adjusted abroad; it will ultimately have to be
+settled upon the banks of the Mississippi; the war is
+inevitable unless honorable gentlemen opposed to us
+are prepared to yield up the best interest and honor
+of the nation. I believe the only question now in our
+power to decide is, whether it shall be the bloodless
+war of a few months or the carnage of years.</p>
+
+<p>"These observations are urged upon the supposition
+that it is in the power of the government to restrain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>
+the impetuosity of the Western people and to prevent
+their doing justice to themselves, which, by the by, I
+beg to be understood as not believing. They know
+their own strength; they know the feebleness of the
+enemy; they know the infinite importance of the stake,
+and they feel&mdash;permit me to say, sir, with more than
+mere sensibility&mdash;the insults and injuries they have
+received. You had as well pretend to dam up the
+mouth of the Mississippi, and say to its restless waves,
+'Ye shall cease here and never mingle with the ocean,'
+as to expect they will be prevented from descending it.</p>
+
+<p>"Without the free use of the river and the necessary
+advantage of deposit below our line, their fertile country
+is not worth possession; their produce must be
+wasted in the field or rot in the granary. These are
+rights not only guaranteed to them by treaty, but also
+given to them by the God of nature, and they will enforce
+them, with or without the authority of government!"</p>
+
+<p>This long speech (and I have not remembered half
+of it) was interrupted by frequent bursts of applause,
+and when Mr. White sat down, it was amid such enthusiasm
+of cheering as quite carried me off my feet.</p>
+
+<p>"Was there ever such a speech?" I shouted into
+Mr. Lewis's ear, for the noise was deafening. "That
+will surely win the day."</p>
+
+<p>"Wait," he shouted back, "until you hear the other
+side. That is Mr. Jackson of Georgia trying to get the
+floor, and, if I mistake not, he will be in opposition,
+and he is a strong speaker, with plenty of caustic
+wit."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jackson began to speak with so slow a drawl
+and in such low tones that at first I hardly thought
+him an adversary to be dreaded. But as he warmed
+to his work I changed my mind.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the course," he began, "which we have
+to pursue? Is it to go immediately to war without
+asking for redress? By the law of nations and the
+doctrines of all writers on such law, you are not justified
+until you have tried every possible method of obtaining
+redress in a peaceable manner. It is only in
+the last extremity, when you have no other expedient
+left, that a recourse to arms is lawful and just, and I
+hope the United States will never forfeit their character
+for justice by any hasty or rash steps which they
+may, too late, have to repent of.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir, we have been told much, by the gentleman
+from Delaware, of Bonaparte: that he is the hero of
+France, the conqueror of Italy, the tyrant of Germany,
+and that his legions are invincible. We have
+been told that we must hasten to take possession of
+New Orleans whilst in the hands of the sluggish Spaniards,
+and not wait until it is in the iron grip of the
+C&aelig;sar of modern times. But much as I respect the
+fame and exploits of that extraordinary man, I believe
+we should have little more to fear from him,
+should it be necessary in the end to contend with him
+for the possession of New Orleans, than from the sluggish
+Spaniards. Bonaparte, sir, in our Southern
+country would be lost with all his martial talents.
+His hollow squares and horse artillery would be of
+little service to him in the midst of our morasses and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span>
+woods, where he would meet, not with the champaign
+country of Italy,&mdash;with the little rivulets commanded
+by his cannon which he could pass at leisure,&mdash;not
+with the fortified cities which command surrounding
+districts, but with rivers miles wide, and swamps
+mortal or impenetrable to Europeans. With a body
+of only ten thousand of our expert riflemen around
+him, his laurels would be torn from his brow, and he
+would heartily wish himself once more on the plains
+of Italy.</p>
+
+<p>"The sacred name of Washington has been unnecessarily
+appealed to on this as on many other occasions,
+and we have been boastingly told that in his
+time no nation dared insult us. Much, sir, as I revere
+his memory, acknowledging him among the fathers
+of his country, was this the fact? Was he not
+insulted?&mdash;was not the nation insulted under his administration?
+How came the posts to be detained
+after the definitive treaty with Great Britain? What
+dictated that inhuman deed to stir up horror and destruction
+among us&mdash;Lord Dorchester's insolent and
+savage speech to the hordes of Indians on our frontiers
+to massacre our inhabitants without distinction?
+Were those not insults? Or have we tamely forgotten
+them? Yet, sir, did Washington go to war? He did
+not; he preferred negotiation, and sent an envoy to
+Great Britain. Peace was obtained by a treaty with
+that nation. Shall we, then, not negotiate? Shall we
+not follow the leading feature of our nation's policy?
+We are all actuated, I hope, by one view, but we differ
+in the means. Let us show the nations of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span>
+earth we are not anxious for war, that scourge of
+mankind; that we bear patiently our injuries, in hope
+of redress.</p>
+
+<p>"But, sir, if forced to war, contrary to our policy
+and wish, let us unsheathe the sword and fling away
+the scabbard until our enemies be brought to a sense
+of justice and our wrongs be redressed."</p>
+
+<p>Now to every word of this speech I had listened
+breathlessly. There was a ring in Mr. Jackson's voice
+as he warmed to his theme, and his long body swayed
+in the power of his own eloquence, that moved me
+mightily, though I wished not to be moved.</p>
+
+<p>I scarcely listened to the gentleman that followed
+(a Mr. Cocke from Tennessee), so intently was I reviewing
+Mr. Jackson's ringing sentences, and wondering
+if, after all, he was right, and all the brave
+Kentuckians who had been so loud in their demands
+for war were wrong. But one or two sentences of Mr.
+Cocke caught my ear; I heard him say:</p>
+
+<p>"We were told by Mr. Ross that we were bound to
+go to war for this right which God and nature had
+given to the Western people. What are we to understand
+by this right given by God and nature? Surely
+not the right of deposit, for that was given by treaty,
+and as to the right of navigation, that has been neither
+suspended nor brought into question. But we are
+told by the same gentleman that the possession of New
+Orleans is necessary to our complete security. Leaving
+to the gentleman's own conscience to settle the
+question as to the morality of taking that place because
+it would be convenient, I beg to inform him that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span>
+the possession of it would not give us complete security."</p>
+
+<p>What further Mr. Cocke said I do not know, for at
+that moment Mr. Lewis whispered to me:</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know the lady in the gallery opposite?
+She has been for some time covertly regarding one of
+us, and I think it must be you. Do not look at her just
+now; look at the right-hand gallery, and then gradually
+let your glance come around to the lady wearing
+a black lace veil beside the pillar in the front row
+opposite."</p>
+
+<p>I did as Mr. Lewis instructed&mdash;letting my glance
+finally fall in the most casual manner where he indicated.
+But as I did so my heart gave a great bound.
+Could that be Mademoiselle Pelagie? The pose of the
+head, the dark eyes seen dimly through the lace veil,
+the little ringlets in the neck, were hers; but after a
+moment I convinced myself that it was only a chance
+resemblance. I had left Mademoiselle Pelagie in Kentucky
+not three weeks before, with no intention of
+coming to Washington, but of going direct to New
+York as soon as suitable escort could be found. It
+would hardly be within the bounds of possibility that
+she should be in Washington as soon as I. It was
+true I had been detained somewhat on the route, once
+by losing my way, and once by Fatima laming her
+foot and causing me to spend two days with a Virginia
+planter while she recovered sufficiently to permit our
+resuming our journey. But still I could not believe
+mademoiselle could have accomplished such a journey
+so quickly, and when I had left her there had been a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>
+small prospect of an escort to New York, but none at
+all to Washington.</p>
+
+<p>So I told Mr. Meriwether Lewis that the lady did
+indeed remind me of one I knew, but as she was at
+that moment (I had every reason to believe) safe with
+Mrs. O'Fallon at Mulberry Hill, it was impossible that
+it could be she. Then, though much disturbed by this
+chance resemblance and the thronging memories it
+awakened, I addressed myself once more to the debate.</p>
+
+<p>I was just in time to see rising to his feet the handsomest
+man in the Senate, as I had long before decided.
+Mr. Gouverneur Morris, with his clean-cut,
+aristocratic features, his carefully curled peruke, his
+fine lace ruffles falling over his long white hands, and
+his immaculate stockings and pumps with their glittering
+buckles, was, to my mind, every inch the gentleman,
+and quite worthy to have called himself a blue-blooded
+Philadelphian, but that an unkind fate had
+given him New York for a birthplace. I was more
+than curious to know on which side he would be, and
+his opening sentence filled me with the assurance he
+was on the right side and every word was weighted.
+Clear-cut, each sentence dropped from his lips like a
+string of burnished jewels.</p>
+
+<p>"Had Spain the right to make this cession to France
+without our consent? Gentlemen have taken it for
+granted that she had. But I deny the position. No
+nation has a right to give to another a dangerous
+neighbor without her consent. He who renders me
+insecure, he who hazards my peace and exposes me to
+imminent danger, commits an act of hostility against<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span>
+me and gives me the rights consequent on that act.
+Suppose Great Britain should give to Algiers one of
+the Bahamas, and contribute thereby to establish a
+nest of pirates near your coast. Would you not consider
+it as an aggression? It is among the first limitations
+to the exercise of the rights of property that
+we must so use our own as not to injure another, and
+it is under the immediate sense of this restriction that
+nations are bound to act toward each other.</p>
+
+<p>"The possession of Louisiana by the ambitious ruler
+of France would give him in the New World the preponderance
+he has already obtained in the Old. It
+becomes the United States to show that they do not
+fear him who is the ruler of all; and it specially behooves
+the young and growing republic to interpose,
+in order to revive the energy and resistance of the
+half-conquered nations of Europe, and to save the
+expiring liberties of mankind!"</p>
+
+<p>No one can imagine the fire, the grace, the inspiring
+tones and gestures, with which this last sentence was
+uttered. In my enthusiasm I looked across to my fair
+neighbor in the opposite gallery for sympathy.
+Through the veil I thought I caught her eye; but by
+the slightest turn of her head and an almost imperceptible
+movement of her hand she conveyed to me (whether
+intentionally or not, I was not sure) that she
+was not at all in sympathy with the speaker&mdash;indeed,
+that she disagreed with him wholly.</p>
+
+<p>I looked down again into the arena below me.
+Slowly rising from his seat was a figure as ungainly as
+the other had been elegant. Red of face, with features<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span>
+almost coarse, and unwieldy from too great a burden
+of flesh, I recognized at once Mr. Morris's colleague,
+the famous Mr. Clinton of New York. What he said
+pleased me no more than his appearance, yet I could
+but own that no speaker had spoken with more force,
+more caustic satire, or more fluent eloquence. I had
+to admit, also, that there was a flavor of good sense
+and practicability about much that he said, though
+I was loath to admit it. He began ponderously, with
+pompous tones; but as he went on his voice changed
+until it became at times high and even rasping.</p>
+
+<p>"Sublime, sir, as these speculations may appear
+to the eyes of some, and high-sounding as they may
+strike the ears of many, they do not affect me with any
+force. In the first place, I do not perceive how they
+bear upon the question before me; it merely refers
+to the seizure of New Orleans, not to the maintenance
+of the balance of power. Again, of all characters, I
+think that of a conquering nation least becomes the
+American people. What, sir! Shall America go
+forth, like another Don Quixote, to relieve distressed
+nations and to rescue from the fangs of tyranny
+the powerful states of Britain, Spain, Austria, Italy,
+the Netherlands? Shall she, like another Pha&euml;thon,
+madly ascend the chariot of Empire, and
+spread desolation and horror over the world? Shall
+she attempt to restrain the career of a nation, which
+my honorable colleague represents to have been irresistible,
+and which he declares has appalled the
+British lion and the imperial eagle of the house of
+Austria? Shall we wantonly court destruction and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span>
+violate all the maxims of policy which ought to govern
+infant and free republics? Let us, sir, never carry
+our arms into the territory of other nations, unless
+we are compelled to take them up in self-defense. A
+pacific character is of all others most important for
+us to maintain. With a sea-coast of two thousand
+miles, indented with harbors and lined with cities,
+with an extended commerce, and with a population
+of only six millions, how are we to set up for the
+avenger of nations? Can gravity itself refrain itself
+from laughter at the figure which my honorable colleague
+would wish us to make on the theater of the
+world? He would put a fool's cap on our head and
+dress us up in the parti-colored robes of a harlequin
+for the nations of the world to laugh at. And after all
+the puissant knights of the times have been worsted in
+the tournament by the Orlando Furioso of France, we
+must then, forsooth, come forward and console them
+for their defeat by an exhibition of our follies!</p>
+
+<p>"I look, sir, upon all the dangers we heard about
+the French possession of Louisiana as visionary and
+idle. Twenty years must roll over our heads before
+France can establish in that country a population of
+two hundred thousand souls. What, in the meantime,
+will become of your Southern and Western States?
+Are they not advancing to greatness with a giant's
+stride? The Western States will then contain on their
+borders millions of free and hardy republicans, able
+to crush every daring invader of their rights!"</p>
+
+<p>There was a slight stir in the gallery opposite. I
+looked up to see the figure in black rising from her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span>
+seat. But even as I looked I thought I caught a direct
+glance from the dark eyes, and I could almost have
+sworn there was a slight wave of the hand as if in
+parting salute to me. Her companion, an older lady,
+rose with her, and together they turned and left the
+gallery. Once more I was struck by the startling
+resemblance to Mademoiselle Pelagie in every movement,
+and in the outlines of the graceful figure. I
+heard nothing more Mr. Clinton had to say; I was
+lost in an abstracted reverie as to the possibility of its
+being mademoiselle in the flesh. I would have liked
+to propose to Mr. Lewis that we go out and follow the
+mysterious figure, but cold reason assured me that
+mademoiselle was many miles away, and it was
+but a fond fancy that pictured her image in every
+dark-eyed maiden, and so shamed me from such a
+foolish pursuit.</p>
+
+<p>"Shall we go?" said Mr. Lewis. "There will be
+no vote&mdash;probably none for a week at least."</p>
+
+<p>I started from my reverie to find the debate over,
+the Senate adjourned, floor and gallery rapidly clearing.
+I answered with alacrity, hoping he had not
+discovered my abstraction:</p>
+
+<p>"By all means. It has been a grand occasion, and I
+am much indebted to you, sir, for giving me the opportunity
+of hearing so great a debate."</p>
+
+<p>Through the long corridors I hurried Mr. Lewis,
+eagerly scanning the throng for a glimpse of that
+figure, which I hoped we might overtake; but it had
+utterly vanished. Outside we found our horses waiting,
+and together we picked a rough and broken path<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span>
+down Capitol Hill, and then a smoother road where
+we could put our horses to a canter up the avenue;
+a gay throng in coaches, in saddle, and on foot accompanying
+us, and Mr. Meriwether Lewis saluting to
+right and left as we passed the more leisurely ones,
+or were passed by those riding or driving in reckless
+haste. And so on to my inn, where Bandy Jim,
+still industriously polishing boots on the sidewalk,
+ducked his white head with a joyous "Howdy,
+marsa!" and I felt as if an old friend was welcoming
+me home.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+
+<h3>A MAGIC COACH</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"And we meet with champagne and a chicken."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>I had made my toilet with such despatch that
+scarcely an hour after parting with Mr. Lewis
+at my inn I found myself once more at the White
+House. This time I was ushered up-stairs into an
+oval room, very gorgeously furnished in crimson,
+where the President was waiting, and a few of his
+guests. Beside him stood Mistress Madison, helping
+him to receive; for his daughters were both away at
+their homes. I improved the moment when she was
+speaking to some guests, who had arrived just before
+me, to look at her well. I had heard much of her, and
+I knew my sisters at home would want me to tell them
+exactly how she looked and what she wore.</p>
+
+<p>I think I have often seen more beautiful women
+(a dark-eyed maiden from France was in my mind at
+the moment as far more beautiful), but rarely have
+I seen a face lighted up with more of animation and
+good humor. On her head she wore an article of dress
+which I had heard described as worn by the ladies of
+London and Paris, but which I had never before
+seen; for the head-dresses of the Frenchwomen in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span>
+St. Louis, while in some respects quite as remarkable,
+bore not the slightest resemblance to this of Mistress
+Madison's. It was a Turkish turban of white satin
+and velvet, with a jeweled crescent in front clasping a
+bunch of nodding white ostrich-plumes. Her gown,
+of pale pink satin, was heavily trimmed with ermine,
+and she wore gold chains about her waist and wrists,
+and carried a jeweled snuff-box in her hand. She
+was truly regal-looking, and I did not wonder that
+people sometimes laughingly spoke of her as "her
+Majesty." Her turban especially, I think, gave her
+an indescribable air of distinction; but I was not quite
+sure that I thought it as becoming as the dark curling
+locks of the very beautiful lady who stood beside
+her.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Lewis, at this moment descrying me, came forward
+to present me to the President and to Mistress
+Madison, who put me at my ease at once by inquiring
+for my mother and for many of my Philadelphia kin,
+who, she declared, were old and very dear friends.
+I would have liked to linger at her side, for she made
+me much at home, and I liked not to turn away and
+find myself among a roomful of strangers; but I knew
+there were others waiting to be received by her, and I
+must move on.</p>
+
+<p>As I turned from her, a voice in my ear said imperiously:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sir, and have you no word for your old
+friend, Fanny Cadwalader?"</p>
+
+<p>I turned quickly; it was the beautiful lady with the
+dark curls.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Miss Fanny!" I cried in joyous recognition, and
+bent low over her extended hand.</p>
+
+<p>I had been but a young boy when Frances Cadwalader
+married Mr. Erskine and went to London to
+live; but we had been great friends as children, and
+I did not understand how I had failed to recognize
+her. She bade me stand beside her and she would
+point out all the distinguished guests, and I was glad
+indeed of her protection. In reply to my eager question
+as to how she came to be in Washington, she told
+me that her husband had been appointed minister
+from Great Britain in Mr. Merry's place, and they
+were but newly arrived.</p>
+
+<p>"But where have you been living, sir," she asked,
+with mock severity, "that you know nothing of what
+has been going on in the great world? Or are we
+personages of so small importance that our movements
+are not chronicled in America?"</p>
+
+<p>I had to explain that I had been in the backwoods
+for months, and for the last two months in the foreign
+colony of Louisiana, in the village of St. Louis,
+where little of the doings of the outside world penetrated.</p>
+
+<p>She forgave me my ignorance, and immediately
+pointed out to me her husband, a fine-looking Englishman,
+talking to the most gorgeously arrayed creature
+I had ever beheld: satin, laces, velvets, jewels, gold
+lace, and powder made up a dazzling ensemble.</p>
+
+<p>"That," said she, "is the Marquis de Casa Yrujo,
+and the lady with him is his wife, Sally McKean. He
+is magnificent, is he not? I would not quite like it if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span>
+I were the marchioness, for people look at him instead
+of her, and she is quite beautiful enough to be looked
+at herself."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, why begrudge the marquis his meed of admiration,
+if he likes it?" I said. "And since he likes
+it, let us be grateful, for his sake, that it is not Mistress
+Erskine who is the marchioness, for who can see
+the glitter of the stars when the lovely moon is in the
+sky?"</p>
+
+<p>She laughed good-naturedly at my gallantry, but
+I think she also liked it. We were standing near a
+window that looked out on the front approach to
+the White House. Suddenly Mistress Erskine exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>"Look, look quick, my friend! Here is magnificence
+indeed!"</p>
+
+<p>I looked as she bade me, and saw what I conceived
+to be a rolling ball of burnished gold borne swiftly
+through the air by two gilt wings. As it came nearer
+we both grew more excited&mdash;I because I did not know
+what it was (and it looked more like a fairy coach than
+anything I had dreamed of), and she both because
+she enjoyed my bewilderment and because she loved
+magnificence. By this time as many of the other
+guests as were near windows and could look out without
+seeming to be over-eager, or discourteous to their
+host, were doing so. The rolling golden ball came to
+the very foot of the White House steps and stopped.
+What I had taken to be two gilt wings proved to be
+nothing more than gorgeous footmen, with <i>chapeaux
+bras</i>, gilt-braided skirts, and splendid swords. They
+sprang to the ground, opened the door of the coach,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span>
+and from it alighted the French minister, weighted
+with gold lace and glittering with diamonds and jeweled
+orders. He turned with stately ceremony to
+offer his hand to a lady who was alighting from the
+coach. First a tiny foot in high-arched slippers and
+embroidered stocking; then a glimpse of a skirt, pale
+pink and silver brocade, that had a strangely familiar
+air. I looked quickly at the head just emerging&mdash;waving
+black curls, dark glowing eyes, a complexion
+of ivory tinted with rose.</p>
+
+<p>It was Mademoiselle Pelagie!</p>
+
+<p>My head swam. Was it indeed all a bit of enchantment?
+The golden coach, the gorgeous footmen, the
+dazzling minister of France, and&mdash;Pelagie! Mrs. Erskine
+noted my agitation.</p>
+
+<p>"Qu'as-tu, m'ami?" she said softly. "You know
+her, then?"</p>
+
+<p>"Know whom, madam?" I asked, trying to get
+myself under control and seem indifferent.</p>
+
+<p>"Our new sensation, the Great Lady of France,
+whom all the town is talking of. She arrived two days
+ago at the house of the French minister, and is staying
+there, it is said, under his protection, until she shall
+find suitable escort to Paris, where she goes to take
+possession of her estates returned to her by Bonaparte.
+This is what rumor says, and it looks as if it were
+true that she is a great lady, since the minister has
+handed her from the carriage before his own wife.
+We will wait now to see where the President seats her
+at table; that will decide it."</p>
+
+<p>I was trying hard to hold myself in hand and make
+suitable answer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Is the President such a stickler, then, for form and
+ceremony? We had heard otherwise."</p>
+
+<p>Mistress Erskine laughed:</p>
+
+<p>"True, I forgot. If he had been as particular as he
+should concerning precedence, I should not be here.
+You know, do you not, that my husband's predecessor
+quarreled with President Jefferson because he gave
+his arm to Dolly Madison, in going in to dinner, instead
+of to the wife of the British minister?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I have heard of the 'Merry War,'" I answered,
+and stopped. Not another word could I utter.
+Nor apparently could anybody else in the room; for
+every voice was hushed as all eyes were turned to the
+door where the French minister was entering with his
+wife on his left arm, and what I veritably believed to
+be the most beautiful creature in the world on his
+right.</p>
+
+<p>It was a brilliant spectacle; for the French minister
+and his wife dazzled the sight by the glitter of gold
+lace and the flash of jewels, and Pelagie blinded the
+eyes as truly by a vision of radiant dark eyes, soft
+black tresses curling around a white throat, the gleam
+of snowy neck and rounded arms through rare lace,
+and the color of the rose slowly tinting the rich
+ivory of her cheeks, as they passed through a double
+lane of guests to speak to the President.</p>
+
+<p>Now was I in two minds whether to be supremely
+happy in once more beholding Mademoiselle Pelagie,
+whose graceful figure I thought had forever faded
+from my sight when the boat rounded the bend of the
+Ohio, or to be most miserable lest here among<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>
+courtiers, and taking her rightful place with the
+great of the earth, she should no longer condescend
+to show me the friendliness she had shown on our last
+evening on the river. Neither was I quite sure whether
+it was my place to go forward and speak to her
+or to await her pleasure in speaking to me.</p>
+
+<p>But Mistress Erskine solved the problem.</p>
+
+<p>"You do know her," she said&mdash;"I see it in your
+eyes; and you must present me at once. And do tell
+me," she added eagerly: "is she so great a lady?
+We have heard so many rumors about her; what is the
+truth?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have only known her," I answered, "as Mademoiselle
+Pelagie de Villa R&eacute;al. I know that in France
+she is of high rank, but I do not know what."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," she said, with a little gesture of disappointment,
+"then you cannot introduce me properly, and
+I shall have to trust to that astute diplomat that he
+gives her her right title. Does she know it herself?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think she did not when she left St. Louis," I
+answered, "but her new friends may have revealed
+it to her."</p>
+
+<p>"On second thought," said she, "I believe I will
+ask you to present her to me instead of the minister,
+if you will; I would like to see how she takes the
+'Mademoiselle de Villa R&eacute;al.'"</p>
+
+<p>So there was nothing for it but to brace up my courage
+and go forward to speak to mademoiselle. Nothing
+could have been sweeter and more friendly than her
+greeting, and with no trace of embarrassment, though
+I thought the French minister regarded me with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span>
+coldly critical eye. Beside his magnificence I did feel
+rather shabby; for, though Yorke had done his best
+to freshen and restore my purple velvets by steaming
+and other appliances, they still were the worse for
+much service (especially the encounter with the chevalier),
+and for many packings in saddle-bags. Of my
+lace ruffles I was justly proud, for no courtier's in the
+room were finer or richer, and my sword and scabbard
+were not to be ashamed of, for though not so bejeweled
+as some, they were of the finest workmanship and
+inlaid with gold and pearl.</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle presented me to the French minister
+very prettily, however; and though I thought his
+greeting somewhat scant in courtesy, I attributed it to
+the suspicions he would naturally have, as mademoiselle's
+guardian, of a young gentleman of whom
+he knew nothing, and whom mademoiselle received so
+kindly.</p>
+
+<p>I at once preferred Mistress Erskine's request, but
+the minister gave Pelagie no chance to reply.</p>
+
+<p>"I will myself present the comtesse to the wife of
+the British ambassador," he said with alacrity, and led
+her away to Mistress Erskine.</p>
+
+<p>I saw that he had availed himself of this opportunity
+to cut short my interview with mademoiselle;
+but, not to be outdone in diplomacy, I followed leisurely,
+and was in time to hear the minister say:</p>
+
+<p>"It gives me pleasure to present to Madame Erskine
+the Comtesse de Baloit." And I saw by the profound
+curtsy Mistress Erskine made (and which mademoiselle
+returned very prettily, but with a touch of condescension,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>
+I thought) that that name meant something
+more to her than it did to me.</p>
+
+<p>After the fashion of women, the two began at once a
+lively chatter in French, and I saw myself like to be
+shut out in the cold, with no further opportunity for
+converse with mademoiselle. But I would not desert
+my post, hoping sooner or later to get my chance. And
+I was rewarded; for in a few minutes Mistress Erskine
+was called to receive another presentation. But as
+she turned away she whispered in my ear:</p>
+
+<p>"Be careful how you behave, sir; she is of the blood
+royal!"</p>
+
+<p>Blood royal or not, she would always be Mademoiselle
+Pelagie to me, and I was not going to lose my
+opportunity.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me, Comtesse," I said, "how you came here.
+When I saw you last you had no idea of coming to
+Washington."</p>
+
+<p>She did not answer my question at once, but, glancing
+up at me from under her long lashes in the most
+adorable fashion, she said softly:</p>
+
+<p>"You used to call me Comtesse when you were
+angry. Are you angry now?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, not when I was angry," I answered, "but
+when you were&mdash;were&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Proud and naughty and altogether disagreeable,"
+she interposed quickly; "and that was very often,
+was it not, Monsieur?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Comtesse."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not either now, am I? Then why do you not
+call me Mademoiselle?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed! You are"&mdash;I was going to say
+"adorable," but I finished tamely&mdash;"neither. But
+you are really Comtesse, and it is proper I should call
+you so." And before I was aware of what I was
+doing, I fetched a great sigh from the bottom of my
+boots. She understood, and looked up at me with a
+pathetic little smile that was sadder than my sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry, too; I think I would rather be mademoiselle,"
+she said.</p>
+
+<p>"And of the blood royal!" I added severely, as if
+accusing her of a crime.</p>
+
+<p>She dropped her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot help it. I never knew till yesterday,"
+meekly.</p>
+
+<p>"And your guardian," I indicated the French minister
+with a slight nod in his direction, "thinks it
+great presumption for a plain Yankee gentleman to
+be talking on such familiar terms with a princess of
+the blood, and is coming in a few minutes to put a
+stop to it."</p>
+
+<p>She looked at the minister quickly with a haughty
+turn of the head and a flashing glance, but in a moment
+she turned back to me with a smile curling her
+scarlet lips and a humorous twinkle in her eye.</p>
+
+<p>"He would never dare," she said. "He is a good
+Citizen of the Republic."</p>
+
+<p>"Nevertheless he will dare," I insisted. "I see it
+in his eye; so first tell me quickly how you got here,
+and when and where you are going."</p>
+
+<p>"Your boat was hardly out of sight, Monsieur,"
+she answered, "when another came up the river direct<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>
+from St. Louis with Monsieur and Madame Cerr&eacute;
+aboard. They brought letters from my guardian directing
+me to go on with them to Washington (where
+they were going to see the Spanish minister about
+some trouble they had had with Americans&mdash;concerning
+peltries, I think, and land, perhaps), and they
+would place me in the French minister's care. I did
+not expect to find you here, for we were a whole day
+behind you; but we traveled rapidly."</p>
+
+<p>"And I was delayed," I said. "But when and
+how are you to get to Paris? With the Livingstons?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; Citizen Pichon says they sailed this week.
+But he tells me, what is not generally known, that
+your government is about to send a special envoy to
+France concerning New Orleans&mdash;a Monsieur Monroe;
+and Monsieur Pichon has arranged that I shall
+go with him."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know when?" I asked hastily, for I saw
+the President moving toward us with the Marquis de
+Casa Yrujo, and I was quite sure that meant an end to
+all conversation.</p>
+
+<p>"Not for several weeks, I believe; but I am not
+sure," she answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Will the Comtesse de Baloit permit me to present
+the Marquis de Casa Yrujo, who will take her out to
+dinner?" And the President was adding a pretty little
+speech of compliment, in his gallant way, and the
+marquis was bowing solemnly and profoundly, and the
+comtesse was curtsying and smiling, and I was left entirely
+out in the cold. I was rescued by Mistress
+Madison.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I would like nothing better than to give you your
+old friend Mistress Erskine to take out to dinner,"
+she said, smiling. "It is forlorn for a young man
+among so many grown-ups, and the only young maiden
+snatched away from him. But the President is not
+going to blunder twice in the same fashion, and will
+take Mistress Erskine himself. Now I will give you
+your choice among the rest. Whom would you like
+to take?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, your Majesty," I answered quickly, hand on
+my heart and bowing low, but smiling up at her,&mdash;for
+she was a woman into whose amiable, cordial face
+no man could look without smiling,&mdash;"I suppose I dare
+not lift my eyes as high as my heart would dictate, and
+since you are out of the question, I care not whom you
+give me."</p>
+
+<p>"Saucy boy!"&mdash;and she tapped me lightly with her
+snuff-box,&mdash;"I vow I think you would be vastly more
+fun than the British minister, but my country demands
+that I sacrifice myself. I will give you the
+Marchioness de Casa Yrujo. If you do not know
+Sally McKean, she certainly knew you when you
+were in petticoats."</p>
+
+<p>So I found myself seated at table between the most
+brilliant woman there and the most beautiful; for the
+Marchioness de Casa Yrujo was universally conceded
+to be the one, and the Comtesse de Baloit was, in my
+esteem at least, as certainly the other.</p>
+
+<p>It was a long table, and bounteously furnished&mdash;lacking,
+perhaps, some of the elegance of the Philadelphia
+tables I had been accustomed to, but with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span>
+lavish prodigality native to the South. Two new
+guests had arrived while I had been so engrossed in
+talking to the comtesse that I had not observed their
+entrance, a gentleman and his wife. The lady was
+amiable-looking, but of no great distinction of appearance.
+The gentleman I thought I had seen before;
+his long, rather lean visage, somber but dignified,
+looked familiar to me. When the marchioness
+told me it was Mr. Monroe, I wondered that I had not
+recognized him at once, for he was a familiar figure
+on our streets during the ten years when Philadelphia
+was the capital. Moreover, I could have vowed he
+was wearing the same sad-colored drab clothes he used
+to appear in then, so entirely unchanged were both
+cut and color. I looked at him now with great interest,
+for was he not to decide the fortunes of the West?&mdash;in
+which I could have taken no greater interest had
+I been Western-born. And, more than that, was he
+not appointed to what seemed to me a mission of far
+greater importance, the conveying of mademoiselle in
+safety to her home?</p>
+
+<p>I could have wished Mistress Monroe was to accompany
+him, for she had an air of motherly kindliness
+that I felt would be both protection and comfort to
+Mademoiselle Pelagie; and aside from the fact that
+there was something cold and austere in Mr. Monroe's
+face, I was sufficiently imbued with Mr. Hamilton's
+ideas to feel no great confidence in the man. (Wherein
+I have since thought I did Mr. Monroe great injustice,
+since in every act of his life he has proved himself a
+high-minded gentleman. But Mr. Hamilton's personal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>
+magnetism was so great that it was quite impossible
+for us younger men at least, not to feel that every one
+who differed with him must be, if not wholly unprincipled,
+at least worthy of doubt and suspicion.)</p>
+
+<p>It was a brilliant dinner-table, for the exciting debate
+at the Capitol furnished a theme that loosed every
+tongue. Yet I could see that the President, while he
+kept the ball rolling with a gaiety and good humor
+that rather surprised me, was himself most guarded.
+Indeed, many were restrained, no doubt, from saying
+quite what they thought by the presence of the Spanish
+minister, who at that time was at the height of his
+popularity&mdash;his course in the Louisiana affair, which
+made him so many enemies, not having been taken
+until later.</p>
+
+<p>Yet most of those present were more in sympathy
+with Clinton of New York and Jackson of Georgia
+than with Ross of Pennsylvania and Gouverneur Morris.
+When Mr. Erskine spoke of Gouverneur Morris's
+speech as a masterly effort, the President, whom he addressed,
+replied only by a smile so coldly polite that it
+was like a dash of cold water, not only to the British
+minister, but to the whole table.</p>
+
+<p>I was ever a blundering idiot, and knew not when to
+leave well enough alone; neither had I ever the heart
+to see fellow-man discomfited (especially if he were on
+my side of the question) without going at once to his
+aid. So, forgetting that it was the powerful minister
+of a great nation, who needed no help from a man entirely
+unknown in the great world and of extreme
+youth, I plunged boldly in.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I agree with you, sir, most heartily," I said. "In
+force and polish and weight of argument it was beyond
+compare. But I expected nothing less from
+Gouverneur Morris."</p>
+
+<p>There was a dead silence around the table; even
+the British minister had not the temerity to do more
+than bow his thanks in the face of Jefferson's icy
+smile. I caught a glimpse of the marquis's profile;
+he was frowning heavily. The French minister's face
+was a blank, and so was Mr. Monroe's. Pelagie
+looked the picture of distress, and Mr. Lewis made me
+a slight gesture which I took to mean, "Keep still."
+Even Mistress Erskine looked embarrassed, and I
+could understand none of it. But as I caught Mistress
+Madison's eye there was a twinkle of humor in
+it, and she gave the slightest, very slightest nod in the
+world toward the President.</p>
+
+<p>Then at once it flashed upon me: Gouverneur Morris
+was bosom friend to Mr. Hamilton, and this was
+no place to be lauding him to the skies. Then was I
+seized with a rage against the restraints of society,
+that would not permit me to fling defiance in the face
+of all these grandees,&mdash;aye, and of the President himself&mdash;and
+declare my allegiance to Hamilton and his
+friends. And mingled with my rage was an intolerable
+sense of mortification that I had made such an arrant
+fool of myself before all these older men and
+lovely women. But, with a tact for which I can never
+be sufficiently grateful to her, Mistress Madison
+turned at once to Pelagie.</p>
+
+<p>"Comtesse," she said, "you are fresh from the colony<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span>
+of Louisiana, in which we are all so deeply interested;
+tell us something about your life in St.
+Louis, and how you found your Spanish rulers."</p>
+
+<p>And mademoiselle, understanding, responded at
+once with glowing descriptions of her happy life there,
+and the courtesy and polish of the people, with many
+gay little touches of rude and funny experience.
+Everybody thawed at once; for most of those present
+had been much in Paris and could understand her
+French as easily as I. The President became as genial
+as he had been icy, and he insisted on drawing me also
+into the conversation (I think for the purpose of giving
+me an opportunity of retrieving myself), in which
+I hope I bore my part modestly; for I like not to seem
+either presumptuous or vainglorious, though, because I
+am a blunderer, I no doubt seem sometimes to be both.</p>
+
+<p>The curtains had been drawn and the candles
+lighted when we sat down to dinner, though the sun
+was still shining; but the short winter afternoon had
+rapidly passed into evening, and then into dark night,
+and we still lingered at the table. Talk had grown
+more and more animated as the wine flowed more
+freely, and toasts were drunk and bright speeches
+made in response. I had, as in duty bound, devoted
+most of my attention to the marchioness, and the marquis
+had engrossed Pelagie. Yet there had been
+chance for an occasional word with her. It was when
+the marquis was rising to respond to a toast to his
+Most Catholic Majesty of Spain, amid the ringing of
+glasses, that I turned to mademoiselle.</p>
+
+<p>"Would it be permitted an old friend to call at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span>
+house of the French minister on the Comtesse de Baloit?"</p>
+
+<p>"It would be unpardonable if he neglected to do
+so," she responded, with a bright smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Then to-morrow at two I hope to find you at
+home," I said, and then added quickly&mdash;"unless you
+are going to the Senate again?"</p>
+
+<p>She colored a little.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you know me?"</p>
+
+<p>But she would not let me answer her own question,
+for the marquis was beginning to speak, and it behooved
+us to listen. In the midst of the applause that
+followed his speech, I saw the President whisper something
+to the black man who stood behind his chair and
+send him to me. For a moment, when the messenger
+told me the President wished to see me in his office
+after the others were gone, I thought I was to be called
+to account for my malapropos speech, but I was relieved
+when he added:</p>
+
+<p>"The President hab a message from yo' home,
+sah."</p>
+
+<p>And had it not been that I liked much feeling myself
+so near mademoiselle, even if I had only an occasional
+word from her, I would have been very impatient
+for dinner to be over, for a message from home
+sent to the President, it seemed to me, must be of importance.</p>
+
+<p>Dinner was over at last, and there was but little lingering
+afterward. I had the pleasure of helping
+mademoiselle into her coach, though Monsieur Pichon
+looked cold and the Marquis de Yrujo tried to forestall<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span>
+me. But when she was shut up inside the golden
+ball, and the great golden wings were once more
+perched on either side of it, and it rolled away glittering
+and flashing in the light of the torches as it had
+flashed and glittered in the rays of the sun five hours
+before, I had a sinking of the heart such as I might
+have felt had she been snatched away from my sight
+forever in the prophet's fiery chariot bearing her to
+the skies.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Meriwether Lewis was waiting to conduct me
+to the President's office, and he stayed and talked with
+me pleasantly until the President arrived; laughing
+with me at my <i>faux pas</i>, but telling me I had nothing
+to fear from the President's displeasure, as he was
+not the man to harbor a grudge on so slight a matter,
+and he (though, to be sure, he was a lifelong friend)
+had ever found him to be kind, considerate, and
+genial.</p>
+
+<p>And such I found him in our brief interview. He
+went directly to the point with me, which always goes
+far toward winning my liking.</p>
+
+<p>"I know your family," he said, "have ever been
+friends of Mr. Hamilton, and so not particularly
+friendly to me in a political way; but your father and
+I have been associated much in scientific pursuits, and
+we have ever been congenial friends in our love of
+botanical research. He has sent me many rare plants
+and seeds to Monticello, and now he shows me the further
+courtesy of reposing a confidence in me, and I
+hope you will express to him my appreciation, which
+I will prove by reposing a like confidence in you.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>
+Your father writes me that a letter has just been received
+from your uncle, Monsieur Barb&eacute; Marbois, inviting
+you to spend some time with him in Paris.
+He says that both he and your mother think it
+much to be desired that you should improve this opportunity
+for completing your education. He says,
+further, that a ship sails from New York early next
+week, and requests me, if you should be in Washington
+when I receive this letter, as he suspects, that I
+will instruct you to lose no time in reaching home.
+Indeed, so urgent is he, and the time is so short, I
+think, without doubt, you should set off by daybreak
+to-morrow morning.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, as I said before, I am going also to repose a
+confidence in you. It is not generally known, nor do
+I wish it known for the present (therefore I speak in
+confidence), that I have decided to send an envoy extraordinaire
+to Paris for the purpose of discussing
+with the French government the possibility of purchasing
+New Orleans. I communicated this to the
+Senate to-day in secret session, and I now communicate
+it to you, also in 'secret session'"&mdash;with a genial
+smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I have asked Mr. Monroe to undertake this delicate
+mission, and he has to-day consented, and is here
+arranging his plans and discussing with me and with
+Mr. Madison the points involved. He will not be able
+to set out for some weeks, but we hope now that he
+can sail by the eighth of March, reaching Paris somewhere
+near the twelfth of April. Mr. Livingston
+naturally knows nothing of this, and the favor I have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span>
+to ask of you is that, immediately upon your arrival
+in Paris, you call upon him and deliver to him a note
+which I shall give you, and also explain fully to him
+all that I have said to you, all that you have heard at
+dinner this evening, and particularly repeat to him as
+much as you can hold in memory of the debate you
+listened to in the Senate to-day."</p>
+
+<p>The President paused for a moment, and then, with
+a smile of rare sweetness, he added:</p>
+
+<p>"Is the ardent young friend of Hamilton willing
+to put the President under such a load of obligations?"</p>
+
+<p>For a moment I hardly knew what response to
+make. Not that I dreamed of denying his request: I
+was only too proud and happy that he should have
+made it. But that he should have reposed such a confidence
+in me, when he knew me scarcely at all, seemed
+incomprehensible. I made but a stammering reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Your Excellency," I said, "I fear I have given
+you but a poor idea of my discretion, but since you
+trust me in spite of my blunder, I am very proud to
+be of service to you."</p>
+
+<p>It took but a minute for the President to give me his
+note to Mr. Livingston, and a few further instructions,
+and then he bade me God-speed with a warmth and
+cordiality I had never expected and certainly never
+deserved at his hands.</p>
+
+<p>There was but little sleep for me that night. As
+Fatima clattered into the stony courtyard of my inn,
+I called loudly for Bandy Jim; and when the poor old
+man came stumbling out of some inner retreat, half<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span>
+blinded with sleep, I begged him to look after Fatima
+himself, and see that she was well rubbed down and
+ready for an early morning start, and that I was called
+and breakfast ready by six.</p>
+
+<p>In my own room I spent not much time in packing
+my saddle-bags, but it took me a good half-hour to
+write a brief note to mademoiselle, explaining why I
+was compelled to cancel my engagement with her for
+the next day, and bidding her good-by in such fashion
+that, without seeming presumptuous, she might read
+between the lines how much of my heart I had put
+into it.</p>
+
+<p>I had said nothing in my note about going to Paris.
+I very much desired to keep that for a surprise when
+I might some day meet her there. And, lest she should
+hear it from others, I wrote also a note to Meriwether
+Lewis, asking him to say nothing about it to any one,
+and to request the President to keep my secret for me.</p>
+
+<p>Then, putting a bright new gold piece with the two
+notes to be delivered by the trusty hands of Bandy
+Jim in the morning, I lay down to get a brief sleep,
+if possible&mdash;but, sleeping or waking, to dream of
+Paris and the Comtesse de Baloit.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+
+<h3>CHECK TO THE ABB&Eacute;!</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"When Greeks joined Greeks, then was the tug of war."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>I had been in Paris three weeks, and they had been
+weeks of unalloyed delight. The life and gaiety of
+the brilliant capital, the streets lined with handsome
+houses and thronged with gay equipages, richly
+dressed people, soldiers wearing the tricolored cockade,
+students, artists, workmen, blanchisseuses, and
+nursery-maids in picturesque costumes tending prettily
+dressed children, made a moving panorama I
+never tired of. Even the great palaces and the wonderful
+works of art scarcely interested me as did this
+shifting kaleidoscopic picture, and I looked back at life
+in my native town on the banks of the Delaware as
+belonging to another world, incomparably tame and
+dull by comparison.</p>
+
+<p>Every morning I accompanied my uncle, Monsieur
+Barb&eacute; Marbois, to the Treasury office, and left him at
+the door, to roam around the streets and watch the life
+of the town. I was at home again in time for midday
+d&eacute;jeuner, and then on Fatima's back (for I had
+brought Fatima with me; no persuasion of friends
+could induce me to leave her behind, since she had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>
+twice rescued mademoiselle and so become my most
+trusted friend)&mdash;on Fatima's back I dashed out the
+Avenue to the beautiful Wood of Boulogne, sometimes
+racing with the young bloods to whom my uncle had
+introduced me, sometimes checking my horse to a gentle
+canter beside a coachful of Faubourg St. Germain
+beauties, exchanging merry compliments with the
+brilliant and witty mothers while I looked at the
+pretty daughters, who, for aught I knew, were as stupid
+as their mothers were brilliant, since they never
+opened their mouths. And so back to my aunt's in
+time to make a careful toilet for the four-o'clock dinner,
+when there were sure to be guests, more or less
+distinguished, but always interesting.</p>
+
+<p>I had delivered my message and my note from the
+President to Mr. Livingston on the day of my arrival,
+and it seemed to me that it did not please him overmuch
+that an envoy extraordinaire should be sent to
+attend to his affairs; but he said nothing, and received
+me most graciously, both as a messenger
+from the President and because I was the son of his
+old friend.</p>
+
+<p>Several times since my arrival at my uncle's house,
+both Mr. Livingston and his son the colonel had been
+guests there, and always the talk had turned on what
+most interested me, the purchase of New Orleans and
+the Floridas. At one of these dinners, Monsieur Talleyrand,
+the Minister of Foreign Relations, was also
+guest, and while there was but little reference to Louisiana
+at table, I was, with no intention on my part, a
+listener later to a most interesting conversation between<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span>
+Monsieur Talleyrand and Mr. Livingston that
+was no doubt intended to be strictly private.</p>
+
+<p>Thinking that it was very likely the three gentlemen&mdash;- the
+Minister of Foreign Relations, my uncle the
+Secretary of the Treasury, and the United States minister&mdash;might
+have matters of importance to discuss
+where my absence would be more desirable than my
+presence, I left the salon immediately after dinner,
+and went out into the garden, taking with me a Philadelphia
+paper that had arrived by that morning's express
+and that I had not yet seen. I took my paper
+into the little summer-house at the farther end of the
+garden, and was soon engrossed reading the debates
+in Congress. I found there had been another of great
+interest on the same Louisiana subject, and so deeply
+immersed was I in my paper that I did not notice that
+any one had entered the garden until the sound of
+voices quite close to me roused me. A small table with
+several garden-chairs surrounding it stood under a
+spreading horse-chestnut tree, and there we often took
+our morning coffee, if the weather was fine, or smoked
+our evening cigars. At this table Monsieur Talleyrand
+and Mr. Livingston had seated themselves, and how
+long they had been talking I did not know, so absorbed
+was I in my paper, when Mr. Livingston's voice, a little
+raised above its usual even tenor, roused me.</p>
+
+<p>I sprang to my feet, realizing that I must seem like
+an eavesdropper, should any one discover me there,
+even though I had not heard a word. Mr. Livingston
+was facing the door of the summer-house, and as he
+saw me he nodded pleasantly to me to come forward.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Here, Citizen Minister," he said to Mr. Talleyrand,
+"is a young man whose father would like to
+train him for the profession of diplomacy. Perhaps
+he could not begin his apprenticeship better than by
+being present at our interview, and, if you have no
+objections, I will ask him to remain. He can act as
+secretary and take notes for the future reference of us
+both, if you like."</p>
+
+<p>I rather thought Mr. Talleyrand did <i>not</i> quite like,
+though he assented to Mr. Livingston's proposal, but
+with such cold politeness as made me exceedingly uncomfortable,
+and I would have been very glad to make
+my escape to the house. But, for some reason, Mr.
+Livingston seemed to especially desire me to remain,
+and I saw no help for it but to sit down at a respectful
+distance, take my memorandum-book out of my pocket,
+and prepare, ostensibly at least, to take notes.</p>
+
+<p>I was much concerned, also, at what Mr. Livingston
+had said about my father desiring to train me for
+diplomacy. He had never said anything to me about
+it, and I determined on the instant I would never be a
+diplomat. "The life of a soldier for me!" I said to
+myself, and then suddenly realized that Mr. Livingston
+was talking, and it behooved me to listen carefully
+if I was to play the secretary.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Livingston was saying:</p>
+
+<p>"Be assured, sir, that even were it possible that the
+government of the United States could be insensible
+to the sufferings of the Western people, they would
+find it as easy to prevent the Mississippi from rolling
+its waters into the ocean as to control the impulse of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span>
+the people to do themselves justice. Sir, I will venture
+to say that were a fleet to shut up the mouths of
+the Chesapeake, the Delaware, and the Hudson, it
+would create less sensation in the United States than
+the denial of the right of deposit at New Orleans has
+done."</p>
+
+<p>I liked the ring in Mr. Livingston's voice, and his
+words sounded very stirring to me; but I could not
+see that they made any impression on the impassive
+countenance of Monsieur Talleyrand. He was reclining
+in his garden-chair, and I could see that as Mr.
+Livingston spoke he was regarding him intently
+through half-shut eyes. His tones were of the sweetest
+and blandest as he replied:</p>
+
+<p>"The First Consul, Mr. Livingston, has asked me
+to say to you that he proposes to send General Bernadotte
+as envoy to the United States to acquire such information
+as he may deem necessary, previous to his
+taking any measure relative to the situation in which
+the acquisition of Louisiana will place France with
+respect to the United States. I hope, moreover, that
+this measure on the part of the First Consul will prove
+satisfactory both to you and to your government."</p>
+
+<p>Now I cannot but think that Mr. Talleyrand is too
+astute a man to have thought for an instant that this
+would prove satisfactory, and so, I have no doubt, he
+was quite prepared for Mr. Livingston's indignant
+outburst:</p>
+
+<p>"Satisfactory, sir! If, sir, the question related to
+the forming of a new treaty, I should find no objection
+to this measure. On the contrary, I should readily acquiesce<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span>
+in it as that which would be best calculated to
+render the treaty mutually advantageous. But, sir,
+it is not a new treaty for which we now press, but the
+recognition of an old one, by which the United States
+have acquired rights that no change in the circumstances
+of the country obliges them to relinquish, and
+which they never will relinquish but with their political
+existence!"</p>
+
+<p>It was hard for me to sit still under such ringing
+sentences. I wanted to clap my hands and cry
+"Bravo!" For a moment all the glories of Paris
+turned dull and insipid; I would have given them all
+to be in Kentucky on Fatima's back, marching down
+the river to capture New Orleans.</p>
+
+<p>But Mr. Livingston had not finished. Mr. Talleyrand
+made a slight movement as if to speak, but, with
+uplifted hand to prevent him, Mr. Livingston hurried
+on:</p>
+
+<p>"In what situation, sir, are we now placed? An
+armament is about sailing for New Orleans. That
+port has been shut by the order of Spain. The French
+commandant will find it shut. Will he think himself
+authorized to open it? If not, it must remain shut
+until the envoy of France shall have arrived in America,
+made the necessary inquiries, and transmitted the
+result of those inquiries to the First Consul. In the
+meantime all the produce of five States is left to rot
+upon their hands. There is only one season in which
+the navigation of the Mississippi is practicable. This
+season must necessarily pass before the envoy of
+France can arrive and make his report. Is it supposable,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span>
+sir, that the people of the United States will
+tranquilly await the progress of negotiations, when
+the ruin of themselves and their families will be attendant
+on the delay? I can never bring myself to
+believe that the First Consul will, by deferring for a
+moment the recognition of a right that admits of no
+discussion, break all those ties which bind the United
+States to France, obliterate the sense of past obligations,
+change every political relation that it has been,
+and still is, the earnest wish of the United States to
+preserve, and force them to connect their interests
+with a rival power! And this, too, for an object of no
+real moment in itself. Louisiana is, and ever must be,
+from physical causes, a miserable country in the hands
+of an European power."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Talleyrand's eyes had not moved from Mr. Livingston's
+face during this long speech, but at his last
+words I saw a sudden spark leap into them.</p>
+
+<p>"You no doubt think, sir," he said in his low, even
+tones, "that Louisiana would be a much better country
+in the hands of the United States. Would your
+government like to buy it from us?"</p>
+
+<p>"You know, sir, and have known for some time,"
+replied Mr. Livingston, "that we are ready to make an
+offer for New Orleans and the Floridas as soon as you
+are ready to listen to it."</p>
+
+<p>"But would you not rather have the whole of Louisiana?
+The rest of it, without New Orleans, would be
+of little value to us. What would you give for the
+whole?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Livingston looked bewildered for an instant; it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span>
+was almost more than he could take in at once. But
+after a moment's thought he replied:</p>
+
+<p>"It is a subject, sir, I have not considered; but I
+suppose we shall not object to twenty million francs,
+provided our citizens are paid."</p>
+
+<p>"That is much too low an offer, my dear sir," responded
+Talleyrand, "but I see the idea is new to you.
+I would be glad if you would reflect upon it, and tell
+me to-morrow the result of your reflections."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Monroe will be in town in a day or two." (My
+heart gave so great a thump when Mr. Livingston said
+that, I feared they might hear it&mdash;for would not the
+Comtesse de Baloit be with him?) "And I would like
+to delay any further offer until I shall have the pleasure
+of introducing him."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Talleyrand shrugged his shoulders slightly.</p>
+
+<p>"As you will, Monsieur; but do not give Mr. Monroe
+reason to think that I speak with authority. The idea
+struck me that you might like the whole of the colony
+quite as well as part of it."</p>
+
+<p>I thought this would have put an end to the conversation;
+but I soon saw that Mr. Livingston had another
+card to play, and that he evidently did not believe
+the minister was speaking entirely on his own
+authority.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur Talleyrand," he said, "I have this morning
+received a notice from my home government that
+Mr. Ross's resolution authorizing the President to
+seize New Orleans was lost by four votes. Another
+was offered by Mr. Breckinridge of Kentucky, which
+was unanimously adopted. Mr. Breckinridge's resolution<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span>
+was to the effect that the President of the
+United States be authorized to require of the executives
+of the several States, to arm and equip, and hold
+in readiness to march at a moment's notice, eighty
+thousand militia; that money be appropriated for paying
+and subsisting such troops; and also that money
+be appropriated for erecting on the Western border
+one or more arsenals, as the President may judge
+proper. Monsieur Talleyrand, this means but one
+thing: that the United States is ready to act at once
+if France does not recognize our right of deposit; and
+I beg you will use your influence with the First Consul,
+that he will not send General Bernadotte until
+this question is determined."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Talleyrand, with another shrug of his shoulders,
+seemed to disclaim any influence with the First Consul,
+though he said:</p>
+
+<p>"If you will make me an offer for the whole of
+Louisiana that I can convey to him, I have no doubt
+it will carry great weight."</p>
+
+<p>"I must decline to do so, Monsieur, as I am expecting
+Mr. Monroe in a day or two."</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Mr. Livingston changed his tone. It was
+no longer one of mild argument, but as of one who
+called another to account. I was astonished that he
+dared so address the powerful Minister of Foreign Relations.</p>
+
+<p>"I have long been endeavoring to bring you to some
+point, Monsieur, but, unfortunately, without effect.
+I wish merely to have the negotiation opened by any
+proposition on your part. It was with that view I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span>
+sent you a note a few days ago, to which, as yet, I
+have received no answer."</p>
+
+<p>The great man sounded to me surprisingly meek as
+he replied:</p>
+
+<p>"I would have answered your note earlier, Mr.
+Livingston, but I have been waiting, hoping I could
+give you some more satisfactory reply. I will delay
+no longer. I will answer it; but it will have to be
+evasively, for Louisiana is not ours."</p>
+
+<p>I caught a glimpse of Mr. Livingston's countenance;
+a more sardonic smile I have never seen&mdash;a smile
+which said as plainly as words, "You are lying." He
+spoke with frigid courtesy:</p>
+
+<p>"It seems strange that I should be better informed
+than the Minister of Foreign Relations," he said, "but
+I have seen the treaty. Moreover, I know that the
+Consul has appointed officers to govern the colony, and
+he has himself told me that General Victor was to take
+possession. And, what seems to me most convincing
+proof&mdash;why does the First Consul send General Bernadotte
+to the United States to treat in relation to
+Louisiana, if Louisiana does not belong to France?"</p>
+
+<p>I thought that would have floored even Talleyrand;
+but not at all. With another shrug of his shoulders,
+and putting together his finger-tips in a manner that
+gave him a most indifferent air, he only persisted in
+saying that they had it in contemplation, but had not
+yet secured it. I wondered what Mr. Livingston
+would say next, but I need not have feared for him.
+Quick as thought, and all smiles and amiability, he
+responded to the minister:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am very well pleased to understand this from
+you, Monsieur, because, if so, we will not commit ourselves
+with you by taking it from Spain, to whom, by
+your account, it still belongs. And as we have just
+cause of complaint against Spain, if Mr. Monroe concurs
+in my opinion, we will negotiate no further on
+the subject with you, but advise our government to
+take possession."</p>
+
+<p>For the first time Mr. Talleyrand seemed moved.
+He sprang to his feet and spoke quickly:</p>
+
+<p>"I beg you will take no such measures at present,
+Mr. Livingston. I will answer your note, though I
+must still say, as I have said before, it will have to be
+evasively."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Livingston, who had also risen to his feet, bowed
+formally.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be glad to receive any communication from
+you, Citizen Minister, but we are not disposed to trifle.
+The times are critical, and though I do not know what
+instructions Mr. Monroe may bring, I am perfectly
+satisfied they will require a precise and prompt notice.
+I am very fearful, from the little progress I
+have made, my government will consider me as a very
+indolent negotiator."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Talleyrand laughed, a high, rasping laugh, but
+evidently intended to be of great good humor.</p>
+
+<p>"I will give you a certificate, Mr. Livingston, and
+you can send it home to your government, that you
+are the most importunate negotiator I have ever met
+with."</p>
+
+<p>Their conference seemed to be ended; they turned
+and walked toward the house, leaving me to ponder<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span>
+with wonder and amaze at what I had listened to,
+and with keen admiration for the part Mr. Livingston
+had taken in the matter. I had always been led to
+believe that no man could hold his own against the
+shrewd and unfathomable Abb&eacute;; but, if I mistook not,
+this time Mr. Livingston had not only held his own,
+but got much the better of him.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly a thought flashed into my mind. What
+did Talleyrand mean by repeating over and over, and
+in such significant phrase, that his answer must be
+"evasive"? Could it be possible that he was intimating
+that a consideration would be necessary to
+make it more decided? I believed that he had so intimated,
+and that Mr. Livingston had understood him,
+and had repelled the intimation with scorn.</p>
+
+<p>Then again there flashed into my mind the two million
+dollars that had been voted the President to
+use "as he thought best" in adjusting this matter.
+Was it intended to use in buying up "such creatures,"
+I said scornfully to myself, "as Talleyrand"?
+Vague insinuations in those speeches in Congress I
+had listened to now seemed to me as clear as day.</p>
+
+<p>Hot with indignation and shame,&mdash;my indignation
+for Talleyrand, my shame that my country could
+stoop to such measures,&mdash;I rushed into the house to
+my uncle. He had been entertaining Colonel Livingston
+while the other two were holding their conference;
+but all three gentlemen were gone now, and I
+found him sitting quietly in his library, reading. I
+had flung the door wide as I entered, and I stopped
+on the threshold.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur, what does it mean?" I cried. "Does<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span>
+Monsieur Talleyrand want Mr. Livingston to offer
+him a bribe? And were the two millions of dollars
+given to Mr. Jefferson for such base purposes?"</p>
+
+<p>My uncle looked up, startled and amazed beyond
+measure. He did not at all take in my meaning, but
+he was very sensible of my rudeness. My uncle was
+ever the most amiable of men and the most tolerant,
+but for correctness of deportment and elegance of
+manner he was a stickler, and so flagrant a breach
+of both was intolerable to him.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you forget yourself, sir," he said coldly;
+and that was all he said, but his words cut like tempered
+steel in quivering flesh. A great wave of mortification
+rushed in a crimson flood to the very roots of
+my hair.</p>
+
+<p>"I am most truly sorry, sir, to have been so rude,"
+I stammered, "and I beg you will not think that we
+do not know good manners in America. I fear I am
+ever slow to think and headlong to act, and it has often
+brought me to grief."</p>
+
+<p>My uncle, who, as I said, was all amiability, forgave
+me at once, and invited me most cordially to enter
+his library. I was loath to intrude after my great
+rudeness, but he would not let me off.</p>
+
+<p>"Come in, come in," he said, "and I will answer
+your question by another. What has led you to think
+that Mr. Talleyrand desires a bribe from Mr. Livingston?
+Has any one been saying so to you?"</p>
+
+<p>Then was I in greater confusion than before. I
+did not know whether Mr. Livingston would desire me
+to say anything about the interview to which I had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span>
+been accidentally made a party, and I had intended
+to say nothing to any one until I had had a chance to
+find out his wishes; and now, in my indignation, I
+had entirely forgot my resolution and betrayed myself.
+There was no way out but to make a clean breast
+of my part in it.</p>
+
+<p>So I told my uncle how I had been caught in the
+summer-house, and been invited to become a listener
+to secrets of state. My uncle threw back his head and
+laughed long and loud. But when he had calmed
+down a little, he looked at me keenly.</p>
+
+<p>"So you think Mr. Talleyrand wanted a bribe from
+Mr. Livingston? Would you mind telling me what he
+said that led you to think so?"</p>
+
+<p>Now was I greatly embarrassed, for I had fully resolved
+that not one iota of information of which I
+had become the possessor so innocently should pass
+my lips without Mr. Livingston's sanction. My uncle
+noticed my embarrassment, and spoke quickly:</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, my boy. It is no doubt just as well
+that you should not tell me what you feel you have no
+right to repeat; but it would make no real difference.
+I see that you are trustworthy, and I do not mind telling
+you that the First Consul is of somewhat the same
+opinion. He does not altogether trust the Minister of
+Foreign Relations, and it is more than likely the
+negotiations will be taken out of his hands and put
+into mine. It is more than likely also that it was
+because Mr. Livingston does not trust him that he
+desired to have you present as a witness. Now you
+see how I trust you. These are matters of grave import,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span>
+my boy, and if you had been eager to tell me all
+you had heard I would have been loath indeed to confide
+in you, as I have just done."</p>
+
+<p>I glowed with pleasure at my uncle's words, and
+thanked him most earnestly for his confidence, which
+I told him was not misplaced. And then, fearing I
+was intruding too long upon his hours of privacy (for
+they were few indeed, and greatly prized, I knew),
+I bowed myself out of his library, and dashed for a
+ride on Fatima down the crowded avenue. For it was
+upon Fatima's back I could ever think best, and I
+had much to think over: the amazing conversation
+I had listened to; my uncle's confidence to me; and
+last of all, and which set my pulses throbbing and the
+blood tingling to my finger-tips&mdash;Mr. Monroe would
+be in Paris in a day or two!</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+
+<h3>BONAPARTE GIVES ENGLAND A RIVAL</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"Great let me call him, for he conquered me."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>The next morning was Easter, and, dressed in a
+new suit of puce-colored ferrandine, with fresh
+ruffles of finest lace, and a new plume in my hat, I
+walked decorously beside my aunt through the
+thronged streets, every one dressed in his best and
+every one going the same way&mdash;to the Church of the
+Madeleine, to see the First Consul attend service.
+The sun was shining, birds were singing, the air was
+soft and warm and filled with the mingled perfume of
+flowers and incense, borne out through the open doors
+of all the churches.</p>
+
+<p>The world was happy, and so was I. I was greatly
+excited, too, for I was to behold, for the first time, the
+man who held in his hand the destinies of nations, and
+before whose terrible word even our own proud republic
+trembled.</p>
+
+<p>I had been three weeks in Paris and had not seen
+him. It seemed to be my ill fortune never to be on the
+streets when he made one of his dashing progresses
+through them, and though there had been several
+levees my wardrobe had not been in condition to attend<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span>
+them. At least, so my aunt thought. I think I
+would have been willing to don once more the old
+plum-colored velvets for the sake of seeing the great
+Bonaparte, but Madame Marbois thought otherwise.</p>
+
+<p>"Nobody is such a stickler for forms and ceremonies,
+or such a lover of magnificence, as the First Consul,"
+said she, "and if you want to make a good impression
+upon him, or do credit to your family at
+home and to your uncle and to me, you must wait
+for your new costumes."</p>
+
+<p>So she had me to the tailor's, and more suits were
+ordered than I thought I could wear in a lifetime.
+When they came home and my man C&aelig;sar (my own
+colored boy whom I had brought with me from home)
+had laid them all out for me in my room, I thought
+them well worth waiting for. There were suits for
+church and suits for dinner, suits for riding and for
+walking, and, most resplendent of all, two court costumes.
+One especially of white satin with much gold
+lace and bullion quite took my breath away. Now I
+have always had a weakness for fine clothes that I
+secretly deprecated, for I feared it was a womanish
+weakness quite unbefitting a soldier of fortune, which
+was the career I had laid out for myself and was quite
+determined upon. Yet I have never found that my liking
+for fine clothes has made me less ready to draw my
+sword to help the innocent or weak, and so I hope it
+may not be a sign in me of any lack of true manliness.</p>
+
+<p>Be this as it may, I was walking joyously beside my
+aunt that beautiful Easter morning, and part of the
+joy in my heart was for the beautiful puce-colored<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>
+ferrandine that sat so well and had an air of distinction
+I was sure no other clothes of mine had ever
+had, for these were made in Paris.</p>
+
+<p>I have no very distinct recollection of the services;
+indeed, I hardly paid enough attention to them to follow
+them decorously, for I was consumed with an
+eager desire for but one event&mdash;the entrance of the
+First Consul.</p>
+
+<p>A subdued murmur (almost, it seemed to me, like
+suppressed "Vive le rois") announced to me that he
+was just entering the door, and as I sat by the aisle
+down which he was coming, and far to the front, by
+turning in my seat and stretching my neck shamelessly
+I had time to see him well.</p>
+
+<p>Could this little fellow, who might easily have stood
+under my arm stretched level with my shoulder, could
+he be the hero of Marengo! the Dictator of France
+who held all Europe trembling in his grasp! I think
+that I had heretofore had an unconscious feeling
+that greatness of stature meant greatness of heart
+and mind and courage, and I had gloried in my inches.
+Now I was almost ashamed of them, for this little man
+coming rapidly down the aisle with a firm, quick step
+seemed to breathe power from the chiseled curve of the
+nostril, from the haughty curl of the beautiful lips,
+but most of all from the imperial flash of the dark
+eyes under level brows. If his face had not been so
+full of power, yes, and of arrogance, it would have
+been almost too beautiful for a man's face, framed in
+silky brown hair thinning at the temples, but curling
+in one dark lock above the broad white brow.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But if it humbled me to see so much greatness in
+such small stature, it comforted me not a little to
+observe that the great man was no despiser of dress.
+He might have been molded into his small-clothes and
+waistcoat of white doeskin, so exactly did they fit
+every line and curve of his perfect figure. His dark-blue
+military coat of finest cloth was set off by heavy
+epaulets of gold and by a broad azure ribbon crossing
+his breast and bearing the jeweled insignia of the
+Legion of Honor. The crimson sword-sash which bore
+his sword sheathed in a scabbard of gold flashing
+with jewels, completed in his own dress the tricolor
+of France. He wore high military boots, I think to
+carry out the military effect of his epaulets and
+sword, for it was in the character of soldier, the hero
+of many battles, the winner of glory for France, that
+the people idolized him.</p>
+
+<p>To the right and the left, his eagle glance took in
+the whole great congregation, and as he passed it fell
+on me. His glances were never idle ones; I knew he
+had seen me, and my pulses quivered and fluttered like
+a young maiden's. From that moment I was as much
+his slave as any soldier of La Vend&eacute;e, and had he not
+himself disillusioned me most bitterly, I should still
+have been regarding him as the hero of my dreams,
+<i>sans peur et sans reproche</i>, the greatest man and
+greatest soldier of all time. I still believe the latter
+title belongs to him, but not the first, for a great man
+must be a good man too, like our Washington, and
+that Bonaparte was not.</p>
+
+<p>It is no wonder, then, that I was quite beside myself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span>
+with excitement when at d&eacute;jeuner my uncle said
+to me:</p>
+
+<p>"Would you like to ride out to St. Cloud with me
+this afternoon? The First Consul has summoned me
+to a conference with him, if I mistake not, on the
+subject you heard discussed yesterday."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, sir. And shall I be present at
+the conference?" I spoke quickly and foolishly, for
+I was greatly excited.</p>
+
+<p>My uncle laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, hardly, my boy, unless you find a way, as
+you did yesterday, of compelling the First Consul
+to invite you to be present."</p>
+
+<p>I liked not to be laughed at, but I knew it was but
+my uncle's teasing fashion, and all the way out
+through the beautiful Boulogne woods, the birds
+singing, the sun shining, the soft spring airs blowing,
+the alders and willows pale pink and yellow in the
+distance, the great buds of the horse-chestnuts just
+bursting into leaf and everywhere the vivid green of
+the fresh turf; my heart beating high with happy excitement
+to be in beautiful Paris and on my way to
+historic St. Cloud, where dwelt the most wonderful
+man of the world; and Fatima prancing and curveting
+under me, her dainty hoofs scarce touching the earth
+as she danced along the green all&eacute;es of St. Cloud's
+beautiful park, sharing my happy excitement (though
+only, I suppose, for a horse's natural joy in trees and
+grass and sunshine)&mdash;all that swift and beautiful
+ride, galloping beside my uncle's coach, his words
+rang in my ears, and I longed with all my heart to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span>
+present at that conference: not so much to hear what
+was said as to see the great Bonaparte saying it.</p>
+
+<p>I parted from my uncle at one of the great fountains,
+he riding up in his coach to the palace doors,
+and Fatima and I starting off on an exploring tour
+around the park. He would not hear to my waiting
+for him, for he said he might be detained for hours,
+and indeed it was possible the Consul would keep him
+all night at St. Cloud, as sometimes happened, to call
+upon at any hour of the night when some new suggestion
+occurred to him.</p>
+
+<p>Riding fast, as was my custom when alone with
+Fatima, it did not take us long to exhaust the beauties
+of the park, and my eyes began to turn longingly toward
+the palace. Somewhere within its stately walls
+I supposed the conference was going on. Verily, there
+were some compensations in diplomacy when it gave
+a man like my uncle a chance to hold close converse
+with a man like the First Consul. (And in that
+I do not intend to speak slightingly of my Uncle
+Fran&ccedil;ois, for he was ever in my regard the most admirable
+of men. Only, it seemed to me then that to
+be able to talk familiarly with the great Bonaparte
+was a privilege above the deserts of ordinary mortals.)</p>
+
+<p>I intended to remain at St. Cloud until toward evening,
+for if the conference should prove short I might
+still have the pleasure of my uncle's company on the
+homeward trip. But time began to hang heavily on
+my hands, and it occurred to me that I would ask
+the sentry, whom I had seen from a distance walking
+up and down in front of the main entrance, whether<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span>
+it were possible to gain admission to the palace. I
+thought it probable that it was not open to visitors,
+since the First Consul was occupying it, but it would
+do no harm to find out, and if by chance I should be
+admitted, I would at least have the pleasure of wandering
+through the rooms where he dwelt.</p>
+
+<p>It was necessary first to dispose of Fatima, and a
+thicket of evergreen at one side of the palace caught
+my eye as affording a grateful shade from the warm
+afternoon sun (which so early in the season could be
+found only under evergreens) and a hiding-place from
+any prowling thief who might want to steal her, or
+from any troublesome guard who might come upon
+her and carry her off to the Consul's stables.</p>
+
+<p>So into the thicket I rode, following a winding path
+that led toward the upper end near the palace, and
+at the very upper edge I found just what I wanted&mdash;a
+clump of bushes so thick set that they formed an almost
+impenetrable screen. They were lower than the
+other evergreens&mdash;not much higher than my horse's
+ears, but that was high enough. Into the midst of
+this clump I rode Fatima and dismounted.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand here, Sweetheart," I said softly, "and
+budge not a step for any man but your master."</p>
+
+<p>She rubbed her nose against my shoulder in token
+that she understood, and I whispered again in her
+ear:</p>
+
+<p>"Not a whinny, not a sound, my Beauty," and left
+her, feeling sure no man could steal her and no guard
+could lead her away by guile or force, nor would she
+betray her presence there by any noise.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As I left the evergreens, intending to go around to
+the front of the building and speak to the sentry, I
+saw, coming down the path toward me, a young and
+pretty woman, who, I recognized by her dress, must
+be in service at the palace.</p>
+
+<p>"I will inquire from her," I said to myself
+promptly, "for she will know as well as the sentry
+whether there is any admission, and she will no doubt
+have a much pleasanter way of saying either yes or
+no."</p>
+
+<p>So, as she was about to pass me with a little curtsy
+and a pretty smile, I stopped her.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said, and doffed my hat, "is it
+permitted to see the palace to-day?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Monsieur," she answered, "unless one is invited
+or has business of importance with the First
+Consul."</p>
+
+<p>Now I have ever had great faith in woman's wit,
+and especially a Frenchwoman's, and it suddenly
+struck me if this one should prove as quick-witted as
+most of her kind, she would know how to secure my
+admission into the palace; and if she should prove as
+kindly disposed as I believed the sight of gold and
+a pleasant word might make her, then was my success
+assured.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said, and my manner was as
+deferential as it might have been to her mistress.
+"I am not invited, and I have no business of importance
+with the First Consul; but I am from America,
+and it would please me greatly to see the rooms
+where the famous general lives. Cannot Mademoiselle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span>
+think of a way?" and I slipped into her hand a
+louis d'or.</p>
+
+<p>She curtsied again and smiled again, and then she
+answered:</p>
+
+<p>"It is difficult, Monsieur, but I have a friend on
+guard in the upper corridor. If I can arrange with
+him to let us pass, I can show Monsieur the grand
+salon, the little salon, and the state dining-room.
+Would that please Monsieur?"</p>
+
+<p>"Vastly," I answered, for though it might not
+be seeing all I would like to see, it would be doing
+something to while away the tedium of waiting, and
+there seemed a little of the spice of adventure about
+it that pleased my restless spirit.</p>
+
+<p>"I will go and consult Gaston," said Mademoiselle
+F&eacute;lice (for that, she told me, was her pretty name, and
+I took it as a felicitous omen), "and I will return in
+five minutes. If Monsieur will await me by the pines,
+he will not have to wait long."</p>
+
+<p>Yet it seemed long. I am sure many five minutes
+had passed, and I had begun to think I would never
+see again either my gold piece or my pretty F&eacute;lice,
+when she came tripping up in an entirely different
+direction from the one in which she had left me.</p>
+
+<p>She had had trouble. Gaston had scruples. Suppose
+harm were intended his general? Women were
+easily deceived. Her "American" might be a British
+assassin in disguise. She had had to make herself responsible&mdash;she,
+F&eacute;lice!&mdash;for my innocence and honor.
+She had also been obliged to show Gaston the piece
+of gold I had given her and to assure him there would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span>
+be another for him if he were complaisant. I judged,
+also, that she had found it necessary to offer him a
+bribe quite as tangible as the gold piece but less
+mercenary, for her face was rosier and her eyes
+brighter and her hair a little more disheveled than
+when I had first seen her.</p>
+
+<p>And now began a real adventure, for F&eacute;lice assured
+me much caution would be necessary. How we both
+slipped out of the pine thicket, she some distance
+ahead, I strolling carelessly behind, how by almost
+insensible little signs she indicated to me when to
+advance and when to stay my steps; how she finally
+guided me through a narrow rear entrance and by
+dark corridors and winding staircases to the very
+corridor Gaston was guarding; and how I slipped
+another gold piece into Gaston's hand as we passed
+him, would be too long in the telling.</p>
+
+<p>Gaston was doing sentry duty before two doors some
+twenty paces apart. One of them opened into a dark
+side corridor (where we had passed him and I had
+slipped the gold into his hand), and the other into the
+head of the main corridor. We had just entered the
+main corridor, and F&eacute;lice was leading the way into
+the grand salon, when she turned quickly:</p>
+
+<p>"Go back, Monsieur," she said in an excited whisper,
+"here comes an officer!"</p>
+
+<p>I had caught sight of him, too, and I was the more
+ready to turn back quickly, because in my hasty
+glimpse the officer had looked to me very much like
+the Chevalier Le Moyne. I thought it was more than
+likely I was mistaken, but I did not wish to run any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span>
+possible risk of being seen by him, and I hoped that
+in the semi-obscurity of that part of the corridor
+he had either not seen us at all or at least not recognized
+us.</p>
+
+<p>We fled precipitately back through the dark side
+corridor, I with a keen feeling of elation (for a sense
+of risk or peril of any kind always sends my spirits to
+the highest point), but F&eacute;lice, I believe, beginning to
+repent of her bargain.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," she whispered, "we will go back the
+way we came&mdash;" but what further she was about to
+say I know not, for at that moment a door opened at
+the farther end of the side corridor. It was a door we
+must pass in finding our way out, and through it now
+we heard much loud laughing and loud talking of
+men. Evidently a party at cards was breaking up,
+and through that open door some of the players were
+about to pass. Our retreat was cut off.</p>
+
+<p>F&eacute;lice clutched her hair in desperation.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, mon Dieu!" she moaned, "I will lose my
+place! I will lose my life!"</p>
+
+<p>I had hardly time to think of my own plight, I was
+so sorry for her distress, and so remorseful to think I
+had brought her into such straits for the sake of a
+silly adventure.</p>
+
+<p>But an idea struck F&eacute;lice. We had come to a stand
+beside Gaston and the one of the two doors he was
+guarding which opened into the side corridor. He had
+himself stopped a moment in his pacing to and fro,
+perplexed by our dilemma.</p>
+
+<p>"Quick, Gaston," F&eacute;lice whispered eagerly, "let<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span>
+Monsieur into the dressing-room closet; it is the only
+place!"</p>
+
+<p>Gaston seemed to demur, but F&eacute;lice overruled him
+imperiously.</p>
+
+<p>"You must, Gaston! And be quick! Would you
+have Monsieur Fouch&eacute; throw us both into prison? I
+will be back for him in a few minutes, as soon as all
+is quiet."</p>
+
+<p>Gaston hesitated no longer. He threw open the
+door before which we were standing, and together they
+hurried me into a room which I saw at once was a
+dressing-room belonging to a gentleman.</p>
+
+<p>"You must be very still, Monsieur," whispered
+F&eacute;lice; then she opened a door and thrust me into a
+dark closet, closing the door noiselessly behind me as
+she whispered, "I will return in a few minutes."</p>
+
+<p>I was but as wax in her hands, for having led her
+into such distress and peril, I felt that I must submit
+to any means that would save her from disastrous results.
+Yet I liked not being shut up in a dark closet
+in a gentleman's dressing-room. I began, too, to think
+of my own peril, and for a full minute after finding
+myself in my hiding-place my knees did so shake beneath
+me, and my heart did so pound within me, I
+was as one deaf and unconscious to all surroundings.</p>
+
+<p>But as my excitement began to calm itself I became
+aware that I had for some time been hearing several
+voices: one, which did most of the talking, high, rasping,
+vehement, passionate; the other two, making brief
+or monosyllabic replies, low-toned and restrained. I
+began to perceive, too, that I was not entirely in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span>
+dark. A faint light was coming through between
+slightly parted curtains which seemed to separate my
+closet from some other apartment than the dressing-room.
+I looked through this aperture, barely wide
+enough for the line of vision, not wide enough to betray
+me to any one in the room beyond, especially
+since I was in the dark and the Easter sun was flooding
+the richly furnished apartment.</p>
+
+<p>Standing in an attitude of respect on either side of
+a low marble mantel bearing a wonderful golden
+clock stood two gentlemen. One of them was my
+uncle, Monsieur Marbois, and the other, whom I did
+not know, I learned later was Minister Decr&eacute;s. Gesticulating
+vehemently and speaking with great excitement,
+through the center of the room back and forth
+strode rapidly the First Consul!</p>
+
+<p>I was overwhelmed at the sight. By what trick of
+fate had I been thrust into the very midst of this conference
+at which I had so longed to be present? My
+blood rushed through my veins at such tumultuous
+pace as carried my reason with it. No thought of listening
+to what was not intended for me to hear entered
+my mind, only a great joy that I was in the
+midst of some strange adventure such as I had read
+of in books, where wonderful things happen to the
+hero who hides behind an arras. And no more wonderful
+thing could happen to me than to be seeing and
+hearing the great Bonaparte!</p>
+
+<p>And this is what he was saying:</p>
+
+<p>"I know the full value of Louisiana, and I have
+been desirous of repairing the fault of the French <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span>negotiator
+who abandoned it in 1763. A few lines of a
+treaty have restored it to me, and I have scarcely recovered
+it when I must expect to lose it. But if it
+escapes from me," he stopped and turned suddenly
+to the two ministers, lifting a threatening hand, "it
+shall one day cost dearer to those who oblige me to
+strip myself of it than to those to whom I wish to deliver
+it."</p>
+
+<p>I thought at first this threat was uttered against the
+United States, and so terrible did he look, so like an
+avenging fury, that I shuddered as I thought of my
+country the object of his vindictive wrath. But his
+next words enlightened me. He resumed his rapid
+stride and went on speaking with the same excitement:</p>
+
+<p>"The English have successively taken from France
+Canada, Cape Breton, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia,
+and India. They are engaged in exciting troubles in
+San Domingo. <i>They shall not have the Mississippi,
+which they covet.</i></p>
+
+<p>"Louisiana is nothing in comparison with their conquests
+in all parts of the globe, and yet the jealousy
+they feel at the restoration of this colony to the sovereignty
+of France acquaints me with their wish to take
+possession of it, and it is thus they will begin the war.</p>
+
+<p>"They have twenty ships of war in the Gulf of Mexico;
+they sail over those seas as sovereigns! The conquest
+of Louisiana would be easy, if they only took the
+trouble to make a descent there. I have not a moment
+to lose in putting it out of their reach! I know not
+whether they are not already there. It is their usual<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span>
+course, and if I had been in their place, I would not
+have waited. I wish, if there is still time, to take away
+from them any idea that they may have of ever possessing
+that colony."</p>
+
+<p class="figcenter" style="width: 750px;">
+<a name="He_stopped_and_turned_suddenly_to_the_two_ministers" id="He_stopped_and_turned_suddenly_to_the_two_ministers"></a>
+<img src="images/image294.jpg" width="750" height="518" alt="&quot;He stopped and turned suddenly to the two ministers&quot;" title="&quot;He stopped and turned suddenly to the two ministers&quot;" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;He stopped and turned suddenly to the two ministers&quot;</span>
+</p>
+
+<p>Once more he stopped and faced the two ministers,
+and gazed at them steadily for a moment, first one,
+then the other, before he uttered his next words. I
+know not whether he paused because he hesitated to
+utter them, or because he wished to make them more
+forcible. Then he said slowly and impressively, with
+no trace of the excitement that had characterized his
+former words:</p>
+
+<p>"I think of ceding it to the United States."</p>
+
+<p>If he had expected to create a sensation he was not
+disappointed; the irrepressible start of each, the glowing
+eyes, the eager desire to speak expressed in both
+countenances were abundant evidences of it, and I
+in my dark closet was far more excited than either:
+for here was more than my wildest dreams to be realized.
+But Bonaparte had not finished his speech;
+with a gesture restraining them from giving utterance
+to the words that were hurrying to their lips, he
+went on:</p>
+
+<p>"You will say that I can scarcely cede it to them,
+for it is not yet in our possession. If, however, I leave
+the least time to our enemies, I shall transmit only an
+empty title to those republicans whose friendship I
+seek. They ask of me only one town in Louisiana; but
+I already consider the colony as entirely lost, and it
+appears to me that in the hands of this growing power
+it will be more useful to the policy of France, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span>
+even to its commerce, than if I should attempt to keep
+it. Citizen Minister," looking at my uncle, "what is
+your opinion?"</p>
+
+<p>My uncle, who had been all eagerness to speak at
+first, seemed to hesitate now that the opportunity was
+given him.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe, Citizen First Consul," he said slowly,
+"that we should not hesitate to make a sacrifice of that
+which is about slipping away from us. War with
+England is inevitable. Shall we be able with inferior
+naval forces to defend Louisiana against that power?
+At the time of the discovery of Louisiana the neighboring
+provinces were as feeble as herself. They are
+now powerful and Louisiana is still in her infancy.
+The country is scarcely at all inhabited; you have not
+fifty soldiers there. Where are your means of sending
+garrisons thither? Can we restore fortifications that
+are in ruins, and construct a long chain of forts upon
+a frontier of four hundred leagues? If England lets
+you undertake these things, it is because they will
+drain your resources, and she will feel a secret joy in
+seeing you exhaust yourself in efforts of which she
+alone will derive the profit. You will send out a
+squadron; but while it is crossing the oceans, the colony
+will fall, and the squadron will in its turn be in
+great danger. Louisiana is open to the English from
+the north by the Great Lakes, and if, to the south, they
+show themselves at the mouth of the Mississippi, New
+Orleans will immediately fall into their hands. This
+conquest would be still easier to the Americans: they
+can reach the Mississippi by several navigable rivers,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span>
+and to be masters of the country it will be sufficient
+for them to enter it. The colony has existed for a century,
+and, in spite of efforts and sacrifices of every
+kind, the last account of its population and resources
+attests its weakness. If it becomes a French colony
+and acquires increased importance, there will be in
+its very prosperity a germ of independence which
+will not be long in developing itself. The more it
+nourishes the less chance shall we have of preserving
+it.</p>
+
+<p>"The French have attempted to form colonies in
+several parts of the continent of North America. Their
+efforts have everywhere proved abortive. The English
+are patient and laborious; they do not fear the
+solitude and silence of newly settled countries. The
+Frenchman, lively and active, requires society; he is
+fond of conversing with neighbors. He willingly enters
+on the experiment of cultivating the soil, but at the
+first disappointment quits the spade and ax for the
+chase."</p>
+
+<p>Bonaparte, as my uncle ceased talking, had thrown
+himself into a fauteuil and signed to the others to
+sit down. He had listened with keen attention to my
+uncle's long speech, but now he interrupted him
+abruptly and harshly.</p>
+
+<p>"How does it happen that the French, who are incapable
+of succeeding in a continental colony, have
+always made great progress in the West Indies?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because," replied Monsieur Marbois, "the slaves
+perform all the labors. The whites, who would soon
+be exhausted by the heat of the climate, have, however,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span>
+the vigor of mind necessary to direct their operations."</p>
+
+<p>"By whom is the land cultivated in Louisiana?"
+asked the First Consul.</p>
+
+<p>"Slavery," answered my uncle, "has given Louisiana
+half her population. An inexcusable imprudence
+was committed in suddenly granting to the slaves of
+San Domingo a liberty for which they had not been
+prepared. The blacks and whites both have been
+victims of this great fault."</p>
+
+<p>"I am undecided," said Bonaparte, "whether it
+would be better to maintain or abolish slavery in
+Louisiana."</p>
+
+<p>"Of all the scourges that have afflicted the human
+race," responded my uncle, "slavery is the most detestable!
+But even humanity requires great precautions
+in the application of the remedy, and you cannot
+apply it if Louisiana should again become French.
+Governments still half resist emancipation: they tolerate
+in secret what they ostensibly condemn, and they
+themselves are embarrassed by their false position.
+The general sentiment of the world is in favor of
+emancipation; it is in vain that the colonists and
+planters wish to arrest a movement which public opinion
+approves. The occupation of Louisiana&mdash;a colony
+with slaves&mdash;will occasion us more expense than it will
+afford us profit."</p>
+
+<p>As my uncle ceased speaking, Bonaparte turned to
+Minister Decr&eacute;s and with a motion of his hand indicated
+that he was ready to hear his opinion. The
+minister began eagerly:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We are still at peace with England," said he;
+"the colony has just been ceded to us; it depends on
+the First Consul to preserve it. It would not be wise
+in him to abandon, for fear of a doubtful danger, the
+most important establishment that we can form out of
+France, and despoil ourselves of it for no other reason
+than the possibility of a war; it would be as well, if
+not better, that it should be taken from us by force
+of arms.</p>
+
+<p>"You will not acknowledge, by a resignation of
+Louisiana, that England is sovereign mistress of the
+seas, that she is there invulnerable, and that no one
+can possess colonies except at her good pleasure! It
+does not become you to fear the kings of England! If
+they should seize Louisiana, as some would have you
+fear, Hanover would be immediately in your hands,
+as a certain pledge of its restoration. France, deprived
+of her navy and her colonies, is stripped of half
+her splendor and of a great part of her strength.
+Louisiana can indemnify us for all our losses. There
+does not exist on the globe a single port, a single city,
+susceptible of becoming as important as New Orleans,
+and the neighborhood of the American States already
+makes it one of the most commercial in the world. The
+Mississippi does not reach there until it has received
+twenty other rivers, most of which surpass in size the
+finest rivers of Europe.</p>
+
+<p>"The navigation to the Indies, by doubling the
+Cape of Good Hope, has changed the course of European
+trade and ruined Venice and Genoa. What will
+be its direction if, at the Isthmus of Panama, a simple<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span>
+canal should be opened to connect the one ocean with
+the other? The revolution which navigation will
+then experience will be still more considerable, and
+the circumnavigation of the globe will become easier
+than the long voyages that are now made in going to
+and returning from India. Louisiana will be on this
+new route, and it will then be acknowledged that this
+possession is of inestimable value.</p>
+
+<p>"Finally, France, after her long troubles, requires
+such a colony for her internal pacification; it will be
+for our country what a century ago were for England
+the settlements which the emigrants from the
+three kingdoms have raised to so high a degree of
+prosperity. It will be the asylum of our religious and
+political dissenters; it will cure a part of the maladies
+which the Revolution has caused, and be the supreme
+conciliator of all the parties into which we are divided.
+You will there find the remedies for which
+you search with so much solicitude!"</p>
+
+<p>I thought this a very bold speech, and it was uttered
+with much fire and enthusiasm. I could not be sure
+how the Consul took it, for he said not a word through
+it all. When the minister had finished speaking he
+dismissed them both with a few words, but telling
+them he should expect them to remain all night.</p>
+
+<p>As the door closed behind the two ministers, Bonaparte
+threw himself back in his chair, his arms folded
+across his breast, his head drooping forward, in an
+attitude of deep thought. It seemed to me more than
+likely that Minister Decr&eacute;s's words had touched his
+pride and his patriotism, and he was hesitating now at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span>
+the thought of getting rid of France's last important
+colony.</p>
+
+<p>He was interrupted in his reverie by an officer bringing
+in the despatches from London which had just arrived,
+and he sent word by the officer to have Minister
+Marbois sent to him immediately.</p>
+
+<p>It was only a few moments until the return of my
+uncle, but in the interval I could see that Bonaparte
+was glancing through the despatches with such lightning
+rapidity that to me, for whom all reading is slow
+work, it seemed impossible he should have grasped
+their meaning. As Monsieur Marbois entered the
+apartment Bonaparte greeted him.</p>
+
+<p>"Citizen Minister," he said, "the despatches from
+London have arrived. Have you seen them?"</p>
+
+<p>"I was just reading them," replied my uncle,
+"when you sent for me."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you see that England is preparing for war?
+That both naval and military preparations are going
+forward with extraordinary rapidity?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said the minister, "so I understand."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you saw, too, that in the American Congress
+Mr. Ross proposed that the President should
+raise fifty thousand troops and capture New Orleans?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," repeated my uncle, "I saw it, and I regret
+greatly that any cause of difference should arise between
+our countries."</p>
+
+<p>The Consul sprang to his feet and resumed his
+rapid striding up and down the room without uttering
+a word for full two minutes, but with a deep frown<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span>
+between his eyes, as I could see whenever he faced
+me in his hurried pacing to and fro.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly he stopped and turned to my uncle.</p>
+
+<p>"Irresolution and deliberation are no longer in season,"
+he said slowly, and then added with sudden fire:</p>
+
+<p>"I renounce Louisiana! It is not only New Orleans
+I will cede, it is the whole colony without reservation.
+I renounce it with the greatest regret! To attempt
+obstinately to retain it would be the greatest
+folly. I direct you to negotiate this affair with the
+envoys of the United States. Do not even await the
+arrival of Mr. Monroe; have an interview to-morrow
+with Mr. Livingston. But I require a great deal of
+money for this war with England, and I would not
+like to commence it with new contributions. I will
+be moderate, in consideration of the necessity in which
+I am of making a sale; but keep this to yourself. I
+want fifty millions, and for less than that sum I will
+not treat; I would rather make a desperate attempt
+to keep these fine countries. To-morrow you shall have
+full power."</p>
+
+<p>I think my uncle was somewhat aghast at the suddenness
+of the decision to sell the whole country,
+though he had himself advised it, and still more at
+the great responsibility thrust upon him of conducting
+the negotiations in place of the Minister of Foreign
+Relations. Perhaps, too, now that the sale was
+fully determined upon, he was touched with regrets
+and misgivings. At any rate, he said, somewhat hesitatingly:</p>
+
+<p>"You feel sure, Citizen Consul, that we have a right<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span>
+to cede the sovereignty of a people without consulting
+the people themselves? Have we a right to abandon
+what the Germans call the <i>souls</i>? Can they be the
+subject of a contract of sale or exchange?"</p>
+
+<p>Now I really think from what I had seen of Bonaparte's
+reverie while the minister was out of the room,
+of his frowning cogitations in that rapid walk to and
+fro, and of the solemnity of his manner when he finally
+announced his determination to sell, that he had been
+troubled by the same misgivings. But none the less
+did his lip curl satirically as he listened to my uncle,
+and his eyes narrow and glow with a malevolent fire.
+He hardly waited for him to finish till he burst forth
+bitterly:</p>
+
+<p>"You are giving me, in all its perfection, the ideology
+of the law of nature and nations! But I require
+money to make war on the richest nation of the world.
+Send your maxims to the London market! I am sure
+they will be greatly admired there; and yet no great
+attention is paid to them when the question is the occupation
+of the finest regions of Asia!"</p>
+
+<p>I thought my uncle would have wilted under such
+bitter sarcasm, for never have I seen anything more
+malevolent than Bonaparte's whole aspect, and I trembled
+for him. But he seemed not greatly afraid of the
+great man's bluster, and persisted in his argument
+when it seemed to me the part of wisdom would have
+been to keep silence.</p>
+
+<p>"But, Citizen Consul," he urged, "are you not
+afraid by ceding such great possessions to America
+you may make her in the course of two or three centuries<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span>
+too powerful for Europe&mdash;the mistress of the
+world?"</p>
+
+<p>The Consul's lip curled again. He answered in a
+harsh voice:</p>
+
+<p>"My foresight does not embrace such remote fears.
+I have no children; after me the deluge! Besides, we
+may hereafter expect rivalries among the members of
+the Union. The confederations that are called perpetual
+only last till one of the contracting parties finds
+it to his interest to break them."</p>
+
+<p>The minister made no reply, though Bonaparte
+waited a moment as if expecting one. Then he went
+on:</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Monroe is on the point of arriving. To this
+minister, going a thousand leagues from his constituents,
+the President must have given secret instructions
+for the stipulation of the payments to be made, more
+extensive than the ostensible authorization of Congress.
+Neither this minister nor his colleague is prepared
+for a decision which goes infinitely beyond anything
+they are about to ask us. Begin by making the
+overture without any subterfuge. You will acquaint
+me, day by day, hour by hour, of your progress. The
+cabinet of London is informed of the measures adopted
+at Washington, but it can have no suspicion of those
+I am now taking. Observe the greatest secrecy, and
+recommend it to the American ministers: they have
+not a less interest than yourself in conforming to this
+counsel. You will correspond with Monsieur de Talleyrand,
+who alone knows my intentions. Keep him
+informed of the progress of this affair."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>All this was uttered in a sharp clipping tone of
+voice, at times harsh and rasping, that carried with it
+an inconceivable effect of autocratic power. As he
+finished he made a gesture of dismissal, but as the minister
+was about to withdraw he called him back again.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur Marbois," he said in a far gentler tone
+than he had used at all heretofore, "there will be a
+treaty drawn up between you and the American ministers,
+of course, and I would like to write one article
+of that treaty. If you will sit down a few moments I
+will not detain you long."</p>
+
+<p>My uncle bowed and seated himself, and with marvelous
+rapidity Bonaparte's pen flew over the sheet
+before him. In scarcely more than a minute's time
+he looked up from his paper.</p>
+
+<p>"This is the article, Monsieur Marbois, that I wish
+you to make it your business to see embodied somewhere
+in the treaty." And then he read slowly, in a
+firm, clear voice, with no longer any rasping tones:</p>
+
+<p>"The inhabitants of the ceded territory shall be incorporated
+in the Union of the United States, and admitted
+as soon as possible, according to the principles
+of the Federal Constitution, to the enjoyment of all
+the rights, advantages, and immunities of citizens of
+the United States. And in the meantime they shall be
+maintained and protected in the free enjoyment of
+their liberty, property, and the religion which they
+profess."</p>
+
+<p>The Consul rose to his feet as he finished reading
+and extended the paper toward my uncle.</p>
+
+<p>"Citizen Minister," he said (and I almost thought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span>
+there was a ring of sadness in his tone, but that I
+could not believe such an emotion possible to the imperious
+conqueror), "let the Louisianians know that
+we separate ourselves from them with regret; that we
+stipulate in their favor everything that they can desire;
+and let them hereafter, happy in their independence,
+recollect that they have been Frenchmen, and
+that France, in ceding them, has secured for them advantages
+which they could not have obtained from a
+European power, however paternal it might have been.
+Let them retain for us sentiments of affection; and
+may their common origin, descent, language, and customs
+perpetuate the friendship."</p>
+
+<p>He finished speaking, and turned his back abruptly
+upon my uncle, who bowed silently and withdrew. I
+could not see the face of either, but I believe both were
+too deeply moved to utter another word. As my uncle
+left the room, Bonaparte threw himself once more into
+his deep-armed chair in the same attitude of reverie
+he had before maintained in the interval of the minister's
+absence&mdash;arms folded, chin sunk deep on his
+breast.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me a long time that he sat thus, for I
+was growing every moment more anxious for my own
+safe escape from my hiding-place. F&eacute;lice had promised
+to return for me in a few moments if the way was
+open, and I was sure it must have been more nearly
+hours than moments that I had been watching the
+foremost man of all the world decide the fate of a
+people and the future of my own proud nation. I
+had been so intensely interested that I had not noted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span>
+the flight of time, but now that the First Consul sat
+wrapped in thought, I, too, began to think, to wonder,
+and to grow every moment more anxious. What had
+become of my little guide? Had she forsaken me and
+left me to my fate? And should she come for me now,
+would I be able, with my clumsy movements, to escape
+unheard, when the room was no longer ringing with
+the rasping tones of Bonaparte?</p>
+
+<p>There was a deep-drawn sigh from the chair of the
+First Consul. He unfolded his arms, flung back his
+head, and sprang to his feet, once more pacing rapidly
+back and forth. Suddenly he stopped, lifted one
+hand as if calling on Heaven to witness, and exclaimed
+aloud:</p>
+
+<p>"This accession of territory strengthens forever the
+power of the United States! I have just given to
+England a maritime rival that will sooner or later
+humble her pride!"</p>
+
+<p>His hand dropped upon a bell which he rang violently.
+Instantly there was a little sound of scratching
+on the panel of a door leading into an apartment
+beyond.</p>
+
+<p>"Enter!" said Bonaparte, and there glided silently
+into the room Rustan, the famous Mameluke attendant
+of whom I had heard much.</p>
+
+<p>"I will dress for dinner, Rustan," said the First
+Consul; "call my valet and tell him to prepare my
+bath."</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2>
+
+<h3>A TEMPEST IN A BATH-TUB</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"The mouse that always trusts to one poor hole<br />
+Can never be a mouse of any soul."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>"Prepare my bath!" Did ever such simple
+words have so dire a sound? Now was all hope
+of escape cut off; for was not the Consul's bath in the
+very room into which the closet where I was hiding
+opened, and through which I had expected to make
+my exit as I had made my entrance? Now did I curse
+the folly that had led me into such a trap for the sake
+of a mere adventure.</p>
+
+<p>Whereas a moment ago I had been congratulating
+myself on the spirit of enterprise and daring that had
+led me to be the witness of such great and stirring
+events, I now despised it all as a silly boyishness which
+had brought me into what seemed like to prove something
+more than a foolish scrape. Nor could I help
+reflecting that whether death or disgrace (which
+seemed to me far worse than death) awaited me, it
+would not affect me alone. My uncle's reputation,
+and honor also, might easily be involved in his
+nephew's downfall. And, most intolerable of all, what
+would the Comtesse de Baloit think when she should<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span>
+come to hear (as it was inevitable that she would) that
+I had been caught spying like any common eavesdropper?&mdash;found
+hid in the Consul's private closet,
+taken and done to death, as I had not the least doubt
+in the world I should be!</p>
+
+<p>Yet it was not in me to wait idly for the worst to
+happen; I began at once to plan other means of escape
+than those I had been relying upon. If I could not
+make my exit through the dressing-room, why not
+through the other apartment, from which my closet
+was separated only by a curtain?</p>
+
+<p>As far as I could judge, the apartment had three
+entrance-doors. One which was not within my range
+of vision was the one by which the ministers had withdrawn
+and through which my uncle had returned.
+This, no doubt, was the main entrance, and led into
+some public corridor, where detection by passers-by
+would be certain, to say nothing of the fact that the
+door was no doubt strongly guarded, and by a soldier
+who would not be so complacent as Gaston had been
+(having neither handled my gold nor tasted a maiden's
+kisses as reward for his complacency).</p>
+
+<p>The second door led into the dressing-room, where
+even now I could hear the splashing of water and the
+vigorous preparations of the valet for the Consul's
+bath. That, of course, was not to be considered. The
+third one was the one through which I had seen Rustan
+glide; and at the thought of entering that room,
+and falling into the tender mercies of the mysterious
+Mameluke, I shuddered. A stealthy stiletto with poisoned
+point I had no doubt would make short work<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span>
+with me. And even could it be possible to seize a moment
+when Rustan was out of the room in attendance
+on his master, it was more than likely the room would
+prove a <i>cul-de-sac</i> and I would be more securely
+trapped than ever.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of these perplexing meditations I
+heard a heavy splash, followed by a vigorous sputtering,
+that assured me the First Consul was already in
+his bath. A moment later I heard a scratching at the
+door through which my uncle had departed. ('Tis the
+fashion, I have heard, at the Tuileries and St. Cloud,
+to scratch instead of knock.) Rustan answered it immediately,
+and led the gentleman who entered directly
+through the outer apartment to the dressing-room.
+This seemed a novel procedure to me, but I remembered
+that the French often received callers at the
+toilet, and perhaps it was nothing unusual for the
+First Consul to receive his friends in the bath.</p>
+
+<p>I could hear all that went on in the dressing-room;
+even the slightest sound was as audible in my closet as
+if no door intervened. I was surprised at this until I
+discovered that just higher than my head a small
+panel, not more than three inches square, had been removed
+from the door of the closet, admitting a little
+light and a little air. It was through this opening that
+sounds were conveyed, and it was through it that I
+heard the Consul's voice a moment after the visitor
+was conducted through the outer apartment.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, my dear Lucien! Where were you last night,
+and where was my brother Joseph? Did you not intend
+to join me at the Th&eacute;&acirc;tre Fran&ccedil;ais? I expected<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span>
+you, and Talma showed great power in 'Hamlet.' I
+was surprised and disappointed not to see you both
+there."</p>
+
+<p>I do not remember what answer his brother made,
+but Bonaparte replied with the greatest good humor:</p>
+
+<p>"You might have seen, too, that the Parisians always
+like to see me. In fact, I scarcely flattered myself
+they would ever become so sympathetic when I
+had to shoot them down that October day in 1795."</p>
+
+<p>I could scarcely believe it was the First Consul
+speaking, so unlike were his tones to any I had heard
+from him before,&mdash;playful, affectionate, almost tender,&mdash;and
+I said to myself, "Ah, this despot has a
+heart! He loves his brother."</p>
+
+<p>I did not hear anything more that was said for a
+while, for I was revolving in my mind all possible
+modes of escape. I had just come to the conclusion
+that the only safe way was to remain quietly where
+I was until Bonaparte should have finished his bath
+and left his dressing-room (which I felt sure could
+not be long, since he had already been in the water
+for more than a quarter of an hour), when I heard
+again that peculiar little scratching sound on the
+dressing-room door, and Rustan entered, announcing
+to the Consul his brother Joseph.</p>
+
+<p>"Let him come in," said the Consul; "I shall stay
+in the bath a quarter of an hour longer."</p>
+
+<p>Black despair seized me. A quarter of an hour
+seemed to me interminable when I knew not at what
+moment the valet would fling open the closet door in
+his search for some article of dress, and discover me.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span>
+There was nothing to do, however, but to make the
+best of it, hoping against hope that the great Bonaparte,
+who seemed inordinately fond of his bath,
+would some time be through with it and leave his
+dressing-room free for me to traverse it in safety.
+For I had made up my mind that I would wait no
+longer for F&eacute;lice; the first minute that I could be
+quite sure that the dressing-room was vacant, I would
+open my closet door and escape, trusting to find Gaston
+still on guard at the outer dressing-room door.</p>
+
+<p>It occurred to me that if I were only a little taller,
+and could look through that open panel just above my
+head, it would be well, for then I could assure myself
+that the room was empty before attempting my escape,
+and not stumble upon some lurking valet or
+Mameluke. Then I remembered what I had noticed
+on entering the closet, but had not thought of since,
+a low three-legged taboret, not more than five inches
+high, but quite high enough, were I once upon it, to
+enable me to look through the open panel. I stooped
+carefully down and felt around the floor of the closet
+in the dark. My hand struck against it. I picked it
+up and set it noiselessly directly under the small opening,
+and slowly and carefully, and absolutely without
+making a sound, I mounted upon it.</p>
+
+<p>Just below me was the most remarkable group I had
+ever looked upon, or, I have no doubt, ever shall look
+upon. Respectfully standing near the bath were the
+two brothers Lucien and Joseph, and it was easy for
+me to decide at a glance which was Joseph and which
+Lucien, for I had heard much of both and knew their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span>
+characteristics, though I knew not their faces. Joseph
+was the handsomer of the two, and looked more
+like his august brother, with the same fiery eye and
+mobile mouth, showing the same excitable temperament.
+Lucien had the calmer face that belongs to a
+scholar, though in some respects I thought it a
+stronger one than his brother Joseph's. In the marble
+bath lay Bonaparte, only his head and a little of his
+shoulders visible, for the water was frothy and opaque
+from quantities of cologne, whose sweet, pungent odor
+rose to my nostrils refreshingly. Bonaparte was in
+the act of speaking to Joseph:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, brother, have you spoken to Lucien?"</p>
+
+<p>"What about!" said Joseph.</p>
+
+<p>"Of our plan as to Louisiana&mdash;don't you know?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of <i>your</i> plan, you mean, my dear brother; you
+cannot have forgotten that&mdash;far from being mine&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Bonaparte interrupted him with good-natured
+scorn.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, preacher, I don't need to discuss that
+with you; you are so obstinate. I like better to talk
+about serious things with Lucien; for, although he
+sometimes takes it into his head to go against me, he
+knows how to give up to my idea when I think fit to
+change his."</p>
+
+<p>Joseph's color rose quickly, and he spoke with some
+spirit:</p>
+
+<p>"You are unjust enough to attribute to obstinacy
+what is the effect of wise reflection."</p>
+
+<p>Lucien was evidently afraid of an outbreak, and he
+interposed quickly and laughingly:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Then that means, brother Joseph, that I hold my
+ideas so lightly I can easily be reasoned out of them."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, my dear boy," said Bonaparte, with affectionate
+raillery, "fear not that any one will accuse thee
+of lightness. Thou art more likely to be named 'Iron-head.'"</p>
+
+<p>For a few minutes the two brothers playfully called
+each other nicknames, going back to the days of their
+boyhood in Corsica, while Joseph stood by, looking
+bored and every moment growing more impatient.
+Finally he broke in quite brusquely:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you say nothing more about your famous
+plan!"</p>
+
+<p>Bonaparte turned at once to Lucien.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Lucien, I have made up my mind to sell
+Louisiana to the Americans."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" said Lucien, in a tone of curiosity, but
+with so much coolness I suspected he was not hearing
+the announcement for the first time.</p>
+
+<p>Bonaparte turned to Joseph with an air of triumph.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Joseph, you see Lucien does not utter loud
+cries about this thing. Yet he almost has a right to,
+seeing that Louisiana is, so to speak, his own conquest."</p>
+
+<p>I knew what the Consul meant by that, for it was
+Lucien who had negotiated the San Ildefonso treaty
+which gave Louisiana to France. This speech of his
+brother's seemed to irritate Joseph still more, and he
+replied quite sharply:</p>
+
+<p>"I assure you, if Lucien says nothing, he thinks
+none the less."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" said Bonaparte, his eyes beginning to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span>
+flash and his lip to curl. "And why should he be
+diplomatic with me?"</p>
+
+<p>It was evident that Lucien thought it time to come
+forward to support Joseph, but that he also wished
+to placate the rising wrath of the Consul. So he spoke
+very gently:</p>
+
+<p>"I really think as my brother Joseph does on this
+matter, and I undertake to say that the Chambers
+will never assent."</p>
+
+<p>Bonaparte's head shot up above the rim of the bath-tub,
+and he leveled a fiery glance at Lucien.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>You</i> undertake to say! A pretty piece of business!"
+with an air and tone of withering contempt.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and <i>I</i> undertake to say," cried Joseph, in a
+tone of triumph, "that it will be so. And that is what
+I told the First Consul before."</p>
+
+<p>"And what did I say?" said the Consul, his tone
+rising with his wrath, and with his head still above
+the rim of the bath-tub, looking by turns quickly from
+one brother to the other, as if not to lose any change
+in the countenance of either.</p>
+
+<p>"You declared," said Joseph, his voice also rising,
+"you would get along without the assent of the
+Chambers; did you not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," said Bonaparte, concentrated irony in
+his tone. "That is what I took the liberty to say to
+Monsieur Joseph, and what I repeat here to Citizen
+Lucien, begging him to give me his opinion about it,
+derived from his paternal tenderness for that mighty
+diplomatic conquest of his, the treaty of San Ildefonso."</p>
+
+<p>Now I thought this a very unkind thrust at Lucien,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span>
+for I had heard his part in the treaty had been most
+creditable and that the First Consul had been much
+pleased with it. I could see that Lucien found it hard
+to brook, but he struggled for mastery with himself,
+and spoke still gently:</p>
+
+<p>"My brother, my devotion is deep enough to sacrifice
+everything for you, except my duty. If I believed,
+for example, this sale of Louisiana would be fatal to
+me alone, I would consent to it to prove to you my devotion.
+But it is too unconstitutional."</p>
+
+<p>Bonaparte broke into his sentence with a fit of rasping,
+sarcastic laughter, sinking back into the bath-tub
+almost in a convulsion of demoniacal mirth.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha, ha! You are drawing it fine. 'For example'!"
+His words struggled out in the intervals of
+his spasms of laughter. "Ha, ha, ha! 'For example'!"&mdash;catching
+his breath. "'Unconstitutional'!
+That's droll from you; a good joke&mdash;ha, ha!" As his
+laughter ceased an expression of ironical and contemptuous
+rage passed over his face.</p>
+
+<p>"How have I touched your constitution?" he cried.
+"Answer!"</p>
+
+<p>"I know well," said Lucien, still trying to control
+himself, "you have not done so; but you know well
+that to alienate any possession of the republic without
+the consent of the Chambers is unconstitutional."</p>
+
+<p>That last word seemed to drive the Consul beside
+himself. Once more his head shot above the top of the
+bath-tub, and with blazing eyes he shook his fist at
+Lucien.</p>
+
+<p>"Clear out!" he shouted. "'Constitution'! <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span>'Unconstitutional'!
+'Republic'! Great words&mdash;fine
+phrases! Do you think you are still at the Club of
+St. Maximin? We are past that, you had better
+believe! Parbleu! You phrase it nobly. 'Unconstitutional'!
+It becomes you well, Sir Knight of the
+Constitution, to talk that way to me. You hadn't
+the same respect for the Chambers on the eighteenth
+Brumaire."</p>
+
+<p>Lucien, roused at last, broke in, in a tone as high as
+Bonaparte's:</p>
+
+<p>"You well know, my dear brother, that your entry
+into the Five Hundred had no warmer opponent than
+I. No! I was not your accomplice, but the repairer of
+the evil which you had done to yourself!&mdash;and that
+at my own peril, and with some generosity on my
+part, because we did not then agree. Not to boast,
+I may add that no one in Europe, more than I, has disapproved
+the sacrilege against the national representation."</p>
+
+<p>Bonaparte's eyes blazed like diamonds.</p>
+
+<p>"Go on&mdash;go on!" he thundered. "That's quite too
+fine a thing to cut short, Sir Orator of the Clubs!
+But at the same time take note of this: that I shall do
+just as I please; that I detest, without fearing, your
+friends the Jacobins!&mdash;not one of whom shall remain
+in France if, as I hope, things continue to remain in
+my hands; and that, in fine, I snap my fingers at
+you and your 'national representation.'"</p>
+
+<p>"On my side," shouted Lucien, "I do not snap my
+fingers at you, Citizen Consul, but I well know what
+I think about you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What do you think about me, Citizen Lucien?
+Parbleu! I am curious to know. Out with it!"</p>
+
+<p>"I think, Citizen Consul, that, having sworn to the
+constitution of the eighteenth Brumaire, as President
+of the Council of the Five Hundred, and seeing you
+despise it thus, if I were not your brother I would be
+your enemy!"</p>
+
+<p>"My enemy!" screamed Bonaparte. "Try it once!
+That's rather strong!" And, shaking his fist at Lucien,
+as he had done once before, "Thou my enemy!"
+he screamed again, and then sank back in the water
+up to his neck, as if exhausted. In a moment he spoke
+again in a somewhat quieter tone:</p>
+
+<p>"Cease this miserable caviling which you and
+Joseph are at work on night and day&mdash;ridiculous for
+him, and still less appropriate for you. It is not from
+you that I expect lessons in government. Enough!
+Forget all you have said about it! I shall contrive to
+dispense with you. A precious, well-disposed pair of
+brothers you are! Please call back the valet; I must
+get out of the bath-tub at once."</p>
+
+<p>The valet had come in; Joseph and Lucien, thinking
+the matter was dropped, were turning toward the
+door; the valet was spreading open the sheet to wrap
+up his master, when the Consul suddenly returned to
+the charge, and thundered in a tone that made Lucien
+and Joseph start and turn back quickly, and the valet
+drop the sheet from his trembling hands:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sirs, think what you please about the sale
+of Louisiana! but you may both of you put on mourning
+over this thing&mdash;you, Lucien, over the sale of your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span>
+province; you, Joseph, because I propose to dispense
+with the consent of all persons whatsoever. Do you
+hear?"</p>
+
+<p>I fairly shivered in my hiding-place at such an outbreak
+on such a topic in the presence of a servant.
+Lucien shrank farther toward the door, but Joseph,
+who had held his peace through the quarrel of the two
+brothers, stung by the scornful words and manner, and
+especially by the contemptuous "Do you hear?" which
+was like a cutting snapper to the Consul's lashing
+wrath, rushed back, exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p>"You will do well, my dear brother, not to lay your
+plan before the Chambers, for I swear to you I will
+put myself, if necessary, at the head of the opposition
+which will certainly be made."</p>
+
+<p>There was no reply from Bonaparte but an outburst
+of loud and sardonic laughter.</p>
+
+<p>Joseph flushed dark red, and, almost beside himself
+with rage, stooping over the figure that lay immersed
+in the bath, screamed out:</p>
+
+<p>"Laugh! laugh! laugh, then! All the same, I shall
+do what I say, and, though I do not like to mount the
+tribune, this time you'll see me there!"</p>
+
+<p>At these words, Bonaparte rose in the bath-tub so as
+to show half his body out of the water, opaque and
+frothy with cologne, and pale as his brother was red,
+he cried sternly:</p>
+
+<p>"You will not need to play the orator, for I repeat
+to you that this debate will not take place, because
+the plan so unlucky as to be disapproved by you, conceived
+by me, negotiated by me, will be ratified and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span>
+executed by me&mdash;by me alone; do you understand?&mdash;by
+me!" Then he sank back once more to his neck
+in the water. Joseph, whose self-control was all gone,
+his face aflame, roared:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, general, on my side, I tell you that you and
+I and all the family, if you do what you say you
+will, may get ready to join shortly those poor innocent
+devils whom you so legally, so humanely,&mdash;above all,
+with so much justice,&mdash;have had transported to Cayenne!"</p>
+
+<p>This was a terrible home thrust, and I could see
+Lucien draw hastily still farther back toward the door,
+and the valet literally cowered.</p>
+
+<p>"You insolent fellow!" thundered Bonaparte. "I
+ought&mdash;" But I did not hear the rest of the sentence,
+for as he spoke he rose quickly from the water
+and plunged heavily back, so that the water dashed out
+in a flood on the floor. Lucien, who was back by the
+door, escaped a wetting; but Joseph received the
+splash full in his face, and his clothes were drenched.
+The valet ran to Joseph's assistance, but had no more
+than begun to sponge him off than he fell to the floor
+in a fainting fit. The quarrel was calmed at once,
+and the Bonapartes good-heartedly ran to the rescue.
+Joseph hurried to pick him up from the wet
+floor; Lucien rang the bell so hard that Rustan and
+another servant came running in, frightened; and
+the First Consul, his eyes and lips just visible above
+the rim of the bath-tub, called out sympathetically:</p>
+
+<p>"Carry off the poor fellow, and take good care of
+him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As for me, the excitement was too much for me
+also. I did not faint, but my stool, which was none of
+the steadiest on its three legs, suddenly tipped from
+the excess of my emotion, and, though I caught myself
+from falling entirely, I yet made what sounded to my
+horrified ears a deafening racket. In reality I suppose
+it was only a slight scuffling noise, but it was
+enough to catch the quick ears of the First Consul and
+Rustan.</p>
+
+<p>"What was that?" I heard the First Consul say in a
+startled tone.</p>
+
+<p>"I think, sir, it was some noise in the closet," I
+heard Rustan reply. "If Monsieur Joseph will assist
+in supporting your valet, I will investigate."</p>
+
+<p>Now was my last hour come. But I was not going
+to die like a rat in a trap. I would rush out the door
+into the public corridor, and, if necessary, slay the
+guard and make one bold dash for safety. I drew
+my sword from its scabbard to have it in readiness in
+my hand for whatever might befall, pulled back the
+curtain, and came near running through the body
+my pretty F&eacute;lice! She was coming to keep her promise
+to me and show me the way out. She did not
+seem to see my sword, but the moment she saw me she
+spoke in great excitement:</p>
+
+<p>"Make haste, Monsieur; there is not a moment to
+lose. You can escape through the main corridor.
+But you must be quick, for the Consul may finish his
+bath at any minute, and his brothers retire here to
+await him while he dresses."</p>
+
+<p>We were hurrying toward the door as she spoke,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span>
+but I, feeling as if the Mameluke were close behind me,
+seized her hand and dragged her roughly into the
+corridor as I whispered:</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we must be quick, for Rustan is after us!"</p>
+
+<p>With a half-suppressed scream she let go my hand,
+turned to Gaston, who was standing at the door motionless
+as a statue and, to all appearance, deaf and
+blind as one also, uttered the one word, "Rustan!"
+and fled swiftly down the dark side corridor, leaving
+me utterly bewildered. The western sun was flooding
+the cabinet of the First Consul when I went into
+my hiding-place, but the sun had set and twilight had
+fallen and the candles had been long lit when I stepped
+out into the corridor. The wax tapers set in sconces
+along the corridor lighted it but poorly, and I knew
+not which way to go.</p>
+
+<p>"Run, Monsieur!" cried Gaston, in a terrified
+whisper, "straight down the corridor till you come to
+the grand staircase. And run as if the devil was
+after you, for he is!"</p>
+
+<p>That was all I needed,&mdash;a word of direction,&mdash;and
+I was off. But scarcely had I gone a few feet when
+I heard a great noise and shouting behind me, and
+Gaston crying, "Stop thief!" I thought at first he
+was turning traitor, now that he had my gold piece
+with no chance of gaining another from me. But
+as I ran the faster, and the noise behind me did not
+seem to gain on me, as I feared it might, I concluded
+he was making a great outcry to cover his own part in
+my escape, and perhaps was hindering the pursuit
+more than helping it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Yet when I came to the turn of the grand staircase
+I thought for a moment I had also come to the end of
+my days; for just as I felt sure I was distancing those
+behind me, there came running swiftly toward me
+from the other end of the dim corridor an officer with
+sword drawn, and I saw he would meet me exactly at
+the head of the grand staircase. The light from a tall
+taper fell on his face as he neared the staircase. It
+was the Chevalier Le Moyne!</p>
+
+<p>I had but a moment to think. Should I stop to engage
+with him, I had no doubt I could unsword him
+as easily as he had unsworded me in the dance by
+Chouteau's Pond; but the delay would bring a score
+to his help, and I would be quickly overpowered, if
+not done to death at once. Neither did I like to turn
+my back on that drawn sword as I fled down the steps,
+feeling sure it would spit me through the shoulders,
+much as Narcisse spitted the wild fowl for roasting
+at &Eacute;migr&eacute;'s Retreat. But above all I did not wish the
+chevalier to see my face; for, even should I make good
+my escape, Paris would be no safe place for me should
+he recognize in the flying "thief" his hated St. Louis
+rival.</p>
+
+<p>I pulled my hat low over my eyes, lifted my left
+arm before my face as if to shield it from his sword,
+rushed straight toward him, met him, as I thought I
+should, at the top of the staircase, and, with a quick
+twist of my foot (a school-boy's trick), sent him
+sprawling down the stairs. In three great bounds I
+had cleared the staircase and his prostrate body, and
+like a whirlwind I threw myself upon the sentry at its<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span>
+foot, who&mdash;half dazed by this sudden descent of the
+chevalier and myself, one rolling and bumping from
+step to step, the other leaping through the air like
+some great winged creature&mdash;was nevertheless in the
+act of raising his gun to fire at me. As I hurled my
+great weight full upon him, the gun flew from his
+hands, and his little dancing-master figure went
+pirouetting across the terrace into the darkness beyond,
+in a vain struggle to recover his balance. I
+sprang down the terrace after him, and disappeared in
+the friendly darkness.</p>
+
+<p>It was time. Starting from the gloom in every direction,
+armed figures seemed to spring from the
+ground, while down the great staircase behind me clattered,
+shrieking and shouting in every key, a throng
+of officers and soldiers, led by a dark figure gliding
+swiftly and silently far in advance, and holding in his
+upraised hand something that glittered as it caught
+the rays from wax tapers. In the very act of springing
+down the first terrace, I saw the glittering dagger
+leave Rustan's hand, hurled straight at my head, and
+heard it fall far below me on the stone parapet of the
+last terrace.</p>
+
+<p>It was but the work of a moment to run swiftly to
+the pines and find Fatima, and lead her out of the
+thicket. I had not found my seat upon her back when
+she bounded away into the dark, straight down the
+broad green all&eacute;e that led toward the Bois de Boulogne
+and Paris. Then was there hurrying to horse, and
+the pounding of many hoofs behind me on the soft
+turf, and the wild clamor of confused orders shouted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span>
+back and forth, and a fusillade of bullets firing into
+the dark, if by chance one might find its mark.</p>
+
+<p>But I no longer felt any fear. Fatima was stretching
+away beneath me with the swift and easy motion
+of a bird, and I did not believe there was a horse in all
+France could overtake her. The night was my friend,
+too, and a dark night it was; for the clouds had gathered
+and shut out even the faint light of stars, and
+I could not so much as see my hand before my face.
+But I could trust Fatima to find her way, and I felt
+nothing but a wild exhilaration as we went swinging
+along in great strides through the cool, damp night
+breeze, and I could tell, from the clamor of voices and
+pounding of hoofs growing more distant, that we were
+gaining on our pursuers.</p>
+
+<p>Out from the soft turf of the park we clattered on
+to the stony streets of the little village. Here there
+were lights, and people passing to and fro, who
+stopped and stared at the wild flight of horse and
+rider. But none molested until the hallooes and the
+clatter of hoofs of those following reached their ears.
+Then men rushed out from low taverns, from hut and
+hovel and respectable houses, brandishing arms and
+shouting "Stop thief!" and adding much to the noise
+and excitement, but availing nothing to stop the fugitive.
+Only one young fellow, an officer by his dress,
+snatched a gun from a bystander, and fired with so
+true an aim that had I not ducked my head I would
+have had no head to duck.</p>
+
+<p>But in a few moments we had left the village behind
+us and were once more on the unlighted country roads.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span>
+Faster and faster we flew, by hedge and stone wall and
+orchard, whence the night breeze wafted the scent of
+blossoming fruit-trees, with ever the sound of hallooes
+and hoofs growing fainter in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>Yet not until I had long ceased to catch even the
+slightest sound of pursuit, and we were well on our
+way through the gloomy depths of the Bois,&mdash;night
+haunt of robbers, suicides, and assassins,&mdash;did I draw
+rein and give Fatima a chance to breathe. As we ambled
+along, my pulses growing quieter as Fatima's
+breath no longer came in deep-drawn sobs, but regularly
+in warm puffs from her wide nostrils, I fell to
+thinking over the events of the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>Now that it was all safely over, and no ill had befallen
+me, and I had brought no disgrace upon my
+uncle, I was elated beyond measure that my adventure
+had exceeded my wildest hopes of its success. I had
+seen the great Bonaparte, and would henceforth know
+him as no man outside the circle of his intimate
+friends could possibly know him. He would no longer
+be, in my eyes, the impossible hero of romance, faultless
+and beyond criticism, but a man with more than
+the ordinary man's meed of shortcomings as to temper,
+yet with also a thousand times more than any
+ordinary man's power to control men and mold circumstance.
+Dictatorial, harsh, intolerant of all opinions
+that did not coincide with his own, brooking no
+interference with his methods or suggestions as to his
+duty, he could yet be playful and affectionate with the
+brother he loved, sympathetic with a servant whom his
+own harsh temper had frightened into fainting, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span>
+touched with a soft feeling of regret for the colony he
+ruthlessly alienated from the fatherland.</p>
+
+<p>My mind pictured him vividly in every aspect in
+which I had seen him, but strongest and most persistent
+of all was the vision of the figure in the deep-armed
+chair, bowed in mournful thought, or with arm
+outstretched to my uncle, and voice trembling with
+suppressed emotion, saying:</p>
+
+<p>"Let the Louisianians know that we separate ourselves
+from them with regret. Let them retain for us
+sentiments of affection. And may our common origin,
+descent, language, and customs perpetuate the
+friendship!"</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2>
+
+<h3>MR. MONROE ARRIVES!</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"No sun upon an Easter day<br />
+Is half so fine a sight."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>It was ten o'clock when I reached Monsieur Marbois's
+house and found my aunt anxiously awaiting
+me. I had to explain the lateness of my return
+and the bespattered condition of my garments by telling
+her I had lost my way in the Boulogne woods
+(which was true, for in those winding roads Fatima
+did for a time go astray), and such was her horror at
+the thought of the perils to which I had been exposed
+in that forest of evil repute that she questioned me not
+at all about my visit to St. Cloud, for which I was devoutly
+thankful. She had expected that my uncle
+would be detained all night, so that I had no explanations
+to make in his behalf.</p>
+
+<p>The dinner-hour was long past, but she insisted on
+having a hot supper prepared for me, and though my
+conscience assured me I deserved to go to bed hungry,
+the little fillet of beef with mushrooms, flanked by
+an omelet <i>au gratin</i>, which Jacques, my aunt's accomplished
+chef, sent up to my room piping hot, with
+a glass of fine old Burgundy, tasted a little better to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span>
+me than I ever remembered anything to have tasted
+before. <i>Le petit souper</i> was served in my room, because
+my aunt had insisted that my wet clothes should
+be removed (it had begun to rain long before we
+reached the streets of Paris) and I should get into a
+hot bath at once to prevent, if possible, the cold she
+was sure I had contracted on my wet and perilous ride.</p>
+
+<p>Safe in my own comfortable room, warm and refreshed
+from my bath, with a delicious supper smoking
+before me, the memory of my exciting adventures and
+the discomforts of the latter part of the ride, lost in
+the dismal woods and chilled to the bone by the cold
+rain, already began to grow dim and hazy.</p>
+
+<p>The April rain driving against my windows added
+to my sense of comfort and security. It had been a
+good friend to me in at least two respects: it had
+washed out every trace of Fatima's hoof-prints, so
+that not even Monsieur Fouch&eacute;'s lynx-eyed police
+could track me when the morning light should start
+them on the trail; and it had ruined my new puce-colored
+costume. Remembering how I had rejoiced in
+the wearing of it that very morning, its destruction
+might not seem to be a cause for thankfulness. But I
+would never dare to wear it again, lest some one who
+had seen me at St. Cloud (most of all, the chevalier)
+should recognize it; and yet I might have found it
+difficult to frame excuses for not wearing it that would
+satisfy my aunt's minute and anxious care for me,
+which extended to seeing that I wore the proper suit
+for every occasion.</p>
+
+<p>But I did not feel quite so secure the next morning,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span>
+when I saw posted all over the city flaming accounts of
+an attack upon the First Consul's life when he was in
+his bath, frustrated by the vigilance of his faithful
+Mameluke. There followed descriptions of the assassin
+as given by various witnesses who had had deadly
+hand-to-hand encounters with him, no two descriptions
+agreeing in any particulars, except that he was of
+great stature and rode a mysterious steed that bore
+him away on the wings of the wind.</p>
+
+<p>There was great excitement throughout all Paris,
+and there were not wanting those who hinted at
+supernatural agencies. Some of those who had stood
+gaping at our swift flight through St. Cloud village
+were ready to swear that the horse the assassin rode
+had wings from his shoulders and his feet, and one
+poor lout added a tail and a pair of horns for the
+rider!</p>
+
+<p>I might have been amused at all this if it had not
+been for the Chevalier Le Moyne. It was almost inevitable
+that I should meet him some day in the city,
+and when he should come to know of my presence in
+Paris he would at once connect the assassin of great
+size and his wonderful horse with the horse and rider
+that had snatched Mademoiselle Pelagie from his grasp
+at Rock Spring. And I was quite sure, also, that no
+considerations of gratitude for his life spared when
+he was in my power would deter him from handing
+me over to the merciless police with the greatest delight,
+now that I was in his power.</p>
+
+<p>So it was not with a perfect sense of security that
+I went about Paris for the next day or two, and I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span>
+left Fatima to pine in her stable rather than to run
+the risk of suggesting a resemblance to some St. Cloud
+villager while yet the apparition of horse and rider
+was fresh in his mind.</p>
+
+<p>I did not see my uncle until late on Tuesday afternoon.
+He had gone direct to the Treasury office on
+Monday morning, and had been summoned to St.
+Cloud again Monday afternoon to spend the night.
+I had fully made up my mind to make a clean breast
+of it to him when I should see him, though I dreaded
+much the just reprimands I knew I should receive. It
+was with a very trembling heart, but striving to keep
+as courageous a front as possible, that I obeyed a
+summons to his private library late Tuesday afternoon.
+My uncle was sternness itself.</p>
+
+<p>"Sit down, sir," he said as I entered, scarcely returning
+my greeting.</p>
+
+<p>"If you will permit me, I would prefer to stand
+until I have made an explanation and my most heart-felt
+apologies," I replied, determined to speak quickly
+and have it over before my courage should desert me.</p>
+
+<p>"I desire no apologies," returned my uncle, a little
+less sternly, I thought, "and I particularly desire
+that you make me no explanations. If you had any
+connection with the mysterious assassin and his horse,
+I prefer to be able to say that I know nothing at all
+about it. I may have my suspicions that only a daredevil
+young American could accomplish such feats of
+prowess as were ascribed to this 'assassin,'&mdash;over-power
+single-handed all the guards of the palace, and
+make good his escape on a steed of supernatural <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span>swiftness,&mdash;but
+I prefer that they should remain suspicions;
+do you understand?"</p>
+
+<p>I bowed silently, too mortified to make any reply.</p>
+
+<p>"I may have my theories, also," continued my uncle,
+"as to this young daredevil's presence in the First
+Consul's closet, and they would certainly not be those
+entertained by the police. Yet it would be a difficult
+matter to convince any one, least of all the First Consul
+and Fouch&eacute;, that he could be there for any other
+purpose than assassination; and should his identity
+be discovered, I fear no influence could be brought to
+bear strong enough to save his life. Permit me to add,
+also, that an insatiable curiosity to be present at councils
+of state, such as I have no doubt led this young
+man to contrive an entrance into the Consul's private
+apartments, seems to me only one degree less culpable
+than the dastardly designs of an assassin."</p>
+
+<p>It is impossible to describe the scathing tone with
+which my uncle uttered this last sentence. Nor, had
+I been receiving condemnation from a just judge for
+the most dastardly crimes, could I have felt keener humiliation.
+I dared not lift my eyes, and every pulse in
+my body sent the blood in waves to my already scarlet
+countenance. I broke out into a great sweat all
+over my body as I realized that I had forever forfeited
+the respect and confidence of my uncle, whom I greatly
+honored and admired. I felt that I must make one desperate
+effort to regain a little of what I had lost. Not
+until that moment did I dream that I would be
+suspected of deliberately hiding in that closet for the
+purpose of eavesdropping, and not to be allowed to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span>
+explain to my uncle that my presence there was by
+accident was almost more than I could bear.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," I began, still not lifting my eyes, "you will
+not permit me to tell you anything when I had desired
+to tell you all, but I beg that you will allow me to say
+that it was not a spirit of mean curiosity that moved
+that young man, but a spirit of foolish and reckless
+adventure, of which he bitterly repents&mdash;most of all,
+because he has forever forfeited the respect and esteem
+of him whose good opinion he most prizes. He will return
+at once to America, where he will be in no danger
+of disgracing those whom he honors so highly. That
+his visit to Paris, so kindly planned by you, looked forward
+to with such delight, and, until the present moment,
+enjoyed so keenly, should end in such failure,
+is a greater bitterness than you can comprehend; but
+he feels that he has richly deserved it for his foolish
+recklessness. He only prays that in condemning
+his actions you will not judge too harshly of his
+motives, and that if it is possible to retain affection
+where esteem is forfeited, he may still be permitted to
+retain a little of yours."</p>
+
+<p>I stood with my head bowed for what seemed to me
+a very long time before my uncle spoke. Then he said
+in the kindest of tones:</p>
+
+<p>"Sit down, my boy; 'tis not quite so bad as that."</p>
+
+<p>I looked up quickly. My uncle was actually smiling,
+and a great load rolled off my heart. For whereas a
+moment before I had thought I could never look any
+man in the face again, least of all my uncle, it now
+seemed to me that there was almost as much of kindly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span>
+affection in his glance as I had ever found there. Yet
+I would not sit down, as my uncle so kindly insisted,
+feeling that I deserved still to retain the attitude of
+culprit; seeing which, my uncle softened still more.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I have been too hard on you," he said;
+"it was a foolish trick, without doubt, and you deserve
+some punishment for your thoughtlessness and
+recklessness. From what I know of you, I can charge
+you with no mean motive, and I am not sure but that
+at your age an adventure of such kind would have
+tempted me greatly. I do not mind saying, also, that
+I am rather proud of the way you got yourself out
+of your scrape, and I am glad there were no more
+serious results than a sprained ankle for the Chevalier
+Le Moyne and a temporary aberration of mind for the
+sentry. I am told you sent him spinning in such
+fashion that his brains flew out of the top of his head,
+and it was some hours before he got them back again.
+I hear, too, that he insists it could have been no less
+a personage than his Satanic Majesty himself who
+with a touch of the hand sent his gun flying when
+he was in the very act of firing, and then gave him
+a twirl that sent him spinning down the terraces in
+the dark."</p>
+
+<p>I did not want to laugh, but I could not quite suppress
+a sheepish grin at this picture of the dazed sentry,
+seeing which my uncle threw back his head and
+laughed in a way I am sure he learned in America, for
+I have never heard the like from these ever-smiling
+Parisians. I would have liked to laugh with him, so
+jolly did it sound, and my heart growing lighter every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span>
+moment; but I did not quite dare. In a minute my
+uncle stopped as suddenly as he had begun, and was
+all seriousness again.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, my boy, it's all over," he said, "and
+I am thankful there was no bloodshed, and not very
+sorry that the chevalier must go limping for a while.
+I like not that fellow, and I don't understand why
+he is hanging around the First Consul so much of late.
+As to your going back to America, it would be the
+worst possible thing to do. You might as well make
+a confession at once. No; you must go about exactly
+as you have always done, no more, no less&mdash;certainly
+no less. And you must ride Fatima, but always at a
+moderate pace, and be sure you make no exhibitions of
+her training."</p>
+
+<p>I hardly knew how to thank my uncle, and I told
+him so. I was indeed glad not to be sent back to
+America, and I had no doubt that he was right about
+the wisdom of showing myself in public places with
+Fatima. I was glad, too, to hear him say that he
+did not like the Chevalier Le Moyne. I thought I
+could have enlightened him as to the chevalier's
+reasons for hanging around the First Consul, but my
+uncle did not know that I had ever seen Chevalier Le
+Moyne before, and I could not explain to him without
+telling him also about the Comtesse de Baloit; and&mdash;I
+knew not why, but I shrank greatly from mentioning
+her name to my uncle. So I held my peace about the
+chevalier, and instead made many promises as to
+my future conduct, and expressed many regrets for
+the past.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I was leaving the room, feeling myself partly at
+least restored to my self-respect, when my uncle called
+me back.</p>
+
+<p>"I've a piece of news that may interest you," he
+said. "The President's envoy, Mr. Monroe, has arrived,
+and I am going to call on him at Mr. Livingston's
+this evening. Would you like to go with me?"</p>
+
+<p>I thanked him much, and assured him that I was
+greatly honored and pleased at his invitation (which
+did, indeed, seem to me like a sign that his confidence
+in me had returned), and then I hastily left the room
+with my head in a whirl. Mr. Monroe had arrived!
+Then so also had mademoiselle. I knew of no way to
+quiet the tumult of my heart and brain but to go for a
+ride on Fatima, though in my state of excitement it
+was hard work keeping her down to the moderate pace
+my uncle had recommended.</p>
+
+<p>I sought the Champs-&Eacute;lys&eacute;es, for it was the fashionable
+hour for driving, and I hoped that she might
+be taking the air there with all the rest of the world,
+though I hardly thought it probable so soon after her
+arrival. I rode slowly up and down the avenue, bowing
+to many acquaintances, and looking eagerly at every
+beautiful woman, whether I knew her or not, for fear
+that, seeing her in a strange city with strange surroundings,
+I might pass her and not know her.</p>
+
+<p>I was about to give up the quest and go home, when
+I saw coming toward me a carriage that had just
+turned into the avenue from a street leading to the
+Faubourg St. Germain. It was more magnificent
+than any I had seen, with outriders in gorgeous liveries,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span>
+but I thought that hardly accounted for the
+way people were staring, stopping to look back when
+the carriage had passed, and the young men bowing to
+the ground. My heart began to beat tumultuously,
+as if it knew what my eyes were soon to look upon;
+yet I am not sure that I really believed it until it
+burst upon me, a vision of dazzling loveliness. Had I
+forgotten how beautiful she was? or was it that the
+fine Parisian hat and dress had added the transcendent
+touch? Unconsciously I drew Fatima to one side,
+so dazzled was I by her radiance; and so she did not
+see me, though she was looking eagerly from side to
+side, trying to take in at once all this wonderful Paris
+of which she had heard so much. She seemed to me
+like a happy child, eyes and lips smiling with delight,
+and I was happy just to be looking at her, though
+I liked not the face of the proud and haughty lady
+who sat beside her, and who, I feared, would never
+let her speak to her old St. Louis friend.</p>
+
+<p>The carriage passed, and I, too, looked back, as did
+all the rest of the world. Alas! in one moment was
+my joy turned to bitterness; for, sitting with his
+back to the horses and facing Pelagie, a proud smile
+as of ownership on his evil but handsome face, sat
+the Chevalier Le Moyne!</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE CONSUL'S SENTENCE</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"'Tis an old maxim in the schools,<br />
+That flattery's the food of fools;<br />
+Yet now and then your man of wit<br />
+Will condescend to take a bit."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>"I wonder what her cousin will say about it? He
+is her next of kin, and I suppose will have some
+authority."</p>
+
+<p>"You mean the young Duc d'Enghien? He is in
+Baden, you know, and not in a position to say anything.
+He is still &eacute;migr&eacute;, and likely to remain so; for
+the First Consul distrusts all Bourbon princes."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but he might use his authority with his royal
+cousin, even at a distance. I had always thought he
+and the Comte d'Artois had other plans for the comtesse&mdash;that
+she was to strengthen their house by an alliance
+with one of the royal houses of Europe."</p>
+
+<p>"Without doubt that was their plan, but the other
+side of the house got ahead of them. It is to prevent
+just such an alliance, I believe, that the wily old
+duchesse is planning this marriage with the chevalier.
+He is too far down in the royal ranks to be a dangerous
+<i>parti</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"Have her estates been restored, do you know?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am not sure, but I think not. I have heard that
+Bonaparte is making this marriage a condition. He,
+too, wants to prevent anything that will strengthen
+the power of the Bourbons."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, then the marriage is assured, and the duchesse
+has accomplished her purpose. I am sorry. I wish
+the comtesse had remained a little longer in America."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not quite so sure about it. It seems the comtesse
+herself is making difficulties. Perhaps, now that
+she has discovered her true rank, she does not consider
+the chevalier sufficiently noble."</p>
+
+<p>"It will make no difference what she thinks or feels,
+poor child; with the duchesse and the First Consul
+both against her, she is as helpless as a bird in the
+snares of the fowler."</p>
+
+<p>I was one of the group where this conversation took
+place, and so, though I had no part in it, I could not
+be considered an eavesdropper (for I had sworn that,
+rather than listen again to what was not intended for
+my hearing, I would go about with my ears stuffed
+with wax and be deaf to the whole world). No name
+had been mentioned, yet I knew well it was of the
+Comtesse de Baloit they were speaking, and every
+word pierced my soul like a knife.</p>
+
+<p>A stir at the upper end of the grand salon put a
+stop to the conversation. Every voice was hushed, and
+all eyes were turned to where Madame Bonaparte and
+the First Consul were making a grand entry. They
+were followed by a throng of ladies and gentlemen in
+attendance, and the scene could not have been more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span>
+magnificent had they been king and queen holding
+royal court, with lords and ladies in waiting.</p>
+
+<p>I had eyes at first for no one but Madame Bonaparte
+(since coming to live at the Tuileries she was no
+longer called Citizeness Bonaparte), whom I had not
+yet seen, this being my first levee, and of whom I had
+heard almost as much as of the First Consul. I had
+heard that she was not faultlessly beautiful, but of
+great charm, and I could see at once that this was
+true. I do not know why she was not perfectly beautiful&mdash;perhaps
+her features were a little heavy, her
+nose a little long, her cheek-bones a little high, which
+just prevented her face from being faultless; but her
+eyes were large and lustrous and beaming with kindness,
+and her hair was soft and dark and abundant
+and gathered under a Grecian <i>filet</i> in rich waves and
+curls, and her skin was of that creamy whiteness so
+often seen in creoles, and which sets off so well dark
+hair and eyes. I have never seen more beautiful neck
+and shoulders and arms; they looked to me more like
+some of those beautiful figures in marble in the Louvre
+Museum, that Bonaparte brought back with him from
+Italy, than like real flesh and blood.</p>
+
+<p>She was dressed all in white, and my aunt whispered
+to me that the First Consul liked her best in
+white, and that it was said when Madame Bonaparte
+(who was herself fond of more gorgeous costumes)
+appeared in white, it was a sign either that she was
+jealous of her husband and was trying to win back
+his straying affections, or that she wanted some special
+favor granted. Very likely this was only idle court<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span>
+gossip, but it might easily be true, for I could hardly
+think her so nearly beautiful in any other dress as in
+that softly falling white, with high girdle of gold,
+richly jeweled, and her dark waves of hair caught in
+a golden net under the Grecian filet.</p>
+
+<p>The First Consul was very magnificent also; I think
+he likes dress as well as his wife. When I had looked
+well at these two, I had leisure to look at their retinue;
+and I looked first at the gentlemen, many of whom
+were wearing the brilliant uniforms of army officers.
+To my chagrin, my eyes fell almost instantly upon the
+Chevalier Le Moyne, wearing the very gorgeous uniform
+of aide to General Bonaparte. As I looked at
+him his eye caught mine, and I saw him start, turn
+pale, and then color violently. In a moment he forced
+a quick smile to his lips (to his teeth, I had almost
+said, for there was always something wolfish to me in
+his smile), and then he bowed. I returned his bow
+very coldly, and his presence there suggesting to me
+that I might possibly find Pelagie among the court
+ladies (for so 'tis the fashion to call them in jest), I
+turned to look for her. Yes, she was there, and, like
+Madame Bonaparte, all in white. Only Pelagie's white
+was filmy and lacy, and fuller and more flowing than
+madame's, with jewels shining in its folds and in her
+waving hair. And whereas Madame Bonaparte made
+me think of a Greek goddess, Pelagie reminded me of
+one of Mr. Shakspere's fairies, sparkling, graceful,
+exquisite.</p>
+
+<p>She did not seem to see me, and I could gaze at her
+no longer, for the First Consul was already moving<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span>
+about from group to group of the assembled guests,
+saying a few words to each, and he was just approaching
+our party. He greeted my aunt and uncle and
+those standing with us, whom he knew, very affably;
+then he turned his quick glance on me, and my uncle
+presented me.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," he said, "I was not mistaken. I thought you
+were from America when I saw you in church on
+Easter morning"; and, turning to my uncle, he added:</p>
+
+<p>"We do not grow such great fair men in France,
+Citizen Minister."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said my uncle, quickly; "we have small dark
+great men in France, Citizen First Consul."</p>
+
+<p>Bonaparte laughed, pleased both with the play on
+words and my uncle's compliment, and turned quickly
+to the next group before I had time to stammer out
+how flattered I felt at his remembering me.</p>
+
+<p>The next group happened to be the English ambassador,
+Lord Whitworth, and his friends. The Consul
+had been very affable with us, and I had discovered
+that his smile was of rare sweetness and gave great
+beauty to his face. But as he turned to Lord Whitworth
+the smile vanished and his brows were drawn
+together in a dark frown. Without the slightest word
+of greeting, he spoke to him abruptly and harshly:</p>
+
+<p>"I find your nation wants war again."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Whitworth bowed low, and a dull red slowly
+spread over his face as he answered:</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; we are very desirous of peace."</p>
+
+<p>"You have just finished a war of fifteen years,"
+said Bonaparte again, in the most offensive of tones,
+almost a sneer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The ambassador bit his lip in his effort at self-control,
+but he answered with great suavity:</p>
+
+<p>"It is true, sir; and that was fifteen years too
+long."</p>
+
+<p>"But you want another war of fifteen years," insisted
+Bonaparte, his tones every moment harsher and
+louder, so that every one in that part of the salon
+could not help but hear. All conversation ceased, and
+every one listened with strained and painful attention.
+Lord Whitworth quietly reiterated:</p>
+
+<p>"Pardon me, sir; we are very desirous of peace."</p>
+
+<p>Then, in a tone that rang out like the harsh clang of
+crossing swords, Bonaparte cried:</p>
+
+<p>"I must either have Malta or war!"</p>
+
+<p>A shock ran through the whole assembly. No man
+dared look at his neighbor. This was nothing less
+than a declaration of war, and in the most insulting
+manner. Whether the proud representative of the
+haughtiest nation on the globe would receive such a
+rude insult to himself and his country calmly was very
+doubtful, and we all awaited Lord Whitworth's reply
+in trembling silence. With compressed lips and eyes
+that flashed in spite of himself, but with a calmness in
+marked contrast to Bonaparte's petulance, he replied:</p>
+
+<p>"I am not prepared, sir, to speak on that subject;
+and I can only assure you, Citizen First Consul, that
+we wish for peace."</p>
+
+<p>Bonaparte's frown grew darker, but he said no
+more; and with a curt nod, and almost a sneer on his
+lips, he withdrew at once into a small cabinet opening
+into the salon, leaving the rest of his guests without
+addressing a word to them, which I was told afterward<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span>
+was very unusual with him, and showed that his irritation
+must be very great.</p>
+
+<p>An embarrassed silence followed the First Consul's
+exit. I had been looking forward to this levee for
+weeks, but it promised to be a very uncomfortable occasion
+for me as well as for others. I had a great desire
+to speak to the British ambassador and assure him
+of my sympathy, for none of the Frenchmen so much
+as dared to look at him, now that he was in disgrace,
+lest it be reported to the Consul, and they themselves
+fall under suspicion. But I feared it would be presumption
+in one so young and unknown, and I dreaded
+meeting the haughty British stare with which an Englishman
+petrifies one he considers unduly forward.
+Much to my relief, and indeed to the relief of the
+whole company, my uncle turned to him and began at
+once to talk in a most animated manner of the doings
+in the American Congress. That the relief was general
+was evident, for conversation was at once resumed,
+and with a gaiety that was somewhat feverish,
+I thought.</p>
+
+<p>It was our turn now to pay our respects to Madame
+Bonaparte. I had been eager to meet her until
+I discovered the presence of Pelagie; but now it had
+suddenly become a trying ordeal to walk forward and
+salute madame, and perhaps stand talking to her a
+few moments, conscious that Pelagie's eyes, if they
+cared to, might be watching every movement. Should
+I be awkward (as I feared I would under such a scrutiny),
+I was sure there would be the old mocking light
+in them I had so often seen, and dreaded to see, in St.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span>
+Louis. I resolved not to glance at her once while I
+was going through my ordeal, lest she should prove my
+undoing; and I tried to think only of the charming
+woman who smiled bewitchingly when I made gallant
+speeches, and who tapped me with her fan in much the
+same playful fashion as Mistress Madison had tapped
+me with her jeweled snuff-box. Indeed, she reminded
+me much of the lovely Washington lady. Both had
+the same kind way of putting an awkward lad at his
+ease, and seeming to like him and be pleased with his
+speeches, especially if they savored a little of audacity.
+But Madame Bonaparte had not the dash and sparkle
+of Mistress Madison; instead, she had a lazy Southern
+fashion of speech and a wonderfully winning gentleness
+that I am not sure was not more charming than
+the gay brilliancy of the other.</p>
+
+<p>She kept me talking to her longer than I had expected
+(or hoped for), and I began to see significant
+glances exchanged, while my color was steadily rising;
+and I was sure mademoiselle (if she looked at me at
+all), noting my shining curls, as yellow as the gold
+lace on my white satin court-dress, and my cheeks
+flaming like any girl's, was saying to herself with infinite
+scorn, "Pretty boy!"</p>
+
+<p>I think Madame Bonaparte saw the significant
+glances also, for she said presently:</p>
+
+<p>"You must meet the Comtesse de Baloit. She has
+just returned from your America, and you will have
+much in common to talk about."</p>
+
+<p>And so I found myself bowing low over Pelagie's
+hand, and a moment later looking straight down into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span>
+her lovely dark eyes, which looked straight up at mine
+with no hint of scorn in their shadowy depths, but
+only a great wonder, and a little of something else that
+set my pulses to beating like trip-hammers.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot understand, Monsieur," she said. "I
+shall have to ask you, as you asked me in Washington&mdash;how
+did you get here?"</p>
+
+<p>"It was a lodestar drew me," I murmured.</p>
+
+<p>But the warm light in her eyes changed quickly to
+proud disdain.</p>
+
+<p>"I like not idle gallantries between old friends.
+Keep those for Madame Bonaparte. I saw they
+pleased her greatly, and that you were much flattered
+by their reception."</p>
+
+<p>Could the Comtesse de Baloit be jealous? or was
+it the haughty Faubourg St. Germain scorning the
+parvenue of the Tuileries? I hoped it was the
+first, but in either case it behooved me to make quick
+<i>amende</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"Forgive me, Comtesse," I said, as coldly as she
+had spoken, but in English, and so low that I hoped
+no listener could understand even if he knew the
+tongue. "It was true, but you could not know how
+true, and I have no right to tell you. I know well
+how great a distance lies between the proud Lady of
+France and a simple American gentleman. Permit
+me to inform you, Comtesse, that I have been in Paris
+for more than a month with my uncle, Monsieur
+Barb&eacute; Marbois. And permit me to add, as a simple
+fact in which you may be interested or not, that this
+is the moment for which I have lived through that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span>
+month&mdash;the moment when I should meet again the
+Comtesse de Baloit."</p>
+
+<p>It had ever been the way with the little Pelagie in
+America to meet her hauteur with hauteur, but I was
+not sure it would work here, and I trembled inwardly
+while I spoke so calmly. But it did. Her lids
+dropped for a moment, and a soft color stole up to
+her temples. When she lifted her eyes again, there
+was a sweet, shy light in them.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," she said softly, in her pretty English,
+"why do you call me Comtesse? Have you forgotten?"</p>
+
+<p>"Is it still to be Mademoiselle?" I cried eagerly,
+and had hard work not to pick her up in my arms and
+run away with her, so adorable was she in her sweet
+friendliness.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle always, unless it is&mdash;" But then
+she broke off suddenly and turned a rosy red, and
+added quickly, with something of her old sauciness:
+"Never Comtesse, unless I am very, <i>very</i> naughty."</p>
+
+<p>My heart told me what she had meant to say, and
+I whispered proudly:</p>
+
+<p>"Unless it is some day&mdash;Pelagie"; and I know my
+eyes told her all the rest I did not dare to say, for she
+looked away from me quickly, and I, glancing up, met
+a black scowl on the face of the chevalier, who, I knew,
+must have been watching this little by-play, though
+he could not have heard a word, such was the buzz and
+clatter of conversation about us. His face cleared instantly,
+and he stepped quickly forward with a forced
+smile and an extended hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Permit me to greet an old friend," he said gaily.
+"When did you arrive in Paris?"</p>
+
+<p>It would have been well for me if I could have
+swallowed my pride sufficiently to take his proffered
+hand; but it seemed to me the hand of a scoundrel and
+a dastard, and I could not bring myself to touch it. I
+pretended not to see it, and I hoped the chevalier and
+those who were looking on might be deceived into
+thinking I did not, as I answered politely enough:</p>
+
+<p>"The Chevalier Le Moyne is very kind to welcome
+me so cordially to Paris."</p>
+
+<p>And then, with a sudden recollection of our last encounter,
+and hoping to throw him off the track, I
+added:</p>
+
+<p>"I have been in Paris but a short time; this is my
+first visit to the Tuileries."</p>
+
+<p>But I had not deceived him. The black scowl returned
+quickly at my rejection of his proffered hand,
+and stretching himself to his full height, so as to be as
+near my ear as possible, he said between his teeth:</p>
+
+<p>"It may be your first visit to the Tuileries, Monsieur;
+but, if I mistake not, you have been at St. Cloud
+before. If I had known you were in Paris I would
+have been at no loss to account for the mysterious
+horse and his rider. I suppose you have brought that
+accursed mare with you?"</p>
+
+<p>I may have turned pale, for I saw black ruin yawn
+before me, but I answered steadily:</p>
+
+<p>"I do not understand you, Monsieur. I beg you
+will explain."</p>
+
+<p>"Diable! You understand well enough, Monsieur,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span>
+he sneered, and turned and walked away with an exaggerated
+limp&mdash;it had been scarcely perceptible when
+he came to greet me.</p>
+
+<p>I had little time to worry over this new peril that
+threatened, for my uncle came up to present me to
+more of the "court ladies," and I did my best to talk
+and be merry, while in the background of my thoughts
+I was trying to plan some way of escape from the
+meshes of the net I saw closing around me. Paris was
+no longer any place for me. I must tell my uncle at
+the first opportunity, and ask his help in getting away
+as quietly as possible to America; and at that thought,
+and that I was cutting myself off from ever seeing
+again the Comtesse de Baloit, I groaned inwardly, and
+could have cursed the reckless folly that had brought
+me to such a pass.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of my troubled thoughts I saw an officer
+approach the Comtesse de Baloit (for, no matter
+to whom I might be talking, the Comtesse was ever in
+my sight), bow low, and apparently deliver some message
+to her. I saw her turn to the lady who stood near
+her (the one with whom I had seen her driving, whose
+bearing was so stern and haughty, and who, I did not
+doubt, was the duchesse I had heard spoken of as desiring
+to marry her to the chevalier), and then the
+officer offered an arm to each of them and bore them
+away to the cabinet to which the First Consul had
+withdrawn.</p>
+
+<p>I did not know why this should be cause for anxiety
+on my part, but none the less I felt anxious. When,
+a few minutes later, the same officer approached the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span>
+Chevalier Le Moyne and delivered to him also a message,
+and the chevalier deliberately turned to me with
+a smile of triumph, and then followed the officer to the
+same cabinet, I felt doubly anxious. Indeed, so great
+had my anxiety become that it was almost impossible
+for me to keep up longer the semblance of gay converse
+with the witty beauties about me.</p>
+
+<p>The chevalier's smile of triumph meant one of two
+things&mdash;either terrible for me, but one impossible to
+think of. It meant, "You see, now I have my chance
+to denounce you to the First Consul, and I shall use
+it"&mdash;which would mean nothing less than death for
+me; or, it meant, "You see, the First Consul is bringing
+his influence to bear upon my marriage with the
+Comtesse de Baloit; it is all arranged"&mdash;which would
+mean something far worse than death for me.</p>
+
+<p>I was not surprised, therefore, and I was almost relieved
+when ten minutes later the officer touched me
+on the shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"The First Consul desires your presence in his cabinet,
+Monsieur," he said; and I turned and followed
+him, conscious that I was followed in turn by all eyes.
+There had been no surprise when first the comtesse
+and then the chevalier had been summoned, for every
+one thought he understood&mdash;the First Consul's powerful
+influence was to be brought to bear upon a recalcitrant
+maiden; and while some pitied, none doubted
+that the First Consul's influence would avail. But no
+one knew what connection I could have with the affair,
+and the first moment of startled surprise was followed
+by a murmur of curious surmises.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Amid that murmur I walked as one who goes to his
+execution; for from the moment the officer touched
+me upon the shoulder I had known what the chevalier's
+smile of triumph meant, and I knew that I was
+on my way to be accused and condemned, and, for
+aught I knew, marched off to instant execution under
+the eyes of the Comtesse de Baloit. As I passed Monsieur
+Marbois, his eyes, filled with a startled alarm,
+met mine. I tried to reassure him with a smile, but I
+fear it was sorry work, for a sudden rush of remembrance
+of all his goodness to me overwhelmed me and
+came near to unmanning me.</p>
+
+<p>Just inside the door of the cabinet the officer
+stopped, and motioned to me also to stay my steps.
+On whatever errand I had been sent for, it was evident
+that neither the First Consul nor any one else
+was quite ready for me. The Consul was seated, while
+on one side of him stood the chevalier, and on the other
+the duchesse and the Comtesse de Baloit; and that
+any man should remain seated in the presence of the
+comtesse filled me at once with a blind rage that ill
+prepared me to play my part in what was about to
+follow. The attitude of the three struck me at once
+as significant: the duchesse complacent, with almost
+a smile upon her haughty features, and to the best of
+her ability beaming upon the First Consul; the chevalier
+eager, obsequious, fawning; the comtesse her head
+held proudly up, a little frown between her brows, her
+eyes flashing; impatience, annoyance, disdain expressed
+in every feature. The First Consul was
+speaking as we entered, and I thought his tones were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span>
+meant to be persuasive; they were less rasping than
+I had often heard them.</p>
+
+<p>"The estates are very great, Mademoiselle." (And
+again I was indignant that he should address her as
+Mademoiselle, a title which I felt belonged to no man
+to use but to me. I knew, of course, that it was but
+the common usage,&mdash;that titles were not permitted in
+republican France,&mdash;but none the less I was angry.)
+"Your father was almost the richest man in France,"
+he was saying. "Should I restore these estates to you,
+I must have some guaranty that they will be used for
+the welfare of the republic, and not against it. Citizen
+Le Moyne is such a guaranty. His sword is already
+pledged to the service of the republic, and to
+the Citizeness Le Moyne I will restore all the estates
+of her father."</p>
+
+<p>A bright red spot burned in each of Pelagie's
+cheeks. I know not what she might have said (though
+she looked not as if she would meekly yield assent to
+this powerful plea), for at that moment the First
+Consul discovered our entrance and turned to the
+chevalier.</p>
+
+<p>"Citizen Le Moyne," he said, "you asked us to
+send for this young man. He is here. What has the
+nephew of Monsieur Marbois to do with this matter?"</p>
+
+<p>A malicious smile played round the chevalier's lips.</p>
+
+<p>"If you remember, Citizen First Consul," he said
+"I told you that at one time mademoiselle was not
+averse to my suit&mdash;that in all probability I would have
+won her hand in St. Louis, but that her mind was
+poisoned against me by malicious insinuations and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span>
+fabrications, the work of a rival who desired to win
+her for himself?"</p>
+
+<p>The chevalier waited for the Consul's reply, and he
+nodded curtly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well?"</p>
+
+<p>"Citizen First Consul, that rival is the nephew of
+Minister Marbois, and I have brought him here to
+ask him to renounce publicly all claims to the hand of
+the Citizeness de Baloit."</p>
+
+<p>I saw a flash in the beautiful eyes, and a proud toss
+of the little head that I well knew meant, "He has no
+claim," and I hastened to speak.</p>
+
+<p>"Sire," I said quickly, and then stopped in confusion.
+How could I have made such an egregious blunder
+as to address the first citizen of the republic by a
+royal title? Yet it was a natural enough mistake, for
+no Czar or Sultan or Grand Mogul was ever a more
+autocratic ruler than he, or made men tremble more
+at his nod. I thought I had no doubt ruined my cause
+in the very outset, for a dark frown gathered between
+the Consul's brows, but it quickly disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you spoke innocently, young man," he
+said, with a smile of rare sweetness. "Speak on!"</p>
+
+<p>"Pardon, Citizen First Consul," I said&mdash;"it was
+indeed an innocent mistake"; and then I added with a
+sudden impulse of audacity, "but a very natural one."</p>
+
+<p>The Consul answered me only with his flashing
+smile, that transfigured his face, and I hurried on:</p>
+
+<p>"I wish to say, sir, that I have no claim to the
+hand of Mademoiselle la Comtesse." I saw from the
+tail of my eye her head take a prouder pose and her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span>
+lips curl scornfully as she perceived that I was tamely
+renouncing my "claim" at the chevalier's bidding;
+but I went calmly on: "I have always known that
+there was a great gulf fixed between the proud Lady of
+France of royal blood and a simple American gentleman.
+Mademoiselle la Comtesse has never given me
+any reason to hope that that gulf could be crossed,
+but," and I turned and looked straight at the chevalier,&mdash;and
+if my head was flung back too proudly and
+my eyes flashed too fiercely and my voice rang out too
+defiantly, it was from no lack of respect to the great
+Bonaparte, but because my soul was seething with
+wrath and indignation against that cowardly villain
+"but should Mademoiselle la Comtesse give me the
+faintest hope that the honest love of an honest American
+heart could weigh with her against lands and titles,
+that the devotion of a lifetime to her every
+thought and desire could hope to win her love, then no
+argument the Chevalier Le Moyne could bring to bear
+would have a feather's weight with me. I would renounce
+my 'claim to her hand' only with my life!"</p>
+
+<p>The First Consul's eyes were smiling as I ceased
+speaking; there was no frown on his brow. The duchesse
+looked aghast, as if it were inconceivable blasphemy
+that I should think of aspiring to the comtesse,
+and the chevalier's face was dark, with an ugly sneer
+distorting his lips. But I cared little how Consul or
+duchesse or chevalier took my speech: I cared only for
+what mademoiselle might think. I glanced quickly at
+her. Her head was drooping, her long lashes were
+sweeping her cheek, her face was rosy red, and a half-smile<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span>
+was playing about her mouth. My heart beat
+high with exultant joy. I turned proudly to the
+chevalier and awaited the thunderbolt I knew was sure
+to fall. He, too, had seen mademoiselle's soft and
+drooping aspect, and the sight had lashed him to fury.
+But before he had a chance to speak, the First Consul
+himself spoke with good-natured raillery:</p>
+
+<p>"I think, Citizen Le Moyne, your golden-haired
+giant makes a very good plea for himself. Suppose I
+offer him a position on my staff and make a Frenchman
+of him, and then let the Citizeness de Baloit
+choose between you? Perhaps her estates would be as
+safe in his hands as in yours."</p>
+
+<p>Had the First Consul uttered his speech with the
+purpose of lashing the chevalier to fury and goading
+him to still greater venom against me, he could have
+taken no better course to accomplish it.</p>
+
+<p>"Safe!" he hissed. "Safe in the hands of an assassin!
+You would give mademoiselle and her estates
+to the man who hid in your closet to attempt your life
+in your bath! Regardez! the coward&mdash;the sneak&mdash;the
+villain! When your Mameluke discovers him he flees.
+I run to your defense. Does he meet me with his
+sword like an honorable gentleman? No! he trips me
+with the foot like a school-boy, and throws me down
+the stair, to be the laughing-stock of my fellow-officers!
+Because he is a giant, he falls upon your sentry
+of small stature and hurls him down the terraces! He
+calls to his trick horse,&mdash;trained in the circus, I do not
+doubt,&mdash;and rides away in the dark, and thinks no
+one will ever know! But <i>I</i> know. I have seen his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span>
+tricks in America. He is a clown&mdash;a mountebank!
+No gentleman would touch his hand!"</p>
+
+<p>The chevalier's voice had grown shriller and higher
+with each word, till he ended in a scream, tearing his
+hair, rushing up and down the cabinet in his fury, and
+pointing every epithet with a long finger extended toward
+me. I could have smiled at such childish rage
+but that it was too serious a matter to me for smiling.
+Mademoiselle's eyes were wide with terror and amaze,
+and the Consul's brow grew darker with every word
+of the chevalier's.</p>
+
+<p>"Officer, call the guard!" he said in his rasping
+voice, as soon as the chevalier gave him a chance to
+speak, and I knew my doom was sealed.</p>
+
+<p>But mademoiselle sprang forward, one arm outstretched
+to stay the officer, and one extended toward
+the Consul in supplication.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, officer, not yet!" she cried, and then to
+Bonaparte:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Citizen Consul, it is all a terrible mistake! I
+know him well. He could not be guilty of so dreadful
+a crime! He could not do anything mean or low or
+dishonorable. There is no gentleman in the world
+more generous and noble! And the man who denounces
+him owes his life to him!"</p>
+
+<p>"Look at him, Mademoiselle," said the Consul,
+harshly, "and see if his looks do not confess him the
+culprit."</p>
+
+<p>I knew that I must look the very picture of conscious
+guilt, for every word mademoiselle had uttered
+had pierced me like a two-edged sword. I might have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span>
+braved the chevalier's accusations and the First Consul's
+suspicions (for, after all, neither had any evidence
+against me), but I could not bear her generous
+confidence in me, feeling that I had so miserably forfeited
+my right to it by indulging in a foolish boyish
+prank. I did not raise my head (where it had sunk
+in shame), but by reason of being so much taller I yet
+could see her turn toward me, see her look of implicit
+trust change slowly to doubt and fear. Then I heard
+her utter one low cry, "Oh, Monsieur, Monsieur!"
+and turn away. In a moment my resolve was taken.
+I would make a clean breast of it; she should not
+think me worse than I was. I lifted my head.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle!" I cried, and she turned quickly
+toward me and looked straight into my eyes with a
+look that was hard to bear. "I am guilty Mademoiselle!
+I am the man who was in the First Consul's
+closet, and who escaped on Fatima's back."</p>
+
+<p>The Consul made a motion toward the officer, but I
+turned to him quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"I beg you, sire,"&mdash;and this time I did not know
+that I had said it, not until long afterward, when one
+of those who heard told me of it,&mdash;"that you will not
+send your officer for the guard until I have made my
+confession; then you can send for it, and I will go
+away quietly, without resistance."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, officer; you can wait," said Bonaparte,
+still harshly. The rest of my confession I addressed
+directly to him.</p>
+
+<p>"I am no clown, mountebank, or circus rider in
+my own country, sir, as the Chevalier Le Moyne<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span>
+would have you believe; I am the son of a Philadelphia
+gentleman, and the nephew of Madame Marbois.
+Unfortunately, life in my native land has bred in me
+a spirit of adventure that has many times been near
+my undoing. It has also bred in me a great love for
+the life of a soldier, and a great admiration for the
+famous soldiers of history. When I accompanied my
+uncle to St. Cloud, and knew that he was summoned
+there to meet the First Consul, I was seized with a
+desire to enter the palace and roam through the rooms
+where the First Consul dwelt. When I found admission
+was not permitted I thought it would be a fine adventure
+to find my way in without permission. It was
+a boy's wild spirit of daring, and a boy's almost idolatrous
+hero-worship that led me into such a scrape."</p>
+
+<p>The Consul interrupted me here, but I thought his
+tones a little less harsh than before:</p>
+
+<p>"Did your uncle know of your intention to enter
+the palace?"</p>
+
+<p>"Most certainly not, Citizen First Consul," I answered,
+"else had I never accomplished it."</p>
+
+<p>"Then how did you find your way to my closet?"</p>
+
+<p>"I followed a servant through some winding corridors,
+but an officer suddenly appeared. I fled,
+opened the first door I came to, saw myself in a dressing-room,
+opened another, and found myself in the
+closet connecting with your cabinet."</p>
+
+<p>All of which was literally true, and implicated
+neither Gaston nor F&eacute;lice, I hoped. The Consul
+signed to me to go on with my story.</p>
+
+<p>"All would have been well, and I should have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span>
+slipped out the way I came, had not the First Consul
+decided to take a bath."</p>
+
+<p>I was watching my auditor narrowly as I talked,
+for I felt my life depended upon his change of
+mood, and I thought I saw here the least glimmer of
+a twinkle in his eye; but if it was there it was banished
+instantly, and his face was as set and stern
+as before.</p>
+
+<p>"I have never heard any words, your"&mdash;I started to
+say "your Majesty," caught myself, and stumbled
+miserably&mdash;"your&mdash;your&mdash;Excellency, that filled me
+with greater dismay than these: 'Tell my valet to prepare
+my bath'!"</p>
+
+<p>Again I thought I caught that fleeting twinkle of
+the eye, but could not be sure.</p>
+
+<p>"There was no hope for me," I went on, "but to
+wait for the First Consul to finish his bath; but, unfortunately
+for me, he is fonder of his bath than
+most men, and I stood in that dark closet in an agony
+of suspense, and revolving in my mind every conceivable
+plan of escape, for what seemed to me many
+long hours. All might still have been well,&mdash;for in the
+nature of things even the First Consul's bath must
+come to an end sometime,&mdash;had I not made a slight
+noise which the quick ears of the Consul and the
+Mameluke heard. I was discovered, and there was
+nothing for me to do but to flee through the audience-chamber
+and the main corridor, surprising the
+guard at the door, who, in his turn, raised the whole
+palace in pursuit.</p>
+
+<p>"I was distancing my pursuers, and should have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span>
+gotten out of the palace without difficulty, but that
+at the head of the grand staircase I met the Chevalier
+Le Moyne, running from the opposite end of the
+corridor. I would not under ordinary circumstances
+refuse a sword encounter with the chevalier (though
+I would prefer an opponent with a nicer sense of
+honor), but there was no time for such an encounter
+now if I would not have the whole palace upon me,
+and, besides, it was most important that the chevalier
+should not recognize me. There was nothing to do
+but to hide my face with my arm as if shielding it
+from his sword, and trip him up, as he says, school-boy
+fashion. I am sorry that it should have hurt his
+self-esteem to be vanquished by such a youthful trick,
+and regret still more that he should have suffered in
+the estimation of his fellow-officers thereby."</p>
+
+<p>This time the twinkle in the Consul's eye was unmistakable,
+and I could hear the chevalier grinding
+his teeth with rage.</p>
+
+<p>"As for your sentry," I continued, "he was aiming
+his gun to fire at me. There was no time for ceremony.
+I could have spitted him upon my sword, which was
+in my hand, and it might have been more respectful;
+but I dislike bloodshed, unless it is absolutely unavoidable,
+and so I threw up his gun with my arm,
+and sent him spinning after it in the dark. I had left
+my mare Fatima&mdash;who is no trick horse, but a young
+Arabian trained by myself from colthood to do my bidding&mdash;in
+a pine thicket close by. I was on her back
+and away just in time to escape your mounted guards,
+who thundered out the gates of the park scarce twenty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span>
+paces behind me. Had Fatima been less swift I had
+not been here to tell the tale. I hope the First Consul
+will believe me when I say I have suffered much from
+remorse for my rash and thoughtless act. It was a
+wild spirit of adventure that led me into it, but I see
+clearly now that does not in the least excuse it, and
+I am ready to atone for it in any way you decree."</p>
+
+<p>The eye of the First Consul, clear, piercing, heart-reading,
+had been upon me through the whole of this
+recital; but I, feeling that I was keeping nothing back
+(save only Gaston and F&eacute;lice), and being nerved up
+to meet whatever fate should befall, bore its scrutiny
+well. He was silent for a moment after I had finished
+speaking, and my heart sank steadily down, for life
+looked very bright to me and I began to be very sure I
+had forfeited it by my foolishness. Suddenly the Consul
+spoke, but it was not to me nor to the chevalier; he
+turned to Pelagie.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, that was a boyish escapade, certainly,
+and it was a very pretty boy that contrived
+it. What do you think would be suitable punishment
+for such a crime? You shall be the arbiter of his
+fate."</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle gave me one fleeting glance, saucy
+merriment dancing in her eye; then she turned to
+Bonaparte, and, curtsying low, she said with pretty
+archness:</p>
+
+<p>"Citizen First Consul, I know him well, and I know
+that only death could be a greater punishment to him
+than to be called a 'pretty boy'! Do you not think
+his crime is atoned for?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Bonaparte's wonderful smile lighted his face and
+fell on mademoiselle with almost too great sweetness,
+I thought.</p>
+
+<p>"It is as you say, Mademoiselle," he replied. "Officer,
+you need not call the guard."</p>
+
+<p>But I, suddenly relieved from the fear of death,
+stood there scarlet with confusion, head drooping,
+and ready to sink through the floor with shame, while
+I mentally anathematized my yellow curls and rosy
+cheeks and blue eyes, and most of all my <i>domtiferous</i>
+vanity that had led me to array myself in shining
+white satin and glittering gold lace, that I was sure
+made me look fairer and rosier and more than ever
+like a big blond baby.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2>
+
+<h3>A NEW CHEVALIER OF FRANCE</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"Our hopes, like towering falcons, aim<br />
+At objects in an airy height."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>"Officer," said Bonaparte, in his iciest tones,
+"conduct Citizeness Capet and Citizen Le Moyne
+back to the salon. I have something to say to the
+others that it will not be necessary for them to hear.
+You need not return yourself until I ring for you."</p>
+
+<p>Madame la Duchesse glared at the little figure lazily
+and haughtily reclining at ease in the deep-armed
+chair while we all stood meekly before him. I think
+for a moment she was tempted to spring upon him and
+tear his eyes out. That the parvenu ruler of the republic
+should so address a member not only of the old
+nobility but the old royalty, was more than she could
+bear. A cool stare from the fathomless eyes of the
+Consul made her think better of it; she turned and
+accompanied the chevalier (who was nigh to foaming
+at the mouth with ill-suppressed rage) back to the
+salon.</p>
+
+<p>As they left the cabinet, conducted in state by the
+officer, Bonaparte turned to Pelagie.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle la Comtesse," he said in tones whose
+suavity were in marked contrast to the coldness of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span>
+last speech, "will you not be seated? I am sorry
+to have kept you standing so long. I have asked you
+to wait while I spoke to this young man, because I
+have something more to say to you on the subject we
+were discussing. I beg, therefore, you will make yourself
+perfectly comfortable while you wait."</p>
+
+<p>I think Pelagie was of half a mind to decline the
+Consul's courtesy, for she hesitated a moment, and I
+saw a dangerous spark leap into his eyes. I do not
+know whether she saw it also, or whether she simply
+decided it was better to be as complaisant as possible
+in small matters, since she might have to be
+recalcitrant in great ones. She sat down, apparently
+cool and collected, but in the chair most distant from
+the First Consul. I had noted the change in the
+form of his address, and wondered at it; but I believe
+he liked titles, and was glad to use them when there
+were no jealous ears about to find fault with his
+lapse from republican simplicity. He did not ask me
+to sit down, but turned to me as soon as Pelagie had
+taken her seat, and began abruptly:</p>
+
+<p>"I made a proposition a few moments ago in jest;
+I now make it in earnest: I offer you a position on
+my staff as military aide. The young man who has
+the skill to extricate himself from such an escapade
+as yours is of the stuff I would like to use in my service,
+and when he adds to his other qualities the ability
+to tell his story so discreetly that it is impossible to
+guess whether or not he has heard anything of state
+councils and family quarrels, he is of still greater
+value in such a capacity."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I was overwhelmed. Lifted from the depths of disgrace
+and fear of death to the pinnacle of my day-dreams
+realized (for it had ever been my fondest
+dream to be a soldier of fortune, and to serve under
+the great Bonaparte&mdash;one that I had hardly dared to
+confess to myself) was almost more than brain could
+stand. More than that, to hear such words of commendation
+from the great soldier, when I had expected
+severest censure, set heart throbbing and head
+whirling. I could only stammer out:</p>
+
+<p>"It would be the greatest joy and glory of my
+life to serve under the First Consul! I shall have to
+get my uncle's permission; may I defer my answer
+until I have an opportunity to consult him?"</p>
+
+<p>The Consul frowned quickly; I have no doubt he
+was used to receiving only instant acceptances of his
+offers. But in a moment his countenance cleared, and
+he answered, pleasantly enough:</p>
+
+<p>"Very well; I shall expect to hear from you the
+day after to-morrow"; and with a slight nod from
+him I understood myself dismissed.</p>
+
+<p>Somehow I liked not leaving Pelagie there alone
+with him, but there was no alternative. I thought,
+too, as I made my low bow to her in leaving the room,
+that her eyes met mine with a look of appeal in their
+dark depths it was hard to withstand. I determined
+to take my station in the salon near the cabinet door,
+so that if she should need me I would be near at
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>And thus it happened that a few minutes later
+I heard the Consul's bell ring violently, saw the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span>
+officer on duty enter the cabinet hastily, and immediately
+return, conducting Pelagie. Her eyes were
+shining with a fierce light, a bright spot was burning
+in either cheek, and her head was held so high
+and she was looking so straight forward with an
+unseeing gaze that she did not see me as she passed.
+I saw her take her place among the court ladies
+and Madame Bonaparte look at her with cold displeasure.
+Being no longer on sentry duty, I joined
+my aunt, and she whispered to me:</p>
+
+<p>"The pretty Comtesse is in trouble. Madame will
+not easily forgive her husband spending ten minutes
+alone with her in his cabinet."</p>
+
+<p>My soul raged within me, for I could see that others
+also were whispering about her, and for a moment I
+was ready to challenge all the world, including the
+great Bonaparte himself, who (though, I believed,
+innocently) had given occasion for the whisperings.
+Of course I knew that his interview with Pelagie had
+been entirely in behalf of the chevalier, but others did
+not seem to be so certain of it, and especially did
+Madame Bonaparte's attitude toward her give rise
+to unpleasant comment. I longed eagerly for a word
+with Pelagie herself, but I saw no chance of obtaining
+it. Yet fortune favored me, for later in the
+evening, when they were preparing the piquet-tables,
+I found myself placed next to her; and once, when excitement
+over some disputed point in the game was
+running high, and the din of contending voices made a
+friendly cover for a low-toned speech, I managed
+to say to her:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You look troubled, Mademoiselle; is there any way
+in which I can be of service to you?"</p>
+
+<p>She smiled up at me with a look of trust that
+touched me greatly, and said hurriedly, mentioning
+no names (which might have been dangerous):</p>
+
+<p>"I wanted this chance to tell you. He insisted on
+that marriage, and when I told him I would never
+marry a man who had denounced and betrayed in
+such cowardly fashion the man to whom he owed his
+life, he was very rude to me."</p>
+
+<p>"Rude to you!" I whispered fiercely. "Then I
+cannot take service under him."</p>
+
+<p>But she looked greatly alarmed when I said that,
+and whispered eagerly:</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, Monsieur; do not say that! Take the place,
+if you can, for your own sake,"&mdash;and then she hesitated
+a moment,&mdash;"and for mine."</p>
+
+<p>There was no chance for another word; the game
+was breaking up, and the old duchess came and carried
+her off with a glare of distrust and suspicion at me,
+and I had no doubt she had been watching our whispered
+consultation.</p>
+
+<p>There was no chance, either, to tell my uncle of my
+interview with the Consul; for I could say nothing
+before my aunt without entering into explanations
+that I did not want to make to her, and I knew the fact
+of my returning to the salon instead of being hurried
+off to prison had quieted his alarms. The hour was
+late, and we said good night to each other in the
+corridors when we returned home, going at once to
+our rooms.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I hurried down-stairs the next morning, hoping to
+find my uncle taking his morning coffee in the garden,
+as he often did in this lovely spring weather; but I
+had overslept, and he was already gone. Late in the
+afternoon I sought him in his library, for I knew my
+answer to the First Consul must be decided upon at
+once, and I was anxious to tell him all about my
+interview. He answered my knock by a quick "Enter,
+enter!" and I found him brimming over with gay
+good humor and excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"You are just in time, my boy," he cried. "I am
+expecting the American ambassadors every moment,
+and, if they offer no objection, you may stay and see
+how history is made. We are to sign the treaty that is
+to give the First Consul the munitions of war, and that
+will place America in the very front rank of nations."</p>
+
+<p>My own affairs seemed of small moment beside such
+stupendous ones, and I saw that my uncle had entirely
+forgotten his alarm of the evening before. I was myself
+very greatly excited, for this was the moment to
+which I had been looking for nearly a year, though the
+realization about to be consummated was far exceeding
+my wildest fancies.</p>
+
+<p>The two gentlemen were announced a moment later,
+and they both greeted me cordially, for they knew my
+family at home and I had called on them several times
+in Paris. Nor did my uncle have to prefer a request
+that I should be permitted to be a witness of the signing
+of the treaty. Mr. Livingston himself suggested
+that I be invited to remain, and, the others assenting
+most cordially, I thanked them heartily for their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span>
+courtesy, and retired to a seat in the background,
+where I might not intrude upon their deliberations.</p>
+
+<p>The document seemed long, and in fact, as I understood
+it, there were three documents&mdash;one which they
+called the treaty, and two others they called "conventions."
+They read them all over carefully several
+times before signing, and I heard the article read
+that I had seen the First Consul write, and discovered
+that one convention was to determine in what
+manner the sixty million francs were to be paid to
+France, and the other convention was concerned with
+the twenty million francs to be paid by the United
+States to such of its citizens as held claims against
+France.</p>
+
+<p>There seemed to be some little discussions on a few
+minor points which were easily settled, and then very
+solemnly they each signed the three documents, Mr.
+Livingston writing his name first, then Mr. Monroe,
+and then my uncle. When this was done, the three
+gentlemen, as by a common impulse, rose to their feet
+and shook hands, their faces shining with a solemn
+light which I believe had nothing to do with self-glory,
+but with an unselfish joy at having accomplished an
+act that would bring honor and benefit to two great
+nations and to future generations. I, in my corner,
+was almost as proud as they, and quite as happy
+(when I thought of the honor that was to come to
+my country, and especially the blessings to that great
+West I was so interested in), and for the first time in
+my life I felt it might be almost finer to accomplish
+such great things by statesmanship and a stroke of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span>
+pen than to win fame and glory by the sword. Then
+I saw that Mr. Livingston was beginning to speak.
+He stood up straight and tall and fine-looking, and his
+manner was very impressive and full of dignity and
+a kind of solemn joy. I was very proud of him as a
+representative of my country, and each word that he
+spoke made me prouder and happier.</p>
+
+<p>"We have lived long," he began, "but this is the
+noblest work of our whole lives. The treaty which we
+have just signed has not been obtained by art or dictated
+by force; equally advantageous to the two contracting
+parties, it will change vast solitudes into flourishing
+districts. From this day the United States take
+their place among the powers of the first rank. The
+English lose all exclusive influence in the affairs of
+America. Thus one of the principal causes of European
+rivalries and animosities is about to cease.
+The instruments we have just signed will cause no
+tears to be shed; they prepare ages of happiness for
+innumerable generations of human creatures. The
+Mississippi and Missouri will see them succeed one
+another, and multiply, truly worthy of the regard
+and care of Providence, in the bosom of equality, under
+just laws, freed from the errors of superstition
+and the scourge of bad government."</p>
+
+<p>My uncle and Mr. Monroe seemed greatly impressed
+by his words (as, indeed, no one who heard them could
+help being); and then there was half an hour of
+pleasant talk, in which the three gentlemen kindly included
+me. As the American ambassadors took their
+leave, my uncle turned to me.</p>
+
+<p class="figcenter" style="width: 397px;">
+<a name="The_Signing_of_the_Louisiana_Purchase_Treaty" id="The_Signing_of_the_Louisiana_Purchase_Treaty"></a>
+<img src="images/image370.jpg" width="397" height="579" alt="The Signing of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty by Marbois, Livingston, and Monroe" title="The Signing of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty by Marbois, Livingston, and Monroe" />
+<span class="caption">The Signing of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty by Marbois, Livingston, and Monroe</span>
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span></p><p>"Well, my boy," he said, his kind face beaming,
+"we have settled the affairs of two great nations most
+satisfactorily; now we will settle yours. What did
+the First Consul want of you last evening?"</p>
+
+<p>I had made up my mind to tell my uncle all about
+my acquaintance with the Comtesse de Baloit and the
+Chevalier Le Moyne, if he had time to listen,&mdash;for
+otherwise it would be difficult to explain my interview
+with the Consul, or how I happened to be summoned
+to his presence,&mdash;and I asked him if he had
+time to hear a long story. He replied that he considered
+he had accomplished enough for one day, and
+he should do nothing more, until dinner at least; he
+might possibly be summoned to an interview with the
+First Consul at the Tuileries later in the evening.</p>
+
+<p>He scarcely interrupted me through my long recital,
+unless an occasional heavy scowl at some special
+perfidy of the chevalier's could be called an interruption.
+He chuckled with delight when I told how I
+tripped up the chevalier on the grand staircase of St.
+Cloud, and uttered a vigorous "Diable!" when he
+heard how I came to be summoned before the First
+Consul. He listened almost breathlessly to my account
+of my interview with the Consul, and drew a
+great sigh of relief as I finished.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, my lad," he said, "you have been having
+great experiences! I wonder you could forget them
+sufficiently to be so deeply interested, as you seemed
+to be, in the doings of three old diplomats."</p>
+
+<p>I assured him that what the three diplomats had
+just accomplished was of greater interest to me than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span>
+any of my own affairs could possibly be. In all my
+story I had touched as lightly as I could on the
+Comtesse de Baloit, hoping that my uncle would not
+discover that I had any special interest in that direction;
+but he was too astute a reader of human nature
+to be easily misled.</p>
+
+<p>"That is all very well," he said, in reply to my assurance
+of a deeper interest in affairs of state than in
+my own; "I do not doubt for a moment that you believe
+what you say, and I could easily believe it, too,
+if it were not for the Comtesse de Baloit. Such affairs
+are more engrossing than all others in the world,
+if I remember my own youthful days aright. But I
+had no idea the wind sat in that quarter, as your Mr.
+Shakspere would say. Have you any idea how high
+you are aspiring? I know you Americans stop at
+nothing; but, my dear boy, you might as well aspire
+to the hand of the Princess Charlotte of England!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am aspiring to the hand of no one, sir," I answered
+rather hotly, for I knew so well how hopeless
+any dreams of mine might be that I liked not to have
+any one think I was cherishing false hopes. "Whatever
+my feeling toward the Comtesse may be, I have
+never had the slightest hope. If Citizeness Capet, as
+the First Consul calls her, does not succeed in marrying
+the comtesse to the Chevalier Le Moyne, then her cousins
+the Comte d'Arbois and the Duc d'Enghien will
+probably marry her into one of the reigning houses
+of Europe. Mademoiselle la Comtesse has shown me
+some kindness, but only such as any right-feeling
+young maiden would show to one who has been able to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span>
+do her some little service, and I am not one to presume
+upon her grateful feeling."</p>
+
+<p>My uncle looked at me for a moment with a little
+frown between his brows, as if he were trying to
+solve some perplexing question, and then the frown
+cleared away and he spoke smilingly:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, we will dismiss the Comtesse; that
+is too difficult a problem. And now for what is, after
+all, a question of more practical importance. Do you
+want to accept this offer of the First Consul's?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very much, sir," I answered eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"I doubt whether I have any right to give you permission
+to do so," responded my uncle; "but this
+much authority I will assume. If the First Consul
+is willing to take you subject to the commands of your
+father when we can hear from him, I will give my
+permission, and I will write to your father by the
+first packet. It will be ten or twelve weeks before we
+can possibly hear from him, and it may be much
+longer. But I am rather relieved that you desire to accept
+the First Consul's offer. He does not like his
+favors rejected, and he is quite capable of holding me
+responsible for having influenced you, should you
+decline."</p>
+
+<p>The First Consul was willing to take me on those
+conditions (I think he felt no doubt of my father's
+answer; such confidence had he in the magnetism of
+his own name that he believed any man would feel
+proud to have his son serve under him), and a very
+few days saw me arrayed in my glittering uniform
+and spending every spare moment, when I was off<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span>
+duty, riding up and down the Champs-&Eacute;lys&eacute;es in the
+hope not so much of seeing the Comtesse de Baloit as
+of being seen by her. For I felt that half the joy I
+had in my gorgeous trappings would be gone if she
+could not see them and admire them too.</p>
+
+<p>And as my sword clanked and my spurs jingled
+while Fatima pranced and curveted under me in the
+bright spring weather, my heart sang an accompaniment
+to them.</p>
+
+<p>Could it be possible that the great Bonaparte might
+turn the rest of his speech from jest to earnest?
+Would he, perhaps, now that he had made me his
+aide, trust her to me as willingly as to the chevalier?</p>
+
+<p>And higher still sang my heart as Fatima, in answer
+to my excited touch, leaped and bounded along the
+avenue, and I remembered that night upon <i>La Belle
+Rivi&egrave;re</i> when mademoiselle had wished that I was a
+chevalier of France. Was I not one now in fact, if not
+in name?</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2>
+
+<h3>THE COMTESSE DE BALOIT SENDS FOR HER HUNTER</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"Take a straw and throw it into the air; you may see by that
+which way the wind is."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>All my riding up and down the Champs-&Eacute;lys&eacute;es
+was like to have been for naught. We had received
+orders to be in readiness to start on the morrow
+for Belgium, where Bonaparte was to make his headquarters
+while preparing for war with England, and
+still I had not seen the comtesse, and she had not seen
+my beautiful regimentals.</p>
+
+<p>My packing was done, my last arrangements made,
+most of my good-bys said; there was nothing left to
+do but to take my last ride down the avenue. And
+this time not in vain! There she sat in her gorgeous
+coach of scarlet and gold with the footmen and coachmen
+in dazzling liveries of gold lace and scarlet plush,
+and beside her, not the stern duchesse this time, but a
+younger woman who looked as if she might be a less
+formidable guardian.</p>
+
+<p>She saw me, though for a moment she did not recognize
+me in my new and gaudy plumage. When she
+did, her eager look of welcome more than repaid me
+for my fruitless rides up and down the avenue. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span>
+signaled to her coachman to stop, and with a pretty
+little peremptory gesture summoned me to her side.
+She seemed to have no fear of the lady beside her, and
+no doubt she was merely a paid companion, for she ignored
+her entirely, or noticed her presence only by
+using English when she had anything of serious import
+to say.</p>
+
+<p>"'Tis Fatima I wish to see, sir," she said as I
+drew up by her coach, my hat tucked under my arm.
+She put out her little hand and gently stroked the
+white star on Fatima's forehead, and the mare whinnied
+softly and rubbed her nose against the little
+gloved hand as if to say, "I remember you well; those
+were famous rides we had in old St. Louis."</p>
+
+<p>"And 'tis you I wish to see," I responded boldly.
+"I have been looking for you for many days; why
+have you deserted the Champs-&Eacute;lys&eacute;es?"</p>
+
+<p>She looked up at me quickly, as if pleased with the
+audacity of the first part of my speech, but as I finished
+with my question she dropped her eyes and
+seemed embarrassed. In a moment she spoke in a low,
+constrained voice, and in English:</p>
+
+<p>"My aunt and I have had misunderstandings. She
+wishes me to appear in public with a man I do not
+like. In Paris that means fianc&eacute;. I will stay in my
+h&ocirc;tel with headaches rather than ride on the avenue
+beside him!" with sudden fire. Then she added with
+an attempt at her old lightness:</p>
+
+<p>"But I must drive on. Should it be reported to
+madame that I stopped to talk to Monsieur, I might
+have to suffer for it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>A sudden horror seized me.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, they do not use force?" I cried.
+"You are not held a prisoner?"</p>
+
+<p>"No&mdash;not yet," she said slowly.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said, looking steadily into her
+eyes, "I have tried to see you to say good-by; I leave
+Paris to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>I saw her go suddenly white, but in a moment she
+spoke very calmly, and in French:</p>
+
+<p>"Do you go back to America, Monsieur?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, to Belgium with the First Consul: to Antwerp,
+I believe."</p>
+
+<p>I spoke also in French, but added in English:</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, if you need me, I will not go to
+Belgium; I will resign."</p>
+
+<p>She shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>"No; I am sorry you are going, but I would not
+have you resign. The First Consul is vindictive, they
+say; should you reject his favors, he may remember
+your St. Cloud offense."</p>
+
+<p>"I care not for that!" And then I added moodily,
+"They will compel you to marry him."</p>
+
+<p>She threw up her head in much the same fashion
+Fatima throws up hers when she scents conflict in the
+distance.</p>
+
+<p>"They cannot coerce me!" she said proudly, and
+then she added, half playfully, half defiantly:</p>
+
+<p>"They tell me I have royal blood; they shall see I
+know how to use my royal prerogative." She held
+out her hand to me and spoke again in French:</p>
+
+<p>"Good-by, Monsieur, and bon voyage!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I bent low over her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me stay, Mademoiselle," I whispered.</p>
+
+<p>"What! and lose your beautiful uniform! 'Tis
+too severe a test of friendship. No, no, Monsieur,"
+with the old mocking laugh. But before I had time to
+resent her teasing speech, her mood had changed. She
+leaned far out of the carriage and threw her beautiful
+arm over Fatima's arching neck.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-by, Fatima," she cried&mdash;"dear, dear Fatima!"
+And as Fatima, in answer to her caress, drew
+closer to her, she dropped a light kiss on her soft muzzle,
+leaned back in her carriage with a signal to the
+coachman, and rolled away.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>The weeks that followed were in some respects the
+strangest weeks of my life, and often in memory
+they return to me as a confused dream. War had
+been declared with England, and in Antwerp, in
+Dunkirk, on the Loire, in every little bay and inlet
+that indented the coast from Brest, where a great
+squadron was gathered, to Boulogne, where another
+was getting together, ships were building of every
+kind: floating fortresses of wood, light pinnaces and
+yawls for carrying the swift van of an army, and
+heavy barges for the impedimenta of war. A mighty
+flotilla, gathering from the Scheldt to the Garonne,
+from Toulon and Rochefort to Calais and Antwerp, to
+bear a vast invading army to the shores of England.</p>
+
+<p>In constant communication with the great captain,
+I yet saw little of him, for day and night I was kept
+riding over the green fields of France, through the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span>
+beautiful May and June, carrying orders, sometimes
+to little inland streams where tiny yawls were building,
+sometimes to great city dockyards where mighty
+ships were on the stays. And though these were not
+the deeds of valor I had dreamed of, I began to realize
+what a wonderful mind was planning all these
+wide-spread activities, and to understand that a great
+captain must be something more than a good fighter,
+and prowess on the field of battle was not all that
+was required of a soldier.</p>
+
+<p>Yet I began to long for the din and stir of conflict
+and to see my hero, as in dreams I had often seen him,
+calm and unmoved, 'midst smoke and carnage, directing
+with unerring genius masses of men, infantry,
+cavalry, artillery, through the mazes of battle; or
+himself leading a resistless charge, sword extended,
+waving his men forward to victory and glory.</p>
+
+<p>So when an old officer who had seen many wars told
+me he had no doubt it would be two years before the
+preparations for war were finished and war actually
+begun, my heart sank within me. Two years of hard
+work day and night and no glory! To be aide to the
+First Consul was not what I had dreamed of, and my
+thoughts turned longingly back to Paris and the Comtesse
+de Baloit. All the more did my thoughts turn
+in that direction because the Chevalier Le Moyne, who
+was also on the general's staff, had been for some
+weeks absent from headquarters. I always studiously
+avoided him if we happened to be in quarters at the
+same time, and so I did not at first miss him; but
+when day after day and even weeks passed without<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span>
+his reporting at mess, I began to be greatly troubled.
+My imagination pictured him as back in Paris urging
+his suit to Pelagie, and I feared greatly, either that
+she would at last yield to his importunities, seeing no
+way of escape, or that some trouble would come to her
+if she persistently scorned him.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of my anxieties a letter was brought
+me from home. The ten weeks were up when I could
+begin to expect an answer to my uncle's letter asking
+my father's permission for me to take service under
+Bonaparte, and I tore it eagerly open, hardly knowing,
+since hostilities would be so long delayed, whether
+I most hoped that it would contain his permission
+or his refusal. In my haste I had not noticed that it
+was not my father's writing on the outside, and that
+made it the greater shock to find within, in my mother's
+dearly loved penmanship, only these few words:</p>
+
+<p>"Your father is very ill; come home at once."</p>
+
+<p>I had never known my father to be ill even for a
+day. I knew this must be no ordinary illness to cause
+so brief and so peremptory a summons home, and all
+my world seemed suddenly topsy-turvy.</p>
+
+<p>I loved my father, but I had been much away from
+home, in school at Princeton, and in my short vacations
+I had found him somewhat cold and stern in
+manner; so that my love for him was more of reverence
+and honor than the tender affection I felt for
+my beautiful mother. None the less was my heart
+torn with anguish at the thought of what might befall
+in the long weeks before I could possibly reach his
+side, and how vainly I wished that I had been a better<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span>
+son, and shown him more of the love that was really
+in my heart for him.</p>
+
+<p>There was no time to be lost, and my first duty was
+to seek the First Consul and show him my letter. He
+was more kind and considerate than I could have expected.</p>
+
+<p>"You have my sincerest sympathy," he said.
+"There is no question as to your course. Your first
+duty is to your father. I am sorry to lose my officer
+whom I have found even more efficient than I had
+expected and for whom I predicted great glory as
+soon as actual war should commence. But it may be
+possible you will find your father entirely recovered
+on your arrival at home; in that case, and should you
+have his permission to return, your old position will
+be open to you."</p>
+
+<p>I hardly knew how to thank him suitably and to express
+my regret at leaving his service, and I have no
+doubt I did it awkwardly enough. As I was leaving
+the room he called me back.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you go to Paris before you sail?"</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing in the question to make me blush
+and stammer, yet I did both.</p>
+
+<p>"I must sail on the earliest packet, sir," I said;
+"but if one is not sailing immediately I would like
+your permission to return to Paris and settle my affairs
+there and say good-by to my aunt and uncle."</p>
+
+<p>"It is no doubt the wiser course," replied Bonaparte.
+"In sailing from Antwerp you are liable to
+fall into the hands of the English in passing the
+Straits of Dover. From Paris you can find a ship sailing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span>
+from Le Havre carrying the American flag. It
+will be safer, and you will save time in going by Paris.
+Should you decide to do so, I shall have a commission
+to intrust to you."</p>
+
+<p>Since the First Consul advised it, I decided on the
+moment, and an hour later, saddle-bags packed, my
+man C&aelig;sar holding his own horse and Fatima at the
+door, I was ready to start, only awaiting the Consul's
+commission. An officer rode up and handed me a
+packet.</p>
+
+<p>"From General Bonaparte, sir," he said; and as I
+opened my saddle-bags to put the packet away for
+safe keeping, my eye caught the directions on the
+wrapper.</p>
+
+<p>"To be delivered to the Comtesse de Baloit, Faubourg
+St. Germain."</p>
+
+<p>The sight of the inscription gave me only pleasure,
+and I was tempted to think that the Consul had devised
+this commission especially to give me an opportunity
+of seeing the comtesse. It seemed to me an
+evidence of wonderful delicacy of feeling and thoughtfulness
+for others on the part of the great general, and
+I could not sufficiently admire him or be grateful
+to him. There was no question but that his commission
+would be faithfully executed the very first possible
+moment after my arrival in Paris.</p>
+
+<p>It was early morning, the dew still on the hedges
+and the lark still singing his matins, as we entered the
+city with a stream of market-carts bringing in fresh
+fruits and vegetables and flowers for the early morning
+markets. Only working-people were in the streets:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span>
+men going to their day's labor, blanchisseuses with
+their clothes in bundles on their heads, cooks and
+maids of all work with their baskets on their arms
+going to the market for the day's supply of food for
+the family.</p>
+
+<p>Crossing the Place de la Bastille, a man on horseback
+rode up beside us and gave us good day. He
+had evidently come in with the country folk and was
+himself without doubt a small market-gardener, for
+the loam of the garden was on his rough cowhide boots
+and his blue smock was such as a countryman wears.
+I thought at first there was something strangely familiar
+in his face, and then I remembered I had seen
+him the evening before at the little country inn,
+twenty miles out from the city, where we had spent
+the night. He, like us, must have started at early
+dawn to reach the city by seven o'clock, very like for
+the same reason&mdash;to take advantage of the cool of the
+day; and like us also, he must have had a very good
+horse to make that distance in that time. I glanced at
+his horse as the thought occurred to me, and saw that
+it was indeed a good horse. Coal-black, except for
+a white star on his forehead and one white stocking,
+he was powerfully built, and yet with such an easy
+stretch of limb as promised speed as well as endurance.
+I thought it a little strange that a country
+farmer should own a horse of such points and breeding
+as this one showed itself to be, and perhaps my
+thought appeared in my face, for the countryman answered
+it.</p>
+
+<p>"'Tis a fine horse, Monsieur, is it not?" he said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I noticed that he spoke with a very slight lisp, but
+that otherwise both his language and his intonations
+were better than I could have expected.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," I said. "Did you breed him yourself?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not exactly," he answered, "but he was bred on
+an estate belonging to the Comtesse de Baloit, where
+I work, and I have helped to train him."</p>
+
+<p>He must have seen my irrepressible start when he
+mentioned Pelagie's name, for he looked at me curiously
+with something like either alarm or suspicion
+in his glance. I was tempted to tell him that I knew
+his mistress and expected to see her that very day, but
+I was saved from making such a foolish speech by the
+fellow himself.</p>
+
+<p>"I am bringing him into the city for the comtesse
+to try," he said. "He is a very fine hunter."</p>
+
+<p>"Then your mistress intends to follow the chase?"
+I asked, feeling a queer little pang that I did not stop
+to explain to myself at the thought.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so, Monsieur, since she has sent for her
+hunter."</p>
+
+<p>We were now well down the Rue de la St. Antoine,
+just where the narrow street of Fran&ccedil;ois-Miron comes
+in; and as if a sudden thought had struck him, the
+countryman said:</p>
+
+<p>"I go this way, Monsieur; adieu," turned into the
+narrow street, and C&aelig;sar and I rode on into the Rue
+de Rivoli, past the H&ocirc;tel de Ville, and so toward my
+uncle's house.</p>
+
+<p>"Marsa," said C&aelig;sar, as we turned off the Rue de
+Rivoli, "dat fellah had a gold belt and a little dagger<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span>
+stuck in it under his smock. I seed it when I's ridin'
+behind youse bof and de win' tuk and blew up his
+smock-skirt."</p>
+
+<p>I believed the "gold belt" and the "little dagger"
+were inventions of C&aelig;sar's, for he loved to tell wonderful
+tales; but none the less was I uneasy and troubled,
+for suppose it should be true! I liked not the
+thought of a man wearing a concealed weapon going
+on a plausible errand to the Comtesse de Baloit.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h2>
+
+<h3>THE CONSUL'S COMMISSION</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"Hope tells a flattering tale,<br />
+Delusive, vain, and hollow.<br />
+Ah! let not Hope prevail,<br />
+Lest disappointment follow."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>Not many hours later saw me seeking admittance
+to the stately but dilapidated h&ocirc;tel of the
+Comtesse de Baloit in the Faubourg St. Germain. I
+was determined to see Pelagie, and if possible alone, so
+I sent up word that a messenger from the First Consul
+desired to see Mademoiselle la Comtesse on business
+of importance. I feared, should I send up my
+own name, that the duchesse would not permit her to
+see me, but, had I known it, I could have sent no
+message less likely to win Pelagie's consent to an interview.
+It was only through a lurking suspicion of
+whom the messenger might be that she consented to
+see me.</p>
+
+<p>I was ushered into a room very luxuriously furnished,
+but in which everything had an air of faded
+grandeur&mdash;as if belonging to another age. The tapestries
+were not only faded but rapidly growing thread-bare,
+and the gold of the buhl furniture was peeling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span>
+off in strips, and in tables inlaid with fine mosaics
+many of the stones were wanting. All this lack of
+care or evidence of poverty rather surprised me, remembering
+the magnificent coach and gorgeously liveried
+servants I had twice seen on the avenue. Then
+I recalled what I had often heard since coming to
+Paris, that the nobility of the old r&eacute;gime would starve
+and go cold at home to make the display in public they
+considered befitting their dignity. It seemed very sad
+to me, and I wondered if it could be because mademoiselle
+did not have enough to eat that she had seemed
+of late to be growing thin and pale. To me, who am
+both somewhat of an epicure and a valiant trencherman
+(and remembering the abundance she had been
+used to in America), nothing could seem more pitiful
+than to think of my little Pelagie as going hungry.</p>
+
+<p>Yet when, in a few minutes, she came in, radiantly
+beautiful in some Frenchy flowing gown of pale rose-color
+and much soft lace and ribbons, no one could
+think of her as hungry or poverty-pinched in any
+way, but only as some wonderful fairy queen who
+dined on peacocks' tongues and supped on nectar and
+ambrosia.</p>
+
+<p>She was greatly surprised to see me; I think she
+thought of me as a kind of Daniel venturing into the
+lion's den. But the old lioness, the duchesse, was not
+with her, only the same companion I had seen in the
+carriage on the Champs-&Eacute;lys&eacute;es, and I felt once more
+that fate smiled on me. It meant much to me, for I
+knew not whether I should ever see her again, and I
+longed greatly to have a few minutes' untrammeled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span>
+conversation with her, such as I had often had in St.
+Louis in those days that seemed so far away.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps my eyes dwelt too eagerly upon her. I
+never could quite remember how beautiful she was
+when I was away from her, and so every time I saw
+her I was dazzled afresh. This time, too, I was trying
+to fasten every lovely curve of cheek and throat, and
+glowing scarlet of lips, and shadowy glory of dark eyes
+and waving hair, and witching little curls about white
+brow and neck, yes, and every knot of lace and ribbon,
+so firmly in my mind that I might always have the
+beautiful picture to look on when there was no longer
+any hope of seeing again the bright reality.</p>
+
+<p>So absorbed was I in fixing fast in memory every
+little detail of the bright picture that I think I must
+have forgot my manners: it was only seeing the long
+lashes on the rose-tinted cheek that brought me to
+myself. I bent low over her hand and then put into
+it the packet the First Consul had intrusted me to give
+to her.</p>
+
+<p>"For me? From the First Consul?" she said, in
+slow surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," I said; "and when you have opened it,
+Mademoiselle, then I crave a few minutes' speech with
+you."</p>
+
+<p>I turned and walked to one of the windows and
+stood looking down into the courtyard where C&aelig;sar
+was holding our horses, that mademoiselle might examine
+its contents unobserved.</p>
+
+<p>I knew not what was in the package nor the contents
+of the note that accompanied it, but somehow I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span>
+had had a feeling (perhaps because the First Consul
+had seemed so kind in his manner at our last interview,
+or perhaps only because my hopes pointed that
+way) that the Consul's note was to use his influence
+with her in my behalf, as he had once used it for the
+chevalier. Therefore as I stood with my back to her,
+looking down into the courtyard, my eyes saw not
+what they were looking at, for they were filled with a
+vision of future happiness and I was trembling with
+the beauty of the vision.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur!" I turned quickly, for the voice was
+cold and hard, and it fell on my heart like the sleet of
+early spring falling on opening buds to chill them to
+death. And when I turned, the Pelagie that met my
+gaze was the Pelagie I had first seen in Mr. Gratiot's
+house: eyes blazing with wrath, little teeth close set
+between scarlet lips, and little hands tightly clenched.
+My heart froze at the sight. Could the Consul's plea
+for me have been so distasteful to her?</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," she repeated, every word a poniard,
+"how did you dare bring me such a message!"</p>
+
+<p>I found no words to answer her, for if the message
+was what I had hoped, then I began to wonder how
+I had dared, though my spirit, as proud as hers,
+brooked not that she should take it as an insult. But
+she did not wait for any answer.</p>
+
+<p>"You!" she said, with inexpressible bitterness.
+"Has wearing the First Consul's uniform so changed
+you from the American gentleman I once knew that
+you delight to humiliate a poor and helpless lady
+of France?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle la Comtesse," I said coldly, for still
+the foolish idea clung to my brain that the First Consul
+had wished to further my suit, and that mademoiselle
+had regarded it as humiliating that I should so
+presume, "I know not the contents of the First Consul's
+note, but I think la Comtesse knows I would
+never willingly humiliate her."</p>
+
+<p>"You know not!" and she half extended the note
+toward me, as if to show it to me, and then drew it
+quickly back, a sudden change in her manner from
+proud anger to shrinking shame. She turned to her
+companion and said in a cool tone of command:</p>
+
+<p>"You may wait for me, Henriette, in the blue salon;
+I have something to say to Monsieur."</p>
+
+<p>Henriette seemed to hesitate. No doubt in France
+it was not permitted to see a young gentleman alone,
+or perhaps Henriette had instructions from the duchesse
+to be ever on guard when she herself could not
+be present. Mademoiselle saw her hesitation.</p>
+
+<p>"Go!" she said haughtily, and I believe no being
+on earth would have dared disobey that ringing tone
+of command. Henriette shrank from it, and as she
+hastened to obey, mademoiselle added in a gentler
+tone:</p>
+
+<p>"You may return in five minutes."</p>
+
+<p>As she left the room, mademoiselle turned quickly
+to me, as if to lose no moment of the few she had given
+herself.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," she said, and her manner was the manner
+of the old Pelagie, "I hope you will forgive me
+for supposing for a moment that you knew the contents<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span>
+of the First Consul's note. I cannot show it to
+you, but I am going to place a great trust in you.
+Monsieur, I cannot stay longer in France. Between
+the duchesse, the chevalier, and the First Consul, I
+will be driven to marry the chevalier, or&mdash;worse. Ah,
+Monsieur, if I had never left St. Louis!"</p>
+
+<p>She had spoken hurriedly, as if fearing to lose courage
+otherwise, but she looked not at me as she spoke,
+and her face was dyed with painful blushes. A horrible
+suspicion of the contents of that note almost
+froze my blood, but the next thought, that mademoiselle
+must fly from France, sent it rushing hotly
+through my veins.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I cried impetuously, "go home
+with me to America."</p>
+
+<p>I saw her turn pale and draw herself up proudly.
+I did not dream she could misunderstand me: I only
+thought she scorned so humble a suitor. And the
+thought set fire to a pride that was equal to her own.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said sternly, "I cannot set you
+upon a throne nor place a crown upon your head, but
+in America the wife of an honorable gentleman is a
+queen always, his heart is her throne, his home is her
+kingdom, his love is her crown."</p>
+
+<p>To my amazement, she was all soft and drooping and
+rosy and smiling. I was ready to pick her up and
+fly with her that moment, so adorable was she in this
+mood, but she would not let me come near her.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," she said, looking up at me most
+sweetly, "to be the wife of an honorable American
+gentleman, it seems to me, would be great happiness;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span>
+but you have not your father's permission to marry:
+he would not thank you for bringing home an &eacute;migr&eacute;
+bride."</p>
+
+<p>There came to me a sudden vision of my stern father.
+He would certainly think that was a matter on
+which he should be first consulted. He was capable
+of making it very unpleasant for my wife should I
+bring one home unannounced, and if he did not cut me
+off with a shilling, he might easily put me on so small
+an allowance as would make it impossible for me to
+maintain her in the luxury suited to her position. I
+would be glad to work for her, early and late, but I
+knew nothing about earning my own bread, and while
+I was learning to earn hers she might suffer for the
+comforts of life.</p>
+
+<p>Mademoiselle was quick to see my embarrassment,
+and I suppose her pride was touched, for when she
+spoke it was with her old hauteur.</p>
+
+<p>"It is very kind of Monsieur to think of offering me
+a refuge, but my plans are made."</p>
+
+<p>I hardly heard her, for I was busy with my own
+thoughts. I interrupted her eagerly:</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, let me take you back to St. Louis
+and put you in Dr. Saugrain's care; then I will make
+all necessary arrangements with my father and come
+for you."</p>
+
+<p>"You did not understand me, Monsieur," she answered
+coldly; "my plans are made: I am going to
+my cousin the Duc d'Enghien."</p>
+
+<p>"The Duc d'Enghien!" I repeated, in a dazed fashion.
+Had I not heard that her cousin would marry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span>
+her into one of the royal families of Europe? This,
+then, was the knell to all my hopes! This was the
+reason she answered me so coldly: there was something
+better in store for her than to be the wife of a
+simple American gentleman.</p>
+
+<p>Well, I had never cherished any hopes; had I not
+told both my uncle Fran&ccedil;ois and the First Consul so?
+Ah, but had I not? Had not every moment since I
+had first known her been a fluctuation between hope
+and despair? I had told the First Consul she had
+not given me any reason to hope; but had she not?
+Did she not seem a few minutes ago almost willing to
+become the wife of an American gentleman? What
+had changed her mood?</p>
+
+<p>While I was trying to collect my scattered thoughts
+she spoke again, hurriedly:</p>
+
+<p>"I am telling you this in great confidence, Monsieur,
+because I can trust you. No one must know&mdash;least
+of all, any one in this house."</p>
+
+<p>For a moment I could not speak. I turned away to
+the window and looked down once more into the courtyard
+with unseeing eyes. But it was no beautiful
+vision of the future that dimmed their gaze this time:
+it was the black darkness of despair that blinded them
+like a pall.</p>
+
+<p>Then I made a great resolve. The Comtesse de Baloit,
+the Bourbon princess, was not for such as I;
+but to mademoiselle, to my little Pelagie, I might still
+be loyal friend and offer devoted service. I turned
+toward her again.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said, "I will go with you to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span>
+Duc d'Enghien. I will never leave you until I see
+you safe under the protection of your cousin."</p>
+
+<p>"What! The young officer of the First Consul
+aiding and abetting an &eacute;migr&eacute; who flees from the
+First Consul! It is rank treason, Monsieur!" and
+Pelagie smiled with something of her old merry raillery.</p>
+
+<p>"I am no longer an aide, Mademoiselle," I said
+seriously. "I have been called home by the illness of
+my father, and General Bonaparte has relieved me
+from duty."</p>
+
+<p>Her quick sympathy was sweet to see and to feel,
+but I did not dare linger in its warmth, for the five
+minutes, I knew, must be nearly up.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Mademoiselle," I said, "since I am no longer
+in service to the First Consul, there will be no treason
+in helping you in your flight&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>But she interrupted me: "No, Monsieur, it is not
+necessary; the Prince de Polignac has made every arrangement
+and will see me safe to my cousin."</p>
+
+<p>"The Prince de Polignac!" I exclaimed, in surprise.
+"But he is in exile, and almost as much under
+the First Consul's ban as Cadoudal himself; how can
+he help you?"</p>
+
+<p>In my astonishment that she should think of relying
+upon Polignac, whose life I believed would be forfeit
+if he dared to enter Paris, I had unconsciously
+spoken his name with raised voice. We had heretofore
+been speaking almost in whispers for fear of a possible
+listener. As I uttered his name Pelagie started
+and looked nervously toward the door of the blue salon.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I beg you to be careful, Monsieur," she said anxiously.
+"As you say, his life would be forfeit if any
+one suspected his presence in Paris. I do not know
+that he is here, but I am hourly expecting to hear
+from him. There is no one in the world I would have
+trusted this secret to but you, and I am relying on
+your discretion as well as your honor."</p>
+
+<p>I bowed my thanks, grateful for her confidence and
+ashamed of the indiscretion that might so easily have
+betrayed her secret. But I had not gained my point.</p>
+
+<p>"You will let me help in this flight, too, Mademoiselle!
+It is a great peril you are undertaking, and
+one more sword, whose owner will lightly risk his life
+for you, cannot come amiss."</p>
+
+<p>But she only shook her head and whispered, "It is
+impossible," and at that moment Henriette entered
+the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle la Comtesse," she said timidly (I
+fear Pelagie must have been at times something of a
+little tyrant, to make her companion stand in such
+awe of her), "I have stayed away, not five minutes,
+but ten. I come to remind you that the hour has arrived
+at which Madame la Duchesse returns."</p>
+
+<p>"Thanks, my good Henriette," said Pelagie,
+sweetly; "it is true, and I had forgotten it."</p>
+
+<p>She turned quickly to me: "You must go at once,
+Monsieur! It is much better the duchesse should not
+find you here."</p>
+
+<p>"And can I not see you again? Shall I never see
+you again?" I asked eagerly, in English.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no! Do not try&mdash;I will send word," she answered,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span>
+also in English, and then put out her hand,
+"Go, Monsieur," she said in French, "and farewell!"</p>
+
+<p>I took her hand and bent low over it.</p>
+
+<p>"Farewell, Mademoiselle," I said, for it cut me to
+the quick that she had not said "Au revoir," as she
+had said it on La Belle Rivi&egrave;re.</p>
+
+<p>Down in the courtyard, in the act of throwing my
+leg over Fatima's back, there rode under the arch of
+the entrance the countryman who had overtaken us
+in the morning, leading the magnificent horse he had
+said was for Mademoiselle la Comtesse, and riding another.
+It was not strange that he should be bringing
+mademoiselle her hunter, but it struck me as somewhat
+strange that the moment he caught sight of me
+a quick scowl should darken his brow and as quickly
+be cleared away: as if it had come unbidden and been
+driven away from a sense of expediency. As I passed
+him on the way out he touched his cap to me politely,
+and the sleeve of his rough jerkin falling away a little
+in the act, I thought I caught a glimpse of a lace wrist-ruffle.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps C&aelig;sar was not mistaken, after all," I
+said to myself; "if he wears lace ruffles at his wrist he
+may well wear a gold belt and poniard at his waist.
+A strange countryman, forsooth!" And a secret uneasiness
+that I could neither explain nor dismiss returned
+to me as often as he came into my thoughts.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h2>
+
+<h3>"GOOD-BY, SWEETHEART!"</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"I have found out a gift for my fair."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>There was nothing to keep me in Paris. I could
+not see mademoiselle; she would not let me
+help her in her flight. I was restless and impatient to
+be off. No boat would sail from Le Havre for nearly
+a week. It would not take a week either by horse,
+as C&aelig;sar and I would go, or by the river, where my
+baggage was to be floated down in a small yawl
+in the charge of a trusty boatman. But if I stayed
+in Paris I would be eating my heart out; it was better
+to be on the way and taking the route by slow
+stages.</p>
+
+<p>So I made the plea to my aunt and uncle that I
+feared some unforeseen delay might cause me to miss
+my ship, and with feverish haste I made all arrangements
+for departure that very night. To my aunt my
+impatience seemed only natural. She herself was
+greatly distressed at the news of my father's illness,
+and would have accompanied me to America if it had
+been possible.</p>
+
+<p>My first act on reaching home after leaving mademoiselle
+had been to tear off my gorgeous uniform,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span>
+with such a mingling of loathing and regret as rarely
+comes to a man. If my suspicions of the contents of
+mademoiselle's note were correct, then I could not
+quickly enough rid myself of every emblem of the
+allegiance I had once owed to the First Consul. And
+yet when I remembered his invariable kindness to me,
+the magnanimity he had shown for what must have
+seemed to him criminal eavesdropping, the tenderness
+of heart I had seen displayed more than once, the
+wonderful powers of the man, master alike of the
+arts of peace and war, the idolatry in which his soldiers
+held him and in which I had hitherto shared, my
+heart lamented bitterly that its idol should have been
+so shattered.</p>
+
+<p>Since we had time to spare and it was now the meridian
+of summer, I had decided to use only the cool
+of evening and the early morning hours for travel, as
+much, I think, for the sake of sparing Fatima as
+C&aelig;sar and myself. Our first stage was to be to the
+same little inn, twenty miles out, which we had left
+only that morning to come into the city. It was not,
+perhaps, on the most direct route to Le Havre, but a
+large part of the way would lead through the forests
+of Montmorency and Chantilly and would be pleasant
+riding, and the inn was almost the cleanest and most
+comfortable of its kind I had found in France. My
+weeks under Bonaparte bearing messages to every
+little river big enough to build a boat upon had taught
+me the roads well; all this northern France was like
+an open book to me and I would find no difficulty in
+cutting across from the forest of Chantilly to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span>
+banks of the Seine, if I preferred to follow its windings
+to Le Havre.</p>
+
+<p>So the long shadows of the late afternoon saw us
+riding under the Porte St. Martin; at sunset we were
+passing the hoary Basilique of St. Denis, tomb of the
+kings; through the long twilight we skirted the forest
+of Montmorency; and by moonrise we were entering
+the forest of Chantilly. Not more beautiful by early
+dawn and dew had been this ride, than it was through
+lengthening shadows, and violet glow of sunset, and
+silvery light of moon, the peaches ripening on sunny
+walls, and the odors of mint and sweet-smelling herbs
+rising through the gathering damps of evening, the
+birds singing their vesper songs, and in the deep forest
+glades the lonely nightingale pouring out his soul
+to the moon.</p>
+
+<p>Yet my heart was heavier. On my long ride from
+Antwerp, with the buoyancy of youth, I had passed
+through all the phases from anguished fear to the almost
+certitude of hope, and I had entered Paris feeling
+sure that I would find my father well again when
+I should reach America. I had entered Paris also joyous
+with the thought of seeing mademoiselle once
+more, and with the unconfessed hope that the budget
+I was bearing from the great Bonaparte might be the
+means of bringing me the crowning happiness of my
+life. I was leaving it now with one word ringing in
+my ears as the death-knell to all my hopes&mdash;Farewell!</p>
+
+<p>The hour was still early and my inn but a little
+way off on the western borders of the forest; I would
+make a little detour and see the ch&acirc;teau and park and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span>
+still be not too late for a good supper and a comfortable
+night's rest. I left the "old road" (which
+crossed the forest directly) at the Carrefour de la
+Table, where twelve roads met in an open circular
+space surrounding a great stone table. From there I
+took one leading straight to the Grille d'Honneur.
+We crossed a little bridge that spanned the moat, and
+looking down into its waters, we heard the splash of
+the ancient carp that filled it. Then through the Grille
+d'Honneur and between two stone dogs at the foot of
+the slope that led up to the ruins of the Grande
+Ch&acirc;teau. There I drew rein and looked over the
+beautiful domain.</p>
+
+<p>At my right was the ruined ch&acirc;teau; in front of me
+the ch&acirc;telet, in perfect preservation, apparently floating
+on the bosom of a silvery lake that entirely surrounded
+it. Beyond were the famous stables of the
+Great Cond&eacute;, holding two hundred and sixty horses
+in his lifetime. Beside them was the chapel, and
+everywhere a network of basins and canals gleaming
+white under the flooding moonlight. At my back were
+the gloomy towers of the Ch&acirc;teau d'Enghien, built to
+house the guests of the Cond&eacute;s who overflowed the
+Grande Ch&acirc;teau and the ch&acirc;telet; and beyond was a
+mass of rich foliage belonging to the Park of Sylvie.</p>
+
+<p>As I gazed a thousand thoughts crowded into my
+mind. This was the home of mademoiselle's ancestors;
+it should now be the home of the Duc d'Enghien; perhaps
+when mademoiselle came into her own it would
+be hers. No doubt in these very parks she had played
+in infancy. Generations of grandeur, of princely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span>
+splendor, were behind her. How had I dared to
+dream of her! How had I dared to think she would
+stoop to my lowly rank!</p>
+
+<p>I gave Fatima's bridle to C&aelig;sar and told him to
+wait for me while I walked down the green slope into
+the Park of Sylvie. Enchanting vistas opened before
+me, the moonlight filtering through arched canopies of
+foliage just enough to show me the way. Old tales of
+the Duchesse "Sylvie" and the poet-lover, condemned
+to death, whom she had hidden in this park and its
+little ch&acirc;teau floated through my mind strangely mingled
+with dreams of a later daughter of Montmorency.</p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly I came upon something that for
+a moment I almost believed to be a continuation of my
+dreams. I had turned to my right and a new vista
+had opened before me, closed by the little "Ch&acirc;teau
+of Sylvie." On the wide lawn before it, half hidden
+by the shadow of the ch&acirc;teau, half in the broad moonlight,
+was a strange group: a carriage and what
+seemed to me many horses and many men. I thought
+for a moment I had landed upon a nest of bandits
+such as might easily infest a forest like this, and it
+would behoove me to steal silently back to the horses
+and make good my escape; but I caught a glimpse of
+petticoats: they were not bandits; they must be Gipsies.</p>
+
+<p>Then as I gazed there stepped out into the full
+moonlight a man leading a powerful black horse with
+one white stocking and a white star in his forehead. I
+heard the man call some brief order to some one in the
+shadow, and there was a slight lisp in his voice. In<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span>
+a moment I understood it all, although the man was
+no longer wearing a countryman's coat, but the livery
+of a gentleman's servant. It was Pelagie and her
+party fleeing to Baden and the Duc d'Enghien!</p>
+
+<p>I knew not whether I would be a welcome guest or
+an intruder, but I knew I was not going to miss this
+opportunity of seeing Pelagie once more. I stepped
+out boldly from under the shadows of the trees into
+the moonlight, and in so doing came near losing my
+life. There was the click of a lock and the flash of a
+gun-barrel in the countryman's hands.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't shoot, Monsieur," I cried; "it is a friend."</p>
+
+<p>There was a short, sharp cry, half suppressed, and
+Pelagie came running out of the shadow, both hands
+extended and her face glowing in the moonlight.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it you, Monsieur?" she cried. "How came you
+here?"</p>
+
+<p>I suppose I answered her in some fashion. I know
+I took her hands in mine and looked down into her
+beautiful eyes, but I know not what I said. She was
+wearing the cap and apron and simple gown of a
+lady's waiting-maid, and as she saw me look curiously
+at it she said, with the shrug of her pretty little shoulders
+that I had learned to know so well in St. Louis:</p>
+
+<p>"It is a fright, is it not, Monsieur? But I am no
+longer the Comtesse de Baloit: I am Susanne, the
+maid of Madame du Bois, with whom I am traveling."</p>
+
+<p>Her voice had the happy ring of a child's, as if she
+were glad to be free, even if only for a time, from the
+cares of rank and position; or, perhaps more truly,
+glad to be away from the surveillance of the duchesse,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span>
+happy that she need no longer fear the chevalier and
+the First Consul. I longed to think that a part of the
+gladness was in seeing me once more so unexpectedly;
+but I knew this was only my foolish vanity, and I
+steadied my brain by saying over to myself, "She is a
+princess of Cond&eacute; in her ancestral home; you are only
+the son of a plain American gentleman." So I made
+her such a speech as I would have made to a princess
+of Cond&eacute;.</p>
+
+<p>"If Mademoiselle were not the Comtesse de Baloit
+I could wish she were always Susanne the maid of
+Madame du Bois. 'Tis a bewitching costume."</p>
+
+<p>It was, and she knew it, as I could see by her dancing
+eyes and the smile (that she vainly tried to suppress)
+playing hide-and-seek with the roses in her
+cheek as I spoke. Being a man, I could not name each
+article of her costume; but what I saw was a vision of
+little ringlets escaping from under a coquettish cap,
+dainty ankles that the short blue skirt did not pretend
+to hide, a snowy apron that almost covered the blue
+skirt, and a handkerchief demurely crossed over the
+beautiful shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>She turned quickly, as if to escape my gaze, and
+called to the countryman: "Monsieur le Prince, this is
+the friend of whom I have spoken; I want him to meet
+the Prince de Polignac."</p>
+
+<p>The prince came forward at once; and as we
+grasped each other's hands and looked into each
+other's eyes, I think he knew that he need no longer
+regard me with suspicion, and I knew that here was a
+man to whom I could trust even Pelagie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>We laughed a little over our first meeting, and I
+told him how C&aelig;sar had detected his weapon; and
+then out of the shadows came other figures: Henriette,
+to whom, as her mistress, Madame du Bois, Pelagie
+gaily presented me; a man in the costume of a well-to-do
+bourgeois, whom they called Monsieur du Bois,
+but who, Pelagie whispered to me, was the prince's
+trusted body-servant; and Clotilde, whom I had not
+seen since I had seen her on La Belle Rivi&egrave;re, and who
+wept at the sight of me, a tribute to the memory of
+other days. Last of all there came out of the shadows
+my burly host of last night's inn. He had brought
+over to the little ch&acirc;teau a relay of fresh horses and a
+hamper of supper. All arrangements had been made
+at his inn the night before by the Prince de Polignac
+in the guise of a countryman; for careless Boniface as
+my host had seemed to be, he was devotedly attached
+to his old masters, the Bourbon princes, and could be
+trusted to the death.</p>
+
+<p>It amazed me greatly that they should have accomplished
+this journey in a shorter time than I, and still
+more that they should have succeeded in getting safely,
+out of Paris with so large a party, and I so expressed
+myself to the prince.</p>
+
+<p>"It had been all carefully planned, Monsieur," he
+told me. "My man, 'Monsieur du Bois,' had a traveling-carriage
+waiting at a little house near the Porte
+St. Denis, where an old servitor of the family lives.
+He had passports made out for Madame and Monsieur
+du Bois from New Orleans, traveling with their negro
+servant Clotilde, and with a maid Susanne, and a man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span>
+Fran&ccedil;ois. Mademoiselle la Comtesse arranged to try
+her hunter at three o'clock in the Bois, accompanied
+by her companion, Henriette (who in these few weeks
+has become devotedly attached to the comtesse), and
+by the countryman who had brought her the horse and
+understood him more thoroughly than a groom from
+the stables of the duchesse would have done. At the
+same hour the negro maid of the comtesse strolled out
+into a quiet street at the rear of the h&ocirc;tel, where she
+was met by my man and conducted to the little house
+near the Porte St. Denis. At a little before four we
+had all gathered there; by half-past four the transformation
+had been made and we were leaving the
+house, Madame du Bois and her two maids in the carriage,
+Monsieur du Bois on the comtesse's hunter, I
+on my own horse and leading the one Henriette had
+ridden. We had arranged to meet Pierre here with
+fresh horses and provisions, and spend half an hour
+in changing horses, resting, and supper. Your unexpected
+appearance, Monsieur, has alarmed me. I had
+thought the Park of Sylvie sufficiently secluded to
+insure us secrecy, but if you have found it, others may
+whom we would be less glad to see, and I think I will
+form my little company into marching order at once.
+The comtesse is taking it all as a grand adventure;
+her spirits have risen with every step away from
+Paris: that is the princely blood of Cond&eacute; that loves
+deeds of daring, and I would not say a word to
+dampen her ardor; but we know, Monsieur, it is a
+serious matter, and so, though our half-hour is not
+quite up, I think I will order the advance."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You are quite right, Monsieur le Prince," I replied.
+"My man is waiting for me with our horses in
+the Court d'Honneur; will you permit me to ride a
+little way with you?"</p>
+
+<p>The prince hesitated a moment, and then in his
+courtliest manner he replied to my request:</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure Monsieur will not misunderstand me
+when I say nothing could give us greater pleasure if
+it seemed safe. But Monsieur's size and&mdash;appearance,"
+with a bow and a smile flattering no doubt, but
+discouraging, "have made him well known in France.
+Moreover, Monsieur's friendship for the comtesse
+(which does him honor) is known also, and should a
+pursuing party make inquiries along the road, and
+should our party be described with you in attendance,
+I fear they will be able to identify us at once."</p>
+
+<p>"I understand, Monsieur le Prince," I answered,
+much crestfallen. And then into my slow brain there
+popped another question.</p>
+
+<p>"But will not the negro maid Clotilde betray you
+also?"</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur is very astute," answered the prince.
+"He has touched upon our weak point, and I am going
+to prove my friendly regard for Monsieur by asking
+of him a great service. We could not leave the negress
+behind in Paris: the comtesse would not stir one
+step without her, fearing that she would be very unhappy,
+if not come to want and suffering in a strange
+city. All the way from Paris I have been revolving
+plans in my mind as to how best to separate her from
+our party. I had thought of letting Pierre take charge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span>
+of her, but that would not do; for should she be discovered,
+that would make Pierre 'suspect,' and he
+would be thrown into prison for aiding and abetting
+the flight of the comtesse, and it would be a clue to
+trace us. When I saw you, Monsieur, I said, 'There
+is a way out of our dilemma. If Monsieur will take
+Clotilde back with him to America, we are safe.'"</p>
+
+<p>Joy filled my heart that I was at last to be allowed
+to do something for the comtesse.</p>
+
+<p>"Gladly, Monsieur!" I exclaimed; "and it can be
+very easily arranged. We will strike across country
+to Pontoise and the forest of St. Germain, and head
+off my boatman. He was to tie up for the night at a
+little village near Marly-le-Roi. I will find him there
+and put Clotilde in his wife's care. His wife accompanies
+him, for the voyage and to cook his meals."</p>
+
+<p>The prince's gratitude seemed to me incommensurate
+with so small a service, and so I told him. And
+then another difficulty suggested itself to me.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur le Prince," I said, "I recognized you
+from the hunter of Mademoiselle la Comtesse; will not
+perhaps others also?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have thought of this, Monsieur," he said; "but
+it seemed even more difficult to arrange than the other.
+It is necessary that the comtesse should have a swift
+and powerful horse, for if we are pursued, she and
+I will take to our horses and leave the others to shift
+for themselves. I had thought of asking Pierre to try
+to find another as good as this (though for speed and
+endurance I do not believe he has his equal in France),
+but even then I should not know what to do with this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span>
+one. I could not give him to Pierre: that again would
+bring him under suspicion. I should have to shoot
+and bury him. However, it is too late now to make
+the change; we will even have to take the risk."</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," I said slowly, for willingly as I would
+make any sacrifice for mademoiselle, even to my life
+I could not lightly do that which I was about to do&mdash;"Monsieur,
+I have a horse who for speed and endurance
+has hardly her equal in the whole world. She
+knows Mademoiselle la Comtesse well and will do her
+bidding as she does mine. I will change horses with
+you. The comtesse shall have my chestnut mare and
+I will take her black beauty."</p>
+
+<p>The prince did not know that this was a far greater
+sacrifice on my part than taking charge of Clotilde
+had been, yet he knew a man loves his own mare well,
+and in so far he appreciated the service and thanked
+me for it.</p>
+
+<p>But the matter of separating Clotilde from her mistress
+had to be broached to mademoiselle, and the
+prince begged me to undertake the difficult task. All
+the time while the prince, and I had been holding our
+conversation together aside from the others, she had
+been exploring the purlieus of the little ch&acirc;teau with
+frequent exclamations of delight, not one of which
+fell unheeded on my ears, although I was deep in consultation.
+Now she came running up to me joyously.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur, Monsieur," she exclaimed, "I have
+found the little arbor where I used to take my dolls
+and play at housekeeping! Ah, how well I remember
+it! How often I have thought of it! And how little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span>
+I ever expected to see it again!" and her eyes were as
+bright and as soft as the waters of the little lake
+stretching from our feet to the Grille d'Honneur and
+shining in the misty moonlight. I knew how quickly
+those eyes could change from dewy softness to lightning
+flashes, and it is not to be wondered at that I
+plunged into my subject with nervous haste.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said (and I thought the prince
+liked not the lack of formality in my address), "the
+Prince de Polignac has assigned to me an unpleasant
+duty; it is to tell you that we find it necessary for
+your safety to take away Clotilde."</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps I was too abrupt; at any rate, much as I
+had expected a tempest I was not prepared for the tornado
+that ensued.</p>
+
+<p>"Take away my Clotilde!" she interrupted.
+"Never! never! never!" And then there followed
+a torrent of tears mingled with reproaches as she
+threw herself upon Clotilde's breast&mdash;the breast she
+had wept upon since she was a babe of six. But Clotilde's
+cries were stormier than her mistress's: she literally
+lifted up her voice and wept. The prince was
+the picture of distress and dismay: there was danger
+that the sound of weeping might penetrate to unfriendly
+ears. Mademoiselle in tears was ever more
+formidable to me than an army with banners, but
+there was no help for it; I took my courage in my
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle la Comtesse," I said sternly, "you
+are causing the Prince de Polignac great distress.
+You are in danger any moment of betraying his retreat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span>
+to an enemy, and if he is captured, his life is forfeit,
+as you know."</p>
+
+<p>I spoke thus to arouse her from a contemplation of
+her own woes to his danger, for well I knew her generous
+soul would respond at once to such a plea, and
+I was not mistaken. Her sobs ceased instantly and
+she stilled Clotilde with a word; then she turned and
+looked at me quietly while I went on with what I had
+to say:</p>
+
+<p>"It is to anticipate the danger of such discovery
+that we remove Clotilde, who, being almost the only
+negress in France, would betray your identity at once.
+I will take her with me to America, and from Philadelphia
+I will send her under safe escort to Dr. Saugrain
+in St. Louis, and when you are safely established
+in your own home you can send for her again."</p>
+
+<p>I think the thought of seeing St. Louis once more
+half consoled Clotilde for the parting, though she was
+a faithful creature and loved her mistress, and would
+have followed her to the ends of the earth. I know it
+helped to console Pelagie, for it was the thought of
+leaving Clotilde alone and unprotected in a foreign
+country that disturbed her most.</p>
+
+<p>But all this had taken much time, and the half-hour
+the prince had allowed for rest was more than up.
+They had had their supper, the carriage-horses had
+been changed, the saddle-horses had been fed and
+watered, and the prince was in feverish haste to be
+off. I ran swiftly to the Court d'Honneur, where I
+had left C&aelig;sar, and found him wondering anxiously
+what had kept me so long. He had fed and watered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span>
+both horses and was now letting them crop a little of
+the luxuriant grass at their feet. I did not stop for
+explanations, but bidding him follow me with his
+horse, I led Fatima by a shorter and more direct route
+straight from the Grille d'Honneur to the little ch&acirc;teau.
+I found the carriage with "Monsieur and
+Madame du Bois"; the coachman and outriders had
+already started. Pierre had set out a luncheon on the
+little stone table for C&aelig;sar and me (for since we were
+not to go to his inn there was no prospect for supper
+for us), and was getting the two carriage-horses ready
+to take them back with him. Clotilde was silently
+weeping and Pelagie was trying to comfort her. I
+led Fatima straight to Pelagie.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said, "the Prince de Polignac
+permits me to give you a farewell present. Will you
+take Fatima and keep her for me? She will bear you
+to your destination, I believe, more safely and more
+surely than any horse in the world."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Monsieur, Monsieur!" she said, and then
+could say nothing more, her little chin quivering piteously.
+I could not bear to see it. I had motioned to
+C&aelig;sar to put on Fatima the side-saddle lying on the
+grass, and now I said,</p>
+
+<p>"Let me put you on her back," and bent to lift
+her; but she drew back.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, no, Monsieur!" she cried. "I know why
+you do it, and I know what a sacrifice it is to you. I
+cannot let you give up Fatima!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then you are depriving me of a great happiness,"
+I softly answered. "I had hoped you would take her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span>
+and keep her and love her. It would be a great comfort
+to me in distant America to think of you as being
+kind to her sometimes for the sake of old St. Louis
+memories."</p>
+
+<p>I looked steadily into her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, may I put you on her back?"</p>
+
+<p>She bowed her head, and I lifted her to her seat, put
+her foot in the stirrup and the bridle in her hand.
+Then I threw my arm over Fatima's neck.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-by, Sweetheart," I whispered, "take good
+care of your mistress," and kissed her on the white
+star on her forehead. Still with my arm over her neck
+I reached up my hand to mademoiselle.</p>
+
+<p>She put her hand in mine, and I kissed it as I had
+kissed it when she chose me her king; then I lifted my
+eyes and looked straight into hers.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-by, Mademoiselle, and au revoir," I said,
+and dropped her hand.</p>
+
+<p>She could not answer for the same piteous quivering
+of the chin, but her lips formed "Au revoir"; and
+then she turned Fatima and rode slowly under the
+leafy arch that led through a long tunnel of foliage,
+due east.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," said the prince, and I started; for a
+moment I had forgotten his existence.</p>
+
+<p>He had withdrawn courteously while I was making
+my adieus with mademoiselle, busying himself with
+little preparations for departure. Now he had
+mounted and drawn his horse to my side.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur, you have taught me to honor and admire
+all American gentlemen. If there is any service<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span>
+I can ever do you, I hope you will give me the opportunity
+of showing you how much I appreciate the
+great service you have done us this night."</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur le Prince," I answered quickly, too
+eager with my own thoughts to thank him for his kind
+words, "there is one kindness you can show me that
+will more than repay me for anything I have ever
+done or ever could do. Write me of mademoiselle's
+safe arrival when you reach Baden. I will give you
+my address," and I tore a leaf from my memorandum-book,
+wrote my address upon it, and thrust it into his
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a small commission, Monsieur," he answered,
+"but I will be most happy to execute it."</p>
+
+<p>He grasped my hand, said "Au revoir," and cantered
+quickly away after mademoiselle.</p>
+
+<p>I watched them riding side by side under the leafy
+dome until their figures were lost in the darkness,
+mademoiselle still with bent head, and he with his face
+turned courteously away as if not to seem to see
+should she be softly crying. And if there was for a
+moment in my heart a jealous envy that he should
+ride by mademoiselle's side and I be left behind, I put
+it quickly away, for I knew him to be a noble and courteous
+gentleman, and one to whose honor I could trust
+the dearest thing in life.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2>
+
+<h3>EXIT LE CHEVALIER</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"The King of France with forty thousand men,<br />
+Went up a hill, and so came down agen."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>Clothilde, C&aelig;sar, and I had ridden late into the
+night before we had reached the little village on
+the Seine where my boatman, Gustave, was to tie up.
+But it was moonlight and we rode through a beautiful
+country dotted with royal ch&acirc;teaus,&mdash;the birthplaces
+of illustrious kings,&mdash;and I had my thoughts, and Clotilde
+and C&aelig;sar had each other: for C&aelig;sar was the
+first of her kind Clotilde had seen since coming to
+France, and much as she might enjoy the attentions
+of footmen in gorgeous liveries, after all they were
+only "white trash," and she loved best her own color.
+Clotilde was rapidly becoming consoled; and though
+she only spoke creole French, and C&aelig;sar only English,
+save for the few words he had picked up since
+coming to Paris, they seemed to make themselves very
+well understood.</p>
+
+<p>So the ride had not been so tedious as it might have
+been. And when we had found Gustave's boat tied to
+the bank and had routed up him and his wife, and delivered
+Clotilde into their care (and their admiration<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span>
+and awe of the black lady was wonderful to see), and
+C&aelig;sar and I had hunted up a fairly comfortable inn
+and had two or three hours of sleep, we were all quite
+ready to start on again.</p>
+
+<p>Feeling that Clotilde was a sacred trust, I was anxious
+both for her safety and for her welfare, and thus
+it was that the early morning found me following the
+windings of the Seine by a little bridle-path on its
+banks, hardly twenty feet from Gustave's boat dropping
+down with the tide. Gustave's wife was in the
+forward part of the boat, preparing breakfast for the
+three, and the savory odor of her bacon and coffee was
+borne by the breeze straight to my nostrils on the high
+bank above her. Gustave himself was in the stern of
+the boat, lazily managing the steering-oar and waiting
+for his breakfast, and incidentally grinning from
+ear to ear at C&aelig;sar, riding a pace behind me and casting
+longing glances at the thatched roof of the little
+boat's cabin, whence issued in rich negro tones the creole
+love-song Yorke had sung to Clotilde on the Ohio
+boat:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Every springtime<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">All the lovers<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Change their sweethearts;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Let change who will,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">I keep mine."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>I had straitly charged Clotilde that she must keep
+herself closely concealed within the cabin, but I had
+said nothing to her about also keeping quiet. Now I
+was idly thinking that perhaps I had better give her
+instructions upon that point also, when down the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span>
+stony road some three feet higher than the bridle-path,
+and separated from it by a bank of turf, came
+the thunder of hoofs. I glanced up quickly. A little
+party of horsemen, five or six in number, were dashing
+down the road toward us, and in the lead was the
+Chevalier Le Moyne! At sight of us they drew rein,
+and the chevalier, looking down on me (for the first
+time in his life), brought his hat to his saddle-bow
+with a flourish.</p>
+
+<p>"Good morning, Monsieur. I hear you are off for
+America."</p>
+
+<p>"Good morning," I answered coolly, merely touching
+my own hat. "You have heard correctly"; and
+I wished with all my heart that I had had time to tell
+Clotilde to keep still, for up from the boat below,
+louder and clearer than ever, it seemed to me, came
+the refrain of her foolish song:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Tous les printemps,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Tous les amants<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Changent de ma&icirc;tresses;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Qu'ils changent qui voudront,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Pour moi, je garde la mienne."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The chevalier was listening pointedly.</p>
+
+<p>"An old song, Monsieur, that I have often heard in
+St. Louis. And the voice, too, I think is familiar. It
+is the black maid of the Comtesse de Baloit, is it not?
+Perhaps her mistress is with her; if so, our quest is at
+an end."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean, Monsieur le Chevalier!" I exclaimed,
+affecting virtuous indignation, and feeling
+a little of it, too, for I liked not the chevalier's manner.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You have heard, I suppose," he answered, with a
+light sneer, "that the comtesse has disappeared from
+Paris. At almost the same moment it was announced
+that monsieur had started for America, and some of
+the comtesse's friends thought it not impossible that
+they had gone together. From the warbling of that
+nightingale yonder I judge they were not far wrong."</p>
+
+<p>Not until this moment had it occurred to me that
+any one would connect the flight of the comtesse with
+my departure, and I hardly knew whether I was more
+ragingly angry at the thought or secretly glad. There
+was no question as to my state of mind toward the
+chevalier. That he should speak in such a light and
+sneering tone of any lady, but most of all that he
+should so speak of the loveliest lady on earth, was not
+to be borne. Yet I was glad, for some reasons, that
+such a mistaken surmise had arisen: it would throw
+pursuit off the track until Pelagie was well on her
+way to the German frontier, and the truth would come
+out later and my lady not suffer in her reputation
+(which indeed I could not have endured).</p>
+
+<p>So instead of giving free vent to the anger that
+raged in my heart, as I longed to do, I thought it wise
+to dally with the chevalier and keep him as long as
+possible on the wrong scent, for every moment of delay
+to the chevalier was setting mademoiselle farther
+on her way.</p>
+
+<p>"Your news, Monsieur," I said, "is most astonishing,
+but your insinuations also most insulting to a
+lady whose honor and reputation shall ever be my
+dearest care."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Now the chevalier was five to one (for I could not
+count upon C&aelig;sar for fighting, as I might have
+counted upon Yorke). I do not say that that fact
+made the chevalier more bold or less careful in his
+manner, but I certainly think that had we been man
+to man he would not have answered as he did.</p>
+
+<p>"Your virtuous indignation is pretty to see, Monsieur,"
+he answered; "but I have the warrant of the
+republic to search whatever domains I may suspect of
+harboring the comtesse, and I think I will use my
+rights on yonder boat, where I see the face of her maid
+at the window."</p>
+
+<p>I glanced quickly at the boat. Sure enough, in the
+little square of glass that formed the window of the
+cabin was framed Clotilde's black face. And her nose
+(already broad enough) being flattened against the
+glass, and her eyes rolling wildly with curiosity and
+fear as she gazed at the party of armed horsemen on
+the bank, she made a ludicrous picture indeed. I
+would have liked to laugh heartily but that it was my
+r&ocirc;le to display chagrin and anxiety rather than a careless
+levity.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," I said seriously, "you are quite right:
+that is Clotilde, the maid of Mademoiselle la Comtesse.
+I was requested last evening to take her back to America
+and return her to her friends in St. Louis. It
+will always be my greatest pleasure to render the comtesse
+any service within my power, and I did not
+stop to question why she wished to get rid of her
+maid."</p>
+
+<p>"Your explanation is most plausible, Monsieur,"&mdash;the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span>
+chevalier's tone was intentionally insulting, and,
+but that I had mademoiselle's interests more at heart
+than my own sensitive self-esteem, would have been
+hard to brook,&mdash;"but since I hold a warrant of search,
+if Monsieur permits, I will do myself the honor of
+visiting his boat."</p>
+
+<p>Now I cared not at all whether the chevalier visited
+the boat or not, knowing well he would not find the
+comtesse there. My only anxiety was to temporize as
+long as possible and keep him still suspicious of my
+complicity with mademoiselle's flight, that she might
+profit by his delay in discovering the true scent. So
+I answered sternly:</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur, that boat is for the time being United
+States territory. You step upon its planks without
+my consent at your peril. I will at once report the
+matter to our minister at Paris, Mr. Livingston, and if
+a war between the United States and France is the result,
+you will have to give an account to the First Consul
+of your acts which caused that war."</p>
+
+<p>I was not enough of a diplomat to know whether I
+was speaking within my rights or not, but I trusted
+to the chevalier being no better informed than I, and
+at the best I was but speaking against time. The
+effect of my speech was all that I could have desired.
+The chevalier looked immediately crestfallen, and
+turned to consult with his comrades. For full five
+minutes (I could have wished it ten times five) they
+carried on a conference that at times appeared to be
+heated, though always low-toned. Then the chevalier
+turned to me again, and his manner was no longer <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</a></span>insulting,
+but of such respect as is due one gentleman
+from another.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," he said, "perhaps I have no right to
+<i>demand</i> that I be allowed to search a boat belonging
+to an American gentleman, but if Monsieur will permit
+me to do so he will oblige me greatly, and it will
+be the means of clearing him at once of suspicions that
+may have unjustly accrued to him."</p>
+
+<p>There was no wisdom in delaying longer.</p>
+
+<p>"Since Monsieur puts it in that way," I said, "I
+can have no object in refusing his request. I shall
+have to ask you, however, that you wait a few minutes
+until I step aboard and warn Gustave and his wife of
+the purpose of your visit, lest they be unnecessarily
+alarmed."</p>
+
+<p>The chevalier showed that he liked not the last part
+of my speech. He no doubt thought that my purpose
+in going aboard first was to find a secure hiding-place
+for the comtesse. However, he had no alternative but
+to acquiesce. My real purpose was to warn Gustave
+and his wife that on no account were they to betray
+at what hour or where Clotilde had come aboard. She
+was to have come aboard at Paris at four o'clock the
+day before; and they, having no inkling of the true
+state of the case, but suspecting, I believe, some intrigue
+between the "dark lady" and her lovers, sympathetically
+promised implicit obedience. With Clotilde
+I was even more strenuous. Her story must
+agree with Gustave's: she had boarded the boat in
+Paris at four of the afternoon; but especially was she
+to know nothing of her mistress's plans&mdash;why or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</a></span>
+where she had gone. With her I appealed to her love
+for her mistress, and warned her that the comtesse's
+liberty, possibly her life, might depend upon her discretion.
+With the others a promise of liberal rewards
+if they proved true, and dire threats should they betray
+me, I believed secured their fidelity.</p>
+
+<p>I had had Gustave tie the boat to the bank before
+boarding it myself; I now invited the chevalier and
+his friends to come aboard. Leaving two of their
+comrades to hold their horses, the three others climbed
+down the bank and hastened to comply with my invitation.
+As they did so I saw C&aelig;sar dismount, tie his
+own horse and mine securely to two saplings, and
+clamber up the bank beside the horsemen. I thought
+his motive was probably to take advantage of this opportunity
+to stretch his legs, and perhaps also to indulge
+his curiosity with a nearer view of the French
+gentlemen, and I saw no reason to interfere&mdash;especially
+as the two gentlemen, young blades whom I
+knew by sight, not only offered no objections, but began
+at once to amuse themselves with his clownish
+manners and outlandish speech.</p>
+
+<p>Of course the chevalier's quest was futile, as also
+was his examination of his three witnesses. They all
+stuck to their text,&mdash;the embarkation of Clotilde at
+four o'clock on the afternoon previous in Paris,&mdash;and
+Clotilde was as stupid as heart could desire, professing
+absolute ignorance of her mistress's plans, and
+knowing only that she herself was being sent home to
+America because she was homesick; and with a negress's
+love of gratuitous insult when she thinks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</a></span>
+she is safe in offering it, she added in her creole dialect:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"De Lord knows, I's sick o' white trash anyhow.
+I's mighty glad to be gittin' back to a country ob
+ladies and gen'lemen."</p></div>
+
+<p>The chevalier's two companions laughed, but the
+chevalier looked perplexed.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," he said, with an air of exaggerated
+deference, "I have discovered nothing on your boat,
+either by search or by examination of the witnesses,
+that can implicate you in any way with the flight of
+the Comtesse de Baloit. But will you permit me to
+ask you one important question? How does it happen
+that you are not riding Fatima, and that you are riding
+the horse which answers exactly to the description
+of the one the comtesse was riding when she disappeared?"
+and the chevalier could not quite keep the
+tone of triumph out of his voice as he propounded his
+question. I had been expecting it, and I was prepared
+for it. I should have been much disappointed if he
+had not asked it.</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur," I answered, "Fatima met with a serious
+accident just after leaving Paris. I was obliged
+to leave her in the hands of a veterinary surgeon on
+the outskirts of St. Denis, who has also a small farm
+connected with his establishment for the care of sick
+horses. He promised me to take the best of care of
+her and to return her to me in America as soon as she
+was sufficiently recovered. I bought this horse from
+a dealer to whom the surgeon directed me. I cannot
+say whether it resembles the horse on which the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</a></span>Comtesse
+de Baloit left Paris; I did not see the comtesse
+when she left Paris."</p>
+
+<p>Which was the only truth in my statement; but I
+did not for a moment consider that I had told a lie,
+but only that I had employed a ruse, perfectly permissible
+in war, to throw the enemy off the track. He
+snatched at the bait.</p>
+
+<p>"Will Monsieur give me the address of that horse-dealer?"</p>
+
+<p>"With pleasure, as nearly as I am able," and thereupon
+I described minutely a place in St. Denis that
+never existed. But St. Denis was only four miles this
+side of Paris, and should the chevalier go all the way
+back to find out from the mythical horse-dealer where
+he had procured my horse, much valuable time would
+be lost and mademoiselle would, I hoped, be beyond
+all risk of being overtaken.</p>
+
+<p>By one little artifice and another we had already
+managed to delay them for a good three quarters of
+an hour, and now, by an apparently happy accident,
+as long a delay again was promised. A great noise of
+shouting and trampling of horses' hoofs arose on the
+bank above us.</p>
+
+<p>We looked up and saw the five horses plunging
+frantically, with the two Frenchmen uttering excited
+cries as they tried to hold them, and C&aelig;sar doing
+his share in trying to hold the horses and more than
+his share in making a noise. As we looked, one of the
+horses broke away and started up the road toward
+Paris. The two Frenchmen dashed wildly in pursuit,
+each man leading a horse with him, and C&aelig;sar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</a></span>
+running on behind gesticulating madly, and bellowing
+at the top of his lungs.</p>
+
+<p>I had taken advantage of the excitement of the fracas
+to slip from the post the rope that held us to the
+bank. We glided gently away down the river, with
+no one (unless it might have been Gustave, but he said
+nothing) noticing that we were moving until we were
+many yards below our mooring-place. The anger of
+the chevalier and his friends when they discovered it
+knew no bounds. Gustave was full of apologies for
+his carelessness, as he called it; I was dignified.</p>
+
+<p>"Gustave," I said severely, "make a mooring as
+quickly as possible, that Monsieur le Chevalier and his
+friends may rejoin their horses."</p>
+
+<p>Gustave made all haste apparently, but without
+doubt he fumbled, and we were some two or three
+hundred yards farther down the river before we were
+finally tied to the bank.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-by, Messieurs," I said politely as the three
+hastened to leap ashore. "I trust you will have no
+difficulty in recovering your horses."</p>
+
+<p>They stayed not upon the order of their going, as
+Mr. Shakspere says, but scrambled up the bank and
+on to the hot and stony road, and the sun, now well
+up in the sky, beating strongly on their backs, they
+started at a round pace toward Paris, their horses
+by this time out of sight around a distant bend in the
+road.</p>
+
+<p>C&aelig;sar had given up the pursuit and returned to
+where he had tied our horses. I signaled to him to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</a></span>
+bring them down the river, and mounting his and
+leading mine, he was soon at our mooring-place.</p>
+
+<p>Riding down the soft turf of the shady bridle-path
+a few minutes later, I heard C&aelig;sar chuckling behind
+me. I turned in my saddle:</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, C&aelig;sar?"</p>
+
+<p>"I done it, Marsa!"</p>
+
+<p>"Did what, C&aelig;sar?"</p>
+
+<p>"Done mek dat hoss run away. I put a burr un'er
+his girth. Den when he plunged I cotched de bridle
+and let him loose. He, he, he! Hi, hi, hi!" and C&aelig;sar
+rolled in his saddle in convulsions of mirth, while the
+shore echoed to his guffaws.</p>
+
+<p>I looked at him in astonishment for a moment.
+Then he had planned it all: tying the two horses,
+clambering up to the road, making himself the jest of
+the two Frenchmen, and all the time the burr concealed
+in his hand, no doubt, waiting his chance.</p>
+
+<p>"C&aelig;sar, you are a general!" I said. "Yorke could
+not have done better." And then, his mirth being
+contagious, I threw back my head and laughed as long
+and as loud as he.</p>
+
+<p>I turned in my saddle once more and looked up the
+road. Through the hot sun plodded the three figures:
+the chevalier with bent head and, I doubted not, with
+gnashing teeth. I waved my hand toward him and
+called, though he could neither see nor hear:</p>
+
+<p>"Good-by, Chevalier Le Moyne; this cancels a few
+debts!"</p>
+
+<p>I have never seen him since.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX</h2>
+
+<h3>UNDER THE OLD FLAG</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"And many an eye has danced to see<br />
+That banner in the sky."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>It was in the early days of March, some eight
+months later, that the big barge in which I had
+come down the Ohio, and thus far on the Mississippi,
+put me ashore at New Madrid with my saddle-bags
+and my horse Bourbon Prince; for so I had promptly
+named the black beauty for whom I had exchanged
+my chestnut mare. He could never quite take the
+place of Fatima in my affections, but I had grown
+very fond of him: partly for his virtues, for he was
+a thoroughbred of famous lineage, and partly, I have
+no doubt, because he had once belonged to mademoiselle.</p>
+
+<p>Of mademoiselle I had not heard for many months.
+I had arrived at home in the late summer, to find my
+father a physical and almost a mental wreck from
+the stroke of paralysis that had laid him low nearly
+three months before. Yet I had never loved my
+strong, stern father in the prime of manhood, managing
+great business enterprises, occupying places of
+honor and responsibility in the State, as I loved this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</a></span>
+feeble and broken old man with the face and the
+manner of a little child. As the weeks went on and
+he gradually grew able to move about, it was my
+pride and my joy to walk slowly down Chestnut
+Street, my father leaning heavily on my arm, and
+looking up into my face to comment with childish delight
+upon whatever pleased him in the streets.</p>
+
+<p>I had had to assume, to the best of my ability, his
+heavy business responsibilities, and the charge of his
+great properties, and but that my mother was herself
+a fine business woman and thoroughly informed on
+my father's affairs I might have made shipwreck of
+it all. It was not the life I had chosen for myself,
+but it lay so directly in the path of duty there was no
+escaping it, and it kept every moment so fully occupied
+there was no time left for brooding over private
+troubles.</p>
+
+<p>I had received a letter from the Prince de Polignac
+about two weeks after my return home, telling
+me of the safe arrival in Baden of the Comtesse de
+Baloit. It was a very courteous letter, thanking me
+once more for the great services I had rendered them
+on that eventful night in the Chantilly parks, and
+inclosing a pleasant message of acknowledgment from
+the Duc d'Enghien for the kindness shown his cousin
+the countess. Mademoiselle had added a line in her
+own writing:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"Fatima is well, and I love her for the sake of dear
+old St. Louis.</p></div>
+
+<p class="author">
+Pelagie."<br />
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</a></span></p>
+<p>To most people that might seem a very common-place
+little message; to me those sixteen words were
+the most wonderful ever written. I twisted and
+turned them until each one became a volume of tender
+sentiments, and the little signature "Pelagie"
+almost too sacred to be looked at, and only to be kissed,
+shut up in my own room in the dark, or with none but
+the moon to see.</p>
+
+<p>I had replied to the prince's letter immediately,
+sending a courteous message to the duke and a special
+one to Pelagie about Clotilde, whom I had sent under
+safe escort to St. Louis. But although I had
+intimated to the prince that it would give me very
+great pleasure to hear occasionally of the welfare
+of the countess, I never heard from any of them
+again.</p>
+
+<p>This, of course, was an especial grief to me on Pelagie's
+account, but also it touched me a little that
+the prince should so soon have forgotten me and what
+he was pleased to term my "great services" to him,
+for I had been strongly attracted to him by his noble
+bearing and chivalrous protection of mademoiselle.
+Often, in thinking of them,&mdash;he a noble young prince
+of great manly beauty and endowed by nature with
+all charming and lovable qualities; she the most exquisite
+of womankind,&mdash;I thought it would be strange
+indeed if in the intimate companionship of that
+long ride together they had not become so deeply interested
+in each other as to forget the existence of a
+young American gentleman three thousand miles
+away.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>When in the winter there came news of the Cadoudal
+plots against the life of Napoleon, in which
+the young Prince de Polignac and his older brother
+the duke were involved; that both brothers had been
+arrested, tried, and condemned to death; and, later,
+that Napoleon had granted them a free pardon, I
+could easily believe that other interests than love and
+marriage had so absorbed the prince as to make him
+forgetful of a distant acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>On the heels of this appalling news, which shook
+the world and which yet left me glad and grateful
+that the chivalrous young prince had been saved from
+the ignominious death of an assassin, there came a
+letter to me from Captain Clarke, written in St.
+Louis, inviting me to join the expedition of discovery
+and exploration which Mr. Meriwether Lewis and he
+were to conduct up the Missouri River and across the
+mountains.</p>
+
+<p>Few duties have come to me in life more difficult to
+perform than the writing of that letter declining the
+invitation. It was the life I longed for, to be had for
+the taking, and an expedition of such kind under the
+leadership of two men like my captain, whom I still
+adored, and Mr. Meriwether Lewis, whom I greatly
+admired, was the strongest temptation that could be
+presented to me.</p>
+
+<p>But I knew well it was not for me. It would, no
+doubt, be a year or two in the accomplishing, with
+many hazards to life and limb, and I was now the
+virtual head of the family, with mother and sisters
+and invalid father all looking to me for protection<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</a></span>
+and guidance and comfort. No, it was not to be
+thought of.</p>
+
+<p>Without consulting any one I sent my answer, but
+I suppose my face was an open book to my dear mother,
+and in some moment of abstraction I had forgotten
+to be cheerful and so betrayed that something
+was troubling me. At any rate, she came to my
+room one night, and there, in the way that mothers
+have, she beguiled my secret from me. She agreed
+with me that it would never do in my father's state
+of health to join such an expedition, but she was
+greatly distressed for what she called my disappointment,
+though I tried to assure her it was not enough
+to think about.</p>
+
+<p>Now mothers have a way of finding a salve for
+every hurt. I suppose it is a talent God has given
+them, that this world may be a pleasanter place for
+living in, and that the rugged path we have to tread
+through it may be smoother and pleasanter to our feet.
+(Though I hope no one will think because I have said
+this that I am one of those long-faced people who
+think this world a vale of woes to be traversed as
+quickly as possible, looking neither to the right nor
+to the left, lest they see something to please their eyes.
+I have ever found it a pleasant world, and my path
+through it of exceeding interest, with some sorrows
+and many difficulties to test one's mettle and add to
+the zest of living; but also with many wonderful and
+beautiful things lying all along the path, that God
+has placed there that one may stop and enjoy them
+and rest by the wayside.)<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Now the salve my mother found for this hurt was
+one to my especial liking.</p>
+
+<p>"Though you could not be gone from home two or
+three years, my son," she said, "a matter of two or
+three months could make no great difference to any
+one; why not go out to St. Louis, see your friends
+there, and help the expedition get under way?"</p>
+
+<p>My heart gave a great leap. "And get news of
+mademoiselle from Dr. Saugrain," I said to myself;
+but then I hesitated. Would my father miss me too
+sadly? for he had seemed to lean upon me much for
+comfort and companionship. When I expressed my
+fears to my mother, she hesitated also, but we both
+finally agreed we would leave it to her to broach the
+matter to my father, and if it seemed to distress him
+too greatly, we would say nothing more about it.</p>
+
+<p>To my surprise, he was almost more eager for it
+than my mother. It need not have surprised me, for
+even in the old days my father, though stern, had
+never been selfish, and now all the unselfishness of his
+nature had seemed to grow strong with his feebleness.</p>
+
+<p>Thus it was that I stood once more on the shores
+of the Great River. Had my impatience permitted
+me to wait a little longer at Pittsburg, I might have
+found a boat going all the way to St. Louis, but I
+had rather take the ride of nearly a hundred and
+fifty miles on Bourbon (for so I had shortened his
+name) than to spend a day in idle waiting. A barge
+going to New Orleans (New Orleans had been under
+our flag since the twentieth of December, and the
+river was teeming with craft bearing our merchandise<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[Pg 432]</a></span>
+to the once prohibited market) took me on board
+and put me ashore at New Madrid in the early morning,
+and I lost not a moment's time in getting started
+on my northward way.</p>
+
+<p>The spring was early that year, and in the warm
+and sheltered valley, lying open to the south, where
+New Madrid nestles, the orchards were already a pink
+and white glory, and in the forest glades the wild
+azaleas and the dogwood were just ready to burst into
+bloom. Riding under leafy archways of tall trees
+garlanded with wild vines, or through natural meadows
+dotted with clumps of shrubbery, as if set out by
+the hand of man for a park, where the turf was like
+velvet under Bourbon's feet; crossing little streams
+that a sudden rush of headwater from the hills
+had swollen to dangerous torrents, or other streams
+that backwater from the Great River had converted
+into inland lakes; the air sweet with the fragrance
+of the wild crab and blossoming grape; wood-thrush
+and oriole, meadow-lark and cardinal-bird,
+making the woods ring with their melodies&mdash;this ride
+through Upper Louisiana in the early springtime
+was one long joy to eye and ear and nostril. Farther
+north the spring was less advanced, only little leaves
+on the trees, and for flowers a carpet, sometimes extending
+for miles, of creamy-white spring-beauties,
+streaked with rosy pink, laid down for Bourbon's
+feet to tread upon; and for birds the modest
+song-sparrow and bluebird, earliest harbingers of
+spring.</p>
+
+<p>I stayed the first night in Cape Girardeau (and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[Pg 433]</a></span>
+thought of the chevalier in hiding for weeks among
+the Osages near by); the second night I spent with the
+Vall&eacute;s in Ste. Genevieve. I had known young Fran&ccedil;ois
+Vall&eacute; in St. Louis the winter before, and meeting
+me on the street as I rode into town, he carried me off
+at once to his father's house with true Louisiana hospitality&mdash;a
+hospitality that welcomed the coming
+but did not speed the parting guest. I found it hard
+work to get away the next morning, with such
+friendly insistence did they urge me to remain for a
+visit, seeming to feel also that I was putting a slight
+upon their quaint old town&mdash;the oldest in Upper
+Louisiana&mdash;by so short a stay.</p>
+
+<p>But I was impatient to be on my way, and my impatience
+grew as I neared St. Louis. A long day's
+ride brought me toward evening to the banks of the
+Maramec, full to the brim of its high banks with backwater
+from the Mississippi. I thought, at first, I
+would have to swim it, but, fortunately, I spied a
+horn hanging from the limb of a sycamore above my
+head, and I knew enough of the ways of this frontier
+country to know that a horn by a river-bank meant a
+ferry. So I blew it lustily, and in five minutes there
+appeared from under the overhanging trees of the
+opposite bank a flatboat, paddled by an old man,
+who not only ferried Bourbon and me safely across
+dry-shod, but persuaded me to spend the night with
+him in his little cabin; for the night was coming
+on cloudy and dark, and there were still nearly twenty
+miles to ride, and swollen streams to cross that might
+mean trouble in the dark. He had not the great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[Pg 434]</a></span>
+house of the Vall&eacute;s, with troops of slaves to wait on
+us and an abundance of frontier luxuries (for Mr.
+Fran&ccedil;ois Vall&eacute;, Sr., was the richest man in all that
+country) but his hospitality was as genuine. For
+the ferriage he took money, since that was his business;
+for the night's lodging and supper and breakfast
+he would have none of it. True, my bed was only
+a bearskin on the hard floor, and my supper and
+breakfast were the same,&mdash;a slice of bacon and a bowl
+of hominy,&mdash;but such as he had he gave me of his best.</p>
+
+<p>In the early dawn I had a plunge in the Maramec
+for bath (and its waters had the icy tang of the
+melting snows on the distant mountains), and then
+I made a careful toilet, for in a few hours I would
+see my old friends in St. Louis, and, at thought of the
+merry glances from bright eyes I would soon be
+meeting, my heart sank within me that Pelagie's
+would not be among them.</p>
+
+<p>As I neared St. Louis, every step of the way was
+full of reminders of her. Crossing La Petite Rivi&egrave;re,
+I thought of the day of the picnic on Chouteau's
+Pond, and involuntarily I listened for the call of the
+whippoorwill. But instead there was the happy song
+of the spring birds filling the woods that crested the
+banks, and my heart grew lighter in response to
+their joyous melodies.</p>
+
+<p>I entered the town by the lower entrance, leading
+through the stockade on to the Rue Royale, for I was
+of a mind to ride through the streets of the town and
+see whom I should chance to meet before presenting
+myself at Dr. Saugrain's.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[Pg 435]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I had advanced no great distance when I saw coming
+to meet me a splendid procession: young men and
+maidens, parents and children, the whole population
+of the town, I should think, in gala array, and singing
+as they came.</p>
+
+<p>I was overwhelmed at the prospect of such honor
+accorded me, and greatly touched, too, that my old
+friends should welcome me back so gladly, but I was in
+a quandary what to do: whether it would be more dignified
+to stay Bourbon in the middle of the road and
+await their approach, or whether to advance to meet
+them.</p>
+
+<p>It puzzled me greatly, also, that they should have
+known the exact moment of my arrival, for although
+both Dr. Saugrain and Captain Clarke knew of my
+intended visit, they could hardly have calculated to
+such a nicety not only the day but the very hour of
+my entry into town. It must be that pickets had been
+stationed to descry my approach from a distance and
+give the signal.</p>
+
+<p>Still puzzling my brains over the wonder of it all,
+and hardly knowing whether to feel more proud or
+more frightened at the honor intended me, and wishing
+with all my heart that I had known of it that I
+might have arrayed myself in a costume befitting the
+occasion, I slowly drew near the procession, and the
+procession drew near me.</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly I discovered what nothing but my
+domtiferous vanity had prevented me from discerning
+from the first: this was a religious procession
+bearing the banners of the church and singing Aves<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">[Pg 436]</a></span>
+and Te Deums. I had known such processions before
+in St. Louis on saints' days, and always headed by
+the two most beautiful maidens in the town, bearing
+silver plates, who, as the procession drew up to the
+church, stood on either side of the door holding the
+plates to receive alms. I drew Bourbon to one side
+of the road and waited.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, there were the two beautiful maidens with
+the silver plates, and I was not surprised to see that
+one was Mademoiselle Chouteau; and as she drew
+near she could not resist a saucy look of recognition
+in her dancing eyes, entirely out of character in the
+leader of a religious procession. I smiled back at
+her, my heart already growing warmer and lighter
+with her friendliness, and then I glanced at the other:
+a wavy mass of soft, dark hair, little ringlets about
+white neck and brow, lips like a scarlet pomegranate
+blossom, and long, black lashes lying on an ivory
+cheek, where the pale rose was fast turning to crimson
+under my gaze.</p>
+
+<p>It was Pelagie! Her cheek told the tale that she
+knew I was looking at her, yet not once did she lift
+her eyes and look at me. I wonder that my heart did
+not break through my breast, so great a bound it
+made when I discovered her, and then all the blood
+in my body flowed back upon it, and I sat on Bourbon
+as one carved in marble, while friends and acquaintances
+passed by and smiled up at me in kindly welcome.
+Not until Josef Papin left the ranks and came
+up to me with outstretched hand could I recover
+myself and begin to feel alive again, with the blood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">[Pg 437]</a></span>
+slowly running back in its courses and tingling in my
+finger-tips.</p>
+
+<p>"Come," he said, when the first greetings were
+over, "tie your horse to the tree, and we will fall in at
+the end of the line and go up to the church together.
+This is no saint's day, as you might think, but we are
+to have mass for the last time under the old rule. The
+United States troops come over to-day from Cahokia
+and take possession."</p>
+
+<p>This was wonderful news to me, and I could not
+but feel a great sympathy with him, for he spoke
+with a voice that faltered. What would it not have
+meant to me if my own city of Philadelphia were
+being transferred to the rule of France or Spain!</p>
+
+<p>On our way he told me what my soul most longed
+to hear: how mademoiselle came to be in St. Louis.</p>
+
+<p>Her cousin, the Duc d'Enghien, had begun to feel
+that his home was no longer a safe place for her, for
+Bonaparte's spies were watching him, and he felt that
+though Baden was neutral territory he might at any
+moment be arrested and thrown into prison. That
+would leave Pelagie entirely unprotected, and he had
+begun to consider some other safer retreat for her.
+When mademoiselle found that she was to be sent
+away from Ettenheim, she begged that she might return
+to St. Louis, the only place she had known as
+home, and to the people she loved, who had been to
+her kindred and friends. It was only after much
+pleading that the duke had been persuaded to let her
+go so far from home again, but mademoiselle's heart
+was set on it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">[Pg 438]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And," said Josef Papin, "as we both know,
+when she will, she will; I defy any man to gainsay
+her. She arrived two weeks ago by way of New Orleans,
+with a Monsieur and Madame Dubois, newly
+married, I believe, who were coming over to America
+to settle."</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur and Madame Dubois!" I said, in some
+excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; do you know them?" asked Josef, curiously.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not sure. I may have met them; I met a
+Monsieur and Madame Dubois once at Chantilly near
+Paris," I answered carelessly, "but very likely they
+are not the same."</p>
+
+<p>"No, they could not be," answered Josef, "for
+they were married only just before leaving for America."</p>
+
+<p>And then there was no chance to say anything
+more, for our end of the procession was nearing the
+church door, where on either side stood Mademoiselle
+Chouteau and Pelagie, holding out their silver plates
+already piled high with livres.</p>
+
+<p>As I glanced at Pelagie I felt as if royalty radiated
+from her&mdash;from the proud pose of her dainty head
+to the high-bred arch of her little foot. "A princess
+of Cond&eacute;!" I exclaimed to myself half angrily, "and
+meekly holding the church plate for negroes and Indians
+and humble habitans, and smiling up into the
+faces of her old friends with a royal sweetness."</p>
+
+<p>I was on the side next her as we drew near the
+door. Will she look at me? I wondered. We were
+the last in the line; it would hinder no one if I
+stopped a moment beside her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">[Pg 439]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But I could not make her look up at me. One louis
+d'or after another I piled upon her plate, but the
+only effect it had was to make it tremble in her
+hands and the color deepen steadily in her face. I
+could not stand there gazing rudely at her, and I
+went into the church beside Josef Papin as in a
+dream, half doubting it was mademoiselle, yet watching
+her eagerly as she and Mademoiselle Chouteau
+bore the plates up the aisle and held them aloft before
+the altar for the priest to bless.</p>
+
+<p>The service that followed was indescribably solemn
+and touched me greatly; it was as though it were
+a service for the dead, and the people (the whole village
+was there, every man, woman, and child I had
+known the year before) chanted the responses with
+the tears running down their cheeks. Josef Papin
+had told me that the old priest who had baptized all
+the younger generation and married their parents
+was going away with the Spaniards, unwilling to be
+subject to a foreign rule, and the mourning of the
+people for their father was from the heart.</p>
+
+<p>As they knelt upon the floor to receive the benediction
+(and the sound of their kneeling was like the
+breeze among the dry leaves of autumn) they broke
+out into a long, low wail that rose and swelled and
+then died away in the sound of suppressed sobbing.
+Nevermore under Latin rule would they kneel in
+their dear old church, but under the rule of the
+hated Anglo-Saxons, their hereditary foe. Nevermore
+would the priest they had loved and reverenced for
+years extend his hands over them in blessing. The
+good father's voice broke again and again as he tried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">[Pg 440]</a></span>
+in vain to utter the familiar words, until at length,
+his hands upraised to heaven, tears streaming from
+his eyes, he uttered the simple words, "Go in peace,
+my children."</p>
+
+<p>I was near the door and I slipped quietly out. It
+was not a time to meet old friends, and I felt like one
+intruding upon a house of mourning. Heads were
+still bowed in the solemn hush that followed the
+benediction and no one saw me go. I hurried back to
+where I had left Bourbon, mounted him, and rode
+slowly up toward Government House.</p>
+
+<p>Long before I reached it the streets were filled.
+With the quick change from grave to gay, natural
+to these volatile creoles, the same people that a few
+moments ago had been all tears and sorrow were now
+all excitement and curiosity. Down from the fort
+on the hill marched a troop of Spanish soldiers, stopping
+at Government House to salute the governor,
+and then forming in company order in front of the
+house to await the coming of the United States
+troops.</p>
+
+<p>Beside Governor Delassus on the gallery of Government
+House stood my old friend Mr. Meriwether
+Lewis; for he seemed an old friend to me, though I
+had known him but that one memorable day in Washington.
+In response to a friendly wave of the hand
+from both I dismounted and ran up the steps to
+speak to them for a moment. They presented me to
+a third officer, Captain Stoddard, the officer in command
+of the United States troops who were to take
+possession, and also, as Governor Delassus informed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">[Pg 441]</a></span>
+me, empowered by the French prefect at New Orleans
+to receive the city for the French republic from
+the Spanish.</p>
+
+<p>I stayed only a moment, for Captain Lewis told me
+I would find Captain Clarke and Dr. Saugrain at
+the landing at the foot of the Rue Bonhomme, so I
+followed in the wake of the motley crowd of habitans,
+negroes, and Indians trooping along the Rue
+Royale and filling La Place with a many-colored
+throng, as they had filled it on the day I first set foot
+in St. Louis.</p>
+
+<p>Bourbon Prince picked his way carefully along the
+steep path that led down the bluff to the landing at
+the foot of the Rue Bonhomme, where the boats from
+Cahokia bearing the United States troops were already
+approaching the shore, and where I found awaiting
+them, as Captain Lewis had said I should, my old
+friend, the little doctor, and my captain (for so I
+shall always call Captain Clarke), and the warmth
+of their greeting set my heart to dancing merrily.</p>
+
+<p>My spirits had been rising steadily every moment
+since I had recovered from my stupefaction at the
+sight of Pelagie. What though she would not look at
+me, I was nothing daunted; for now that she was
+safe on American soil,&mdash;yes, <i>American</i>, Spanish no
+longer,&mdash;nor chevaliers nor dukes nor First Consuls
+should deter me from boldly trying to win her. For
+the first time since I had known her I felt that I had
+a right to try. She was no longer a titled lady of
+France, and I was now my own master and could
+maintain her in greater luxury than she had ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">[Pg 442]</a></span>
+known. I would take her home with me to Philadelphia!
+and my dear mother and my fond old father
+would love her as they loved my sisters. My spirit
+was exultant, and that she dared not meet my eyes
+lent more of hope than discouragement.</p>
+
+<p>So it was with a happy heart that I met the little
+doctor's beaming glance, and felt the strong grasp of
+my captain's hand as he uttered his hearty "Welcome
+home, my lad." And little I cared that he
+called me lad; indeed, had he addressed me by any
+other title I should have missed some of the friendliness
+of his greeting.</p>
+
+<p>"You are to stay at &Eacute;migr&eacute;'s Retreat, you know,"
+said Dr. Saugrain; "Madame Saugrain is as happy
+in the thought of your home-coming as if you were
+her own boy."</p>
+
+<p>But Josef Papin coming down the bluff at that moment
+and overhearing the doctor, interposed:</p>
+
+<p>"No, Dr. Saugrain, he is my guest this time. You
+had him all last winter, and you have had Captain
+Clarke and Captain Lewis all this winter; you must
+share some of your honors with me."</p>
+
+<p>It was not for me to decide a question of such kind,
+and though my heart turned longingly to the hospitable
+hearth that had first entertained me in St.
+Louis, feeling that in no other house would it seem so
+truly a home-coming, yet I was not sure but it was
+better that it was finally decided that I should stay
+with Josef Papin, for I was determined to put my
+fortune to the touch, and should Pelagie prove unkind
+(a contingency, however, that I refused to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">[Pg 443]</a></span>contemplate),
+it would be embarrassing indeed to be
+under the same roof with her.</p>
+
+<p>But now there was no longer time for discussion of
+any kind, for the boats were running their keels into
+the bank, and Lieutenant Worrall, temporarily in
+command of the troops, was the first man to leap
+ashore. We all went down to meet him, and when he
+had formed his battalion in line, we accompanied him
+up the steep bluff and down the Rue Royale to Government
+House, a great throng following.</p>
+
+<p>Then Lieutenant Worrall drew up his troops facing
+the Spanish troops. The open space where the
+Rue Royale crossed the Rue de la Tour was densely
+packed with people. Every man, woman, and child
+of the village, it seemed to me, must be there, yet I
+looked in vain for either Madame Saugrain or Pelagie.
+I fastened Bourbon farther up the street, and
+at the invitation of Governor Delassus sent us by an
+orderly I accompanied Dr. Saugrain, Josef Papin,
+and my captain to the gallery of Government House,
+where we found also both the Chouteaus and many
+of the leading citizens of the village.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the American troops were drawn up in
+line, Governor Delassus stepped to the front of the
+gallery, holding in his hand a document bearing the
+seals of the United States and of Spain, and at a
+sign from him, Captain Stoddard stepped to his side,
+a similar document in his hand. Then Governor Delassus
+held the paper up so that all the people might
+see, and, as every voice was hushed and all eyes
+turned on him, he read:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">[Pg 444]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"Now be it known unto all men by these presents
+that I, Carlos D. Delassus, in quality of lieutenant-governor,
+at the requirement duly made to me by
+Amos Stoddard, agent and commissary of the French
+republic, have delivered to him the full possession,
+sovereignty, and government of Upper Louisiana,
+with all the military posts, quarters, and fortifications
+thereto belonging or dependent thereof."</p>
+
+<p>Immediately Captain Stoddard took up the refrain,
+reading on from where the governor stopped:</p>
+
+<p>"And I, Amos Stoddard, commissary as such, do
+acknowledge to have received the said possession on
+the same terms mentioned in these presents, of which
+I acknowledge myself satisfied and possessed on this
+day. In testimony whereof the lieutenant-governor
+and myself have respectively signed these presents,
+sealed with the seal of our arms, being assisted with
+the witnesses signed below. Of which proceedings six
+copies have been made out, to wit, three in the Spanish
+and three in the English languages.</p>
+
+<p>"Given in the town of St. Louis of Illinois, 9th
+March, 1804.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"Amos Stoddard</td><td align='right'>(seal)</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>"Carlos Dehault Delassus</td><td align='right'>(seal)</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<div class="blockquot">"In presence of<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Meriwether Lewis,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Captain First United States Regiment Infantry.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Antoine Soulard,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Surveyor-General, etc.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Charles Gratiot."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">[Pg 445]</a></span></p>
+<p>As Captain Stoddard finished reading, the governor
+turned to him and with formal courtesy placed
+him in possession of Government House. Captain
+Stoddard accepted it with a brief and appropriate
+speech, and then, the silence still unbroken, the
+stately don turned once more to the people and spoke
+to them directly:</p>
+
+<p>"Inhabitants of Upper Louisiana:</p>
+
+<p>"By the king's command I am about to deliver up
+this post and its dependencies!</p>
+
+<p>"The flag under which you have been protected for
+a period of nearly thirty-six years is to be withdrawn.
+From this moment you are released from the oath of
+fidelity you took to support it."</p>
+
+<p>There was a stir among the people. Tears were
+running down the weather-beaten faces of some of
+the older men, and many of the women were sobbing
+quietly. Visibly moved himself, the governor added
+another word:</p>
+
+<p>"The fidelity and courage with which you have
+guarded and defended the flag will never be forgotten;
+and in my character of representative I entertain
+the most sincere wishes for your perfect prosperity."</p>
+
+<p>The governor bowed and stepped back, and instantly
+there broke from the people a storm of <i>adios</i>
+and <i>benitos</i> with tears and waving of hands.</p>
+
+<p>The governor motioned to a soldier standing by.
+The soldier stepped to a corner of the gallery which
+could be seen from the fort on the hill, and waved his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">[Pg 446]</a></span>
+hat. Instantly puffs of white smoke issued from the
+full battery of the fort, followed by the roar of the
+cannon rolling across the wide river to the distant
+bluffs of Cahokia. As the last echo died away the
+soldier waved his hat once more. Slowly the flag of
+Spain floating above the white tower sank. Once
+more the cannon roared, and slowly the banner of
+France rose, higher and higher, until its folds were
+flung proudly to the breeze, above the tower on the
+hill, above the Great River, above the old French
+town where it had floated thirty-six years before.</p>
+
+<p>Almost every soul, save negroes and Indians, in
+that multitude watching in breathless silence the exchange
+of the flags, was French, and as the banner of
+the land they had never ceased to love and to call
+home floated out on the breeze, with one accord they
+fell on their knees, eyes streaming, arms outstretched
+toward the loved symbol of their fatherland.</p>
+
+<p>It had been the intention that the flag should remain
+there but a few minutes&mdash;just long enough to
+show that Upper Louisiana was French, and that
+France ceded it to the United States. But now Pierre
+and Auguste Chouteau, the older Papin, Dr. Saugrain,
+all the leading citizens on the gallery of Government
+House, gathered around Captain Stoddard
+and begged him, with trembling voices and misty eyes,
+to let the old flag stay for another day.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us be Frenchmen for twenty-four hours,"
+they begged, "and after that we will try to be loyal
+citizens of the United States, as we have been loyal
+citizens of Spain."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">[Pg 447]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>When Captain Lewis and Captain Clarke added
+their plea for the Frenchmen, Captain Stoddard willingly
+granted it, and stepping to the front of the
+gallery, he announced that for twenty-four hours the
+flag of the French republic would float over St. Louis.</p>
+
+<p>Then broke forth a delirium of joy. Men threw
+their arms around one another and embraced and
+kissed in a fashion strange, indeed, to us Anglo-Saxons;
+and women fell into one another's arms and
+sobbed. The roar of the cannon had not ceased to roll
+over the heads of the people at intervals of every two
+minutes, and now the United States troops took their
+line of march up the Rue de la Tour to the fort on
+the hill (for though the American flag did not float
+from it, they were to hold it in the name of France);
+and the Spanish troops marched away.</p>
+
+<p>The ceremonies for the day were over; the cannon
+ceased to roar, and Captain Stoddard who was now
+in possession of Government House, invited us all to
+stay to d&eacute;jeuner. The meal was a long and ceremonious
+one, with the Spanish don on Captain Stoddard's
+right and one of the Chouteaus on his left,
+and I far down the table with some of the younger
+men; and through it all I was thinking of that first
+meal I had taken in St. Louis in this same Government
+House a year and a half before, and of the
+toast that roused such enthusiasm then; and every
+moment my impatience grew to get away and visit
+&Eacute;migr&eacute;'s Retreat and Madame Saugrain, and&mdash;the
+Rose of St. Louis.</p>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">[Pg 448]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX</h2>
+
+<h3>THE ROSE OF ST. LOUIS</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+"What's in a name? that which we call a rose<br />
+By any other name would smell as sweet."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>But my impatience was of little avail, for before
+we left Government House Dr. Saugrain invited
+me to dinner at &Eacute;migr&eacute;'s Retreat, and restless and
+impatient as I might be, I did not dare show myself
+there until the dinner-hour.</p>
+
+<p>Five o'clock found me sitting in the dear old living-room,
+awaiting, with trembling the entrance of madame
+and Pelagie. It was the same dear old room I
+had pictured to myself so often, and all the grand
+salons of Paris that I had seen since last I saw it did
+not make it look any the less cozy and homelike to my
+eyes. It was a warm spring afternoon, and the western
+windows were open, and the white curtains were
+stirring in the breeze, only there was no maiden in
+white on the low seat by the window, and no guitar
+and no Leon.</p>
+
+<p>I had but a moment to wait. The door opened and
+in came madame, both hands outstretched and running
+to meet me, and as I bent low before her, taking
+my face in both her hands and putting a kiss on my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">[Pg 449]</a></span>
+cheek and calling me "My son." And behind her
+came Pelagie, walking slowly but looking up at me,
+yes, looking at me at last, with starry eyes and a
+great pulse throbbing in her snowy throat, and little
+tongues of color coming and going in her cheeks. I
+was almost of a mind there, right before madame, to
+take her in my arms and call her mine, for mine I
+was determined she should be; and I looked at her
+with such a threatening glance I think she divined
+my half-purpose and shrank back a little.</p>
+
+<p>So instead I merely bowed over her hand and said
+gaily:</p>
+
+<p>"You condescend to look at me at last, mademoiselle;
+I feared to-day I was to be forever banished
+from your friendly glances."</p>
+
+<p>And she, relieved from her first apprehension, answered
+saucily:</p>
+
+<p>"If monsieur comes unannounced, how can he expect
+to be recognized after so many months of absence?"</p>
+
+<p>And then in stalked, majestically Leon, limping
+very slightly, and when he caught sight of me coming
+up to me and sniffing at me a moment, and then
+springing upon me with such wild bounds of delight
+that I had to call hold, lest his great paws play havoc
+with my fine Paris clothes that I had donned in mademoiselle's
+honor. And to quiet him I said in a high,
+small voice, in palpable burlesque of mademoiselle:</p>
+
+<p>"Taise-toi, mon ange!" and we both laughed merrily.</p>
+
+<p>I was so happy that I was ready to do everything<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">[Pg 450]</a></span>
+that was foolish, and I believe mademoiselle was
+happy, too, for nothing that I did was too foolish for
+her to laugh at.</p>
+
+<p>Then in came the little doctor, running up to me
+and insisting on embracing me (because I was in his
+own house), pulling down my head and kissing me
+on each cheek, at which I blushed greatly, though I
+had not blushed when madame kissed me. And
+then came my captain and Captain Lewis, and everyone
+talked at once, asking all manner of questions on
+all manner of subjects, and I had scarcely a chance to
+say another word to Pelagie.</p>
+
+<p>And then came dinner. As usual, madame put
+me beside her, and Pelagie sat at the other end of the
+table. But there was no scorning this time, and I had
+better chance to look at her than if she sat beside
+me, and perhaps that was best, for my eyes could say
+to her much more than my lips would dare in such
+a company.</p>
+
+<p>Narcisse waited on the table, and was all smiles of
+welcome; and half-way through dinner, on some pretext
+or other, in came Clotilde, and greeted me, half
+crying through her smiles at memory of our trials
+together. And last of all came Yorke, grinning from
+ear to ear, and "declarin' to gracious I'd growed a
+foot sence," whereupon I was of a mind to thrash him
+on the spot, and told him so, which made him grin
+the more, if that were possible.</p>
+
+<p>It was a grand dinner, and I told Madame Saugrain
+I had never tasted in Paris anything half so good as
+her wild turkey and croquecignolles and gooseberry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">[Pg 451]</a></span>
+wine, which I meant with all my heart, and which
+greatly pleased her housewifely soul.</p>
+
+<p>Back in the living-room, when dinner was over, I
+missed something, and looked around the room to discover
+what it was. It was the long French mirror
+in which I had once watched Pelagie&mdash;the pride of
+madame's heart.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, madame," I said, "what have you done
+with your mirror?"</p>
+
+<p>She shrugged her shoulders and looked ruefully at
+her husband.</p>
+
+<p>"Antoine," she said, "needed some quicksilver for
+his experiments. Voil&agrave;! my mirror!"</p>
+
+<p>I glanced at Dr. Saugrain; he blushed and looked
+guilty, and so, for some reason, I thought, did Captain
+Lewis.</p>
+
+<p>"I will explain," said my captain. "You must
+know, my lad, that these two," indicating the doctor
+and Captain Lewis with a wave of his hand, "have
+been confederates all winter in black art. They have
+lived in the laboratory, and the instruments they have
+evolved for our trip up the Missouri and over the
+mountains are fearful and wonderful to behold. We
+are each of us provided with a box of little phosphorus
+sticks by which we are to do away entirely with all
+use of tinder. But much more wonderful than those,
+out of madame's mirror Dr. Saugrain has fashioned
+little glass tubes holding quicksilver, and with a measure
+laid off on the side by which we may be able to tell
+just how hot or how cold it may be. And more wonderful
+still, he has fashioned other little tubes by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">[Pg 452]</a></span>
+which we are to tell when it is going to storm and
+when it will be fair weather. And I cannot begin to
+tell you all the wonderful appliances this magician
+has fashioned for our comfort and safety this winter,
+aided and abetted by his willing slave, Captain
+Lewis."</p>
+
+<p>That unloosed the doctor's tongue, and there was
+no getting away the rest of the evening from the
+wonders of science; and so strange were the things he
+and Captain Lewis had to tell of what science could
+do that I could have greatly enjoyed their talk had
+I not been longing for a few words with Pelagie.</p>
+
+<p>I determined that another day should not go by;
+without my having them, and so, in the course of the
+evening, I managed to ask her if she would ride with
+me the next afternoon to Chouteau's Pond. A riding-party
+of two to Chouteau's Pond was of frequent occurrence
+in the village, and I would not have feared
+a refusal but that Pelagie had now been living so
+long where stricter social forms prevailed, so I
+awaited her answer with trembling. But she gave a
+shy assent, and for me the evening at &Eacute;migr&eacute;'s Retreat
+was a grand success.</p>
+
+<p>Twelve o'clock the next day, March the tenth, saw
+us all once more at Government House; and once more
+the American troops were drawn up before it, and
+once more the people filled the streets.</p>
+
+<p>The people were very quiet; there was no longer
+any rejoicing; but every eye was lifted to the flag that
+was so soon to sink from sight.</p>
+
+<p>There were many Indians in the streets,&mdash;Delawares,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">[Pg 453]</a></span>
+Sacs, Shawnees, and others,&mdash;attracted to the
+town by the noise of firing the day before. Captain
+Stoddard had asked Governor Delassus to speak to
+them and explain to them the change of government,
+and the soldiers had been sent to gather them up
+close to the gallery of Government House, where Don
+Delassus might speak to them. A dark-faced throng,
+serious of countenance, they stood looking up at us,
+not a muscle of their countenances changing while
+the governor spoke to them in the formal and stately
+fashion they loved.</p>
+
+<p>"Delawares, Sacs, Shawnees, and others, my red
+brothers:</p>
+
+<p>"Your old fathers, the Spaniard and the Frenchman,
+grasp by the hand your new father, the head
+chief of the United States. By an act of their good-will,
+and in virtue of their last treaty, I have delivered
+up to them all these lands. They will keep and
+defend them, and protect all the white and redskins
+who live thereon. You will live as happily as if the
+Spaniard were still here.</p>
+
+<p>"I have informed your new father, who here takes
+my place, that the Delawares, Shawnees, and Sacs
+have always conducted themselves well; that the
+chiefs have always restrained their young men as
+much as possible.</p>
+
+<p>"For several days we have fired off cannon to announce
+to all the nations that your father the Spaniard
+is going, his heart happy to know that you will
+be protected and sustained by your new father, and
+that the smoke of the powder may ascend to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">[Pg 454]</a></span>
+Maker of life, praying him to shower on you all a
+happy destiny and prosperity in always living in
+good union with the whites."</p>
+
+<p>There were many guttural "Ughs!" as he finished,
+and I think, from the way the dark eyes scanned the
+faces of the new officers, they comprehended at least
+a part of what had been said to them.</p>
+
+<p>Once more a soldier at the corner of the gallery
+waved his hat toward the white tower; once more the
+cannon boomed and slowly the tricolor of France
+descended, while the Stars and Stripes rose to meet it.
+Half-way up the flagstaff they stopped. For a moment
+they floated in the breeze, side by side, and an
+involuntary cheer sprang from the people at the
+friendly sight. Then slowly the tricolor sank, and
+slowly rose the starry banner, flinging out its broad
+bars of white and crimson, beautiful emblem of liberty
+and the sovereignty of a free people, over the little village,
+nestling among the trees on the bluffs, that may
+one day be a mighty city; over the Great River flowing
+to the Gulf that a not far future may see bearing the
+commerce of a world on its bosom; over the broad
+prairies stretching to the distant mountains which
+coming years will surely see peopled with happy millions.</p>
+
+<p>My heart swelled within me. I swung my hat high
+in the air and lustily led the cheers of our troops and
+our little party on the gallery. But we were only a
+small band, and we made not much noise, and all the
+French and Spaniards stood and looked sadly on.
+And because our hearts were touched by their sorrow,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">[Pg 455]</a></span>
+we cheered no more, but looked up at our beautiful
+banner with pride and joy and love in our hearts.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>Three hours later I was sitting on the gallery at
+&Eacute;migr&eacute;'s Retreat waiting for mademoiselle, as I had
+waited for her on the day of the picnic at Chouteau's
+Pond. Narcisse was holding Bourbon Prince by the
+driveway below, and I was struggling to preserve a
+calm exterior, for my heart was going like a trip-hammer
+while I listened for my lady's coming.</p>
+
+<p>Out upon the gallery she stepped, riding-habit and
+hat and veil of latest Paris mode&mdash;not the little Pelagie
+of the picnic day, but Pelagie a princess of Cond&eacute;,
+and my heart almost failed me.</p>
+
+<p>I looked at her, and she was smiling at me with a
+smile I did not understand. Then she looked away,
+and my eyes followed hers. Around the corner of the
+house Yorke was leading a horse,&mdash;a white star on
+the forehead and one white foot like Bourbon Prince,
+but beautiful chestnut in color. For a moment I forgot
+my lady. Down the steps I sprang, and my arm
+was around the neck of the chestnut mare.</p>
+
+<p>"Sweetheart!" I whispered in her ear. "Do you
+know me, sweetheart?"</p>
+
+<p>She whinnied with joy and rubbed her soft muzzle
+up and down my arm, and whinnied again, while
+Yorke showed all his teeth in his delight, and my
+lady laughed and clapped her hands like a happy
+child.</p>
+
+<p>I had not thought it possible she could bring Fatima
+with her and so had not asked for her, though,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_456" id="Page_456">[Pg 456]</a></span>
+truth to tell, I had had but little chance to ask her
+about anything.</p>
+
+<p>When I said so to her, "I would not have come
+without her," she said, looking shyly at me. "But I
+hope you do not want her back, for I love her dearly."</p>
+
+<p>Yes, I wanted her back, I said to myself; but with
+her mistress, too; but my only answer to mademoiselle
+was a smile that I think she understood, for she looked
+quickly away from me.</p>
+
+<p>Then I put her on Fatima's back, who bore a Parisian
+saddle now instead of a pillion, and out through
+the stockade we rode, and down the rough path to La
+Petite Rivi&egrave;re, and through the ford (deeper now,
+from spring freshets, than it had been when I listened
+to the whippoorwills), and along the wooded
+bank on the other side, where we had raced to get
+away from the redskin (though that she never knew),
+and still I had not said the words I meant to say.</p>
+
+<p>Under the tree that had been the goal for our race
+I drew up a minute. Here, I thought, will be a place
+of happy omen, for here I won my first dance with
+her, and here I will win her. But suddenly I recalled
+that this was the spot where I had first seen the chevalier;
+no, it was of evil omen. "By hairbreadth escapes
+we always win," he had said. I feared, the
+"luck of the Le Moynes" and their baleful motto.</p>
+
+<p>Where we had stopped to look at the lake before,
+I stopped again. It was almost more beautiful in its
+setting of the soft pinks and greens of early spring
+than it had been under the golden sun of autumn, and
+here, I thought, I will say it. But the glimpse of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_457" id="Page_457">[Pg 457]</a></span>
+ivied mill tower among the trees, and the beautiful
+water and its wooded banks, reminded Pelagie of
+Ettenheim, and she began to tell me of a letter she
+had just received from the Duc d'Enghien, which
+made her very anxious.</p>
+
+<p>"He writes," said Pelagie, "that he is being followed
+everywhere by an Englishman who, he feels
+sure, is a spy in the pay of Bonaparte&mdash;I will never
+call him emperor!" said Pelagie, with fiery eye.
+"And while he says he feels no alarm for himself, he
+is more and more glad to think that I am so safely
+away from all dangers."</p>
+
+<p>But the thought of her letter had saddened Pelagie
+for a while, and I would not speak then. How little
+we dreamed that on that very day, perhaps at that
+very hour, the young duke was being seized by Napoleon's
+emissaries, in violation of all treaties of neutrality,
+and hurried to the gloomy fortress of Vincennes,
+where, ten days later, after a mock trial of
+two hours in the dead of night, with no chance of
+defense given him, he was taken out and shot and
+buried in the trench where he fell. When the dreadful
+news reached us, weeks later, it darkened for
+a while my sweet Pelagie's life, as it was the one
+crime not even the friends of Napoleon can excuse or
+forgive: the one dark blot on his fame time will never
+erase.</p>
+
+<p>But that afternoon we were in happy ignorance of
+what was happening four thousand miles away, and
+Pelagie's sadness was but a passing shadow and in a
+little while we were both joyous again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_458" id="Page_458">[Pg 458]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Rock Spring," I thought, "beloved of lovers, will
+be the place." But at Rock Spring I could think of
+nothing but Yorke astride the chevalier's back, the
+grimy spectacle the chevalier presented when Yorke
+was dislodged, and then the fearful peril Pelagie
+had been in when I fled with her in my arms on Fatima's
+back. No, Rock Spring was not the place.</p>
+
+<p>And so we were once more back at the ford, almost
+home, and the long shadows lying on the cool water,
+and a thrush singing his evening-song in the wooded
+crests behind us, and my tale had not been told. We
+had had much sweet converse, and many times the
+words were on my lips, but somehow&mdash;I know not how&mdash;Pelagie
+always managed to turn me aside. At least
+I think she did, for with the words on my lips I would
+find myself talking of something else.</p>
+
+<p>Now, as our horses swashed their noses in the cool
+water, and sent the bright drops in showers about us,
+I looked down upon her, the dark green of her riding-habit
+making a rich foil to the soft glow of her
+cheek, and the drooping plume of her hat falling over
+her snowy neck and mingling with the dark ringlets,
+and one little hand from which she had drawn the
+glove playing with Fatima's tawny mane&mdash;and I
+took a sudden resolution.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle," I said, "do you know that to-day
+you are no longer a proud lady of France, but a simple
+American maiden?"</p>
+
+<p>She looked up at me, startled. I think she knew
+what was coming, but she answered bravely, though
+softly:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_459" id="Page_459">[Pg 459]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, monsieur," and then dropped her eyes and
+fell to playing with Fatima's mane again.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, do you remember on La Belle Rivi&egrave;re
+the wager you would not let me make?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, monsieur," still more softly.</p>
+
+<p>"Mademoiselle, if I had made that wager then I
+would have won it to-day. You taught me better, and
+I would not win you by a wager now if I could. But
+oh, mademoiselle, you said by worth and deeds of
+prowess a maiden's hand should be won; and there is
+no one in the world&mdash;least of all I&mdash;worthy of you,
+mademoiselle, and no deeds of prowess could be grand
+enough to deserve you, and I have nothing to win you
+with but my great love; will that avail me,&mdash;Pelagie?"</p>
+
+<p>She did not answer for a moment; she was all rosy
+and drooping, and with a happy smile about her lips,
+as she had been in the cabinet of the First Consul.</p>
+
+<p>I put my great hand on her little one, still playing
+with Fatima's mane, and clasped it tight, though it
+fluttered like a bird at first and then lay quiet.</p>
+
+<p>"Pelagie, Pelagie, look up at me," I whispered.
+"I may call you Pelagie, may I not?"</p>
+
+<p>Swiftly and shyly she looked up into my eyes, and
+I looked down into heaven.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, monsieur," she whispered.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly she broke into a low laugh, and tried to
+draw her hand away from mine.</p>
+
+<p>"My name is not Pelagie," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"Not Pelagie!" I exclaimed, thinking she was
+playing me some merry trick, and wishing she had
+chosen some other time to play it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_460" id="Page_460">[Pg 460]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No, monsieur," she said soberly. "They named
+me Pelagie when they brought me over sea, but my
+name is Louise Adelaide, for my aunt the Abbess of
+Remiremont."</p>
+
+<p>I was silent for a moment, for I liked not to think
+of little Pelagie by any other name. Then I gently
+took her hand again and raised it to my lips:</p>
+
+<p>"Louise Adelaide," I said, "may do for a princess
+of Cond&eacute;, but you will always be my little Pelagie to
+me," and so great was the love in my heart that my
+voice trembled as I spoke, and we were both very still
+for a little, while her hand lay quietly in mine.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly a thought struck me:</p>
+
+<p>"Pelagie," I said, "you have never spoken my
+name; I do not believe you know what it is."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do, monsieur." She looked up at me saucily.
+"Shall I tell you what it is?"</p>
+
+<p>"Call me by it!" I implored her softly.</p>
+
+<p>For answer she lifted her arms and drew my head
+down toward her and whispered it in my ear.</p>
+
+<p>And I, what did I do?</p>
+
+<p>What would any man have done whose heart was
+running over with love for the most adorable maiden
+in the world, and her sweet face so near?</p>
+
+
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+a love missive to the maid. Susan accepts in perfect good faith,
+and an epistolary love-making goes on till they are disillusioned. It
+naturally makes a droll and delightful little comedy; and is a story
+that is particularly clever in the telling.</p>
+
+<p>WHEN PATTY WENT TO COLLEGE. By Jean Webster.
+With illustrations by C. D. Williams.</p>
+
+<p>"The book is a treasure."&mdash;<i>Chicago Daily News.</i> "Bright,
+whimsical, and thoroughly entertaining."&mdash;<i>Buffalo Express.</i> "One
+of the best stories of life in a girl's college that has ever been written."&mdash;<i>N. Y.
+Press.</i> "To any woman who has enjoyed the pleasures
+of a college life this book cannot fail to bring back many sweet recollections;
+and to those who have not been to college the wit, lightness,
+and charm of Patty are sure to be no less delightful."&mdash;<i>Public Opinion.</i></p>
+
+<p>THE MASQUERADER. By Katherine Cecil Thurston.
+With illustrations by Clarence F. Underwood.</p>
+
+<p>"You can't drop it till you have turned the last page."&mdash;<i>Cleveland
+Leader.</i> "Its very audacity of motive, of execution, of solution, almost
+takes one's breath away. The boldness of its denouement
+is sublime."&mdash;<i>Boston Transcript.</i> "The literary hit of a generation.
+The best of it is the story deserves all its success. A masterly story."&mdash;<i>St.
+Louis Dispatch.</i> "The story is ingeniously told, and cleverly
+constructed."&mdash;<i>The Dial.</i></p>
+
+<p>THE GAMBLER. By Katherine Cecil Thurston. With
+illustrations by John Campbell.</p>
+
+<p>"Tells of a high strung young Irish woman who has a passion for
+gambling, inherited from a long line of sporting ancestors. She has
+a high sense of honor, too, and that causes complications. She is a
+very human, lovable character, and love saves her."&mdash;<i>N. Y. Times.</i></p>
+
+<p>THE AFFAIR AT THE INN. By Kate Douglas Wiggin.</p>
+
+<p>With illustrations by Martin Justice.</p>
+
+<p>"As superlatively clever in the writing as it is entertaining in the
+reading. It is actual comedy of the most artistic sort, and it is
+handled with a freshness and originality that is unquestionably
+novel."&mdash;<i>Boston Transcript.</i> "A feast of humor and good cheer,
+yet subtly pervaded by special shades of feeling, fancy, tenderness,
+or whimsicality. A merry thing in prose."&mdash;<i>St. Louis Democrat.</i></p>
+
+<p>ROSE O' THE RIVER. By Kate Douglas Wiggin. With
+illustrations by George Wright.</p>
+
+<p>"'Rose o' the River' a charming bit of sentiment, gracefully
+written and deftly touched with a gentle humor. It is a dainty book&mdash;daintily
+illustrated."&mdash;<i>New York Tribune.</i> "A wholesome, bright,
+refreshing story, an ideal book to give a young girl."&mdash;<i>Chicago
+Record-Herald.</i> "An idyllic story, replete with pathos and inimitable
+humor. As story-telling it is perfection, and as portrait-painting
+it is true to the life."&mdash;<i>London Mail.</i></p>
+
+<p>TILLIE: A Mennonite Maid. By Helen R. Martin. With
+illustrations by Florence Scovel Shinn.</p>
+
+<p>The little "Mennonite Maid" who wanders through these pages
+is something quite new in fiction. Tillie is hungry for books and
+beauty and love; and she comes into her inheritance at the end.
+"Tillie is faulty, sensitive, big-hearted, eminently human, and first,
+last and always lovable. Her charm glows warmly, the story is well
+handled, the characters skilfully developed."&mdash;<i>The Book Buyer.</i></p>
+
+<p>LADY ROSE'S DAUGHTER. By Mrs. Humphry Ward.
+With illustrations by Howard Chandler Christy.</p>
+
+<p>"The most marvellous work of its wonderful author."&mdash;<i>New York
+World.</i> "We touch regions and attain altitudes which it is not given
+to the ordinary novelist even to approach."&mdash;<i>London Times.</i> "In
+no other story has Mrs. Ward approached the brilliancy and vivacity
+of Lady Rose's Daughter."&mdash;<i>North American Review.</i></p>
+
+<p>THE BANKER AND THE BEAR. By Henry K. Webster.</p>
+
+<p>"An exciting and absorbing story."&mdash;<i>New York Times.</i> "Intensely
+thrilling; in parts, but an unusually good story all through. There
+is a love affair of real charm and most novel surroundings, there is a
+run on the bank which is almost worth a year's growth, and there is
+all manner of exhilarating men and deeds which should bring the
+book into high and permanent favor."&mdash;<i>Chicago Evening Post.</i></p>
+
+<p>THE SPIRIT OF THE SERVICE. By Edith Elmer
+Wood. With illustrations by Rufus Zogbaum.</p>
+
+<p>The standards and life of "the new navy" are breezily set forth
+with a genuine ring impossible from the most gifted "outsider."
+"The story of the destruction of the 'Maine,' and of the Battle of
+Manila, are very dramatic. The author is the daughter of one naval
+officer and the wife of another. Naval folks will find much to interest
+them in 'The Spirit of the Service.'"&mdash;<i>The Book Buyer.</i></p>
+
+<p>A SPECTRE OF POWER. By Charles Egbert Craddock.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Murfree has pictured Tennessee mountains and the mountain
+people in striking colors and with dramatic vividness, but goes back
+to the time of the struggles of the French and English in the early
+eighteenth century for possession of the Cherokee territory. The
+story abounds in adventure, mystery, peril and suspense.</p>
+
+<p>THE STORM CENTRE. By Charles Egbert Craddock.</p>
+
+<p>A war story; but more of flirtation, love and courtship than of
+fighting or history. The tale is thoroughly readable and takes its
+readers again into golden Tennessee, into the atmosphere which has
+distinguished all of Miss Murfree's novels.</p>
+
+<p>THE ADVENTURESS. By Coralie Stanton. With color
+frontispiece by Harrison Fisher, and attractive inlay cover
+in colors.</p>
+
+<p>As a penalty for her crimes, her evil nature, her flint-like callousness,
+her more than inhuman cruelty, her contempt for the laws of
+God and man, she was condemned to bury her magnificent personalty,
+her transcendent beauty, her superhuman charms, in gilded
+obscurity at a King's left hand. A powerful story powerfully told.</p>
+
+<p>THE GOLDEN GREYHOUND. A Novel by Dwight
+Tilton. With illustrations by E. Pollak.</p>
+
+<p>A thoroughly good story that keeps you guessing to the very end,
+and never attempts to instruct or reform you. It is a strictly up-to-date
+story of love and mystery with wireless telegraphy and all the
+modern improvements. The events nearly all take place on a big
+Atlantic liner and the romance of the deep is skilfully made to serve
+as a setting for the romance, old as mankind, yet always new, involving
+our hero.</p>
+
+<p>LAVENDER AND OLD LACE. By Myrtle Reed.</p>
+
+<p>A charming story of a quaint corner of New England where bygone
+romance finds a modern parallel. One of the prettiest, sweetest, and
+quaintest of old-fashioned love stories * * * A rare book, exquisite
+in spirit and conception, full of delicate fancy, of tenderness,
+of delightful humor and spontaneity. A dainty volume, especially
+suitable for a gift.</p>
+
+<p>DOCTOR LUKE OF THE LABRADOR. By Norman
+Duncan. With a frontispiece and inlay cover.</p>
+
+<p>How the doctor came to the bleak Labrador coast and there in saving
+life made expiation. In dignity, simplicity, humor, in sympathetic
+etching of a sturdy fisher people, and above all in the echoes of the
+sea, <i>Doctor Luke</i> is worthy of great praise. Character, humor, poignant
+pathos, and the sad grotesque conjunctions of old and new civilizations
+are expressed through the medium of a style that has distinction
+and strikes a note of rare personality.</p>
+
+<p>THE DAY'S WORK. By Rudyard Kipling. Illustrated.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>London Morning Post</i> says: "It would be hard to find better
+reading * * * the book is so varied, so full of color and life from
+end to end, that few who read the first two or three stories will lay it
+down till they have read the last&mdash;and the last is a veritable gem
+* * * contains some of the best of his highly vivid work * * *
+Kipling is a born story-teller and a man of humor into the bargain."</p>
+
+<p>ELEANOR LEE. By Margaret E. Sangster. With a frontispiece.</p>
+
+<p>A story of married life, and attractive picture of wedded bliss * * *
+an entertaining story or a man's redemption through a woman's love
+* * * no one who knows anything of marriage or parenthood can
+read this story with eyes that are always dry * * * goes straight
+to the heart of everyone who knows the meaning of "love" and
+"home."</p>
+
+<p>THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS. By John
+Reed Scott. Illustrated by Clarence F. Underwood.</p>
+
+<p>"Full of absorbing charm, sustained interest, and a wealth of
+thrilling and romantic situations." "So naively fresh in its handling,
+so plausible through its naturalness, that it comes like a mountain
+breeze across the far-spreading desert of similar romances."&mdash;<i>Gazette-Times,
+Pittsburg.</i> "A slap-dashing day romance."&mdash;<i>New York Sun.</i></p>
+
+<p>THE FAIR GOD; OR, THE LAST OF THE TZINS.
+By Lew Wallace. With illustrations by Eric Pape.</p>
+
+<p>"The story tells of the love of a native princess for Alvarado, and it
+is worked out with all of Wallace's skill * * * it gives a fine picture
+of the heroism of the Spanish conquerors and of the culture and
+nobility of the Aztecs."&mdash;<i>New York Commercial Advertiser.</i></p>
+
+<p>"<i>Ben Hur</i> sold enormously, but <i>The Fair God</i> was the best of the
+General's stories&mdash;a powerful and romantic treatment of the defeat of
+Montezuma by Cortes."&mdash;<i>Athen&aelig;um.</i></p>
+
+<p>THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS. By Louis Tracy.</p>
+
+<p>A story of love and the salt sea&mdash;of a helpless ship whirled into the
+hands of cannibal Fuegians&mdash;of desperate fighting and tender romance,
+enhanced by the art of a master of story telling who describes with
+his wonted felicity and power of holding the reader's attention * * *
+filled with the swing of adventure.</p>
+
+<p>A MIDNIGHT GUEST. A Detective Story. By Fred M.
+White. With a frontispiece.</p>
+
+<p>The scene of the story centers in London and Italy. The book is
+skilfully written and makes one of the most baffling, mystifying, exciting
+detective stories ever written&mdash;cleverly keeping the suspense
+and mystery intact until the surprising discoveries which precede
+the end.</p>
+
+<p>THE HONOUR OF SAVELLI. A Romance. By S. Levett
+Yeats. With cover and wrapper in four colors.</p>
+
+<p>Those who enjoyed Stanley Weyman's <i>A Gentleman of France</i>
+will be engrossed and captivated by this delightful romance of Italian
+history. It is replete with exciting episodes, hair-breath escapes,
+magnificent sword-play, and deals with the agitating times in Italian
+history when Alexander II was Pope and the famous and infamous
+Borgias were tottering to their fall.</p>
+
+<p>SISTER CARRIE. By Theodore Drieser. With a frontispiece,
+and wrapper in color.</p>
+
+<p>In all fiction there is probably no more graphic and poignant study
+of the way in which man loses his grip on life, lets his pride, his courage,
+his self-respect slip from him, and, finally, even ceases to struggle
+in the mire that has engulfed him. * * * There is more tonic value
+in <i>Sister Carrie</i> than in a whole shelfful of sermons.</p>
+
+<p>DARREL OF THE BLESSED ISLES. By Irving Bacheller.
+With illustrations by Arthur Keller.</p>
+
+<p>"Darrel, the clock tinker, is a wit, philosopher, and man of mystery.
+Learned, strong, kindly, dignified, he towers like a giant above the
+people among whom he lives. It is another tale of the North Country,
+full of the odor of wood and field. Wit, humor, pathos and high
+thinking are in this book."&mdash;<i>Boston Transcript.</i></p>
+
+<p>D'RI AND I: A Tale of Daring Deeds in the Second War
+with the British. Being the Memoirs of Colonel Ramon
+Bell, U. S. A. By Irving Bacheller. With illustrations by
+F. C. Yohn.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Bacheller is admirable alike in his scenes of peace and war.
+D'ri, a mighty hunter, has the same dry humor as Uncle Eb. He
+fights magnificently on the 'Lawrence,' and was among the wounded
+when Perry went to the 'Niagara.' As a romance of early American
+history it is great for the enthusiasm it creates."&mdash;<i>New York Times.</i></p>
+
+<p>EBEN HOLDEN: A Tale of the North Country. By Irving
+Bacheller.</p>
+
+<p>"As pure as water and as good as bread," says Mr. Howells. "Read
+'Eben Holden'" is the advice of Margaret Sangster. "It is a forest-scented,
+fresh-aired, bracing and wholly American story of country
+and town life. * * * If in the far future our successors wish to
+know what were the real life and atmosphere in which the country
+folk that saved this nation grew, loved, wrought and had their being,
+they must go back to such true and zestful and poetic tales of 'fiction'
+as 'Eben Holden,'" says Edmund Clarence Stedman.</p>
+
+<p>SILAS STRONG: Emperor of the Woods. By Irving Bacheller.
+With a frontispiece.</p>
+
+<p>"A modern <i>Leatherstocking</i>. Brings the city dweller the aroma of
+the pine and the music of the wind in its branches&mdash;an epic poem
+* * * forest-scented, fresh-aired, and wholly American. A stronger
+character than Eben Holden."&mdash;<i>Chicago Record-Herald.</i></p>
+
+<p>VERGILIUS: A Tale of the Coming of Christ. By Irving
+Bacheller.</p>
+
+<p>A thrilling and beautiful story of two young Roman patricians whose
+great and perilous love in the reign of Augustus leads them through
+the momentous, exciting events that marked the year just preceding
+the birth of Christ.</p>
+
+<p>Splendid character studies of the Emperor Augustus, of Herod and
+his degenerate son, Antipater, and of his daughter "the incomparable"
+Salome. A great triumph in the art of historical portrait painting.</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP, NEW YORK
+</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h3>
+PRINCESS MARITZA<br />
+<br /></h3>
+<p class="center">
+A NOVEL OF RAPID ROMANCE.<br />
+BY PERCY BREBNER<br />
+<br />
+With Harrison Fisher Illustrations in Color.<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>Offers more real entertainment and keen enjoyment than
+any book since "Graustark." Full of picturesque life and
+color and a delightful love-story. The scene of the story is
+Wallaria, one of those mythical kingdoms in Southern Europe.
+Maritza is the rightful heir to the throne, but is kept away from
+her own country. The hero is a young Englishman of noble
+family. It is a pleasing book of fiction. Large 12 mo. size.
+Handsomely bound in cloth. White coated wrapper, with
+Harrison Fisher portrait in colors. Price 75 cents, postpaid.</p>
+
+
+<h3>Books by George Barr McCutcheon</h3>
+
+<p>BREWSTER'S MILLIONS</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Montgomery Brewster is required to spend a million
+dollars in one year in order to inherit seven millions. He must
+be absolutely penniless at that time, and yet have spent the
+million in a way that will commend him as fit to inherit the
+larger sum. How he does it forms the basis for one of the
+most crisp and breezy romances of recent years.</p>
+
+<p>CASTLE CRANEYCROW</p>
+
+<p>The story revolves around the abduction of a young American
+woman and the adventures created through her rescue.
+The title is taken from the name of an old castle on the Continent,
+the scene of her imprisonment.</p>
+
+<p>GRAUSTARK: A Story of a Love Behind a Throne.</p>
+
+<p>This work has been and is to-day one of the most popular
+works of fiction of this decade. The meeting of the Princess
+of Graustark with the hero, while travelling incognito in this
+country, his efforts to find her, his success, the defeat of conspiracies
+to dethrone her, and their happy marriage, provide
+entertainment which every type of reader will enjoy.</p>
+
+<p>THE SHERRODS. With illustrations by C. D. Williams</p>
+
+<p>A novel quite unlike Mr. McCutcheon's previous works in
+the field of romantic fiction and yet possessing the charm inseparable
+from anything he writes. The scene is laid in Indiana
+and the theme is best described in the words, "Whom
+God hath joined, let no man put asunder."</p>
+
+<p>Each volume handsomely bound in cloth. Large 12 mo. size.
+Price 75 cents per volume, postpaid.</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP, Publishers<br />
+52 DUANE STREET :: NEW YORK<br />
+</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h4><i>
+GET THE BEST OUT-DOOR STORIES</i><br />
+<br /></h4>
+<h3>Stewart Edward White's<br />
+Great Novels of Western Life.<br />
+<br /></h3>
+<p class="center">
+GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP EDITIONS<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>THE BLAZED TRAIL</p>
+
+<p>Mingles the romance of the forest with the romance of
+man's heart, making a story that is big and elemental, while
+not lacking in sweetness and tenderness. It is an epic of the
+life of the lumbermen of the great forest of the Northwest,
+permeated by out of door freshness, and the glory of the
+struggle with nature.</p>
+
+<p>THE SILENT PLACES</p>
+
+<p>A powerful story of strenuous endeavor and fateful privation
+in the frozen North, embodying also a detective story of
+much strength and skill. The author brings out with sure
+touch and deep understanding the mystery and poetry of the
+still, frost-bound forest.</p>
+
+<p>THE CLAIM JUMPERS</p>
+
+<p>A tale of a Western mining camp and the making of a man,
+with which a charming young lady has much to do. The
+tenderfoot has a hard time of it, but meets the situation,
+shows the stuff he is made of, and "wins out."</p>
+
+<p>THE WESTERNERS</p>
+
+<p>A tale of the mining camp and the Indian country, full of
+color and thrilling incident.</p>
+
+<p>THE MAGIC FOREST: A Modern Fairy Story.</p>
+
+<p>"No better book could be put in a young boy's hands,"
+says the New York <i>Sun</i>. It is a happy blend of knowledge
+of wood life with an understanding of Indian character, as
+well as that of small boys.</p>
+
+<p>Each volume handsomely bound in cloth. Price, seventy-five
+cents per volume, postpaid.</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP, Publishers<br />
+52 DUANE STREET :: NEW YORK<br />
+</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h3><i>THE GROSSET AND DUNLAP SPECIAL<br />
+EDITIONS OF POPULAR NOVELS THAT<br />
+HAVE BEEN DRAMATIZED</i>.</h3>
+
+<p>BREWSTER'S MILLIONS: By George Bar
+McCutcheon.</p>
+
+<p>A clever, fascinating tale, with a striking and unusual
+plot. With illustrations from the original New
+York production of the play.</p>
+
+<p>THE LITTLE MINISTER: By J. M. Barrie.</p>
+
+<p>With illustrations from the play as presented by
+Maude Adams, and a vignette in gold of Miss Adams
+on the cover.</p>
+
+<p>CHECKERS: By Henry M. Blossom, Jr.</p>
+
+<p>A story of the Race Track. Illustrated with scenes
+from the play as originally presented in New York
+by Thomas W. Ross who created the stage character.</p>
+
+<p>THE CHRISTIAN: By Hall Caine.</p>
+
+<p>THE ETERNAL CITY: By Hall Caine.</p>
+
+<p>Each has been elaborately and successfully staged.</p>
+
+<p>IN THE PALACE OF THE KING: By F. Marion
+Crawford.</p>
+
+<p>A love story of Old Madrid, with full page illustrations.
+Originally played with great success by Viola
+Allen.</p>
+
+<p>JANICE MEREDITH: By Paul Leicester Ford.</p>
+
+<p>New edition with an especially attractive cover,
+a really handsome book. Originally played by Mary
+Mannering, who created the title role.</p>
+
+<p>These books are handsomely bound in cloth, are
+well-made in every respect, and aside from their unusual
+merit as stories, are particularly interesting to
+those who like things theatrical. Price, postpaid,
+seventy-five cents each.</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP, <span class="smcap">Publishers</span><br />
+52 DUANE STREET :: NEW YORK<br />
+</p>
+
+
+
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;' />
+
+<p>Transcriber's Notes:</p>
+
+<p>The list of Illustrations was not part of the original book.</p>
+
+<p>Page 97: droping changed to dropping (cook was droping still more into
+the kettle of boiling fat).</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROSE OF OLD ST. LOUIS***</p>
+<p>******* This file should be named 20911-h.txt or 20911-h.zip *******</p>
+<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br />
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/9/1/20911">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/9/1/20911</a></p>
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@@ -0,0 +1,13890 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Rose of Old St. Louis, by Mary Dillon,
+Illustrated by André Castaigne and C. M. Relyea
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Rose of Old St. Louis
+
+
+Author: Mary Dillon
+
+
+
+Release Date: March 26, 2007  [eBook #20911]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROSE OF OLD ST. LOUIS***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Audrey Longhurst, Diane Monico, and the Project
+Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 20911-h.htm or 20911-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/9/1/20911/20911-h/20911-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/9/1/20911/20911-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+THE ROSE OF OLD ST. LOUIS
+
+by
+
+MARY DILLON
+
+With Illustrations by Andre Castaigne and C. M. Relyea
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "'Very well, I shall expect to hear from you'"]
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+New York
+Grosset & Dunlap
+Publishers
+
+Copyright, 1904, by
+The Century Co.
+Published July, 1904
+Reprinted July, 1904, August, 1904,
+September, 1904, October, 1904,
+December, 1904, January, 1906,
+February, 1907
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER                                                 PAGE
+
+I      I MAKE MY BOW IN CAHOKIA                           3
+
+II     I PROPOSE A TOAST                                 17
+
+III    I MEET AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE                        31
+
+IV     I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT                              44
+
+V      I GO TO A PICNIC ON CHOUTEAU'S POND               55
+
+VI     WHIPPOORWILLS                                     79
+
+VII    I TWINE CHRISTMAS GREENS                          92
+
+VIII   I GO TO MIDNIGHT MASS                            104
+
+IX     MADAME CHOUTEAU'S BALL                           119
+
+X      LA GUIGNOLEE                                     135
+
+XI     CHOISSEZ LE ROI                                  147
+
+XII    A MIDNIGHT FRAY                                  157
+
+XIII   "A PRETTY BOY!"                                  168
+
+XIV    A CREOLE LOVE-SONG                               181
+
+XV     "AU REVOIR"                                      203
+
+XVI    A VIRGINIA FARMER                                212
+
+XVII   A GREAT DEBATE                                   225
+
+XVIII  A MAGIC COACH                                    245
+
+XIX    CHECK TO THE ABBE!                               266
+
+XX     BONAPARTE GIVES ENGLAND A RIVAL                  281
+
+XXI    A TEMPEST IN A BATH-TUB                          308
+
+XXII   MR. MONROE ARRIVES!                              328
+
+XXIII  THE CONSUL'S SENTENCE                            338
+
+XXIV   A NEW CHEVALIER OF FRANCE                        363
+
+XXV    THE COMTESSE DE BALOIT SENDS FOR HER HUNTER      375
+
+XXVI   THE CONSUL'S COMMISSION                          386
+
+XXVII  "GOOD-BY, SWEETHEART!"                           397
+
+XXVIII EXIT LE CHEVALIER                                414
+
+XXIX   UNDER THE OLD FLAG                               426
+
+XXX    THE ROSE OF ST. LOUIS                            448
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+                                                       PAGE
+
+"'Very well, I shall expect to hear from you'"      Frontispiece
+
+"In solitary dignity stood Black Hawk"                  152
+
+"He stopped and turned suddenly to the two ministers"   295
+
+The Signing of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty by
+  Marbois, Livingston, and Monroe                       370
+
+
+
+
+FOREWORD
+
+
+My story does not claim to be history, but in every important
+historical detail it is absolutely faithful to the records of the
+times as I have found them. Every word of the debate in Congress,
+every word of Marbois, Livingston, Decres, Napoleon, and his two
+brothers on the subject of the Louisiana Cession is verbatim from the
+most authentic accounts. I am indebted for the historical part of my
+story to Gayarre's "History of Louisiana," to Martin's "History of
+Louisiana," to James K. Hosmer's "History of the Louisiana Purchase,"
+to Lucien Bonaparte's "Memoirs," to numerous lives of Napoleon,
+Jefferson, Talleyrand, and others, and particularly to Marbois
+himself, whose account of the negotiations on the subject of the
+cession is preserved in his own handwriting in the St. Louis
+Mercantile Library.
+
+As to the local color of old St. Louis, both in its topographical
+setting and in its customs, I have also tried to be exact. And here I
+am very largely indebted to that simple and charming old writer, H.
+M. Brackenridge, in his "Recollections of the West" and in his "Views
+of Louisiana"; and also to Timothy Flint in his "Recollections"; to J.
+Thomas Scharf's interesting "History of St. Louis," and especially to
+Mr. Frederic L. Billon, St. Louis's historian _par eminence_. I make
+also the same claim for exactness as to the local color of Washington
+at that early day; for which I have made so many gleanings in many
+fields--a little here, a little there--that it seems hardly worth
+while to give special credit to each.
+
+In non-essential points I have occasionally taken the liberty
+belonging to a writer of fiction, having condensed into one several
+debates in Congress, as well as several interviews between Talleyrand
+and Livingston, and two interviews between Bonaparte and Marbois.
+
+Nor have I hesitated to use the names of the early St. Louis settlers,
+because they are names still well known and honored in the city which
+they helped to found. I have touched upon them but lightly, and have
+tried to make those touches true to the characters of those estimable
+gentlemen and gentlewomen of the old French regime.
+
+            MARY DILLON.
+
+
+
+
+THE ROSE OF
+OLD ST. LOUIS
+
+
+
+
+THE ROSE OF OLD ST. LOUIS
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+I MAKE MY BOW IN CAHOKIA
+
+    "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men
+          Gang aft a-gley."
+
+
+"And this is the village of St. Louis, sir?"
+
+I bowed respectfully to my captain standing in the prow of the boat
+and looking across an expanse of swirling muddy water to the village
+on the bluffs beyond. I spoke more after the manner of making polite
+conversation than because I was desirous of information, for I knew
+without asking that it could be none other.
+
+My captain answered me: "Yes, my lad, yonder is St. Louis, and this is
+De Soto's river; what dost think of it?"
+
+"I think, sir, 'tis a great river, though not so clear a stream as the
+Delaware, and muddier even than the Ohio."
+
+I spoke calmly, but my heart was beating fast, and I could feel the
+blood rushing through my veins. I had been ill with what the boatmen
+call river fever, and had lain in the bottom of the boat wrapped in
+my blanket, alternately shivering with chills and burning with fever,
+oblivious to all about me, so that I had not known when we swept out
+of the Ohio into the Mississippi, past Fort Massac, nor when we had
+tied up at Kaskaskia for a long rest.
+
+We had landed late the evening before at Cahokia, and been most
+hospitably entertained by Mr. Gratiot. There had been a great banquet
+in honor of Captain Clarke, with dancing far into the night, and many
+guests from St. Louis. I, being still an invalid, had been put to bed
+in Mr. Gratiot's beautiful guest-chamber, and given a hot posset that
+put me to sleep at once, though not so soundly but that I could
+dreamily catch occasional strains of the fiddles and the rhythmic
+sound of feet on the waxed walnut, and many voices and much laughter.
+
+Had I been well, it would have vexed me sore not to have been able to
+lead in the minuet one of the beauties of Cahokia, whose fame had
+reached even my distant home in Philadelphia, for I had been carefully
+trained in the steps and the figures, and was young enough to be proud
+of my skill in the dance. But feeling ill as I did, the sounds of
+revelry combined with the posset only to soothe me into a heavy
+slumber.
+
+I woke in the early dawn to find Yorke, Captain Clarke's big black,
+standing beside my bed, with a bowl of smoking gruel. He showed a
+formidable array of white ivory as he grinned amiably in response to
+my questioning look:
+
+"Mars' Gratiot send you de gruel wid his complimen's, sah, and he and
+de capen bofe say you's not to git up dis mohnen, sah."
+
+Yorke always considered that to state a request of "de capen" was
+sufficient to insure compliance. He could not dream of any one setting
+his authority at naught. With me, too, Captain Clarke's authority was
+paramount. It had only been by a promise of absolute submission to
+that authority that I had persuaded my kinsman in Kentucky to allow me
+to accompany the captain on his mission to the governor of Illinois at
+St. Louis.
+
+So, when Yorke said the captain had ordered me to remain in bed, I
+thought for a moment I would have to obey; but having swallowed the
+hot gruel, into which Yorke had put a modicum of good Orleans ratafia,
+I was straightway infused with new spirit (I meant not that for wit),
+and such strength flowed through my limbs as I had not felt for days.
+
+"Yorke," I said, springing out of bed with a haste that made me
+light-headed for a moment, "help me into my clothes, and be quick
+about it; I think I hear sounds below that betoken getting ready for
+departure."
+
+Even as I spoke I ran to a stand on which stood a basin and a small
+ewer of water. I filled the basin, and plunged my head into the icy
+water. I drew it out, sputtering and shivering, and, seizing a towel,
+gave my head and neck and hair so vigorous a rubbing that I did not
+see Yorke slip out of the room. When I turned to speak to him I found
+him gone, afraid either of being a partner in my disobedience to the
+captain, or of being left behind if he delayed longer.
+
+Left to myself, I did my best to hurry with my clothing. I had not
+much experience in dressing myself, but I had been compelled to leave
+behind me in Philadelphia the black boy who had never before, since I
+could remember, been absent from me a day. I had been eager enough to
+part with him, thinking it ill befitted a soldier of fortune, as I
+intended to be, to be coddled by a valet, and I had not missed him
+much, for Yorke had been always ready to lend a helping hand when I
+needed it. Now I was of a mind to curse the vanity that had led me to
+fit myself out with doeskins that were of so snug a cut they needed
+much tugging to get into them, and with endless lacings with which my
+awkward fingers, clumsier than ever from the icy water and the
+trembling the fever had left me in, fumbled desperately.
+
+But I was ready at last, and seizing my sword-belt in one hand and my
+hat in the other, I started with hot haste for the door, fearing I
+might be, after all, too late. As I opened it, a sound smote my ears
+that struck terror to my heart: the voices and the laughter of young
+maidens. I stepped back involuntarily. I had not thought of the
+possibility of meeting any one at that early hour but my host and my
+captain, and I had not given a thought to my appearance. Now I took an
+anxious survey of myself in the small French mirror that hung above
+the stand. I was vexed beyond measure at what I saw.
+
+"They will take me for a girl," I muttered between my teeth, "and
+flout me accordingly."
+
+It had ever been a source of extreme mortification to me that I should
+have rosy cheeks like any maiden's, but now, owing to the hard
+scrubbing I had given them, they were all aflame, and their color was
+heightened by the pallor my recent illness had given to brow and
+temples. My hair, from its wetting, was curling in ringlets all around
+my head. I seized a brush and tried desperately to reduce them to
+straightness, but the brushing served only to bring out in stronger
+relief the glint of gold that I despised, and certainly my eyes had
+never looked more blue and shining.
+
+"They will think me a girl or a baby!" I muttered once more, and was
+in such disgust with myself I was ready to go back to bed. But
+bethinking me that would only leave me the longer in this House of
+Dames, I seized my belt once more, buckled it on with a vicious
+twitch, and strode boldly to the door.
+
+There I stopped a moment to collect all my courage, soothing myself
+with the reflection that I stood a good six feet in my moccasins, and
+though I carried no superfluous flesh, my shoulders were as broad as
+my captain's and my muscles like whip-cords. Fortified by these
+considerations, I strode on boldly to the landing at the head of the
+wide staircase leading down to the great hall.
+
+There I stopped again; for while the landing was in gloom, the hall
+was brilliantly illuminated by a roaring, blazing lightwood fire,
+looking cheery enough in the gray light of the frosty morning, and
+throwing into strong relief two groups on either side of the
+fireplace. On one side stood my captain, evidently ready for a start,
+and making his adieus to his host. I glanced eagerly at Mr. Gratiot
+and at the elderly man who stood beside him, who, I thought, was
+likely to be none other than Mr. Francis Vigo. I had heard much of
+these two men from General George Rogers Clarke, whose lonely retreat
+on the Ohio I had often visited during my stay in Kentucky. They had
+been General Clarke's best friends and helpers in the early days of
+the war, when he had made that daring attack on Vincennes, and I knew
+Captain Clarke's mission to St. Louis had something to do with
+discharging his brother's obligation to them. They were smaller men
+than my captain, of a slender, graceful build, and the hair of both
+was quite white, but from my post of observation I could see that they
+were men of courtly manners, well used to the ways of the world, and
+talking now quite eagerly with all the wealth of gesture and
+expression natural to Frenchmen.
+
+The firelight played strongly on the face of my captain, whom I had
+already begun to adore, as did every one who came into close
+companionship with him. I gazed admiringly at his broad, white brow,
+clear-cut features, and firmly knit figure, a little square of build,
+but looking every inch the frontier soldier in his leathern doublet
+and leggings and high-laced moccasins. Over one shoulder he had thrown
+his blue military cloak, for the trip across the river promised to be
+a cold one, and he carried in his hand a hat with a drooping plume. I
+wondered if the merry group of girls on the other side of the
+fireplace was not impressed by such a handsome and soldierly stranger,
+and a bachelor to boot. I thought I could detect an occasional
+conscious glance in his direction and a furtive preening of skirts and
+fluttering of fans, that betokened they were not insensible to the
+presence of the brave captain.
+
+There were six of the young maidens, and all but two of them were in
+ball costume; flowered silks, and arms and shoulders gleaming white
+through fine lace, powdered hair, and patches and paint, they might
+have stepped out of a Philadelphia ball-room, I thought, and was
+astonished at the thought. I had not expected to find court beauties
+on the frontier, yet the Chouteaus, the Gratiots, and the Papins were
+names I had often heard in my own home as men of wealth and vast
+emprise.
+
+The six girls were chatting gaily in French, and I was so absorbed in
+my contemplation of them that I did not at first consider the
+strangeness of their appearance in that costume so early in the
+morning. When it did occur to me, I concluded the four must have come
+over from St. Louis to attend the ball and had no other dress to
+return in, and the other two were doubtless Mr. Gratiot's daughters,
+which I learned afterward was the true explanation.
+
+But now bethinking me it was high time to make my descent, and running
+quickly over in my mind the way to make it most effective,--for I
+wished to bear myself bravely before the young maidens,--I determined
+to place my left hand on the hilt of my sword, to hold my hat, which
+also bore a sweeping plume, in my right hand pressed close to my
+heart, and with head held high and borne a little backward, to descend
+with the stately minuet step. I flattered myself that with such a
+manner as I felt sure I could assume those saucy maidens would forget
+my rosy cheeks and my curls and think only of my air of _grand
+seigneur_.
+
+I glanced down to see that my costume was all right, and now I was
+glad that my doeskins fitted so perfectly, even if they were hard to
+get into in a hurry, that my high moccasins were so beautifully and
+elaborately beaded in purple and yellow, with broad slashes of fringe
+falling from the tops of them, and that my leathern doublet sat so
+well, as my peep into the mirror had convinced me it did.
+
+As I started down, feeling well satisfied with my costume, yet
+trembling inwardly at the thought of the array of bright eyes I was to
+encounter, my glance fell on an untied lacing at one knee. I stooped
+to retie it, and at that moment heard what seemed to me the sweetest
+voice I had ever listened to, call:
+
+"A moi, Leon, a moi," followed by a clear, soft whistle.
+
+I was still clumsily fumbling with my lacers (my fingers have ever
+been all thumbs when there is any dainty task to be performed) when I
+heard a rush of soft, padded feet, and down the corridor behind me, in
+response to that clear whistle, bounded a great dog. Through the arch
+that my bent limbs made in stooping he saw the glow of the firelight
+from below and made straight for it. But alas! the arch was narrower
+than he thought, and dog and man went rolling and tumbling down the
+staircase, bumping and bounding from stair to stair, a wild melee of
+doeskin legs and shaggy paws and clanging sword and wildly brandished
+arms, making vain clutches at the air to stay the headlong descent.
+
+Deep-mouthed yelps voiced the terror of the dog at this unexpected
+Sindbad who refused to be shaken off. No words could voice the
+overwhelming shame of the man at this unmannerly presentation of
+himself before a group of young maidens, when so dignified an entrance
+had been planned.
+
+As we struck the polished walnut of the hall floor, I disentangled
+myself and sprang to my feet, where I stood, scarlet with shame, head
+drooping, a pitiable object indeed. There had been an amazed, and
+perhaps on the maidens' side a terrified, silence during our noisy
+descent. Now from the maidens there arose first a suppressed giggle
+and then an irresistible peal of laughter, joined to the hearty
+guffaws of the men. My shame was fast giving place to rising wrath, in
+no degree appeased by the consciousness of the spectacle I presented.
+The dog, a magnificent mastiff, by that time recovering from his
+confusion, and feeling as keenly as I, no doubt, the derogation of his
+dignity, and, with a dog's unreason, regarding me as the agent of his
+humiliation when I was in fact the victim of his own stupidity, sprang
+at me with a vicious growl.
+
+Here was an occasion to vent my boiling wrath. Quick as thought my
+sword sprang from its sheath and came down flat-sided with a ringing
+blow on the brute's head. I have ever been a merciful man to all
+beasts, and dogs and horses I have loved and they have loved me; and
+even in my wrath and the quick necessity of defense I remembered to
+use the flat of my sword; yet such is the strength of my sword-arm
+from much practice, increased, I fear, by a venom instigated by those
+silvery peals of laughter, that I bowled the brute over as easily as
+if he had been a ninepin.
+
+With a howl of mingled rage and pain he recovered himself instantly
+and crouched to spring upon me once more, with such bloodthirst in his
+eyes that I saw now I would have to defend myself in earnest. But as
+he was almost in the act of springing, from among the group of maidens
+there rushed what seemed to my dazzled vision a small whirlwind of
+satins and laces and velvets and jewels, and flung itself upon the dog
+with a ringing cry of "A bas, Leon! tais-toi, mon ange!"
+
+The brute yielded obedience at once to the restraining arm and tones
+of command, though still regarding me with vicious eyes and uttering
+threatening growls.
+
+As for me, I stood as if turned to stone, still in an attitude of
+defense, the weight of my body thrown forward on the right foot, the
+hilt of my sword pressed against my breast, the point presented to
+receive the onslaught of the brute. In that attitude I stood frozen,
+for never had I beheld such a vision of loveliness. The arm that
+encircled the shaggy neck of the dog was bare almost to the shoulder,
+the sleeve of finest lace having fallen back in the energy of her
+action, and never have I seen an arm so white, so round, or tapering
+so finely to the slender wrist and exquisite little hand clutching a
+lock of Leon's mane. Masses of wavy dark hair were drawn loosely back
+from a brow of dazzling whiteness into a cluster of soft curls on top
+of the head, where it seemed to be caught by a jeweled aigret, which
+yet permitted tiny ringlets to escape about the temples and the nape
+of the snowy neck. She had thrown herself with such abandon on the
+dog, and was holding him with such exertion of strength, that the
+narrow skirt of her satin gown, flowered in palest pink and silver,
+revealed every line of a most exquisite figure down to the little foot
+extending backward from her skirts and showing the high arch of the
+instep in its stocking of embroidered silk.
+
+I had gazed with impunity, for the drooping white lids and the long,
+dark lashes sweeping the perfect curve of the cheek showed all her
+looks were for the dog, to whom she incessantly murmured in French
+mingled words of command and endearment. But suddenly she lifted her
+little head and flung it proudly back, with such a blaze of
+indignation and scorn in her dark eyes I felt withered under it. The
+scarlet curve of her lips fell away to disclose two rows of pearly
+teeth, close set, and through them, with a vicious snap, came the one
+word:
+
+"Bete!"
+
+I could not for a moment think that the word was meant for the dog,
+and such a rage slowly welled in my veins as restored me at once to
+my self-command. I dropped the point of my sword to the floor and
+straightened myself to as proud a pose as hers.
+
+"I pray you pardon, Mademoiselle," I said haughtily. The words were
+meek enough, but not the tone nor the manner, and so enraged was I
+that I hesitated not a moment over my French. My accent, I knew, was
+good, for, my aunt having married Monsieur Barbe Marbois, I was thrown
+much with French people; but I had been ever careless of my grammar,
+and in a moment of less excitement I might have hesitated in venturing
+on the native tongue of so fair a creature. But now my French poured
+from me in an angry torrent:
+
+"I pray you pardon. Danger alone is my excuse. I do not doubt a dog is
+worth much more to Mademoiselle than the life of an American
+gentleman. I make you, Mademoiselle, my compliments and my excuses."
+
+Then returning my sword to its scabbard with an angry ring, I made her
+a low and sweeping bow of ironical courtesy and strode hotly from the
+room. I was in such a tumult of rage and mortification that not until
+I reached the landing on the banks of Cahokia Creek, where the boats
+were tied and the men busily making ready for the departure, did I
+bethink me that I had left the house without a word of adieus or
+thanks to my host for his courtesy. I began to fear that my sense of
+self-respect would compel my return, and rather would I have faced a
+battalion of the British than another flash from those dark eyes; nor
+could I hope to make another so masterly a retreat as I plumed myself
+this one had been. But as I glanced back toward the house on the
+bluffs that had proved my undoing, to my intense relief I saw that the
+three gentlemen had followed not far behind me and were even now
+descending the pathway to the creek. I hastened to meet them and make
+my apologies.
+
+A more courteous gentleman than Mr. Gratiot I never met. He spoke very
+good English indeed, his accent I believe not so good as my French
+one, but his grammar much better.
+
+"My dear young gentleman, you acquitted yourself nobly," he was kind
+enough to say. "In the eyes of the young ladies, if I may possibly
+except Mademoiselle Pelagie, you are a hero. But they are much
+chagrined that you should have left them without giving them a chance
+to express their sympathy or their admiration."
+
+The sound of those silvery peals of laughter was too vividly in my
+remembrance to permit me to accept Mr. Gratiot's compliments without a
+large grain of allowance for a Frenchman's courtesy, but I bowed low
+in seeming to accept them. Then he introduced me to his companion, who
+proved not to be Mr. Vigo after all, but Dr. Saugrain, the French
+emigre so renowned for his learning. I looked at him keenly as I made
+my bow, for I had heard something of him in Philadelphia, and in
+Kentucky there had been so many tales of the wonderful things he could
+do that I think most people looked upon him as a dealer in black arts.
+But he was in no respect my idea of a Mephisto. He was small and wiry
+of build, and dressed in black small-clothes, with ruffles of finest
+lace at wrist and knee.
+
+Black silk stockings showed a well-turned calf in no whit shrunken
+with age, and his silver shoe-buckles glittered with brilliants. His
+hair, iron-gray and curly, was tied in a short queue with a black
+satin ribbon, and beneath a rather narrow and high brow beamed two as
+kindly blue eyes as it had ever been my lot to meet.
+
+His greeting was most cordial, though there was a merry twinkle in his
+eye while speaking to me that made me feel he might still be laughing
+inwardly at my ridiculous descent of Mr. Gratiot's staircase. With a
+very grand manner indeed, and with much use of his hands, as is the
+fashion of Frenchmen, he said:
+
+"My dear sir, it mek me mos' proud and mos' 'appy to know you. Vous
+etes veritablement un brave. Le capitaine dine chez moi to-day; I
+s'all be desole and inconsolable if he bring not also his ver' dear
+young frien'." Then, with a sudden and entire change of manner, he
+laid his finger beside his nose and said in a loud whisper:
+
+"My frien', I would not min' you kill that dog, moi! I lofe 'im not."
+
+But while his words did not sound kind to me, who am such a lover of
+dogs that nothing but the necessity of self-defense would ever make me
+lift a hand against one, yet, all the time he spoke, his eyes twinkled
+more merrily than ever, and I wondered at the man whose manner could
+change so quickly from the grand seigneur's to that of a king's
+jester, and I puzzled my brains mightily to know what his connection
+with the dog could be.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+I PROPOSE A TOAST
+
+"The rose that all are praising."
+
+
+"And this is the village of St. Louis, sir?"
+
+My discomfiture, my mortification, my rage, the vision of dainty
+beauty, the strange little savant--every remembrance of my brief visit
+to Cahokia had been swept away by the rushing waters of the great
+river of which I had read and heard so much.
+
+My brain was teeming with tales of the Spanish adventurer De Soto; of
+the French trader Joliet; of the devoted and saintly Jesuit, beloved
+of the Indians, Pere Marquette; and of the bold Norman La Salle, who
+hated and feared all Jesuits. I saw the river through a veil of
+romance that gilded its turbid waters, but it was something far other
+than its romantic past that set my pulses to beating, and the blood
+rushing through my veins so that I hardly heard my captain's answer,
+and hardly knew what I replied to him.
+
+Through the months of my sojourn in Kentucky there had been one
+all-absorbing theme--the closing of the Mississippi to American boats
+by the Spanish, and their refusal to grant us a right of deposit on
+the Isle of New Orleans. Feeling had run so high that there were
+muttered threats against the government at Washington.
+
+There were two factions, each acting secretly and each numbering
+thousands. One was for setting off at once down the river to capture
+New Orleans and take exclusive possession of both sides of the river;
+and if the government at Washington would not help them, or, still
+worse, forbade them the emprise, they would set up an independent
+government of the West. The other faction, inspired by secret agents
+of the Spanish government, was for floating the Spanish flag and
+proclaiming themselves subjects of Charles of Aragon. Spain's secret
+emissaries were eloquent of the neglect of the home government in the
+East, and its powerlessness to help the Westerners if it would, and it
+was said they clenched their arguments with chink of Spanish gold.
+Treason and patriotism, a wild indignation at wrongs unredressed, and
+a wilder enthusiasm for conquest sent the blood of Kentucky to
+fever-heat. Passions were inflamed until it needed but a spark from a
+tinder to set them ablaze.
+
+With me, friend and distant kinsman of the Clarkes, there was no
+possibility of being touched by the taint of treason. But while it
+would be treason of the blackest dye, and most abhorrent to my soul,
+to submit to Spain's rule, to my young blood there could be no treason
+in compelling Spain at the point of the sword to submit to our
+demands. I was all for war, and when the cooler judgment of General
+Clarke and his brother, my captain, prevailed to calm for a time the
+wild tumult of war, I was bitterly disappointed.
+
+Now for the first time I was beholding the river that had aroused the
+mighty tempest in Kentucky, and it was not the tales of De Soto and La
+Salle, of Joliet and Pere Marquette, that sent the blood rushing
+through my veins, but the thought that this was the mighty river
+forbidden to our commerce, that the swirling brown water at my feet
+was rushing down to the Spanish city on the Gulf, and I longed to be
+one of an army rushing with it to secure our natural and inalienable
+rights by conquest.
+
+I knew that Captain Clarke was visiting St. Louis to make some
+arrangements for his brother's debts--debts incurred principally to
+Mr. Gratiot and Mr. Vigo for no benefit to himself, but in rescuing
+and protecting the people of Illinois from the Indians and the
+British; debts belonging of right to the government, but repudiated by
+it, and left to be borne by the noble man who, almost alone, by a
+heroism and genius for war unparalleled had saved all that Western
+country to the Union.
+
+I knew this was my captain's errand, yet I hoped there might be some
+touching on the question of the river navigation with the Spanish
+governor of St. Louis, and I had visions of returning to Kentucky and,
+amid the acclaims of our fellow-citizens, announcing that Captain
+Clarke, assisted by his young kinsman, had succeeded in convincing the
+Spanish governor Delassus of the wrongs inflicted upon American
+commerce by the unjust interdiction; that Delassus had thereupon
+remonstrated with the intendant at New Orleans, and, as a result, the
+river was thrown open to the Gulf, and a port of deposit granted on
+the Isle of New Orleans where our merchants might store the goods they
+brought down the river for sale.
+
+It was because my brain was teeming with such sweet dreams of glory
+that I answered my captain so absent-mindedly and so little to the
+point. It was still so early that the low morning sun at our backs had
+just begun to gild the bluffs before us. We could not have had a finer
+first view of the Spanish town of which we had heard so much. High and
+dry on its limestone bluffs, where no floods for which the great river
+is so famous could ever reach it, it extended in a straggling line for
+a mile and a half. Its dwellings, some of them of imposing size, were
+embowered in trees, and, at that distance, seemed to stand in the
+midst of large gardens. Behind the village rose another hill, on the
+summit of which stood a fort, and from the fort, in either direction,
+palisades curved around the town, interrupted at intervals by
+demilunes, and terminating at the bluffs in stone towers. Behind this
+second terrace the land continued to rise in a succession of terraces,
+covered partly with low bushes and shrubs and partly with high, waving
+woods, giving an impression of indescribable richness to the
+landscape, every detail of which the level rays of the bright morning
+sun brought out in strong relief. The whole made a most impressive
+appearance, more like the picture of walled towns on the Rhine than
+like anything I had seen in our country.
+
+We were now so far out in the stream that the men could no longer use
+their poles, and were trusting to the great sail they had spread to
+catch a stiff south-eastern breeze, assisted by vigorous strokes of
+their paddles, and I could see that against the swift current they
+were straining every nerve and yet were steadily being borne below the
+village and the landing-place.
+
+Paddling on the Schuylkill and the Delaware was ever a favorite
+pastime with me, and I doubt not I was a little proud of my skill.
+Forgetting my recent illness and the weak state it had left me in, I
+seized the paddle from a young fellow who seemed to me well-nigh
+giving over, and unceremoniously tumbled him out of his seat into the
+bottom of the boat, while I took his place. To my astonishment, I
+found this was an entirely different stream from the steadily flowing
+rivers of the East. My paddle was like to be snatched from my hand at
+the first dip into the powerful current, and though I saved it by a
+mad and desperate clutch, yet it felt like a feather in my hands, and
+I saw my captain (who had witnessed my peremptory usurpation of the
+paddle) trying to suppress a sly smile, while my mortified ears caught
+the sound of derisive snickers behind me, and Yorke, the impudent
+black, grinned openly from ear to ear.
+
+The worst of it was, I myself could see we were losing ground more
+rapidly than before. Now, I had ever a horror of owning myself beaten
+(unless it were in argument, for I have no skill with words). I would
+fight to the last gasp, but I would never surrender, which is
+sometimes a foolish way, but more often wins victory out of defeat.
+With my captain looking on, I felt that defeat even in so small a
+matter would be a disgrace I could never survive. And so, admonishing
+myself to keep cool, and remembering a turn of the wrist that an old
+Indian had taught me in Pennsylvania, I very soon caught the trick of
+the blade and found myself holding my own. Hope returned, and I
+gradually put forth more and more strength, until, to my great
+satisfaction, I at last saw that we were no longer drifting
+down-stream, but steadily making head against the current, with fair
+promise of reaching our landing-place. Then, indeed, did I feel
+exultant, and such courage leaped through my veins, and so swift and
+sure and strong were my strokes, that I felt I could alone, with my
+single arm, bring the great boat to harbor. But for the second time
+that morning was my vanity my undoing. We did indeed make the landing,
+where a great concourse of people had gathered to meet us, among them
+a stately Spanish don (who, I had no doubt, was the governor)
+surrounded by a retinue of officers; but as the keel of our boat
+grounded in the soft mud and my captain called me to come with him to
+meet the governor, and I arose in my place to obey him, suddenly a
+great blackness and dizziness seized me, and I knew no more until I
+opened my eyes to find myself being borne, on the shoulders of four
+men, up the steep bluff toward the village street. I insisted in the
+most forcible terms on being put upon my feet at once, but as I spoke
+in English, and the soldiers were either Spanish or creole French, my
+entreaties and imprecations were lost upon them. Nor did my kicking
+and pushing avail me any better; they but held me the more firmly for
+my struggles. Then I called out lustily for help, and the ever-ready
+Yorke (but with the grin that I had learned at times to consider
+detestable) ran to my aid.
+
+"Yorke!" I shouted to him; "make the rascals put me down this minute,
+and do you, sir, shut that _domtiferous_ mouth of yours. I warn you,
+sir, you grin at your peril!"
+
+My mother had ever a horror of the oaths with which gentlemen lard
+their conversation, and because I loved and honored her greatly, I had
+resolved that I would never, to use her words, "sully my mouth" with
+one. But often feeling the need of some more emphatic expressions than
+our language provides except in the form of oaths, I had coined for
+myself a small vocabulary to be used on occasions requiring great
+emphasis. Since these words all began with a _d_, I had the
+satisfaction of feeling that I was sufficiently emphatic without
+violating the respect due my mother.
+
+Whether it was the strangeness of the form of my imprecations or the
+length of my adjective that scared Yorke, certain it is that he was
+sobered at once, and with the solemnity of the Spanish don himself he
+soon made the soldiers understand that they must put me down. Once on
+my own feet, though I still felt a little shaky, I was able, by
+availing myself of Yorke's arm, to climb the steep path leading up the
+bluff, and soon found myself in the main street of the village, which
+the _habitans_ called the Rue Royale.
+
+We had come out into a large square or marketplace, filled with the
+throng of people I had seen at the landing and many more, so that, as
+the people surged backward and forward to get a nearer view, the whole
+open space looked like a great posy-bed of many-hued flowers waving in
+a summer breeze. And if St. Louis had had a foreign look to me when
+viewed from a distance, still more did I feel as if I were in a
+strange town in a strange land as I heard the babble of strange
+tongues about me and saw the picturesque costumes of the habitans, so
+unlike anything I had ever seen in Philadelphia or Kentucky. Negroes
+were chattering their queer creole patois, and Indians of many nations
+were gathered into groups, some of them bedizened with the cheap
+finery of the stores, some of them wearing only bright-hued blankets,
+but with wonderful head-dresses of eagle feathers, and all of them
+looking gravely on with a curiosity as silent as that of the habitans
+was noisy and babbling. The presence of so many Indians and on such
+friendly terms struck me as strange, for in Kentucky there were no
+such friendly relations between Indians and whites, and the presence
+of so many of them would have betokened danger and caused much
+uneasiness.
+
+It thrilled me much that our coming should have made so great
+excitement in the village, and doubtless my vanity would have taken
+fire again if I had not known that it was my captain these people had
+come to see, and not myself, of whom they had never heard. Even my
+captain I knew must shine in a reflected glory, as the brother of
+General George Rogers Clarke, whom the people of St. Louis worshiped
+as their savior in the affair of 1780, when the Osages surprised the
+men at work in the fields, and whom all the Indians of Illinois
+regarded with fear and reverence as the great "Captain of the Long
+Knives." Yet I could see that many of their curious glances fell on me
+also, and I let go of Yorke's arm and walked steadily with my head in
+the air, as befitted the friend of Captain Clarke.
+
+We had stopped in front of a large stone building set inside a walled
+inclosure. My captain, who was in advance with the governor and his
+party, as he entered the inclosure turned and beckoned to Yorke and me
+to follow him. The throng parted to let us through, and as we entered
+the gates I saw that the governor had stopped on the wide gallery that
+ran round the four sides of the building, and with a stately flourish
+was bidding my captain welcome to Government House.
+
+With Yorke close at my footsteps, I followed the governor's party
+through a wide door into a great room that extended through the house
+(as I could see by the open doors and windows at the rear), and that
+was almost as wide as it was long, with doors opening into rooms on
+both sides. Here I was presented to Governor Delassus, who received me
+cordially, and who, with his dark eyes and punctilious manners, was my
+idea of a Spanish don.
+
+On either side of him stood two men who also greeted me cordially, but
+without the punctiliousness of the Spaniard. They were the two
+Chouteaus, Auguste and Jean Pierre. I had heard much of them, both in
+Philadelphia and in Kentucky, and I found it difficult to conceal the
+curiosity with which I regarded them. I had expected to find two rough
+frontiersmen, somewhat after the manner of Daniel Boone or Simon
+Kenyon, both of whom I had seen at General Clarke's; but they were
+very far from that. Auguste, the elder, and who, almost more than his
+step-father, Laclede, was the founder of St. Louis, was the graver of
+the two, with keen, shrewd eyes that betokened the successful man of
+business. Pierre (as everybody called the younger) looked not at all
+like his brother: taller and slenderer of build, his flashing dark
+eyes and gay manners must have been inherited from his father,
+Laclede, for Madame Chouteau (whom I came to know very well later) was
+even graver and sterner in manner than her eldest son, Auguste.
+
+But interested as I was in meeting these men,--and there were many
+others of whom I had heard, Manuel Lisa, Gabriel Cerre, Francis Vigo,
+and Josef Marie Papin,--I could not resist casting many a furtive
+glance toward a table set in the rear of the great room. My bowl of
+gruel in the early morning had satisfied me at the time, but I was
+still weak from illness and much fasting, and my hard pull at the
+paddles had left me famished indeed. It was now, I was quite sure by
+the sun and the shadows, nearly eleven o'clock, and I began to feel
+the dizziness once more, and to be seized with a terrible fear that I
+should again be overcome. It was with a great joy, therefore, that I
+began to observe black servants bringing in smoking viands and
+arranging them upon the table, and no words ever sounded more pleasant
+in my ears than the governor's invitation to breakfast.
+
+As we were about to sit down, my captain on the governor's right, and
+I very kindly placed on his left, with Mr. Pierre Chouteau beside me,
+there was a noise at the door, and Mr. Gratiot and Dr. Saugrain
+entered. They were welcomed in such fashion it was easy to see they
+were both prime favorites in that society. In response to my captain's
+inquiries, they said they had left Cahokia very shortly after us,
+bringing the young ladies over in two small boats, and the boats being
+light and easily handled, they had nearly overtaken us.
+
+At the mention of the young ladies I felt myself flush painfully, and
+I almost thought the little doctor regarded me with a wicked twinkle
+in his eyes. But I was not sure, and I resolutely put the thought of
+them out of my mind, while I devoted myself to the more serious
+matters of the table.
+
+And, indeed, seldom has it been my lot to sit down to a more delicious
+meal. It was my first taste of French cookery, and I proved then, what
+I had often heard, that the French have a talent for savors and
+seasonings, and for dainty service, denied to us Anglo-Saxons. It may
+be, also, that my long fasting (for my light breakfast had hardly
+broken my fast) added a sauce to the viands more potent than any
+Frenchman's skill, for my appetite had come back with a rush, and for
+the first time in many days I ate like a well man, and a very hungry
+one. So well, forsooth, did I ply my knife and fork that Pierre
+Chouteau could not forbear congratulating me, in his polished French
+manner, on my prowess as a trencherman; at which I had the grace to
+blush.
+
+And now, having taken the edge off my hunger, I had leisure to enjoy
+the swift exchange of wit and repartee flashing back and forth across
+the table in mixed English, French, and Spanish. There had been many
+toasts, most courteously worded and delicately drunk, for I noticed
+these Frenchmen were not deep drinkers, and did not feel it necessary
+to drain their glasses at every toast, as is the manner in Kentucky.
+My captain's health had been drunk and he had responded with the
+governor's (nor did our polite hosts forget to honor me), and the
+gaiety began to grow somewhat noisy, when a youngster, who had, no
+doubt, been drinking a little more than was good for him, sprang to
+his feet. Waving his goblet toward Yorke (who stood behind Captain
+Clarke's chair grinning delightedly at every flash of wit, whether he
+understood it or not), he called out:
+
+"I drink to the health of Monsieur Yorke, gentlemen, tallest and most
+smiling of sable Mercurys. May his inches never be fewer nor his
+smiles grow less."
+
+I saw my captain frown, and Yorke, who did not understand one word
+that was said, since it was all in French, easily understood the
+gesture toward him, and the hesitating glances in his direction, and
+the half-lifted glasses as their owners were in doubt whether the
+toast was to be taken in jest or earnest. His eyes rolled in terror
+from the proposer of the toast to Captain Clarke, and back again. I
+knew my captain would never brook the indignity of having his health
+drunk at the same table and by the same people who afterward drank his
+slave's, and fearing an awkward _contretemps_, I sprang to my feet to
+avert it. I lifted my glass high as I cried:
+
+"Listen to me, messieurs! Is there no fair lady to whose honor your
+young men would drink? For never could we drink to the ladies after
+drinking to a negro and a slave. I give you, messieurs, the fairest
+lady in St. Louis!"
+
+As I said it, for one fleeting moment I had a vision of a round white
+arm bare to the shoulder, a slender hand grasping a tawny mane, and
+black eyes flashing with scorn. Perhaps it was due to that vision that
+my voice had a ring in it that brought every man to his feet, and as
+glasses clinked, each man drank to the lady of his love with a rousing
+cheer.
+
+As we brought our glasses to the table, rims down, the young man who
+had proposed Yorke's health said, with a bow of apology to me:
+
+"I accept my rebuke, and if the gentleman permit I would like to
+repeat his toast: To the fairest lady in St. Louis--Dr. Saugrain's
+ward!"
+
+"Fill up your glasses, gentlemen, drain them to the lees, and throw
+them over your shoulders; 'tis a worthy toast," cried the governor;
+and, filling his to the brim, and draining it at one draught, he flung
+it over his shoulder--an example which the others, benedict and
+bachelor, followed with ardor. In the midst of the crashing of glass,
+I thought I caught Dr. Saugrain's and Mr. Gratiot's eyes fixed
+curiously on me. I turned to Mr. Pierre Chouteau:
+
+"Dr. Saugrain's ward must be fair indeed, to rouse such enthusiasm," I
+said.
+
+"Vraiment," returned Pierre, "she is the Rose of St. Louis. But you
+dine with Dr. Saugrain to-day: you will see, and then you will know.
+Young Josef Papin yonder, who proposed the toast, is wild about her.
+And so are half the young men of the village."
+
+"Vraiment," I murmured to myself, "if she is fairer than the scornful
+Mademoiselle Pelagie, she is fair indeed!"
+
+And yet I found myself looking forward to Dr. Saugrain's dinner with
+suppressed excitement, while I puzzled my brains to interpret his and
+Mr. Gratiot's enigmatical glances in my direction.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+I MEET AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE
+
+    "I am his Highness's dog at Kew;
+    Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you?"
+
+
+"Allons!" said Mr. Pierre Chouteau, "I will show you the village.
+There are yet two hours before Dr. Saugrain's dinner-hour arrives."
+
+We were standing on the wide gallery of Government House, looking up
+the Rue de la Tour to the "Fort on the Hill" with its massive round
+towers of stone and high stockade. We had made our adieus to Governor
+Delassus, and we were quite ready to accept Mr. Chouteau's invitation.
+Mr. Gratiot and Mr. Auguste Chouteau excused themselves from
+accompanying us on the ground of pressing business, but Mr. Auguste
+Chouteau said he hoped soon to see us at his own house, and Mr.
+Gratiot promised to meet us at dinner at Dr. Saugrain's.
+
+So it was only four of us who set out (or five, if you count the black
+as one), Mr. Chouteau and my captain leading, Dr. Saugrain and I
+following, with Yorke trailing in the rear; for Captain Clarke did not
+dare leave that ingenious black to his own devices, being well assured
+that it would certainly result in disaster to himself or to some of
+the habitans.
+
+Diagonally across the street, at the corner of the Rue de la Tour and
+the Rue Royale, was a large garden, shut in by solid stone walls
+higher than a man's head. Over the top of the walls fell branches of
+fruit-trees, and grape-vines still with a few clusters of late grapes
+hanging from them. Beyond were the tops of lofty shade-trees, and
+between the branches, where the foliage was rapidly thinning, we could
+catch glimpses of the stone chimneys and dormer-windows of a great
+house.
+
+We turned into the Rue Royale and walked by the stone wall stretching
+north a long distance. The morning had been frosty, but the noon sun
+was hot, and we were glad to shelter ourselves under the overhanging
+boughs. It was Auguste Chouteau's place, but Pierre said he would let
+his brother have the pleasure of showing it to us; and we were about
+to pass the wide entrance-gate half-way down the long wall when we
+were stopped by a strange procession. Out of the gate filed slowly,
+solemnly, one at a time, a long line of fantastically dressed Indians.
+The two in front were attired alike in shabby old United States
+uniforms, with gold epaulets much tarnished and worn, dilapidated gold
+lace on collars and sleeves, and wearing on their heads military hats
+with long draggled plumes. From thigh to the low moccasins their legs
+were entirely unclothed, and a more ludicrous combination than the
+civilized coats and the bare brown legs I had never seen. The two in
+military coats were evidently chiefs, and were followed by a long line
+of braves sweltering under heavy Mackinac blankets, each armed with a
+scarlet umbrella in one hand and a palm-leaf fan in the other, to
+protect them from the sun. Apparently they did not glance in our
+direction, but each one as he passed Mr. Chouteau saluted him with a
+guttural "Ugh!" to which Mr. Chouteau responded in the most military
+fashion.
+
+"They are on their way to my place, and we will let them get well
+ahead of us," Mr. Chouteau said, as the last brave passed us. "It
+would hardly be dignified to be trailing in their rear; we will step
+into my brother's garden for a moment and give them time to get out of
+our way."
+
+The massive gates, which, I saw, could be heavily bolted and barred,
+stood open, and we passed through into a park-like inclosure,
+beautifully laid out and kept in perfect order, with velvet turf and
+noble forest trees, and, in one part, a garden of vegetables and
+flowers. Set in the midst was a noble stone mansion some sixty feet in
+front, with wide galleries shaded by a projection of sloping roof,
+which was pierced by dormer-windows. Several smaller stone buildings
+were grouped around it, and from one to the other negroes were passing
+on various errands, giving a cheerful impression of industry and
+prosperity. I caught the flutter of a white dress disappearing through
+a wide door opening from the gallery into the house, and I would have
+liked to get a nearer view of the mansion and its inmates. But an
+exclamation from Mr. Chouteau put all thoughts of petticoats out of my
+mind.
+
+"Diable!" he ejaculated, "'tis Black Hawk himself. Now what is the
+meaning of this, think you?"
+
+I followed his glance, and saw coming from one of the outbuildings the
+noblest specimen of a savage I had ever beheld. Unlike the others, he
+was decked in no worn-out finery of the white man, bestowed upon him
+in exchange for valuable furs, but in the fitting costume of a great
+chief, his head-dress of eagle feathers falling back from the top of
+his head almost to his high beaded moccasins. He was far above the
+usual stature of Indians, and what increased his appearance of height
+was the lofty brow and noble dome, beneath which two piercing eyes and
+strong aquiline nose gave additional character to a most striking
+face.
+
+I thought both Mr. Chouteau and Dr. Saugrain looked a little troubled
+for a moment, but as the savage stalked majestically toward us, Pierre
+advanced to meet him, and with a courteous but commanding wave of his
+hand stopped him.
+
+"What has brought my brother from his island on the bosom of the Great
+Father of Waters?" he asked, after both had exchanged formal
+greetings.
+
+Black Hawk turned his piercing eyes upon my captain. "It was whispered
+among my braves," he said, "that the great Captain of the Long Knives
+had sent his brother to St. Louis. I bring him a greeting from my
+people."
+
+Most men would have been abashed by the ceremonial tone and gestures
+with which Black Hawk accompanied his speech, but if my captain felt
+any embarrassment he did not show it. With as ceremonious a manner as
+the chief's, he replied at once:
+
+"The great chief of the Sacs has honored my brother and myself. I will
+bear your greeting to the Captain of the Long Knives, and it will fill
+his heart with happiness to know his red brother has not forgotten
+him."
+
+Black Hawk only grunted approval, but I think he was pleased, for he
+turned to Mr. Chouteau with a more condescending manner:
+
+"I will go with my brother to his wigwam. I will eat with him and
+sleep with him."
+
+There was nothing for Mr. Chouteau to do but acquiesce, though when
+his back was turned on Black Hawk he made a queer grimace and said
+rapidly, in English, which probably Black Hawk did not understand:
+
+"There will be trouble, my friends; my yard is full of Mandans,
+Arickarees, and Osages. They love not the Sacs, and Black Hawk is a
+turbulent fellow if any misunderstanding should arise. You see," he
+said to Captain Clarke, lapsing again into French, "these fellows have
+usually started back up the Missouri long before this time, but they
+have all waited this year to see the brother of the great Captain of
+the Long Knives. They planned their exit from Auguste's yard at the
+exact moment to get a good look at you."
+
+My captain laughed his hearty laugh.
+
+"And then they glanced not in my direction even, after all."
+
+"Do not deceive yourself, mon capitaine; they looked you over
+thoroughly. Not one of them but would know you again among a thousand.
+But they timed their exit also with the hope of making an impression
+on you, and to that end, as you saw, had donned their finest toggery."
+
+We had left Auguste Chouteau's yard and were going north again along
+the stone wall, Black Hawk stalking majestically beside Captain
+Clarke, upon whom he from time to time looked down and bestowed a
+grunt of approval. Across the street from us now was an open square
+(La Place Publique, Mr. Chouteau called it), and drawn up around it
+were many queer little French _charrettes_, loaded with cord-wood and
+drawn by small mustangs. The owners of the charrettes were most of
+them taking a noonday nap under the shade of the trees in La Place,
+and their mustangs were nodding drowsily in their shafts in sympathy
+with their owners. This was the same open place we had first come upon
+after climbing the bluff, and now, as we came to the corner of La
+Place, and the street leading down to the river (Mr. Chouteau said the
+street was called La Rue Bonhomme), I looked down the steep road and
+saw at the foot of it the landing-place, and our boats tied to great
+posts, with some of our men in charge.
+
+I could distinguish on the great flatboat that had followed us,
+carrying our provisions and our horses, my own mare, Fatima, with her
+proudly arched neck. Before I had time to think of my manners I had
+put my fingers to my lips and uttered through them the shrill whistle
+with which I had used to call her. Instantly her head was flung
+swiftly up, and I saw her start as if to come to me, while up the
+bluff was borne her shrill whinnies, high above the shouts of the men,
+who had as much as they could do to keep her from breaking halter in
+her mad plunge for liberty to answer the call she had never disobeyed.
+
+I was ashamed of my boyish trick, and apologized at once to the two
+gentlemen and to my captain. But Dr. Saugrain said it was a fortunate
+reminder: if we cared to send for our horses they could meet us at Mr.
+Chouteau's, for it would be a long and hot walk from there to his
+house at the extreme southern end of the village. So Yorke was
+despatched for the two horses, and right glad was I at the thought of
+being on Fatima's back once more, for it was a full two weeks since I
+had mounted her.
+
+We were on the next block now, skirting another stone wall with
+overhanging boughs. Mr. Chouteau said it was his mother's place, and
+he would have to insist upon our stopping to pay our respects to her.
+
+"You know," he said, "madame ma mere is a sort of mother to the
+village, and she would feel herself deeply aggrieved should such
+distinguished guests pass her by."
+
+We entered another inclosure beautifully embowered in trees, and found
+a long, low building, not of stone, like her son's house, but built,
+in the French fashion, of upright logs. On the wide gallery sat Madame
+Chouteau herself, dressed in the style of the habitans who had filled
+the streets on our arrival, but in richer materials. Her petticoat
+was of black satin, and her short gown, or jacket, was of purple
+velvet with wide lace in sleeves and at the neck, and gorgeously
+beaded moccasins on her feet. But it was her head-dress which struck
+me as the most remarkable part of her costume, and Pierre Chouteau
+whispered to us, with a droll grimace:
+
+"Regardez the head-dress of madame; she expects us, is it not? She is
+en fete."
+
+It seemed to be a handkerchief of some thin material, purple in color,
+and worn like a turban, but entwined with ribbons and flowers until it
+became a gorgeous coronet, and added indescribably to the majesty of
+her presence. Already over seventy, with white hair, she was yet as
+erect as a girl, and her eye was as keen as an eagle's. Even my
+captain was abashed before its glances, which seemed to be taking a
+complete inventory of his physical, mental, and moral qualities. It
+was a bad quarter of an hour for me (whom she hardly deigned to
+notice), in spite of the good ratafia and delicious _croquecignolles_
+a small black boy brought out on a tray and placed on a stand at her
+side, and which she served to us with stately courtesy.
+
+As for Black Hawk, it was more than he could stand when her severely
+questioning glance fell upon him. Without losing an ace of his
+dignified solemnity of demeanor, he turned his back abruptly on the
+old lady, and stalked slowly and majestically down the path and out
+the gate. We hoped we had rid ourselves of him, but we found him
+waiting for us when we had made our formal adieus to madame. Just
+before we reached Pierre Chouteau's house he dropped back and walked
+beside Dr. Saugrain and myself. I thought he wished to pay me some of
+the respect he had been showing my captain, and I felt flattered
+accordingly. But I was mistaken; he had something to say to Dr.
+Saugrain. With many premonitory grunts he said it finally, and it had
+a startling effect upon the little doctor.
+
+"Let great medicine-man watch," said Black Hawk, solemnly; "White Wolf
+will steal Little Black Eyes. Black Hawk has many ears and many eyes;
+he has seen White Wolf talking to Red Dog, and he has heard their
+whispers."
+
+Such was the doctor's agitation that, although we were just entering
+Mr. Chouteau's great yard (so filled with all manner of buildings,
+warehouses, shops, and cabins for negroes and Indians that it seemed
+like a separate village of itself), he called to my captain and Mr.
+Chouteau and begged them to excuse him. He felt that he must return
+home at once and assure himself of the safety of his ward, he said,
+though we need not cut short our visit to Mr. Chouteau, but come to
+him later, in time for dinner. But Yorke coming up at that moment with
+our horses, and riding his own, Captain Clarke bade him dismount and
+give his horse to Dr. Saugrain, and insisted upon accompanying him
+home. Mr. Chouteau readily excused us, only courteously making a
+condition that the visit cut short now should be renewed at our
+earliest convenience.
+
+As for me, I was a little sorry not to see more of Mr. Chouteau's
+place, for everywhere there were throngs of Indians in picturesque
+costume, and on the gallery of the great house a bevy of young maidens
+evidently awaiting our approach. But Fatima was calling me frantically
+with her delighted neighs, and the moment I was on her back, and felt
+her silken muscles stretch and tighten rhythmically beneath me, I
+cared no more for Mr. Chouteau's interesting place with its Indians
+and young maidens, and only longed for a right to leave my companions
+and have one good dash with Fatima across country, over fences and
+ditches. I would not have been afraid, in my present mood, to have put
+her at the high stone walls with which every one in St. Louis seemed
+to fence in his place, and so wild with delight was Fatima at meeting
+her master once more I think she would have taken them like a bird.
+
+But the doctor was more impatient than I, and first taking Black Hawk
+aside for a minute's low-toned consultation, he made his hasty adieus
+to our host, and bidding us follow him, he was off. Turning off the
+Rue Royale into the Rue Bonhomme, he went up the hill a long block to
+the Rue de l'Eglise, and then, turning to the left, he called back to
+us:
+
+"'Tis a straight road from here on, messieurs; shall we race for it?
+It may mean more than life to a fair lady."
+
+For answer I laid the reins on Fatima's glossy neck and whispered to
+her:
+
+"Get up, Sweetheart!"
+
+In a flash she had passed the two other horses and her dainty hoofs
+were flinging the soft dirt of the road in their faces. It was more a
+country lane than a village street, with scattered houses
+tree-embowered, and just back of Auguste Chouteau's place, which I
+recognized from the rear, was a church, and behind it the crosses of
+many graves, and beside it a priest's house with two black-robed
+priests taking a noonday siesta in comfortable chairs on the shady,
+vine-covered gallery. They awoke with a start as Fatima thundered by,
+and the two other horses, now well in the rear, pounded after, and I
+doubt not they thought it was the beginning of another 1780 affair, so
+frightened did they look.
+
+It did not take Fatima long to cover that mile and a half, and when I
+saw that we were approaching the stockade at the end of the road, with
+only one house between (which, like the Chouteaus', was set in a great
+yard inclosed with high stone walls), I drew rein under a
+wide-spreading oak and waited for the others. And as I waited I began
+once more to wonder what kind of creature Dr. Saugrain's ward could
+be: the acknowledged belle of St. Louis and now in some extreme danger
+from a white villain and a rascally Indian, for so I had easily
+understood Black Hawk's figurative language--the White Wolf and the
+Red Dog.
+
+I could hear the soft thrumming of a guitar, and a low voice crooning
+songs, of which I could now and then catch a word of the creole
+French. I did not doubt it was the doctor's ward who thus beguiled
+the hours with melody, and I grew vastly impatient to meet the
+loveliest lady in St. Louis and the sweetest of singers, if I could
+judge from the snatches of song that floated to my ears.
+
+In a minute more the doctor himself rode up, shouting lustily before
+he reached the gate, "Narcisse, Narcisse!" which put a sudden end to
+the music. As a black boy ran out in answer to his call, the doctor
+sprang as nimbly from his horse as I myself could have done, and flung
+the boy his reins with a sharp command to take care of the horses. He
+started swiftly for the house, but stopped suddenly and turned to
+Narcisse.
+
+"Where are your mistress and mademoiselle?" he asked, in a tone so
+sharp and excited the boy was frightened and stammered as he answered:
+
+"In the house, sir."
+
+"You are sure?"
+
+"Yes, sir; 'fore God, sir, they're in the living-room this minute."
+
+"Thank God!" ejaculated the doctor, and then I saw, to my
+astonishment, that he was all white and trembling. He recovered
+himself in a moment and turned to us with the suavity of a genial
+host:
+
+"Gentlemen, I fear that rascal Black Hawk has played us a scurvy
+trick; very likely for reasons of his own he wanted to get rid of me.
+He has given me a bad quarter of an hour, but otherwise he has only
+given me the pleasure of welcoming you a little earlier to Emigre's
+Retreat. Let us go find the ladies."
+
+Before we had time to reply, round the corner of the house sauntered
+slowly a huge mastiff, and as I caught a glimpse of him my heart sank
+into my boots, and there seemed to rise into my throat a tumultuous
+beating that was nigh to choking me: not from fear of the dog, though
+the moment he caught sight of me he stopped, every muscle tense, the
+hair on his mane erect, his eyes red, glowing, vicious, while he
+uttered one deep angry growl after another.
+
+It was not fear of the brute that set my pulses throbbing painfully:
+it was the truth that flashed upon me for the first time--_Dr.
+Saugrain's ward was Mademoiselle Pelagie_! At that moment through the
+open door came a clear whistle and the sweetest voice I had ever
+heard, calling in ringing tones of command:
+
+"A moi, Leon!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT
+
+    "A rosebud set with little wilful thorns"
+
+
+It was too late to beat a retreat. I caught once more a merry twinkle
+in the little doctor's eyes as we followed the dog, who, obedient to
+his mistress's voice, had rushed before us into the house. I felt the
+red blood surging to the roots of my hair, and I knew when I stopped
+on the threshold beside my captain to make my grand bow that I looked
+more like an awkward country lout than the fine gentleman I was in the
+habit of considering myself.
+
+I hardly dared raise my eyes, and yet I saw very distinctly that if
+Mademoiselle Pelagie in ball costume was bewitching, Mademoiselle
+Pelagie in simple morning dress was an angel. The room was a long, low
+one, cool and shady from the sheltering galleries outside, and with
+many windows, all open to catch the southern breezes that kept the
+dimity curtains bellying like white sails. On a low seat beside one of
+the open windows, looking out into cool depths of dusky green, sat
+Mademoiselle Pelagie. Her white dress, short of skirt and reaching
+hardly to the daintiest of ankles, was just low enough in the neck to
+show the round, white throat, and just short enough in the sleeve to
+leave uncovered below the elbow the beautifully molded arm. Across her
+shoulders was a broad blue ribbon that held the guitar to whose soft
+thrumming I had been listening, and one restraining hand was laid on
+Leon's head, who sat beside her, erect on his haunches, regarding me
+with angry suspicion.
+
+She rose as we entered, and still holding her guitar with one arm,
+while the other hand lifted her skirt daintily, she made us the
+deepest and most graceful of curtsies. Then she lifted her dark eyes
+shyly to Captain Clarke and with a ravishing smile bade him welcome in
+broken English. To me she vouchsafed not even a glance. I stood by
+stiff as any martinet while she made soft speeches to the captain in
+her adorable baby-English, and the captain responded in his most
+gallant fashion.
+
+I grew more rigid and more gauche every minute, and I know not what
+would have become of me if the doctor, who had left the room to look
+for his wife, had not come to my relief. He came in, bringing Madame
+Saugrain with him, and a sweet and simple little old lady she proved
+to be. Her cap was almost as flowery as Madame Chouteau's, but she was
+as warm and cordial in her manner as the other was stern and
+forbidding. She greeted my captain first, of course, but she was as
+cordial to me as to him, and in her motherly way she called me "My
+son," which, after my icy reception from another lady, went straight
+to my heart. I was grateful to her in spite of the fear I felt that
+it was my very youthful appearance had called forth the endearing
+term.
+
+We were all comfortably seated, Captain Clarke chatting gaily with
+Mademoiselle Pelagie, I pointedly addressing all my conversation to
+Dr. Saugrain and madame, when Narcisse came in with a tray of cooling
+drinks--a mild and pleasant beverage made of raspberry conserves and
+lime-juice mixed with some spirits and plenty of cold spring water. I
+liked it well, and would have taken another glass, for I was thirsty
+and our ride had been a warm one, and Madame Saugrain urged it upon
+me, but as I was about to take it I heard a saucy voice saying:
+
+"'Tis no wonder that you empty not your glass, Captain Clarke; 'tis a
+drink much more suited to maidens and to young boys than to men."
+
+My glass was half extended, but I drew it back hastily, and then was
+angry with myself, for I heard a mocking laugh that I was sure was
+intended for me, and for the life of me I could not refrain from
+glancing quickly in mademoiselle's direction. Her eyes met mine with
+more of scorn in their dark depths than I could well stand. I gazed
+steadily into them for as much as half a second with all the defiance
+in my glance I knew how to convey, and then I turned again to Madame
+Saugrain:
+
+"If you will permit me to change my mind, madame," I said, "I would
+like another glass of your delicious beverage."
+
+And then, lifting it to my lips, I added:
+
+"I drink to the ladies: they add fragrance and beauty to our lives,
+like the red berries; comfort and strength, like this good ratafia;
+sweetness, like the sugar; and if sometimes they also add bitterness
+and acid, like the limes, it is doubtless for our good."
+
+The gentlemen both touched glasses with me as they drank to my toast,
+the little doctor preternaturally solemn, and my captain almost as
+grave, but for a wicked twinkle in his eye. I knew they thought my
+toast a boyish one, and doubtless understood its inspiration, while
+they struggled to preserve their gravity out of courtesy to me.
+Whether mademoiselle's eyes were more mocking than ever I did not
+know, for I looked not in her direction. But madame glowed with
+genuine pleasure and declared 'twas a pretty toast, and she thanked me
+for her share in it. Whereupon mademoiselle said in the gravest voice:
+
+"I also, monsieur, thank you for my share in it, for I suppose the
+lime-juice is mine," and, to my amazement, when, as in duty bound, I
+glanced at her, since she spoke directly to me, I saw that her eyes
+were downcast, and the richest color had flamed into the warm white of
+her cheeks.
+
+I know not what I might have said or done, so repentant was I at once
+for having caused her annoyance, had not a short, sharp exclamation
+from Dr. Saugrain startled us all:
+
+"'Tis that skulking Osage again. What does he here, Narcisse?"
+
+"He bring note, m'seh, for La Petite," answered Narcisse, rolling his
+eyes at the unwonted sharpness in his master's tones.
+
+Dr. Saugrain turned at once to mademoiselle.
+
+"Pelagie," he said, "what does this mean? Who is sending you notes by
+Red Jean?"
+
+Mademoiselle looked up half defiantly, half inclined not to reply to
+such peremptory questioning in the presence of strangers. But on
+second thought she answered quite submissively:
+
+"It was the young Chevalier Le Moyne who is staying at Gabriel
+Cerre's."
+
+"Now, I like not that," said the doctor, hastily; and then bethinking
+himself, he ordered Narcisse to take away the empty glasses and keep
+an eye on Red Jean.
+
+"Don't let him get out of your sight as long as he stays about the
+place; he will be stealing the horses if you don't watch him."
+
+The moment Narcisse had left the room the doctor repeated:
+
+"I like not that; I begin to think Black Hawk may have had good reason
+to warn us against the White Wolf and the Red Dog."
+
+Then, turning to mademoiselle, he added more gently:
+
+"I like not to inquire into mademoiselle's little affairs, but this is
+of the gravest importance. Will you tell us the contents of that note,
+ma chere?"
+
+Mademoiselle hesitated, and glanced almost unconsciously at the
+captain and at me. We both sprang to our feet at the same moment, and
+the captain spoke:
+
+"The lad and I will step out on the gallery, where, if you permit, we
+will light our pipes."
+
+But with a quick gesture of dissent, mademoiselle also sprang to her
+feet.
+
+"No, no! mon capitaine, no, no! Meestaire, it is not'ing, not'ing. I
+will say all before you. 'Tis only that the chevalier asks may he
+escort me to the peek-neek on Chouteau's Pond."
+
+"Sit down, gentlemen, if you please," said the doctor; "I think it
+wise for us to hold a council of war. I shall need your advice much,
+possibly your help. First, I want to say that some weeks ago I
+received letters from France warning me of a plot to capture
+Mademoiselle Pelagie and carry her back to France. A week ago this
+mysterious stranger arrived in St. Louis. Gabriel Cerre picked him up
+in Ste. Genevieve and brought him home with him, and that is about all
+any one knows of him, except that he claims to be of an old French
+family, who has saved enough from the wreck to permit him to travel
+and see the world. When he has finished this trip he declares he will
+return and settle on his estates on the Loire which he says have been
+returned to him by Bonaparte. Whether Black Hawk meant him when he
+bade me beware of the White Wolf I know not. I could get very little
+information when I spoke to him before leaving Pierre Chouteau's, and
+I am not sure he had any to give me, yet I think he knows something. I
+confess I have been suspicious of this fellow from the first,
+arriving, as he did, on the heels of my letter of warning. And now
+what think you 'tis best to do?"
+
+I was eager enough to say what I thought best to do, but I knew my
+place better than to speak before my elders, and so I waited for my
+captain. Mademoiselle was not so modest, or perhaps she thought no one
+had a better right than herself to speak on a subject so nearly
+concerning her.
+
+"I think, sir," she said, lapsing into her native tongue, "you wrong
+the Chevalier Le Moyne. I have seen much of him in the week of his
+stay at Gabriel Cerre's, and he has been invariably respectful and
+most gentleman-like in all his demeanor."
+
+"'Tis the very fact of his seeing so much of you, my child, that first
+roused my suspicions. He is forever hanging round you at dance and
+dinner; not even Josef Papin gets much chance to come nigh you."
+
+Mademoiselle flushed slightly at the mention of Josef Papin's name--a
+name I was beginning, for some reason, to dislike.
+
+"I should think," she said demurely, "there might be other reasons for
+that than suspicious ones"; and then she laughed merrily when I
+murmured, "Vraiment!" and touched my heart with my handkerchief. I
+thought she was mocking me again.
+
+"Mademoiselle is quite right," said Captain Clarke, gravely; "there
+are doubtless very natural reasons for the chevalier's devotion, yet I
+think it would be well, nevertheless, to act on Dr. Saugrain's
+suspicions. May I inquire whether mademoiselle has accepted the
+chevalier's offer of escort?"
+
+We all listened eagerly for the answer.
+
+"No," said mademoiselle; "I had just received the note when you
+arrived, and I would not answer it until I had consulted my guardian.
+He is very stern with me, messieurs," turning to us with a witching
+smile that I could see pleased the good doctor greatly.
+
+"Then," continued the captain, "it would be a very easy matter, I
+suppose, to decline his escort."
+
+But La Petite pouted.
+
+"Not so easy, mon capitaine. I have no reason to offer, and it would
+shut me off from accepting a second invitation."
+
+"I think," said Dr. Saugrain, "it would be better that you should not
+go to the picnic. Chouteau's Pond is beyond the stockade, and shut in
+by the woods; it would be an ideal spot for a surprise and a capture.
+There are always plenty of rascally Osages to be hired for a trifle to
+carry out any such villainy."
+
+"Not go!" exclaimed mademoiselle, in dismay. "But it is given for me!
+It is my fete! Josef Papin planned it entirely for me, he said."
+
+Mademoiselle was now growing rosy red, for, with a child's eagerness
+to carry her point at all hazards, she had said more than she meant
+to.
+
+"Then why did not Josef offer himself as your escort?"
+
+"He will, probably, later; but," and she tossed her head like the
+spoiled beauty she was, "it will serve him right, for being so slow,
+to find that I have accepted another. Besides which," and she shrugged
+her shoulders with all the airs of a Parisian dame, "you know your
+bourgeois etiquette. I cannot accept another: it would be a just
+cause for a duel au pistolets."
+
+"C'est vrai," said the doctor, with an answering shrug, and looking
+woefully perplexed.
+
+"Now, if you will permit me," suggested the captain, "since
+mademoiselle is so sure Mr. Papin will ask her later, why can she not
+plead to the chevalier a previous engagement?"
+
+But not for a moment would mademoiselle listen to that.
+
+"And be the laughing-stock of all St. Louis when it gets about, as it
+surely will. I refuse the chevalier because I prefer to wait for
+Monsieur Papin. Monsieur Papin hears of it and invites some one else
+to teach me not to be so sure, or," primly, "I have given him undue
+encouragement."
+
+"Then," said the doctor, gravely, "I see nothing for it but that you
+stay away from the picnic and write the chevalier that you have
+decided not to go. Unless," he added hastily, seeing the gathering
+storm on Pelagie's brow, "unless--" and then he hesitated, much
+embarrassed. "Perhaps our young friend here would like to attend one
+of our rural picnics, and would be willing to look after you and give
+you the opportunity of writing to the chevalier that you have a
+previous engagement."
+
+It was now my turn to blush. I had been ardently longing to offer my
+services, but not for a moment had I thought of daring. Now it was
+thrust upon me.
+
+"If mademoiselle would be so good," I murmured, bowing low, "I am her
+obedient servant."
+
+But mademoiselle was speechless. One moment she turned white, and the
+next she turned red, and then white again. When she found her voice
+she said, looking not at all at me, but straight at Dr. Saugrain:
+
+"I will remain at home, monsieur. I care not to be a burden upon
+unwilling hands."
+
+And then rising to her feet, with her head held high, her guitar on
+one arm, and the other hand still on the mastiff's head, she said:
+
+"Allons, Leon!" and was sweeping proudly from the room.
+
+I was in such consternation that probably I would have sat like any
+bumpkin and let her go, if not that, as she passed me, although her
+head was turned from me, it was not quite so much turned but that I
+caught a sudden quiver of the little chin, held proudly in air, and
+something bright glistening on the long, dark lashes. I sprang quickly
+before her. There was an angry growl from Leon, who no doubt thought I
+intended to serve his mistress the same trick I had served him, but I
+did not heed it.
+
+"Mademoiselle!" I entreated, "I beg you will reconsider. Nothing could
+give me more pride and pleasure. Besides," adopting an argumentative
+tone, "you know it would be my only chance for attending the picnic,
+and I have a vast desire to engage in some of your St. Louis
+festivities, and to meet some of the young maidens I was deprived of
+meeting last night."
+
+She was compelled to stop,--I barred her way; but for a few moments
+she showed no signs of relenting. She dashed away the shining drops
+from her lashes, and quieted Leon with a low "Taise-toi." But
+gradually I saw her face change, and then, still holding herself
+proudly, and with the air of a queen graciously condescending to
+bestow a favor upon a suppliant, but also with a smile of radiant
+sweetness, she spoke, and her voice was like the song of the thrush
+beside running waters:
+
+"Very well, monsieur; if I am not to be considered as putting myself
+under obligations to a stranger, I will go and write the chevalier
+that I have a previous engagement."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+I GO TO A PICNIC ON CHOUTEAU'S POND
+
+    "Many a youth and many a maid
+    Dancing in the chequered shade."
+
+
+The good doctor uttered a sigh of relief as mademoiselle left the
+room, followed by madame, who no doubt, in the goodness of her heart,
+went out to praise the young lady for having done as she ought, and to
+condole with her for being obliged to go to the picnic with a man she
+knew so slightly, and knew but to dislike.
+
+The sigh was quickly followed by a frown.
+
+"I wish that my ward had not so strong a will of her own. I scarce
+think it safe for her to go to Chouteau's Pond at all if, as I fear,
+her enemies are plotting to capture her."
+
+"I will defend her with my life, sir," I hastened to aver, "since you
+are so good as to intrust her to me."
+
+The doctor smiled at my boyish ardor, but said kindly:
+
+"I would trust her with you sooner than with most, my lad, for I
+believe I have seen enough of you to know that you are brave to a
+fault, and entirely trustworthy. But you know not the wiles of these
+treacherous Osages, and if this Chevalier Le Moyne is the man I fear
+he is, he is a much to be dreaded villain."
+
+"Whom do you fear him to be?" the captain and I uttered in one breath.
+
+The good doctor hesitated a moment and then seemed to take a sudden
+determination.
+
+"I am afraid I have no right to be letting you into my confidence, for
+it is not mine alone. In what I am about to say to you it is my
+country reposing a confidence as well. But our brief acquaintance has
+inspired me with trust in you both, and I have need of advice and help
+in this emergency, and perhaps of a good sword, if one of you be free
+to offer it. It is not the fortunes of a simple maid, such as my
+little Pelagie seems to be, that are alone involved, and yet I am not
+at liberty to tell you what great issues are at stake. We will say, by
+way of illustration, it would be to the advantage of an Orleanist to
+get rid of all possible Bourbon claimants to the throne of France,
+would it not? Merely by way of further illustration, suppose there
+were some young Orleanist, far removed from any pretensions to the
+throne, who by marrying a young Bourbon maid much closer to the
+throne, but, of course, barred from it by her sex, should prevent her
+marrying royalty and so having a son who might succeed to the throne.
+Do you follow me?"
+
+We both bowed our comprehension, for we were too eager to interrupt
+him by a word. The doctor went on:
+
+"And suppose by such a marriage he removed one more obstacle from the
+path of a powerful kinsman in his progress toward the throne. And if
+this young Orleanist were penniless and the Bourbon maid rich in
+prospect, he would save his kinsman the necessity of providing for
+him. And if he were dissolute and unprincipled, he would hesitate at
+no means to accomplish his ends. And if he were handsome, after a
+fashion, and accomplished in all Parisian arts, there would be
+reasonable chance of his success with a young maiden but little versed
+in the wiles of the world. Although I have used this merely as an
+illustration, this is very much the situation that confronts Pelagie's
+friends. You see, I have some reason to feel alarmed, and I fear I
+have no right to permit her to go to this picnic. Yet," with a
+grimace, "what can I? Where a wilful maiden will, a man is helpless.
+
+"And now, messieurs, you see how fully I have trusted you, not only
+with my affairs, but the affairs of France. I am not asking for a
+pledge of secrecy, for I feel no such pledge is necessary. Pelagie and
+her interests and the interests of her house in France I believe to be
+as safe in your hands as in my own."
+
+As the doctor uttered these last words he sprang to his feet, and
+betrayed the intensity of his feeling by the mist in his eyes, the
+tremor in his voice, and the dramatic clasping of his hands.
+
+By a simultaneous emotion of sympathy, both the captain and I found
+ourselves on our feet also. The captain extended his hand, and, like
+the straightforward, simple-minded gentleman he is, said only:
+
+"Your trust is not misplaced, Dr. Saugrain; your secret is safe."
+
+I was almost too deeply moved for words; I could only murmur as I
+bowed low over the hilt of my sword:
+
+"Safe as my honor!"
+
+I know not with what emotions my captain had listened to this long
+recital. As for me, I had been intensely interested. Yet I could not
+tell why it should not please me to find that this scornful little
+lady was presumptive heiress to wealth and titles, probably even of
+royal rank, for so I could not but understand the doctor's
+illustration.
+
+"Does Mademoiselle Pelagie know all this?" inquired the captain. "Does
+she know her rank and prospects? Is it permitted to speak of them to
+her?"
+
+"Oh, no, no, no!" uttered the doctor, rapidly, with vigorous
+protestations of head and hands. "Pelagie knows nothing but that
+almost longer ago than she can remember she lived in a beautiful house
+with many servants, and with a father and mother who idolized her, but
+who went away from her one day never to return. Of course she knows
+now why they never returned, but that is all. She has lived with us in
+America nearly ten years, and I think she has learned to love Madame
+Saugrain and me almost as if we were indeed her father and mother, and
+we could not love child of our own more tenderly.
+
+"And so you see, my dear young sir," regarding me with affectionate
+concern, "what a weighty responsibility I have put upon your young
+shoulders. If the burden is too great for you, I absolve you from
+your offer as escort, and Pelagie shall stay at home whether she will
+or not. I think it would be far the better way."
+
+"Oh, no, no, sir!" I protested eagerly. "I am proud you think me
+worthy such a responsibility. I will never let her out of my sight for
+one moment, and I promise to bring her back to you in safety."
+
+"Thank you," said the doctor, gravely; "that is what I would wish. Do
+not let her out of your sight if it is possible. Even if she seems to
+be fretted by your espionage I hope you will bear with her
+temper,--which I know to be a royal one,--and persist in your
+watchfulness. I shall be deeply grateful to you."
+
+By the time the day of the picnic arrived, I flattered myself I had
+made some slight progress in Mademoiselle Pelagie's regard. Very
+slight, to be sure, yet I thought she did not treat me with quite the
+disdain she had shown at first. Indeed, I even thought I sometimes
+detected that she was listening with interest when Madame Saugrain or
+the good doctor was questioning me about my life at home in
+Philadelphia.
+
+Twice a day at least we were brought together at the table, for the
+captain and I had taken up our abode at Dr. Saugrain's. It was not
+without much demur that we had, at last, accepted the doctor's urgent
+invitations to do so. To be sure, there was no hostelry in the
+village, except the low tavern where the disreputable Indians and
+rough river-men congregated, and we would have been obliged to accept
+some of the many hospitable invitations extended us by the Chouteaus,
+the Papins, the Cerres, indeed by nearly every leading citizen of St.
+Louis, all eagerly vying with one another for the privilege of
+entertaining General Clarke's brother. I think the captain's hesitancy
+arose from the feeling that he ought to accept Emile Yosti's or Manuel
+Lisa's hospitality, since his business was chiefly concerned with
+them; but with me it was the feeling that it would be intolerable to
+dwell under the same roof with my Lady Disdain, and be subjected to
+countless little ignominies at her hands. Yet when the doctor
+presented it to us as a very great favor to him at this time, when he
+might need our assistance as well as our advice in protecting
+Mademoiselle Pelagie, we could object no further, and I, at least, was
+as eager to stay as I had before been unwilling. To me it seemed the
+more reasonable that he might easily need what assistance our swords
+could give him, if there were really on foot a plan to capture
+mademoiselle, because the doctor's house was set in a large garden, at
+the extreme borders of the village, next to the stockade and with no
+neighbor within hearing.
+
+The day of the picnic rose clear and bright, changing soon to the
+purple haze and soft air of a day in late November. Breakfast was
+hardly over when the picnickers began to pass the house, some of them
+walking in merry groups, some in little French carts drawn by oxen or
+small, hardy ponies, but many of them, I noted with a beating heart,
+on horseback carrying double, the maiden on a pillion holding fast
+with her arm around her escort's waist. Was it thus my Lady Disdain
+expected to be carried to the picnic, I wondered, and could not tell
+for the life of me whether I most hoped it or dreaded it.
+
+But my hopes and fears were alike vain. I sat smoking on the shady
+gallery, and was beginning to wonder when my lady would see fit to
+start, for by now the procession had thinned out to almost none, only
+a straggling couple occasionally hurrying by as if they feared they
+were late and must hasten to be in time for the sport. I began to
+think it possible she had changed her mind and would stay at home
+rather than go with an undesired escort.
+
+I had risen early, and though I had made an unusually careful toilet,
+calling Yorke to my aid to see that every lacer was fresh and securely
+tied, and my buckles shining, yet I had made much haste also, not
+knowing at what hour mademoiselle proposed starting, and fearing
+greatly to annoy her by being one moment tardy. So here had I sat
+smoking on the shady gallery a good two hours awaiting my lady's
+pleasure, and beginning inwardly to fume, for my temper was not such
+as to bear meekly even the caprices of a beautiful maiden--no, not
+though she might be also some great lady in disguise.
+
+But when I had for the tenth time started up to stride angrily up and
+down the gallery, I heard the creaking of wheels, and around the
+corner of the house came a little French charrette, its wooden wheels
+making a great noise, drawn by one ox and Narcisse walking beside it,
+driving. I was filled with dismay, for to me it seemed not a mode of
+conveyance suited to the dignity of the son of one of the proudest
+families of Philadelphia, to say nothing of Mademoiselle Pelagie.
+Besides, I had had visions of the fine figure I was to cut before the
+St. Louis beaus and belles on my prancing and curveting Fatima, whose
+glossy coat was like satin this morning from the extra rubbing I had
+ordered Yorke to give her.
+
+But as Narcisse passed me and pulled off his hat with an amiable grin,
+I saw a great hamper in the charrette, and from a spicy whiff borne to
+my nostrils by a passing breeze I knew he was conveying our dinner to
+the picnic-grounds, and I was duly thankful that neither Fatima nor I
+was to be hampered ('tis a poor pun, and my father hath ever taught me
+'tis the lowest form of wit) with clumsy packages dangling from saddle
+and arm.
+
+In a moment more, around the corner of the house again came a black,
+leading a small Indian horse gaily caparisoned, and fitted with a
+lady's pillion, and immediately behind, Yorke, leading my own Fatima.
+I knew then we were about to start, and my heart began once more its
+silly thumpings. Yet would I not move from my seat, where I had
+assumed an attitude of indifference, until I suddenly heard behind me
+a cool and haughty voice:
+
+"Are you not ready, sir? It is high time, I should think, we were on
+our way, or we will be too late for the dejeuner."
+
+Now was I in wrath indeed, to be spoken to in tones of reproach when I
+had every reason to expect at least an excuse, if not an apology, for
+having been kept so long waiting. I rose to my feet in leisurely
+fashion and made mademoiselle a most elaborate bow, as I replied in a
+voice as cool and haughty as her own:
+
+"Had I been informed at what hour mademoiselle would require my
+presence, I should have been belted and hatted and not have detained
+your ladyship for even a moment, to say nothing of having wasted two
+good hours of my own time in idle waiting."
+
+As I spoke I stooped to pick up my sword-belt from the floor beside my
+chair, and began slowly to buckle it on. My eyes were on my belt, but
+not so closely but that I could see a little smile hover around
+mademoiselle's lips, and I thought she was not displeased to find I
+had a little spirit of my own and was not always to be cowed by her
+scornful airs. I was so elated by the discovery that I, foolishly,
+prolonged the buckling beyond all possible necessity, and
+mademoiselle's good humor was quickly exhausted. She tapped her little
+foot impatiently for a moment and then spoke as icily as before:
+
+"Since monsieur finds difficulty with his belt, I will ask Yorke to
+put me on my horse and then send him to your assistance."
+
+All my foolish elation was gone in a moment, and, between my
+mortification and my impatient haste, I fumbled in earnest. I was in
+desperate haste; for not for a moment did I intend to let Yorke put
+her upon her horse: yet so swiftly had she swept down the long gallery
+and the steps to the driveway a little distance off, and so slow had I
+been with my buckle, that I reached her side just in time to hear her
+say:
+
+"Yorke, put me on my horse, and then go at once and buckle your
+master's belt. We are like to be all day getting to Chouteau's Pond."
+
+"Yes, missy," said Yorke, and flinging Fatima's reins to Narcisse,
+prepared to obey her, though he could only have comprehended by
+intuition, for not a word of her tongue did he understand.
+
+I was restored at once to my equanimity by her impatient tones, and I
+spoke to Yorke with a calm authority he dared not disobey:
+
+"Take care of Fatima, Yorke; I will attend to mademoiselle," and
+without giving her time to object I coolly lifted her to her horse.
+She was only a feather's weight, but I think she liked not that
+fashion of mounting, and was minded for a moment to kick and scream
+like an angry child. But she thought better of it, and though the
+quick flame sprang into her cheek, she bowed her thanks in stately
+fashion, and I springing on Fatima's back and bidding Yorke to follow
+at once, we set forth at a round pace.
+
+Not a word did she speak as we galloped side by side down the
+driveway, through the gate, and along the short bit of road that
+extended to the stockade. When we had passed through, there was not
+much more than a rough foot-path, that began to descend very soon from
+the high bluffs, sometimes by a gentle incline, sometimes by a steep
+and rocky descent, to the valley of La Petite Riviere.
+
+The path was no longer wide enough for two horses, and we were
+compelled to ride in Indian fashion. Fatima was ahead and was picking
+her way daintily and surely, but slowly. The little Indian horse,
+being much more used to such rough paths, would have gone on more
+rapidly, and fretted at being kept back by Fatima. So, no doubt, did
+his rider, for presently, in her formal way, she said:
+
+"If monsieur will permit, I will take the lead. I think my pony knows
+the path better and can show you the way."
+
+But I had been specially warned to keep ever in advance, and it did
+not add to mademoiselle's good humor that I was compelled to refuse
+her the _pas_. I was beginning to feel that my task was a thankless
+one, and the picnic on Chouteau's Pond did not look to me quite so
+alluring as it had looked a few days before. Perhaps my face betrayed
+my feeling; for when we reached the foot of the incline and our path
+broadened out as it turned to follow the windings of the little river
+toward the pond, mademoiselle rode up beside me, and with a very
+pretty air indeed, half arch, half shy, wholly sweet, she said:
+
+"I pray monsieur will not think me ungrateful. I do not forget that
+but for his courtesy I could not have gone to my fete."
+
+Then she added roguishly:
+
+"But I will make amends. I will introduce you to many St. Louis
+belles, the fascinating Pelagie Chouteau, Emilie Gratiot, who dances
+like a fairy, and Marguerite and Marie Papin, the beautiful sisters.
+And there are many more just as beautiful."
+
+I bowed gravely:
+
+"I thank you, mademoiselle. I have heard much of the beauty of the
+St. Louis demoiselles, and have desired much to meet them. You
+remember it was largely for that inducement I consented to undertake
+the difficult task of looking after your ladyship."
+
+Pelagie pouted.
+
+"Why do you persist in calling me 'your ladyship'? I am only
+mademoiselle."
+
+"Indeed!" I said, with affected surprise: "your manner has led me to
+suppose you marquise at least, if not duchesse."
+
+Mademoiselle reddened, but spoke very seriously and very sweetly,
+
+"I am afraid I have very bad manners, and a very bad temper. But I
+intend to be good now, and to remind me I give you permission when I
+am haughty or disagreeable to call me comtesse."
+
+The sycamores and cottonwoods that bordered our path had lost more
+than half their leaves, and the soft haze of the late November sun
+filtering through flecked mademoiselle with pale gold. It touched her
+dark hair and turned it to burnished bronze, it brought a faint rose
+to the warm white of her cheek, and made little golden lights dance in
+the shadows of her eyes uplifted to mine. The mysterious fragrance of
+late autumn, of dying leaves and bare brown earth, and ripening nuts
+and late grapes hanging on the vines, and luscious persimmons on the
+leafless trees, rose like incense to my nostrils and intoxicated me. I
+hardly knew how I answered as I looked deep into her shadowy eyes, and
+I was almost glad that, our way crossing the little river by a steep
+path leading down to a shallow ford, I was compelled once more to
+take the lead.
+
+Half-way across we stopped to let our horses dip their noses in the
+cool water dashing merrily over the stones. Fatima only played with
+it, swashing her muzzle well, and flinging the bright drops over
+mademoiselle's horse, who drank steadily. The opposite bank was more
+heavily wooded, and I became aware, as I sat idly flecking the foam
+from Fatima's flanks with my riding-whip, that I had for some time
+been hearing a whippoorwill calling and its mate replying. The woods
+looked dense enough to be the haunts of the lonely birds, but,
+nevertheless, I felt uneasy and began to listen--for rarely, indeed,
+does one hear a whippoorwill in the daytime. I knew birds well, and I
+soon became convinced that these whippoorwills were like none I had
+ever heard. They were too deliberate in their calls and replies, and
+the varying number of each sounded like a system of signals. I began
+to wish mademoiselle had not been so tardy in starting, that we might
+have had company on our way, and I strained my ears if I might hear
+anything of Yorke, who should be not far behind.
+
+But there were no signs of Yorke; and mademoiselle's horse had
+finished drinking, and there was no excuse for our delaying longer. I
+would not alarm mademoiselle with my suspicions, yet I wanted my
+firearms ready to my hand. I drew my pistol from its holster and laid
+it across my saddle-bow, saying carelessly that if I caught a glimpse
+of that whippoorwill in the woods I should shoot it for my aunt in
+Paris, who was making a collection of American birds.
+
+Mademoiselle Pelagie accepted my explanation without comment, and I
+led the way up the steep bank opposite. Once up, I saw, to my
+satisfaction, that the path was still wide enough for two. I put
+mademoiselle on the side nearest La Petite Riviere, and I rode next
+the woods; and though mademoiselle had suddenly grown talkative, and
+was full of a saucy French wit, I fear I must have seemed very stupid
+to her, for all the while I was trying to keep up my share of repartee
+and quip I was listening, listening. Mademoiselle noticed at last that
+I was somewhat distrait.
+
+"Why do you keep your eyes turned upon the woods, monsieur? In France
+we are taught that it is polite to look at a lady when she speaks."
+
+"Pardon, mademoiselle," I stammered. "I am looking for that
+whippoorwill."
+
+"Your apology is more than sufficient, monsieur," in her haughtiest
+tones. "There will, no doubt, be no other opportunity so suitable for
+adding to your aunt's collection."
+
+I had kept my eyes fixed on the woods even while speaking to her, not
+daring to turn them away, but at her tone I turned quickly toward her.
+
+"Pardon, mademoiselle la comtesse," I began saucily, but went on
+seriously. "Permit me, I beg, to seem rude, though it is farthest from
+my desire to appear so. It is more than the whim of my aunt that is at
+stake. Some day I will explain to you."
+
+Even as I spoke I was startled by a sharp crackle followed by a
+stealthy rustle, as if some one had inadvertently stepped upon a dry
+twig and had then glided quickly away. I turned at once to the woods,
+and could almost have sworn I caught a fleeting glimpse of a
+copper-colored hand, and the flash of a rifle-barrel. But as I gazed
+longer I saw nothing but the dense foliage of the low scrub-oaks that
+grew under the tall forest trees, and I hoped I was mistaken.
+
+A level bit of road stretched ahead of us.
+
+"Will you race with me, mademoiselle, to yonder tree?"
+
+The quicker we got to Chouteau's Pond the better, I thought, and the
+faster we left the whippoorwills behind the better also.
+
+"I will race you and beat you," she said gaily; "my little La Bette is
+fleet of foot. But what shall be the prize?"
+
+"If I win," I said boldly, "the first dance to-day."
+
+I thought a shadow of annoyance passed over her face, but it cleared
+and she answered slyly:
+
+"And if I win, I claim the first whippoorwill you shoot; the second
+may go to your aunt."
+
+"Done!" I said grimly. "Are we off?"
+
+It was evident that fleet as La Bette might be, Fatima was far
+fleeter. But not for worlds would I have left mademoiselle behind; so,
+while seeming to urge Fatima forward, I was, in reality, giving her
+the constant little touch that meant a check. Still I was mindful of
+my prize, and when we were not more than twenty yards from the tree,
+and I thought we were safe, I gave Fatima the rein and passed the tree
+a full length ahead.
+
+I felt a little more comfortable now, for I thought if I had really
+seen a redskin with a gun lurking among the bushes, we must have left
+him well behind, and we fell into a comfortable little jog-trot, side
+by side again. Suddenly I heard once more the ominous crackle of a dry
+twig, and turning quickly, I looked full into a pair of dark eyes
+peering through the bushes. I hesitated not a moment, but raising my
+pistol, leveled it straight at the eyes, and would have fired but that
+a voice called to me in good English:
+
+"Hold, monsieur! Do not fire!"
+
+And from behind the clump of bushes sprang a more elaborately dressed
+man than any I had yet seen in St. Louis. In truth, I thought him too
+foppishly arrayed for the woods, for there were fine ruffles at wrist
+and knee, and beneath his leathern doublet peeped the edges of a satin
+waistcoat, canary-colored. His hair was long and curled and tied with
+a ribbon, but it was not powdered, and over his forehead it fell in
+short, black curls that made his skin look very white and pink;
+indeed, I was not at all sure but the pink of his cheeks and the red
+of his lips were more of art's cunning than nature's mingling. A soft,
+dark mustache on his upper lip, carefully trained and curled, proved
+him a Parisian of the latest mode, and I at once felt an instinctive
+dislike and distrust of him. I had never seen him before, but I was
+not at all surprised when mademoiselle addressed him as Chevalier Le
+Moyne and paid me the compliment of presenting him to me.
+
+There was just a little disapproval in mademoiselle's manner, for the
+chevalier had certainly been caught spying, if nothing worse; and he
+had the grace to be embarrassed, and hastened to make his apologies in
+voluble French, which he seemed to take for granted I did not
+understand.
+
+"I missed mademoiselle from the fete, and I sauntered out to see if
+there were any signs of her approach. Mademoiselle must know that it
+is no fete for me when the queen is away, and the day is _triste_
+indeed that is not lighted by her eyes. I was not sure it was
+mademoiselle when I heard voices, and so I looked through the bushes
+to see before addressing her."
+
+"You spoke just in time," mademoiselle replied. "Monsieur took you for
+a whippoorwill, and a moment more," with an arch glance at me, "he
+might have added you to his aunt's collection."
+
+I thought at first my lady must be heartless indeed to make a jest of
+a very narrow escape from death, but as I glanced at her, I saw little
+tongues of flame leaping in and out of her cheeks, and a great pulse
+beating in her throat, and I knew the light manner was only a mask.
+
+I watched the chevalier narrowly as she spoke of the whippoorwill, and
+I saw him look quickly at her with a startled glance, but her evident
+innocence reassured him. I spoke to him in his own tongue, partly to
+show him I understood it very well and he must be careful what he said
+before me, and partly because I was not sure he understood mine.
+Indeed, I had many times been thankful that my French was almost as
+natural to me as my English, for in this French-and Spanish-speaking
+town there was almost no one could speak my tongue. Once in a great
+while (but not often) mademoiselle attempted it, either to practise
+her English or out of compliment to my captain, who was not quite so
+fluent with his French as I. (And when she did, her pretty broken
+accents made our rough language sweet as the song of birds.)
+
+"Monsieur was fortunate to speak so soon," I said. "I am looking for
+whippoorwills, and I took you for one. A moment more would have been
+too late."
+
+But as I spoke I looked straight into his eyes with a meaning he could
+not misunderstand. His glance fell, and a deep red slowly mounted from
+beneath the artificial pink of his cheeks and spread over his face. He
+recovered himself in a moment, however, and answered me gaily:
+
+"Thanks, monsieur, for a narrow escape. 'Tis the luck of the Le
+Moynes. Perhaps you know the motto of our house?--'By hairbreadth
+escapes we _always win_.'"
+
+And this time he looked straight into my eyes, and conveyed by his
+glance a haughty challenge.
+
+I bowed a mute acceptance of it; and mademoiselle, conscious from our
+manner we were not particularly amiable toward each other, hastened to
+avert any threatening unpleasantness.
+
+"I think the chevalier will excuse us if we hasten on. We are already
+late, and I fear we will keep dejeuner waiting."
+
+The chevalier bowed low, with his hand on his heart, and stepped aside
+to allow us to pass.
+
+It was but a five minutes' ride till we left the woodland path and the
+merry company of the little river and stood on the shores of
+Chouteau's Pond. I had not expected to find such a beautiful woodland
+lake, and at my exclamation of delighted surprise, mademoiselle looked
+pleased indeed.
+
+"We are proud of our pond, which Mr. Auguste Chouteau has made for
+us," she said. "Is it not as beautiful as your Pennsylvania lakes?"
+
+"I have never seen a more beautiful!" I ejaculated fervently, and I
+spoke truly.
+
+We had drawn rein on a point of high land, and at our feet the waters
+of the little river, in foaming rapids and tumbling cascades,
+stretched up to the foot of a high dam, where the waters of the lake
+poured over in a silver flood. To the right, embowered in trees, were
+the vine-covered stone towers of Chouteau's mill, and beyond, gentle
+grassy slopes, with drooping trees dipping their branches in the
+water. To the left rose high banks with overarching foliage, and then
+for a mile or two the lake wound from one embowered cove to another,
+till it was lost in the hazy distance. Directly below us, it lay a
+glorious topaz in the soft November sun, for which the dark porphyry
+of oaks, the tawny gold of cottonwoods, and the emerald of turf and
+darker green of cedars made a jeweled setting richer and more
+harmonious than would have been the flaming scarlet and gold of our
+Eastern woods. On the bosom of the little lake a white sail was
+floating lazily, for there was but little breeze, and two or three
+canoes were darting swiftly from shore to shore, the dip of their
+paddles breaking the lake to flashing silver.
+
+There were no other signs of life, and now mademoiselle took the lead
+and we followed the right shore of the lake behind the stone mill,
+along the shady, grassy slopes, until, after several windings, we came
+out on a little cove where a silvery fountain bubbled up and flowed
+down in a tiny rivulet to the lake. Around the fountain was soft green
+turf, with natural seats of rock, shaded by lofty trees, where the
+deep forest came down to the shores of the cove, and here we found our
+party of merry revelers. Horses, ponies, and oxen were all tethered
+deep in the forest, while young men and maidens were running to and
+fro, arranging tempting piles of broiled fowl, venison, and game
+pasties on the white cloth, spread on the green grass. A delicious
+odor of coffee came from a great caldron, hung over a stone fireplace
+on an improvised crane, and two young men were mixing, in a great
+bowl, a spicy compound of spring water, ratafia, sweet spices, and
+raspberry wine.
+
+They hailed the arrival of mademoiselle with delight, and young Josef
+Papin came running up, and took hold of her horse's bridle-rein, and
+led her to the head of the table, where they had made a throne for the
+queen of the fete out of a flat rock, covered with bright-colored
+capotes, and wreathed with garlands of bright-leaved vines.
+
+He claimed it his due, as giver of the feast, to sit at her right, and
+awarded to me, as a courtesy due her escort, the seat on her left. In
+the merry scramble for places that followed (there was nothing rude in
+it: these French folk are gentle and courteous in their gayest
+frolics) the chevalier was forgotten. When he came in, late (somewhat
+flushed, as if he might have been running when no man was looking, but
+debonair and smiling, with many apologies), there was no place for him
+near mademoiselle, and I was not sorry. Neither, I confess, did he
+seem to be, for he devoted himself pointedly to Mademoiselle Chouteau,
+as fascinating a little coquette as mademoiselle had described her.
+
+Half-way through the meal the chevalier made an excuse for going for a
+cup of water to the spring, and, in passing behind mademoiselle, he
+stopped a moment to ask her, in a low tone, for the first dance. It
+was not so low but that I overheard, and I heard, too, the tone of
+regret with which she told him it was already promised. I might have
+thought the tone only a tribute to politeness had I not caught her
+glance, which said louder than any words, "I had much rather it were
+you," and I said to myself, "Either mademoiselle is a most dangerous
+coquette, or the chevalier has already succeeded in at least winning
+her interest," and for a moment it sprang to the tip of my hasty
+tongue to release her from her promise. But I shut my lips firmly
+before the words were out.
+
+"Ce garcon-ca! The second, then?"
+
+I turned away my head and did not willingly hear any more, but I could
+not quite help overhearing the chevalier once again, in a tone
+intended to be quite cutting, and for that reason, no doubt, more
+distinct:
+
+"If mademoiselle's dances are not taken for the entire afternoon,
+perhaps she will be so kind as to say which one she will graciously
+grant me?"
+
+I did not hear her reply; but I heard his joyful response to it:
+
+"A thousand thanks, ma belle reine; au troisieme, donc!"
+
+I was in two minds through the rest of the meal: should I hold
+mademoiselle to her promise, which was, evidently, irksome to her, or
+should I free her from it? I resolved, finally, that the dance was
+fairly mine and I would hold her to it. Yet when the music sounded and
+the line was forming I was a little late in reaching her side, for I
+had been following the chevalier's example and getting my dances
+promised ahead, and Mademoiselle Chouteau had been so full of her
+little French coquetries I had found it hard to get away in time to
+claim mademoiselle's hand. I found her tapping her little foot
+impatiently, and an ominous line between her dark eyes. I made my
+apologies humbly, but mademoiselle was coldly scornful.
+
+"Had I known monsieur would find it so irksome to keep his engagement
+I could have released him. There were others who would have
+appreciated the honor, since it is my duty to open the dance."
+
+"It is inexcusable," I murmured, "but it was unavoidable"; and without
+waiting for further recriminations I led her to the head of the line.
+
+I had never seen the minuet danced with more grace and spirit. These
+Frenchmen have winged feet, and though I knew my steps well and had
+not thought myself particularly awkward, yet now it seemed to me
+impossible, with my great size, not to seem, to mademoiselle at least,
+a clumsy giant. It made me more conscious of my awkwardness that I was
+leading the line with mademoiselle, reine de la fete, and a perfect
+fairy for grace, and that, opposite us, with Mademoiselle Chouteau,
+was the chevalier, full of Parisian airs, which looked a little
+ridiculous to me, but were, no doubt, the admiration of all the
+maidens.
+
+And if anything could have made me more clumsy it was the accident
+that befell me in the sword-figure. It fell to my lot to cross swords
+with the chevalier, and I cannot be sure that he did it wilfully, yet
+so it seemed to me. By a twist of his wrist he loosened my sword from
+its grasp, and it fell clattering to the ground at the very feet of my
+lady. Had I been expecting anything more than the usual crossing of
+points my grasp would have been firmer, and I really think I was not
+to blame. Yet I was covered with confusion, and as I stooped to pick
+it up, necessarily delaying the progress of my lady, who was leading
+her line of maidens under the arch of swords, I glanced at her face,
+expecting nothing less for my gaucherie than the mocking smile I had
+learned to dread. To my amazement, my glance was met with the sweetest
+of smiles, and it was the chevalier who winced this time.
+
+"I hope monsieur will pardon the chevalier's awkwardness," she said;
+"he is, no doubt, more at home in a Parisian ball-room than at a
+rustic dance on the turf."
+
+After that, you may be sure, I carried myself proudly, and so elated
+was I by her unexpected sweetness that I lost all sense of
+awkwardness, and I began to hear murmurs of admiration that I knew
+were intended for my ears, and lent wings to my feet, also.
+
+"A handsome pair!" "What grace!" "He carries his head like a grand
+seigneur!" and Mademoiselle Chouteau was wicked enough, as we crossed
+in the dance, to look up at me and whisper saucily:
+
+"I die with impatience, monsieur, for la troisieme!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+WHIPPOORWILLS
+
+    "Is this that haughty, gallant, gay Lothario?"
+
+
+It was in the third dance, in the middle of an intricate figure (and
+Mademoiselle Chouteau was proving herself a most bewitching partner),
+that I suddenly discovered that neither mademoiselle nor the chevalier
+was dancing; nor could I see them anywhere, though my glance shot
+rapidly into every leafy nook and corner.
+
+An unreasoning terror seized me, and with all my might I tried to
+think what I could do. Should I leave my partner and fly in pursuit,
+as I longed to do, the figure would be broken up, and should my fears
+prove unfounded I could never again hold up my head among the St.
+Louis maidens. Yet I thought if I waited until the dance was over
+there would be time for the worst to happen, and I had promised not to
+let mademoiselle out of my sight. Now did I curse my folly (with many
+of my big _d_-inventions) that, since I had come to the picnic solely
+to look after mademoiselle, I had allowed myself to make any
+engagement with any other maiden, however bewitching.
+
+In my agony of indecision, though I was still going through the
+figure in a dazed fashion, great drops of perspiration started out on
+my brow. At that moment there came a pause in the dance, while the
+figure was changing, and above the babble of talk that broke forth I
+heard the distant call of a whippoorwill. It was enough. I bent low
+and whispered to my partner:
+
+"Mademoiselle, do you think you could invent a pretext by which we
+could both be excused from the dance? Could you be taken suddenly
+ill?"
+
+Mademoiselle Chouteau looked up at me quickly; I think for a moment
+she thought I wanted to get her away for a cozy flirtation in a quiet
+little nook, such as some of the other young couples seemed to be
+enjoying. But when she saw my anxious face she spoke quickly, with the
+prompt resource I have ever noted in young maidens:
+
+"Certainly, monsieur! In a moment you will see me grow quite pale, and
+then we will go and ask Gabriel Cerre and Marguerite Papin to take our
+places."
+
+She was as good as her word: in a moment she really seemed to me to
+turn pale, and she said, quite distinctly, so that those standing near
+could hear:
+
+"I am very tired, monsieur; I will have to ask you to excuse me from
+dancing. Perhaps we can persuade another couple to take our places."
+
+I think Gabriel Cerre and Mademoiselle Papin were a little loath to
+give up their pleasant chat, but on Mademoiselle Chouteau's
+representing that the dance would be broken up, and she was really not
+able to take another step, they very amiably consented to take our
+places.
+
+Then I had to explain to Mademoiselle Chouteau, very hurriedly, the
+reason for my strange request, and in doing so I was compelled to
+confide to her somewhat of my fears, and beg her to be silent if any
+one should notice that I too had disappeared. She proved a good ally,
+and, on my expressing my perplexity as to where to look, she suddenly
+remembered that she had seen mademoiselle and the chevalier, as the
+dance was beginning, enter the woodland path that led on around the
+lake to Rock Spring at its head.
+
+"A favorite resort for young people, and especially," she added slyly,
+"les amants."
+
+The dance had been moving rapidly and it was not yet over; they could
+not be so far away but that I could overtake them, and I felt a little
+relieved. Yet I must see Mademoiselle Chouteau disposed of among her
+friends; I could not leave her discourteously, and every second of
+delay fretted me greatly. When that was accomplished, I caught Yorke's
+eye (for he had arrived very shortly after us, and having made himself
+generally useful at the dejeuner, was now watching the dancers with
+grinning delight), and motioned to him to follow me.
+
+I slipped into the woodland path, and Yorke did not keep me waiting
+long. As rapidly as possible I told him my suspicions, and bade him
+slip into the woods where the horses were tethered and bring his own
+horse and Fatima by some roundabout way, so as to be unseen, and
+follow me on the path to the head of the lake.
+
+It was a comfort to feel that Yorke would not be many minutes behind
+me, for impatient as I often was with his pranks and his eternal grin,
+I knew him to be a good fighter, and true as steel. Still more of a
+comfort was it to know Fatima would be within calling of my whistle,
+for I knew not into what I was going, and if those dark forests
+overhanging the cliffs on the opposite shore of the lake were as full
+of the treacherous savages as the frequent call of the whippoorwills
+had led me to think, I might find that the only road to safety for
+both mademoiselle and myself was on Fatima's back.
+
+So it was with better courage (though I will not deny that my heart
+was beating fast) that I set off at a round pace on the woodland path
+toward the head of the lake. I had ever an eye for the beauties of
+nature, and an ear attuned to all its voices, yea, and a nostril for
+its sweet odors, and engrossed as I was (rushing on lest I might be
+too late, yet dreading every step that I fall into some ambush of
+whippoorwills), I still could not but note how softly the November sun
+fell through the half-bare branches, flecking the path with shine and
+shadow; how glowing cardinals and flaming orioles, not yet started
+south, flitted through the trees in rollicking sport; and how the
+sweet odor of dying leaves mingled with the soft call of
+wood-thrushes. The cottonwoods had laid down a path of gold for me to
+walk upon, but, fortunately, it had rained the night before and the
+leaves were still damp and so did not rustle to my tread.
+
+I had hurried on at a breathless pace, following the path that in its
+turn followed the windings of the lake for nearly a mile, when
+suddenly I heard voices at no great distance ahead of me. I stopped
+for a moment, my heart beating so fast I could scarce listen. Yes, it
+was a man's voice and a maiden's, speaking in low tones as if for each
+other's ears alone, and I did not doubt it was mademoiselle and the
+chevalier.
+
+Now it was most distasteful to me to think of playing eavesdropper,
+and I was of half a mind to stop where I was and wait until they had
+finished what they had to say and were ready to return. I would at
+least be near enough at hand to prevent a capture should it be
+attempted. But as I waited, mademoiselle's voice was suddenly raised,
+and I heard her say in a tone of pain:
+
+"Do not make me distrust my guardian! I can believe no wrong of him!
+He has been the only father I have known."
+
+I caught nothing of the chevalier's reply but the two words
+"interested motives"; but I thought, since it was evidently no tender
+interchange of sentiment to which I would have to listen, but the
+rascal was maligning my good friend Dr. Saugrain, it was my duty to
+listen with all my ears. I crept forward softly, fearing lest a
+crackling twig or a dry leaf might betray my presence, and fearing,
+too, since I could not discover whence the voices came, that I might
+come upon them unawares and so reveal myself.
+
+Which I came very near doing. Another step, and I would have stepped
+over the brink of a low bluff which encircled a cup-like depression. A
+cluster of tall oaks rose from the center of the little glen thus
+formed, sheltering a silvery fountain gushing from a great rock and
+then, in a bright rivulet, dancing merrily over moss and stones to the
+lake.
+
+This, then, was Rock Spring, and the source of Chouteau's Pond! A
+sylvan retreat indeed for lovers, and I had heard it was much
+frequented by them. A fringe of crimson sumac-bushes screened the edge
+of the bluff and effectually screened me from two people just below
+me. I liked not to be spying, but I felt that duty and honor both, and
+my pledged word to the doctor, demanded that I keep mademoiselle in
+sight. So I cautiously leaned forward and looked.
+
+Mademoiselle was seated on a boulder with her face turned toward me
+and uplifted to the chevalier, who was standing with his back to me,
+looking down on her. Her dark eyes were wide and startled, full of
+surprise and pain; I was not sure but there were tears in them. Her
+straight brows were drawn together in a deep furrow, and the scarlet
+lips, usually so like a Cupid's bow, were set and stern. I wondered
+what the chevalier could be saying in that low voice of his to move
+her so deeply. As he finished, mademoiselle sprang to her feet,
+generous indignation in her flashing eyes and ringing tones.
+
+"I can never believe it! Either I have no such prospects, or he has
+some good reason for not telling me yet. I will never doubt his truth
+and honesty!"
+
+Then I heard the chevalier's reply, low and distinct:
+
+"Mademoiselle, your friends in France doubt both the friends of your
+father and mother. They have sent me here to find you and bring you
+back with me to your rich estates, to your rank and position, and to
+the friends who love you. But they know well Dr. Saugrain will never
+let go his hold on you, until he can get control of your property
+himself, and so they have instructed me to use all caution and
+secrecy.
+
+"In the woods yonder, on the other side of the lake, is a trusty
+escort to ride to Cape Girardeau, where a boat is waiting to take you
+to New Orleans. In New Orleans is a ship ready to sail the moment
+mademoiselle puts her foot upon its deck, and in a little more than a
+month you will be in Paris, among friends who will receive you with
+outstretched arms, surrounded by every luxury, living the life of
+grande dame as you ought to live, among the great nobles where you
+rightfully belong, and not in this rude, rough country among Indians
+and boors. And mademoiselle will permit me to add, there is no great
+lady in France so fitted by nature to adorn her high station as she.
+She will have all Paris at her feet. Come with me now, mademoiselle!
+There is no time to be lost! Any moment we may be interrupted and it
+may be too late."
+
+My eyes did not leave mademoiselle's face through all this long
+speech, and I saw her expression slowly change. The generous
+indignation was still there, but I saw that the picture that he
+presented of the life that awaited her in Paris began to fascinate
+her. She spoke slowly and doubtfully:
+
+"I will tell Dr. and Madame Saugrain all you have told me, and if it
+is right, they will let me go with you. I will not doubt my friends."
+
+The villain saw that he was gaining ground:
+
+"They are not your friends! They are your bitterest foes. They are
+keeping you from everything that will make your life grand and
+beautiful, with the hope of their own gain some day. They will never
+let you go! If home and Paris and friends and wealth and rank and
+power are to be won at all, it must be at once. Five minutes more may
+be too late. That boy [with infinite scorn] may have discovered your
+absence and come to seek you."
+
+Suddenly the chevalier dropped on one knee, his hand on his heart. I
+turned quickly away (for I would not listen to what I feared would be
+a declaration of love), and, as I turned, I saw Yorke coming up the
+path, leading the two horses, who were picking their way as cautiously
+as if they knew the occasion demanded the utmost secrecy. I motioned
+to Yorke to leave the horses where they were (I knew they were so
+trained they would stand perfectly still without tying) and to come
+silently to me. I felt that the moment of rescue could not be far
+distant.
+
+He had crept cautiously up just as the chevalier ceased speaking. I
+was intent on noting the position of the horses and forming a plan of
+rescue, and so did not observe Yorke, or I might have prevented what
+followed. He had stolen up softly behind me, and, unconscious that he
+was on the edge of a bluff, had stepped a step beyond me. Of course he
+went over at once, heels over head, turning a complete somersault,
+and alighted erect, astride the neck of the kneeling chevalier.
+
+At his terrified cry I turned quickly, just in time to see him alight;
+and if it had been a time for laughing it would have been a funny
+sight indeed: the look of startled terror on mademoiselle's face
+gradually changing in spite of herself to one of convulsive merriment;
+the chevalier, his nose ground in the dust, squirming helplessly and
+sputtering vigorously in French; and, lastly, the big black, the white
+balls of his eyes almost starting from his head in amazement and
+fright, and a ceaseless torrent of ejaculations pouring through his
+white teeth!
+
+"Oh! Oh, Lordy! Oh, my gracious! Oh, de good Lord! Oh, massy!"
+
+Yet he made no effort to rise, and I began to suspect he was enjoying
+the situation, for the more vigorously the Frenchman sputtered the
+louder the negro bellowed.
+
+It was time for me to interpose, but I wished to avoid the appearance
+of having been spying on them, with Yorke, from above, otherwise I
+could easily have leaped down the low bluff. Looking around hastily, I
+discovered, what I had not noted before, that the main path led around
+the foot of the bluff into the little glen from below. I had followed
+a branch of it in coming to the top of the bluff. I ran quickly down
+to the lower entrance of the glen, but there I stopped a moment to
+assume an air as of one leisurely strolling. I did not pretend to see
+the group until I was well into the glen where I could also be seen.
+Then I struck an attitude of intense surprise for mademoiselle's
+benefit (who by this time had caught sight of me), and when I had
+sufficiently recovered from the surprise for utterance, I spoke to
+Yorke in tones of stern command:
+
+"What are you doing, sir, on monsieur's back? Have you taken him for a
+horse? Or a donkey? Off, sir, this moment, and make your humble
+apologies to the chevalier."
+
+Yorke was not much afraid of my stern tone. Still yelling bloody
+murder, he contrived a most audacious wink with the eye next to me,
+but he tumbled off slowly, and then I hastened to help the chevalier
+to his feet. He was a sorry spectacle, and I saw mademoiselle's look
+of suppressed amusement change to pity and concern. Blood was gushing
+from his nose all over his fine clothes, and his face was so begrimed
+and gory it would have been impossible to guess it was the dapper
+Parisian.
+
+But he was in such a blind rage that for once he ignored his clothes.
+Stanching the blood as best he could with his flimsy lace
+handkerchief, he poured out a torrent of abuse in mingled French and
+English, on Yorke and on me, but principally on me. I tried to
+interpose a polite word of regret, but he would not listen to me.
+
+"You air a sneak, a cowaird, sir! You spy on mademoiselle and me!
+Cowair-r-r-d! I will have the satisfaction! Sacre Dieu! You have no
+doubt told the negro to leap upon my back! I will have r-r-r-evenge!"
+
+And as if reminded by that last word, he turned to mademoiselle and
+spoke in French:
+
+"Fly with me at once, mademoiselle! You will not stay to be at the
+mercy of a sneaking spy. See! I will call my red friends. Do not be
+afraid! They will carry you off, but I will be with you, and we will
+find horses and fly."
+
+And without waiting for an answer he turned and imitated three times
+the call of a whippoorwill.
+
+I knew what that meant--that in a moment the Osages would be upon us;
+and hardly had his first call left his lips before I too had turned
+and uttered the shrill whistle that always brought Fatima to my side.
+
+As I knew, the last whippoorwill call had not died away when from the
+woods on the opposite side of the lake, silently, swiftly stole first
+one dark figure and then another, until at least a dozen savages,
+armed and painted, were bearing down upon us with the fleetness of
+deer. In a moment more they would be upon us, and neither Yorke's life
+nor mine would be worth the asking, and, what was far harder to
+contemplate, mademoiselle would be captive in their hands.
+
+She stood for a moment petrified with horror at the sight of the
+swiftly advancing savages, and then she turned to me in an agony of
+entreaty.
+
+"Oh, fly, fly at once!" she said, "you and your black man, before it
+is too late."
+
+I turned to Yorke:
+
+"Go as mademoiselle bids you; get your horse and fly."
+
+Yorke tried to remonstrate, but I would not let him open his lips.
+
+"No; you will only hinder me now. If worse comes to worst, you can at
+least bear the news. Go at once!" And without waiting for further
+orders, Yorke turned, scrambled up the face of the bluff, and was off.
+
+"But you will go, too!" she cried, as I turned again to her.
+
+"And leave you?"
+
+"Oh, do not mind me! They will not hurt me!" And then, as I stood
+perfectly still, with my pistols ready, but with no intention of
+leaving her to the tender mercies of the savages and the savage
+mercies of the chevalier, she grew desperate, grasping my arm and
+trying with her feeble strength to push me toward safety.
+
+"I implore you," she entreated, "if you have any feeling of friendship
+for me, fly before it is too late!"
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "I stir not one step from this spot unless you
+go with me."
+
+"I will but hinder you," she cried, "and prevent all possibility of
+escape. Oh, do not stay for me!"
+
+"Mademoiselle," said the chevalier, who had been enjoying this scene,
+with no attempt at concealing his relish for it, "go with monsieur,
+since he desires it."
+
+Even as he spoke, the first of the Osages darted into the glen; the
+others were close at his heels; but at the same moment from the
+entrance of the glen nearer to us came the thunder of hoofs, and
+Fatima was at my side, her eyes flashing, her hoofs pawing the earth,
+her nostrils snorting with rage: for well she guessed that painted
+savages meant danger to her master.
+
+I was on her back in a moment, and, stooping, lifted mademoiselle
+swiftly to the crupper in front of me. Holding her there with my left
+arm, I wheeled Fatima with the one word of command, "Go!" and turning
+my head as she flew over the rough earth, I leveled my pistol at the
+chevalier.
+
+"Do not stir, monsieur, at the peril of your life!" I called to him,
+and kept him covered as we flew. I knew the savages were running to
+try to head me off but I paid no attention to them until, rounding a
+great boulder, the chevalier (his face ghastly with rage and
+disappointed revenge, for so sudden had it all been he had had no time
+even to draw his pistol to prevent the rescue until too late) was out
+of my range, as we were out of his. Then, turning my pistol swiftly on
+the Osage in the lead,--none too soon, for his rifle was leveled at
+us,--I fired. The poor fellow fell forward with a wild yell that
+turned my heart sick; yet none the less, the others rushing on with
+their wild whoops to avenge him, I drew my second pistol and fired
+once more.
+
+But I knew not with what result, for mademoiselle, with a convulsive
+shudder and a look of mortal woe, cried out:
+
+"You have killed the chevalier!"
+
+"No, mademoiselle," I answered grimly; "I have killed the poor
+whippoorwill you asked me for"; and then had all I could do without
+paying any more attention to the savages, for mademoiselle had fainted
+and lay like one dead on my arm, her white face upturned to mine, her
+long black lashes sweeping the marble cheeks, and the dark curls
+falling backward from the white brow and floating on the wind, as
+Fatima flashed along the woodland path like a swallow on the wing.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+I TWINE CHRISTMAS GREENS
+
+    "Woman's at best a contradiction still."
+
+
+Yorke had reached the picnic-ground just long enough ahead of us to
+create pandemonium. He had reported both mademoiselle and me as killed
+and scalped by this time, and a band of a hundred savages, with the
+chevalier at their head, on their way to the picnic.
+
+The massacre of 1780 was still fresh enough in the memory of St. Louis
+folk to make this seem no improbable tale, and the utmost confusion
+ensued. Some of the young men, with Josef Papin and Gabriel Cerre at
+their head, were for going at once to our rescue; but the maidens
+implored, and Yorke averred it was too late, and reported the savages
+in such numbers as would make such an undertaking only foolhardy. (And
+by this you must not judge Yorke a villain and a coward; he would have
+been the first to volunteer and the loudest to urge on the others, but
+he had heard Fatima's hoofs behind him, and knew we were safe, and,
+rascal that he was, could not resist his practical joke nor his negro
+love of producing a great effect.)
+
+Into this wild pandemonium of women screaming unintelligible cries to
+each other as they hastily got together their belongings and packed
+them into charrettes and saddle-bags, amid sobbings and wailings, and
+men shouting hoarsely to mustang and pony as they struggled with bit
+and bridle, mademoiselle and I rode; and their joy at seeing us alive,
+and our hair still on our heads, knew no bounds.
+
+I told them the true state of the case--that there were not more than
+a dozen or twenty of the savages at the most, and I hardly thought the
+chevalier would bring them down upon us. Yet, knowing that he might be
+in a mood for risking everything to recapture mademoiselle, I
+recommended that the men form themselves into two bands to ride in the
+front and in the rear, with the maidens between the two, and to start
+at once. We could go no faster, of course, than the charrettes could
+go, and the savages could easily overtake us if they desired; but I
+did not believe they would dare, for our numbers were greater than
+theirs, and the young men were all well armed.
+
+Mademoiselle had recovered from her fainting, but was still white and
+weak. And because I did not believe she was able to sit La Bette, I
+recommended that she ride in Josef Papin's charrette with Mademoiselle
+Chouteau and let Josef ride her horse. We two, young Papin and I,
+brought up the rear; and I did not see mademoiselle again except once,
+for a moment, when we were crossing La Petite Riviere, and I rode up
+by her side to see that the charrette went steadily through the water.
+Her head was on Mademoiselle Chouteau's shoulder, who was supporting
+her with her arm. Her eyes were closed, and Mademoiselle Chouteau
+whispered to me, "She is asleep!" but at that she opened her eyes
+quickly and looked up at me. She tried to smile, but I think the
+terror of it all was still strongly with her. She said:
+
+"I have not thanked you, monsieur; but I know I owe you my liberty, if
+not my life, and I am not ungrateful."
+
+It was very sweetly said, but there was a horrible fear at my heart
+that she would rather have been captured by the redskins, and gone
+away with the Chevalier Le Moyne, than to have been rescued by me.
+
+Just at the stockade we met a party of horsemen. Dr. Saugrain and my
+captain were in the lead with Black Hawk, who had reported Red Jean
+with a band of Osages lurking in the woods, and they were on their way
+to clear them out, lest they molest the picnic or the village. Amid a
+babble of excitement, every one trying to talk at once, our tale was
+told. And as Dr. Saugrain and my captain thought it was best to go on
+and try to capture the chevalier and his band, and as our escort was
+no longer needed for the maidens, I turned my horse and rode back with
+them to find the chevalier.
+
+I confess it would have done me good to bring him in a captive, but I
+was doomed to disappointment. We scoured the woods, and the only
+traces we found of him and his band were the prints of horses' hoofs
+going south,--a dozen horses, I should think,--and, just where Rock
+Spring bubbles up in a silver fountain, a torn and bloody lace
+handkerchief. I gave the good doctor a full account of the
+conversation I had listened to, and he ground his teeth with rage at
+the chevalier's duplicity. He was much touched at Pelagie's chivalrous
+defense of him; yet, as delicately as I could, I tried to tell him
+that at the very last I feared the chevalier had succeeded in
+insinuating some seeds of doubt and suspicion in mademoiselle's mind.
+The doctor and my captain both agreed that it was time to tell Pelagie
+the full truth of the matter. She should know all about herself and
+her expectations, and who were her friends and who her foes.
+
+I was curious to see what effect the revelation would have upon her;
+or it could hardly be called a revelation, since the chevalier had
+already revealed it--rather the confirmation of his tale. But in that,
+too, I was doomed to disappointment. She was ill for several days and
+confined to her room,--the effect of the excitement she had passed
+through,--and before she was well enough to be about again, my captain
+and I had set off, with Black Hawk as guide and Yorke as factotum, to
+make a visit to Daniel Boone at his home on the Missouri River.
+
+We found the grand old man as happy as a child in the beautiful home
+he had at last made for himself and his family at the very outposts of
+civilization. We were gone four weeks, exploring the woods and
+mountains and rolling prairies of the beautiful country, and coming
+home on a great flatboat down the swiftly rolling Missouri, past Fort
+Bellefontaine, where the Missouri empties into the Mississippi (where
+we were royally entertained by the Spanish commandant), and so at
+last by the Mississippi back to St. Louis.
+
+I found myself trembling with a mingling of fearful and pleasant
+anticipations as I rode up the steep bluff on Fatima's back, and we
+took the Rue de l'Eglise to Dr. Saugrain's house.
+
+It was the day before Christmas, and I had not remembered it; but as
+we passed the church in the rear of Auguste Chouteau's place, through
+the open doors we could see young men and maidens winding long
+garlands of Christmas greens and festooning them over doors and
+windows, while shouts of merry laughter floated out to us. I was for
+drawing rein and going in to help with the trimming; but my captain
+(who, I believe, was shy of the maidens) insisted we must first pay
+our respects to our host.
+
+The little doctor met us at the gate with a beaming face, and when
+Narcisse and Yorke had led away our horses we entered once more the
+long, low room we had first entered nearly two months before. The
+windows were no longer open, looking out into cool green foliage, with
+white muslin curtains stirring in the breeze, and there was no maiden
+in a white robe, with the blue ribbon of a guitar across her
+shoulders, singing creole love-songs. Instead, crimson damask curtains
+were falling over the white ones, and a great fire of logs was blazing
+in one end of the room, looking cozy and cheery enough on this crisp
+December day.
+
+Yet, in spite of its coziness, I thought it had a dreary look. Leon
+was lying before the fire, and though he looked at me a little
+doubtfully, as he slowly rose and shook himself, I felt a rush of
+friendliness toward him, and showed it so plainly, as I called him to
+me, that at last he capitulated, and we have ever since been the best
+of friends.
+
+Then Madame Saugrain came running in, flushed and rosy from the
+kitchen, where she had been superintending the baking of Christmas
+tarts and croquecignolles, and bringing with her appetizing whiffs of
+roasting and frying. My captain laughingly told her that the good
+smells made him hungry.
+
+"You shall come and see," she said; and led us into the great kitchen,
+where, on tables as white as snow, were piled heaps of golden-brown
+croquecignolles, cut in curious patterns, and the big black cook was
+dropping still more into the kettle of boiling fat, and bringing out
+puffy and wondrously shaped birds and beasts. Narcisse, on his knees
+on the hearth, was turning two great fowls suspended before the fire,
+from which oozed such rich and savory gravy as made one smack his
+lips. On another table a huge venison pasty and tarts and cakes of
+many kinds were temptingly arrayed, and madame's pride in her
+housewifely preparations for the Christmas feasting was pretty to see.
+She would have us taste her croquecignolles and little cakes, and had
+a glass of gooseberry wine brought out of the store-room for each of
+us, and we drank it standing in the kitchen, and helping ourselves
+from the pile of croquecignolles.
+
+But kind and charming as was madame, and toothsome as were her cakes,
+and much as her gooseberry wine tickled our palates, I was yet on
+nettles to be gone and join the young people at the church. Whether
+madame guessed it or whether it was just one of her kindly thoughts,
+she said in her motherly way:
+
+"But, my son, you should be at the church. The maidens will be vexed
+with me if I keep you talking to an old woman, when they might be
+having your help with the wreaths."
+
+"If you think they need me?" and I tried to look as if only a stern
+sense of duty could induce me to go.
+
+Madame Saugrain laughed, with the merry twinkle in her eye that made
+her as captivating as a young maiden.
+
+"Allons donc!" she said. "Quel garcon!" And with my best bow to her
+and a salute to my captain and the good doctor, I whistled to Leon to
+accompany me and strode quickly down the road toward the little
+church.
+
+But as I neared it I slackened my pace, and but for very shame I would
+have turned and fled again to the shelter of madame's motherly smile.
+I had not seen Mademoiselle Pelagie since the day of the picnic, and I
+was much in doubt whether she regarded me as her rescuer to be
+esteemed with grateful and friendly feeling, or as the cause of the
+loss of a dear friend, perhaps a lover. I felt very sure I would be
+able to tell at our first meeting in which light I was held, and,
+screwing up all my courage, I made a bold dash for the church door.
+
+Scarcely had my shadow darkened the doorway when I was surrounded by
+an eager group, saluting me with every form of friendly welcome back
+to St. Louis; but the face I looked for was not among them.
+Mademoiselle Chouteau and Mademoiselle Papin seized me, one by either
+arm, and led me to a great pile of greens, and would have set me at
+once to work in tying them to long ropes. But I begged them to permit
+me first to pay my respects to the rest of my friends; for over in a
+dark corner I had seen Pelagie at work, with two or three young men
+around her, supplying her with greens for her nimble fingers to weave
+into garlands, and she had not come with the others to greet me. I
+thought at least that little courtesy was due me, for, whether she
+liked or resented my rescuing her, I had risked much in the doing of
+it.
+
+I was filled with bitterness toward her, but could have no more kept
+away from her than the moth from the flame. My bitterness now gave me
+courage, and I sauntered up to her with what I flattered myself was
+quite as grand an air as the chevalier's might have been. Hand on the
+hilt of my sword, hat doffed, with its plume sweeping the ground, I
+bowed low.
+
+"If mademoiselle has not forgotten an old acquaintance, will she
+permit me respectfully to salute her?"
+
+She had been seated on a low seat with the side of her face toward me,
+and may or may not have been aware of my approach. As I spoke, she
+rose quickly and turned toward me, the rich blood rushing over her
+face and neck for a minute, and receding and leaving her almost as
+white as when I had held her in my arms and she had thought the
+chevalier killed.
+
+She did not speak, but she held out her hand, and I bowed low over
+it, and barely touched it with my lips. The young men (among whom was
+of course Josef Papin) crowded around me with friendly greetings, and
+for a few minutes we talked fast, they asking and I answering many
+questions about Daniel Boone and our adventures in the far West.
+
+I did not look at mademoiselle as we talked, but--it is a way I
+have--I saw her all the time. I think it must be because I am so much
+taller than most people that I can see all that goes on around me (or,
+perhaps more truly, beneath me) without seeming to look. I saw
+mademoiselle regard me with a strange glance, as if she were looking
+at some one she did not know, and was trying to explain him to
+herself. Then she sat down and quietly went on with her work, her head
+bent, and not looking at me again.
+
+I talked on for a few minutes, and then turned to make my adieus to
+mademoiselle. She looked up at me with a friendly smile and I saw,
+what I had not noticed before, that she was paler and thinner than
+when I had seen her last, and there was a look in her dark eyes as of
+hidden trouble.
+
+"Will you not stay and help us, monsieur?" she said in that voice
+which, from the first time I had heard it, had always seemed to me the
+sweetest in the world. Of course it set my silly pulses to beating
+faster, but I answered steadily and with an air of cold courtesy:
+
+"I regret that I cannot accept mademoiselle's invitation; I have
+promised my services elsewhere"; and with another low bow I turned on
+my heel and, holding my head high, went back to weave garlands with
+Mademoiselle Chouteau and Marguerite Papin.
+
+And because I was so big and they were so petite, they delighted in
+ordering me around (and I delighted in obeying), and they made me
+mount to the highest beams to suspend garlands, and applauded me when
+I arranged them to suit their fancy, and laughed at me or scolded me
+when I was awkward and stupid, until my back ached and my heart grew
+light; for I forgot for a time that mademoiselle, for whom I had
+risked my life, had not even cared to give me a friendly welcome back
+to St. Louis.
+
+The last garland was fastened in its place, the last stray bit of
+evergreen and rubbish swept from the doors, the church garnished and
+beautiful to behold. There was the noisy bustle of preparing for
+departure and the calling back and forth:
+
+"Be sure you are at midnight mass, Gabriel."
+
+"Au revoir at midnight mass, Pelagie."
+
+"I will see you at midnight mass, monsieur."
+
+And for me there was a moment of embarrassment. Was it my duty to
+offer myself as escort to any of the maidens? For though the hour was
+early it was already dark. Or, since I was going direct to
+mademoiselle's house, would I be expected to accompany her? I glanced
+over to her corner; she had already left the church. I looked through
+the open doorway; she was walking down the Rue de l'Eglise with Josef
+Papin.
+
+"Mademoiselle Chouteau," I said, "may I have the pleasure of walking
+home with you?"
+
+But all the way up the Rue de l'Eglise and down the steep incline of
+the Rue Bonhomme, and up the Rue Royale to the great barred gate that
+led into the stone-walled inclosure of Pierre Chouteau, while
+Mademoiselle Chouteau, with her nimble tongue, was flitting from one
+bit of village gossip to another, like a butterfly among the flowers,
+I was saying bitterly to myself:
+
+"And she had even the discourtesy to walk away without waiting to see
+whether the guest of her house was going home or not."
+
+It was a long mile and a half from Pierre Chouteau's house to Dr.
+Saugrain's, and it was a frosty December evening. It was only five
+o'clock, but the stars were out, and through the leafless trees I
+could see lights twinkling from the houses as I passed. Faster and
+faster I walked, as my thoughts grew more and more bitter toward
+mademoiselle, and by the time I had reached the cheery living-room,
+with its blazing lightwood fire, I was in such a glow from exercise
+and indignation as made the fire all unwelcome.
+
+I had quite made up my mind, on my long walk, that mademoiselle should
+find me as cool as herself; and through the evening meal I scarce
+looked at her. But if I had fancied mademoiselle suffering from some
+secret trouble, I changed my mind at supper. She sat between my
+captain and her guardian, and was in such merry mood that she had my
+captain alternately laughing uproariously at her wit, and making fine
+speeches about her beauty, in a fashion that quite amazed me, for I
+had ever considered him a sober-minded fellow, above all such light
+ways.
+
+Nor did she refrain from a slight stab at me whenever it was possible
+to get it in. I took no more notice of these than I could help, yet I
+felt my cheeks, already burning from my frosty walk, grow hotter and
+hotter, until the very tips of my ears were on fire; and I felt it the
+unkindest cut of all when she said, with her pretty accent and air of
+polite condescension to a very young boy:
+
+"'Tis a long walk from Mademoiselle Chouteau's, monsieur, but it has
+given you une grande couleur. What would not our St. Louis belles give
+for such roses!"
+
+I turned toward her just long enough to say gravely, "I thank you,
+mademoiselle," and then renewed at once my conversation with madame.
+But I could see from the tail of my eye that she had the grace to
+blush also, and to be ashamed of her petty persecutions, for she left
+me to myself the remainder of the meal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+I GO TO MIDNIGHT MASS
+
+    "Tender-handed stroke a nettle,
+      And it stings you for your pains;
+    Grasp it like a man of mettle,
+      And it soft as silk remains."
+
+
+In our room, making ready for midnight mass, which all the family,
+including guests, were expected to attend, my captain told me what Dr.
+Saugrain had said to him about mademoiselle. He had told her fully her
+history and expectations (save only her exact rank and title, which he
+had thought best still to withhold from her), and the plans of her
+friends for her future. He had also told her very plainly that he had
+suspected the chevalier of just such an attempt at her capture as he
+had made, and for that reason had been so unwilling that she should go
+to Chouteau's Pond.
+
+Mademoiselle had listened, and had asked him many questions, and had
+at last said that she could not doubt the truth of her guardian, but
+she thought it possible the chevalier was honest also, and misjudged
+Dr. Saugrain because he did not know him. The doctor had tried to
+convince her of the chevalier's duplicity, and showed her the letter
+of warning from France concerning him; but the doctor was not sure
+that mademoiselle was convinced, and he had determined, as soon as
+safe convoy could be found, to send her to her friends in Paris.
+
+In the meantime mademoiselle did not seem happy, and the good doctor
+was much puzzled to know whether it was, as he hoped, regret at
+leaving his wife and himself, who had been father and mother to her,
+or, as he feared, a secret regret for the chevalier, and a lurking
+doubt of the Saugrains.
+
+And now all my bitterness toward mademoiselle had suddenly vanished. I
+seemed to understand fully the state of mind the poor girl was in, and
+there was no room in my heart for anything but a great pity for her.
+The remembrance of her face as I had seen it when the chevalier was
+talking to her, the generous indignation changing to doubt, and then
+the gradual kindling of a desire for the life depicted to her by the
+chevalier (and, perhaps, a touch of a softer emotion for the chevalier
+himself),--it was like reading an open book, and I said to myself:
+
+"Mademoiselle is torn by conflicting emotions: her love for her
+friends here whom she is to leave, and longing for the life in Paris
+which may soon be hers, and, perhaps, love for the chevalier, whom she
+feels she ought to despise. What does it matter if she sometimes vents
+her irritation with herself upon me, whom she regards as but a boy? I
+shall not resent it; but if I find a chance I will try to let her know
+I understand."
+
+But I had no chance on the way to mass. Madame Saugrain seemed to
+take it for granted that Captain Clarke and the doctor would walk with
+mademoiselle, and I was her peculiar property; and I suppose I had
+given her the right to think so by always pointedly devoting myself to
+her.
+
+It was a solemn service at that midnight hour: the bare little church
+made beautiful with our garlands of green, and the twinkle of many
+candles around the altar; the heads bowed in prayer; the subdued
+murmur of voices making the responses; the swelling note of triumph in
+the Gregorian chant; and then coming out under the quiet stars and
+exchanging greetings with friend and neighbor.
+
+And last of all the quiet walk home, and, to my surprise, I was
+walking by mademoiselle's side. I was surprised, for it was not of my
+arranging, and it set my blood to leaping to think it was possibly of
+hers. I made up my mind that no word of mine should mar the
+friendliness of the act, and I plunged quickly into a lively
+discussion of the ball that was to take place at Madame Chouteau's on
+Christmas evening. But she interrupted me almost in the beginning,
+and, as was her habit when she talked with me, she spoke in French. It
+was only rarely she tried her English, though, when she did, it was
+with such a witching grace I could have wished it oftener.
+
+"Monsieur," she said, "I have been so unmaidenly as to inflict my
+company upon you for the walk home when you had not solicited it, but
+I had a reason for so doing. I hope," as if a sudden thought had
+struck her, "I have not interfered with other plans. Had you desired
+to escort some one else home?"
+
+"Certainly not," I said coolly, for I was unaccountably irritated by
+the suggestion. "And I did not solicit the honor of being your escort
+only because I had reason to suppose it would not be agreeable to
+you."
+
+"It was for that I am here without an invitation," she answered
+quickly. "I have many times given you occasion to think me entirely
+without manners. I have often been very rude to you. I wish to ask
+your pardon for my silly speeches at the table, and for all my
+unamiability, and to assure you I have not forgotten your great
+services to me, and I am not ungrateful. It is because I have
+naturally a very bad temper; and now I believe I am not quite well, I
+am so irritable of late."
+
+Several times I had tried to interrupt her; I could not bear to have
+her humiliate herself to me (for I was sure it must be a humiliation
+to one of her haughty temper). But she would not listen to my
+interruptions; she went steadily on with a voice so low and sweet and
+sad it quite unmanned me.
+
+Yet because I thought her voice trembled, and in the moonlight (for
+the late moon was now well up in the sky) I was sure I saw something
+bright glistening on her long lashes, and because my heart was torn
+for her, and I was seized with a horrible fear that she might weep,
+and I would not know what to do--for all these reasons I spoke quickly
+and lightly:
+
+"Mademoiselle, you have the temper of an angel, and if sometimes you
+lose it, I fear it is because only an angel with wings could be
+patient with a blundering giant like me."
+
+"You are no blunderer, monsieur," she said gravely; "and if you are a
+giant, you are one of the good kind who use their strength and their
+courage in rescuing distressed damsels. I hope they will not all
+requite you as badly as I have done."
+
+"Mademoiselle,"--I spoke as gravely as she had spoken,--"I hope you
+will not let the remembrance of any service I have been able to render
+you prove a burden to you. I would risk much more in your service, if
+the occasion offered, than I risked then, and find my delight in so
+doing." And then I added: "I wish you would promise me that if you
+should ever need such service again--if you are ever in peril of any
+kind, and I am in reach--that you will call on me."
+
+Mademoiselle hesitated a moment before she replied:
+
+"You are heaping coals of fire on my head, monsieur; you are far
+kinder to me than I deserve, but--I promise."
+
+"Thank you, mademoiselle; you have given me my reward, and if you were
+ever unamiable to me, you have fully atoned. Sometimes I think,
+mademoiselle," I went on, inwardly trembling but determined, "that you
+did not esteem it so great a service that I rendered you--that perhaps
+you had rather not have been rescued. Am I wrong?"
+
+I was looking down on her and watching her narrowly as I spoke. I
+could see, even by the uncertain light of the moon, that she went
+suddenly white, and there was a perceptible pause before she spoke.
+
+"I hardly think, monsieur, that you have any right to ask me such a
+question, but I am going to answer your question by another." And
+slowly the color crept back into her face, and grew brighter and
+brighter, but she went steadily on. "Did you overhear what the
+Chevalier Le Moyne was saying to me in the glen?"
+
+It was my time to wince. Must I confess to eavesdropping? It was hard
+enough to do that under any circumstances--but she might think I had
+listened too to the chevalier's wooing; it seemed to me I could not so
+outrage her sense of delicacy as to let her think that. I had been
+reared to revere the truth, but for once I thought it not wrong to
+chip a little from its sharp edge.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "I will confess to you. I missed you and the
+chevalier from the dance. I had been warned that the chevalier might
+attempt to carry you off, and I had given my word not to let you out
+of my sight. Of course I went at once in search of you, and because I
+believed the whippoorwills we had heard in the woods to be signal of
+savages, I bade Yorke follow me with the horses. I heard voices, and
+in following them came to the top of the bluff encircling the glen. I
+would scorn to be an eavesdropper under ordinary circumstances, but a
+chance word caught my ear, and when I found the chevalier was not
+pleading a lover's cause, but maligning my friend Dr. Saugrain to the
+maiden he loves as his own daughter, I felt it my duty to listen. Your
+rejection with scorn of the chevalier's base insinuation against Dr.
+Saugrain delighted my heart, but when I found that he was continuing
+with devilish ingenuity to seek to undermine your faith in your
+guardian, I concluded it was time for me to interfere. I told Yorke to
+be ready with the horses, and myself went down to the entrance of the
+glen, intending to interrupt the chevalier, and use my pledge to your
+guardian as authority for requesting your return. Imagine my
+astonishment to find Yorke, whom I had left in charge of the horses,
+astride the chevalier's neck! What followed you know, and now you know
+what I heard and why I listened. Was it wrong?"
+
+Mademoiselle was silent for a minute. I think she was not quite sure
+that I had not heard more than I confessed to, but she was willing to
+hope I had not.
+
+"Monsieur," she said, "you were no doubt justified in listening, if
+one can ever be justified in listening to what is not intended for his
+ears. But you have used some harsh expressions concerning the
+chevalier, and I think it is possible you wrong him, even as he
+wronged my guardian. I do not for one moment believe that my guardian
+has had any but the best of motives in keeping from me all knowledge
+of my rank and wealth; but I might still be ignorant of it, and I know
+not for how much longer, if the chevalier had not revealed it to me.
+Dr. Saugrain corroborated all that he has said. He only refuses to
+believe that the chevalier was sent by my friends to take me back to
+Paris. He accuses him of being in a plot to get possession of my
+person and of my wealth. Yet that is exactly the accusation made by
+the chevalier against Dr. Saugrain. Dr. Saugrain admits that all the
+chevalier said about my present rank and future prospects is true. Why
+should not the rest be true--that he had been sent by my friends to
+bring me back to Paris? Can you not see that he does not necessarily
+seem to me so black as he does to you and my guardian? And it seems a
+hard thing to me that he should be a refugee among savages, leaving a
+blackened reputation behind him (for there is no one in St. Louis who
+does not vilify him), when he was actuated by most chivalrous motives,
+however mistaken they might be; for he thought he was rescuing a
+wronged maiden from those who had unlawful possession of her, and
+restoring her to her friends. I cannot but feel shame and regret that
+I should have caused the chevalier so great a journey, at such cost of
+money and fatigue, in vain, and that he may be even now suffering all
+kinds of exposure from wild savages, if not in peril of his life."
+
+Now here was the opportunity I had desired to assure her of my
+sympathy, and tell her that I understood the difficulties in which she
+was placed; but my tongue clove to the roof of my mouth. When I
+thought of that villain (for whatever mademoiselle might think, I
+never for a moment doubted his villainy) my blood boiled, and,
+instead, I blurted out roughly:
+
+"Mademoiselle, 'tis incomprehensible to me how you can for one moment
+give the word of such a man as the chevalier, whom you have known so
+short a time, equal credence with the word of such a man as Dr.
+Saugrain, thorough Christian gentleman in every fiber of his being,
+and your lifelong friend and benefactor, your more than father."
+
+But I had spoken beyond my right. Mademoiselle turned on me with cold
+fury:
+
+"Monsieur, I have not sought this interview that you should teach me
+my duty to my guardian, nor criticize my attitude toward the
+chevalier. I am sorry we have allowed the others to get so far ahead
+of us, but if we hasten we may overtake them and I will relieve you
+from further attendance." Whereupon she started ahead at a round pace.
+
+"Mademoiselle!" I called to her, "I entreat you to listen to me for a
+moment."
+
+Mademoiselle stopped and turned toward me, and we stood facing each
+other in the middle of the road, alone in the white moonlight, for the
+others were quite out of sight around a bend in the road, and there
+were no houses near. Below us lay the Mississippi, a white flood in
+the moonlight, and far across the river the twinkling lights of
+Cahokia, one of them, no doubt, in Mr. Gratiot's house, where I had
+first seen mademoiselle. Her eyes were flashing scorn at me now, as
+they flashed at me when she knelt with her arms around the great
+shaggy brute, and, looking up in my face, called me "Bete!" There was
+no doubt about it, mademoiselle could be a little fury at times, and
+no doubt she would have liked to call me once more, "Bete!"
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "I am so unhappy as to be always offending
+you. From the moment when I made my descent of Mr. Gratiot's staircase
+on the back of your dog, to the present moment, I seem to have been
+able to make myself only ridiculous or offensive to you! I beg you to
+believe that it is a matter of the deepest regret to me that this
+should be so, and to believe that to offend you is ever farthest from
+my desire. I realize that I was over-zealous for Dr. Saugrain, whom I
+greatly admire and love, and that you certainly had never given me any
+right to take such interest in you and your affairs as I just now
+displayed. I beg you to believe that I shall never again offend in
+like manner, mademoiselle la comtesse."
+
+I saw her face slowly change from its expression of scorn to that same
+wondering look I had noticed in the church, as if she were regarding
+some one she did not know and was trying to understand. As I uttered
+the last words, "mademoiselle la comtesse," another and a swift change
+came over her. Her eyes fell, her head drooped. Still standing there
+in the moonlight, she suddenly buried her face in her hands and sobs
+shook her slender figure.
+
+"Mademoiselle, mademoiselle!" I cried. "I beg, I implore, you to
+forgive me. I am, indeed, a brute!" And as she continued to sob
+drearily, I was beside myself. What could I do? She looked so like a
+little child, and I was so big, to have hurt her seemed cruel and
+shameful. I was in a state of desperation. I begged her and implored
+her not to weep; but it seemed to me she only sobbed the harder. What
+did one do, I wondered, with a weeping maiden? Had it only been a
+child I would have known, for I had ever a way with children; but
+before a weeping maiden I was helpless.
+
+And still mademoiselle sobbed on, her sobs coming faster and harder,
+until, in a paroxysm of grief (or I know not what), she flung herself
+upon a low bank beside the road, moaning and crying aloud.
+
+Instantly my courage returned to me. Mademoiselle was acting like a
+child; I should treat her as one.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said firmly, "I cannot permit you to sit upon the
+cold ground. I am very, very sorry for you, but you must at once arise
+and dry your eyes and tell me what is the matter, so that I can help
+you."
+
+Mademoiselle but wept the louder. There was no help for it; at the
+risk of being rude I must stop her weeping and make her rise from the
+ground.
+
+"Mademoiselle!" I said sternly, "you will oblige me by rising at once
+from that cold ground or you will compel me to go for Madame Saugrain
+and deliver you into her hands."
+
+For a second, amazement at my tone of authority kept her silent, then
+followed a storm of sobs and tears more violent than before.
+
+"I am sorry, mademoiselle," I said, in a tone purposely cool and
+cutting (though it was my own heart I stabbed with my coldness), "that
+you compel me to treat you _comme enfant_. I shall wait one minute,
+and if you do not rise from the ground in that time I shall call your
+friends." Then I drew myself up tall and stiff, like a sentinel,
+turned my back on mademoiselle, and took out my watch to note the time
+by the moon-beams.
+
+There was no answer, but the sobs grew less until there was only an
+occasional convulsive catching of the breath. Then came a moment of
+quiet. There were neither sobs nor moans. Then a small and plaintive
+voice said gently:
+
+"Monsieur, I will be good now."
+
+I turned quickly. Mademoiselle was starting to rise from the low bank;
+I grasped her hands and helped her to her feet and looked down upon
+her. Her face was flushed with weeping; her hood had fallen back and
+her dark curls were in wild disorder; she might have been a beautiful
+child who had been naughty but was now subdued. She adjusted her hood
+and her curls as best she could, and then walked quietly along beside
+me. We neither of us spoke, and we walked rapidly and in a few minutes
+overtook the others and came up to the house together, and into the
+big living-room, where fresh logs piled in the great chimney-place
+were blazing and crackling, and lighting every cranny of the long
+room.
+
+Mademoiselle was paler than usual, but otherwise there were no signs
+of the tempest she had just been through, and I looked at her with
+wonder. Madame Saugrain, noticing her pallor, and thinking she was
+cold, put her down on the wooden settle in the chimney-place to warm
+by the glowing fire, and bustled about helping Narcisse to bring in
+plates of croquecignolles and cups of hot mulled gooseberry wine,
+which was much to my satisfaction, for the frosty air and the lateness
+of the hour had put a keen edge on an appetite that was ever ready for
+trencher service.
+
+Now the settle on which mademoiselle sat had a high back and was
+turned away from the rest of us, so that, as we engaged in helping
+Madame Saugrain, we might easily have forgotten the little figure
+hidden away upon it. Perhaps the others did, but I did not. My mind
+hovered around it all the time; but I was divided between a desire to
+take her some cake and wine, which I was sure would do her good, and a
+fear of my reception if I did, and a baser fear that I might thereby
+lose my own toothsome cake and fragrant wine, which was at that moment
+making most potent appeals to my inner man by way of the nostrils.
+"For," I said to myself, "I know the ways of maidens. They like not to
+see men eat. It seems in their minds a greater compliment to them if a
+man do but nibble and sip and seem to be careless of his victuals and
+drink, which I maintain is a great mistake, for a good trencherman is
+ever a good lover, and a man to be trusted in all the serious business
+of life."
+
+To ease my conscience and my appetite at the same time, I disposed of
+a croquecignolle and my steaming cup of wine with such haste that the
+one stuck in my windpipe and liked to choke me, and the other burnt my
+mouth well and might as well have been boiling water for all the
+pleasure my palate got out of it. Then I pretended to suddenly
+remember mademoiselle, and carried her a plate of cake and a cup of
+wine with fear and trembling.
+
+She refused them, as I thought she would, but looked up at me very
+sweetly and asked me very gently to sit down beside her for a moment,
+and I remember thinking as I did so that I had been wise to secure my
+cake and wine first, else would I have gone hungry, since I could
+scarce have the face to eat if mademoiselle would not eat with me. But
+I still thought it would do her good to have at least a little of the
+wine, and, remembering how well she had yielded to discipline when she
+found she must, I set the wine on the hearth where it would keep warm
+for further use, and then turned to hear what she had to say.
+
+"I only want to say to you, Monsieur, that I am very much ashamed of
+myself this evening, but I am very unhappy, and I have brooded upon my
+unhappiness until I have become nervous and irritable, and, as you saw
+to-night, incapable of self-control. Is that a sufficient excuse for
+behaving like a spoiled child?"
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "it is far more than sufficient, but I am more
+distressed than I can tell you that you should be so unhappy. If you
+would but tell me the cause perhaps I could help you. Is it anything
+you can tell me?"
+
+"Oh, no, no, no!" said Pelagie, hastily, and then seeing perhaps by my
+face that it hurt me that she should think it impossible I could help
+her, she added hesitatingly: "That is, I think not. Perhaps it might
+be possible. I will think about it to-night and to-morrow, and perhaps
+at Madame Chouteau's dance, if I have an opportunity, I may tell you.
+I believe," still more slowly, "if any one could help me, you could."
+
+I am sure I thanked her more with my eyes than with my voice, but I
+know she understood, and then, thinking she had had more than enough
+of serious converse for one evening, I resumed my role of stern
+disciplinarian and made her eat a little of the cake and drink most of
+the wine, pretending all the time that she was a naughty child to be
+sternly dealt with. And I could see that the warm wine and the foolish
+play were bringing back the color to her cheeks and the brightness to
+her eyes and the gay ring to her voice, which pleased me greatly. Then
+my captain called to me that it was high time to be saying good night
+to the ladies, or rather good morning, and I rose to go, but I turned
+first and leaned over the back of the tall settle:
+
+"Mademoiselle, at the picnic on Chouteau's Pond I won the first dance
+with you, I think somewhat against your will. If I should ask you for
+the first dance to-morrow night, would you give it to me willingly?"
+
+"Willingly, Monsieur," with a glance into my eyes (which were very
+near her own) by far the sweetest I had yet had from hers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+MADAME CHOUTEAU'S BALL
+
+    "The uncertain glory of an April day."
+
+
+We met at reveille the next morning at nine--the great Christmas feast
+when kinsfolk all gather at the house of the head of the family and
+make merry together. Then I saw for what all the mighty preparations
+of the day before were intended. The roasted fowl and venison pasty,
+smoking hot, were flanked by tarts and cakes and jellies and cordials
+beyond my power to inventory, for I had ever less of a talent for the
+description of such things than for making away with them.
+
+It was a goodly feast, and we lingered at table for over an hour,
+mingling with our enjoyment of Madame Saugrain's good things such
+pleasant converse as Frenchmen excel in. Dr. Saugrain himself had
+always something wise and witty to say, and being a man of deep
+learning and much science, was often, also, most instructive. An hour,
+therefore, passed quickly enough, and I was glad to see that
+mademoiselle was looking more as she had looked before the picnic on
+Chouteau's Pond than I had seen her since my return. But I had chance
+for little more than the good wishes of the day with her, for the
+company was large and my seat, as usual, was near Madame Saugrain, at
+the other end of the table from hers. My thoughts had dwelt much upon
+her when I lay on my bed the night before, a long hour ere sleep
+visited my eyelids. I had lived over the events of the evening, and of
+the weeks that I had known her, and she had seemed to me not one, but
+many maidens. Haughty, meek, scornful, merry, mocking, serious, sad,
+sweet--in how many moods had I not seen her, and in each in turn she
+had seemed to me the sweetest. I always forgot, when I was with her,
+that she was a great lady in France and destined soon to return to her
+home land and her rightful position. I never could think of her as
+anything but Dr. Saugrain's ward: wilful, sweet, and capricious, the
+belle of St. Louis, the toast of the young men and the idol of the
+young maidens. That as a rule she had treated me with scorn or
+indifference did not in the least detract from her charms for me, but
+the unwonted sweetness of the night before had quite gone to my head,
+and I was henceforth her willing slave.
+
+From the breakfast-table we separated; the captain and Dr. Saugrain
+going to the doctor's laboratory, where he was making some wonderful
+experiments with phosphorus, by which one might at any moment obtain a
+light, without the aid of tinder, by means of little sticks of wood
+dipped in the phosphorus! 'Tis not to be wondered at that many people
+think Dr. Saugrain a dealer in black arts when he can accomplish such
+supernatural results by the aid of science!
+
+As for me, I had an engagement with Josef Papin and Gabriel Cerre and
+some other young men to go duck-shooting on the Maramec, a good day's
+tramp, and we did not expect to be back until nearly time for Madame
+Chouteau's dance. I think the matrons and the maidens expected to
+spend the day in going to church and in making visits, which seemed to
+me a dull way to spend Christmas, but no doubt they liked it.
+
+It was a grand day for shooting, the air so clear and dry, just frosty
+enough to send the blood leaping through our bodies; and we came home
+with a great string of prairie-chicken and duck and partridge--enough
+to supply the village for a week. We were a little later than we had
+intended in getting home, and tired enough to go right to bed, but I,
+for one, would not have missed this my first opportunity to appear in
+_grand costume du bal_, to say nothing of the joys of the dance.
+
+There was a hot supper waiting for me, which rested me wonderfully;
+and then, with Yorke's help, I had a quick bath and was into my ball
+dress in a shorter time than I had dared to hope. Yorke had laid out
+my dress for me and looked to the lace ruffles and lacers, so that I
+had only to jump into it and let him tie me up, and I was ready.
+
+I was glad that I had such a becoming costume with me, for, without
+being unduly vain, I knew that the rich plum-colored coat and breeches
+and the lilac satin waistcoat with fine lace frills and a touch of
+gold here and there were a good offset to my yellow hair and rosy
+cheeks, which, much as I despised them at times, I was yet at other
+times well satisfied to endure. I liked, too, the looks of my leg in a
+fine white silk stocking and low pumps with shoe- and knee-buckles of
+brilliants, and was not above being proud of a well-turned calf and
+ankle.
+
+Madame and mademoiselle had gone on ahead in a charrette, as better
+suited to their _costumes du bal_ than horseback-riding, and Dr.
+Saugrain and Captain Clarke had ridden by their side, leaving me to
+finish dressing and hurry after them as soon as I could.
+
+A mad haste seized me before I reached Madame Chouteau's lest the
+first dance should be over and I lose my promised honor. I reflected,
+too, that mademoiselle would think me always tardy in keeping my
+engagements with her, and the thought lent spurs to my movements. I
+entered the great ball-room in breathless haste. The walnut was waxed
+to the last perfection of slipperiness, and not taking heed to my
+steps, my feet slipped up. But I caught myself from falling, though
+not without as many gyrations of long arms and long legs as a Dutch
+windmill might accomplish on a windy day.
+
+My remarkable entry was greeted with a shout of laughter by the young
+men and maidens, who by this time had come to know me well. I did not
+mind that, but I looked hastily toward Mademoiselle Pelagie, and
+there, between the straight black brows, was the ominous little frown
+I had learned to dread. What availed my beautiful plum-colored velvets
+and lavender satin, lace, and buckles, if I only succeeded in being
+an awkward hobbledehoy? I must retrieve myself!
+
+I drew myself up in my grandest manner and walked up to Madame
+Chouteau, sitting in state in a great arm-chair near the
+chimney-piece. With my courtliest bow, in my best French, I made my
+compliments to her as if I had been accustomed to entering rooms in no
+other fashion. Then I made the circuit of the room, talking for a
+minute or two to each of my acquaintances, lingering longest by
+Mademoiselle Chouteau, whose eyes were dancing with mirth, and so
+round the circle, head thrown back (but being careful of my steps),
+until I came to mademoiselle. There I stopped, with another low bow.
+Looking down on her, I was glad to see the frown was no longer there,
+but a look of something far pleasanter, almost like admiration, had
+taken its place.
+
+Of course she was surrounded by young men--that did not displease me:
+I liked to see her admired. She was wearing the same gown she had worn
+at Mr. Gratiot's the first time I saw her, and I said to myself: "I
+know not what her rank in France may be,--comtesse, marquise, or
+duchesse,--but I know she looks every inch la reine." I think my pride
+in her lent stateliness to my steps as I led her out in the dance. I
+know that for her sake I wished to look as much le roi as it was in me
+to look.
+
+But there was no chance during the minuet for mademoiselle's promised
+confidence, and as the evening went on I began to think there would be
+none at all. There had been the old folks' minuet, when Dr. Saugrain
+led out Madame Chouteau on the floor, and his plump little calves,
+silk-robed, had twinkled beside her stately steps in wondrous fashion.
+And then had come supper,--a bounteous feast of delicate cakes and
+sweetmeats and rich salads and cold fowl, with gooseberry wine and a
+sweet punch brewed from New Orleans ratafia,--and I feared that would
+put an end to the festivities, and still there had been no chance.
+
+But 'tis a wonderful thing on what a small matter great matters will
+sometimes turn! Though there may be those who would think it no great
+matter that I should find myself riding home in the moonlight with
+mademoiselle on a pillion behind me, and Fatima going at so slow a
+pace as put her in a constant fret of wonder as to what could be the
+reason that her master kept her down so, and mademoiselle telling me
+her story in a low tone (for being so near my ear she did not have to
+raise her voice), and sometimes trembling so much that the little arm
+which was pretending to circle my great waist to hold on by (but which
+only reached by uttermost stretch a quarter-way around) would almost
+lose its grip.
+
+It seemed a great matter to me, and it happened in this wise: I had
+barely spoken to mademoiselle since our dance, when just as I was
+getting a glass of gooseberry wine and a croquecignolle for
+Mademoiselle Chouteau (she said she had no stomach for salads and
+meats at a dance) mademoiselle came up to me, inquiring most anxiously
+had I seen her capote. 'Twas of heavy silk, and lined with the skins
+of beavers, and would have been very costly in Philadelphia, and
+handsome enough for our greatest dames. I had not seen it, but offered
+to go at once in search of it as soon as I had carried the wine and
+croquecignolle to Mademoiselle Chouteau.
+
+We hunted together in all the most impossible places, and mademoiselle
+growing every moment more anxious, because she was keeping madame and
+Dr. Saugrain waiting. They were tired and longing to get home, and I
+said, half in jest:
+
+"Had I a pillion, Mademoiselle, we would tell madame not to wait, and
+when we had found your capote I could bring you home with me on
+Fatima."
+
+But mademoiselle answered quickly:
+
+"Would you be so good, Monsieur? I doubt not Madame Chouteau would
+lend us a pillion, and it would greatly relieve my anxiety in keeping
+madame waiting."
+
+I hardly knew whether I felt more joy or consternation, but
+mademoiselle gave me no time to decide which, but hurried me with her
+to persuade her guardians not to wait. I thought the arrangement did
+not altogether please the doctor, and he demurred greatly; but his
+good wife, who never differed with mademoiselle (whether through being
+over-fond or a little in awe, I am not sure), persuaded him that it
+was all right and quite the best way.
+
+And five minutes after the charrette, with my captain and the doctor
+accompanying it, drove out of Madame Chouteau's gate, the capote was
+found, mademoiselle herself suddenly remembering where she had laid
+it.
+
+I have never felt quite sure that mademoiselle had not known all the
+time where it was. But I admired so much the cleverness that could
+contrive to accomplish her end (for myself, I could never plan or
+scheme, though quick enough to act if occasion presented) that I
+forgave the little deceit, if there was any--maidens not being like
+men, who must be true and straightforward in even the smallest
+matters, lest their honor be attainted.
+
+But when I had mounted Fatima and lifted mademoiselle to her pillion,
+and felt her little arm steal round my great waist (as it needs must,
+to keep her from falling), my stupid heart began to beat so fast and
+to thump so hard against my waistcoat I feared the buttons would give
+way, and was greatly shamed lest mademoiselle should feel it thumping
+and guess the cause. Yet presently Fatima, not being accustomed to
+petticoats falling over her flanks, pranced on two feet in such a
+fashion as to cause mademoiselle to clutch me convulsively with both
+arms, whereupon I found myself suddenly calm and master of the
+situation. It was the work of a minute or two to reduce Fatima to
+order and make her understand that petticoats and a pillion were
+entirely proper. That being accomplished, and Fatima made to
+understand also that she was to go at her slowest pace, I was ready to
+hear mademoiselle's story, which finally she began:
+
+"Monsieur, I feel that I must take advantage of this opportunity so
+providentially offered me. I had not thought to confide in any one,
+but I am in sore need of advice, and I know not where else to turn."
+
+"I know not, Mademoiselle," I answered, "whether I am good at giving
+advice. I had rather you would ask me to do for you some perilous and
+arduous service. But if it is advice you need most, then such as I can
+I will give you truly and faithfully."
+
+"I thank you, Monsieur"; and then mademoiselle was silent for so long
+a time that I half turned in my saddle to look at her. She looked up
+at me with a pitiful little smile.
+
+"Have patience, Monsieur--I will soon find my courage; but I have need
+to trust you greatly, for I am trusting you with the safety, perhaps
+the life, of a friend. You will not let any harm come to him through
+my betrayal?"
+
+"I promise, Mademoiselle," I said, "to do nothing you will not
+approve. But there should never be any question of a betrayal. If a
+trust has been given and received, then it is sacred, but it is not
+betrayal if it has been forced upon one without his consent."
+
+I said this because I began to have a glimmering of the truth, and I
+did not want mademoiselle to violate her conscience. No good can ever
+come from that, I have found, and much as I wanted to hear what she
+had to tell me, I could not listen comfortably if I thought she were
+really betraying a trust. I was still turned in my saddle, watching
+her face, and I saw it lighten at once, and something like a great
+sigh of relief seemed to come from the depths of her breast.
+
+"I see, Monsieur," she said, "you men understand right and wrong
+better than we maidens. It has troubled me greatly that I should prove
+unfaithful to a trust, and yet I saw no other way. And now, for fear
+my courage will ooze out, I must tell you quickly.
+
+"Two weeks ago I received a letter from the Chevalier Le Moyne, a week
+ago I received a second, and yesterday I received a third. The purport
+of all these letters is the same. I have returned no answer to any of
+them, though each has begged for an answer and given me full
+instructions as to how to send it.
+
+"The chevalier has gone no farther south than Cape Girardeau. He is
+waiting near there, in an Osage camp, to seize an opportunity to
+rescue me, he says, and restore me to my people. If I had replied to
+either of these letters, professing my willingness to go with him,
+then I should have received a note of instructions as to where to be
+on a certain day and at a certain hour. But I have replied to none,
+and the last letter has grown desperate. In it he says if he does not
+hear from me he shall return to St. Louis on the evening of the Jour
+des Rois and be present at the dance, which is by custom a masked
+dance, and will then find means to carry me off. If I am not willing
+to go with him, then I must send him a letter before the Jour de l'An,
+telling him so finally, when he will return to New Orleans and leave
+me to my fate. Now, Monsieur, it will seem to you an easy matter that
+I should write him, finally, that I will not go with him. But a
+woman's heart is a strange thing. I want to go with him, with all my
+heart, and yet I shudder at the very thought of going with him. When I
+let my thoughts dwell on the glories that await me in Paris, wealth
+and power and luxurious living, and the society of the great and the
+noble, such as the chevalier has described it, I feel as if I must go,
+and all this life which has been so sweet to me here on the very
+borders of civilization grows utterly distasteful. Yes, even the
+friends that have been so dear to me begin to seem rude and boorish,
+as the chevalier called them. Sometimes, in some of my wayward moods,
+the very perils of the journey attract me with a strange fascination.
+The ride through the forest with savages for guards; the long journey
+in an open boat on the bosom of the great Father of Waters; and at
+last the perilous voyage by sea, all draw me strangely. At such times
+the chevalier seems to me an angel of light, and my only hope of
+escape from my narrow confines to a broad and beautiful life. But
+there are times when it all seems very different: when the thought of
+leaving my two dear guardians is unbearable, and the life I have known
+and loved from childhood, among sweet, true friends, the only life I
+desire. Ah, Monsieur, I am so torn by these conflicting states of mind
+that what wonder my guardians think me changed! They believe the
+chevalier's tales have spoiled me for my life in St. Louis, and that I
+would gladly leave them. When I see them sad over what they believe to
+be my heartlessness my own heart is like to break, but I say nothing,
+and they believe me to be entirely ungrateful and unfeeling.
+
+"So you can see how unhappy I have been and am, and how sometimes I am
+tempted to break away from it all and fly with the chevalier to new
+scenes, whether they bring joy or sorrow."
+
+Mademoiselle did not tell me all this without much hesitation,
+sometimes stopping entirely until she could find courage to go on
+again, and, as I said before, often trembling so much that the little
+arm about my great waist nearly lost its grip. I did not interrupt her
+once, but waited, even after she had finished, for fear she might have
+more to say. And presently she added:
+
+"If I do not answer the chevalier's letter he will be here on the Jour
+des Rois, and it is more than likely he will lose his life in the
+attempt to carry me off, even if I were willing to go with him."
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said slowly, "it is a hard thing you have asked me,
+and I feel sure that whatever I may say I will make you angry, as I
+did last night. Of course you know that what I would most like would
+be that you should let the chevalier come on the Jour des Rois, and we
+would capture him, and there would be an end to all this trouble. But
+you know, too, that since you have trusted me with his secret I would
+feel in duty bound to save him and get him safely outside the stockade
+again, even, if need were, at the risk of my own life. The thing,
+therefore, that I wish you would do, and that seems to me the only
+thing to do, is to write him at once, telling him you will never go
+with him, and bidding him return at once to France since his task is a
+hopeless one."
+
+"And cut myself off from seeing France and recovering my possessions!"
+
+"'Tis not cutting yourself off." (I spoke a little sternly, for I was
+beginning to feel irritated that she could not see the utter folly of
+thinking for a moment of going with the chevalier.) "Your guardian is
+only waiting for two things, and as soon as they are accomplished he
+will send you to Paris. He is awaiting letters from your friends to
+say the time is ripe for your return, and they are ready to receive
+you, and he is waiting to find a proper person in whose care he can
+place you to make the voyage."
+
+"Then here is the time and the opportunity," said mademoiselle,
+eagerly: "my friends have sent the chevalier for me, and he is waiting
+to conduct me there."
+
+I could have shaken her, for a minute, her stupidity seemed so vast to
+me. Then I remembered she was really only a child, and that there are
+many things maidens do not understand so well as men. So I tried to
+speak gently, but so plainly that once for all she might understand.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "do you not see that the very fact that the
+chevalier is trying to induce you to go to France alone with him is
+proof either of his villainy or of his colossal stupidity? Were he the
+angel of light he has sometimes seemed to you, and should he carry you
+safely to France and deliver you into the hands of your friends, yet
+who, in gay and skeptical Paris, would not be willing to believe the
+worst of both of you? The society that he has painted to you as ready
+to fall at your feet would be only ready to spurn you. Forgive me,
+Mademoiselle, for speaking thus plainly, but there is no man in the
+world who would not believe that the very fact of the chevalier's
+trying to persuade you to go with him to France proves him a villain
+of the deepest dye."
+
+Mademoiselle did not answer; but her arms slipped from my waist, and
+presently I felt her little head resting on my broad back, and sobs
+were shaking her little figure. I did not dare stir, for fear of
+disturbing her, but it was very uncomfortable to sit so rigidly erect,
+not daring to move, because a beautiful little black and curly head
+was resting a little above the small of one's back, while tempests of
+tears were drenching one's military cloak, and the shaking from the
+sobs was making queer little shivers run up and down one's backbone.
+
+Now this was the second time my brutality had brought mademoiselle to
+tears. This time I thought it was good for her, and was of a mind to
+let her weep it out, though all the time longing to turn around and
+take her in my arms and let her weep upon my breast instead of on my
+back.
+
+But presently I was aware of heroic efforts to stifle the sobs and
+stay the tears, and then I heard a most woebegone voice:
+
+"Oh, monsieur, what shall I do? what shall I do?"
+
+Now, I had brought Fatima to a standstill, for I was afraid to let her
+go even at a slow walk when mademoiselle had no arm to hold on by, and
+her head bobbing at every step of Fatima's into the ticklish part of
+my back. And by chance we had stopped where the Rue Bonhomme climbs
+down the bluff to the river, and our boats lay moored at its foot.
+Suddenly an answer to her question flashed into my head. It seemed to
+me a perfect solution of all difficulties, but in the nature of the
+case I could say nothing to mademoiselle until I had consulted Dr.
+Saugrain and my captain.
+
+One thing I could say, however, and I reiterated what I had said
+before:
+
+"One thing you can do at once, mademoiselle: write to the chevalier so
+firm and positive a refusal that he will never trouble you again, and
+then go and tell your guardian all about it. He deserves this
+confidence from you, and I think you will never be very happy until
+you have made him feel that there is no change in your grateful
+affection to him."
+
+There was another moment of silence, and then, in the meekest of
+tones:
+
+"I will do all you tell me, monsieur."
+
+I could not believe it was the same haughty mademoiselle who had so
+scorned "ce garcon-ca." But I was not going to show her the elation I
+could not help feeling in her change of attitude; and being also most
+sorry for her, and everything settled as far as it could be about the
+chevalier, I thought it time that she should be diverted from her
+unhappy thoughts, and so I bade her look down on the great river, now
+rolling, a silver flood under the moon, straight to Cape Girardeau,
+where the chevalier was lingering, and past fort and forest on to the
+rich city of New Orleans. For a moment the old longing returned to be
+one of a great army borne on its swift waters to capture the haughty
+city that held the gateway to the sea. I thought it no harm to tell
+mademoiselle what my dreams had been, and we both laughed merrily at
+the audacity of them.
+
+But the night was passing, and gently lifting mademoiselle's arm and
+placing it so that it should once more hold her secure on her pillion,
+I put Fatima to a gentle canter; and as I felt Pelagie's clasp
+tighten, my pulse leaped faster in my veins, and I gave Fatima full
+rein, and we went thundering down the Rue Royale, past Madame
+Chouteau's place, with the last revelers just coming through the great
+gates; past Auguste Chouteau's house, standing dark among its trees;
+past the Government House, still brightly lighted, for Governor
+Delassus and his retinue were just entering the great hall; turned up
+the Rue de la Tour, with the tower at the top of the hill shining
+white in the moonlight, then down the long stretch of the Rue de
+l'Eglise, faster and faster, as mademoiselle clung closer, until we
+reached the gate of Emigre's Retreat, and a great dog came rushing to
+meet us with mighty bounds and joyous barks, and would have
+overpowered us both with his clumsy caresses but that a sweet voice
+(never before one half so sweet) called:
+
+"A bas, Leon! Tais-toi, mon ange!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+LA GUIGNOLEE
+
+    "By sports like these are all their cares beguiled."
+
+
+I woke the next morning with a feeling of elation that for a moment I
+did not understand; then I recognized that it was a feeling that
+mademoiselle and I would never again be on any but the friendliest of
+terms. No more fear of merry scoffing or haughty disdain! I had a
+right to look now for only kindness and friendliness.
+
+But I did not know mademoiselle. The morning was bleak; a fine drizzle
+of rain, freezing as it fell, was hanging jeweled pendants from every
+twig and branch. I went down-stairs, to find that morning coffee was
+being served in the living-room, on a small table drawn up before a
+blazing fire of logs. Mademoiselle, who did not often come to early
+coffee, was serving it, in a warm-looking gown of some wool stuff,
+deep red in color, and I thought it suited well her dark beauty and
+the bleak morning. I stopped at the threshold to make my low bow, and
+then went forward, expecting a less formal greeting. But she only
+looked up from the silver urn, whence she was drawing a cup of coffee
+for the captain, long enough to say, "Good morning, monsieur," in her
+iciest tones, and then went on talking gaily to the captain of the
+ball the night before. I did not understand at all, but I thought it
+quite possible I had imagined her coldness; and so, without seeming to
+push myself unduly, I sought to join in the conversation when
+opportunity offered. I think the captain seconded my efforts out of
+the courtesy natural to him; but mademoiselle made it so plain that
+she desired to ignore me that I soon took my cup and withdrew to a
+corner of the fireplace. I hope I did not do anything so boyish as to
+sulk there, but of that I am not sure.
+
+When the good doctor came bustling in from his laboratory a few
+minutes later, half frozen, but burning with enthusiasm over some
+experiments he was making with quicksilver, he brought his coffee to
+my warm corner, and I at once simulated the deepest interest in his
+account of his morning's work--though I confess I have never taken any
+great interest in science, and from what he seemed to expect the
+quicksilver to do I did not feel altogether sure that he was not, in
+truth, dabbling in black art.
+
+There was a long mirror at the other end of the room--one that Madame
+Saugrain had brought from France, and the pride of her heart. As we
+talked I could glance in it and see mademoiselle perfectly without
+seeming to look at her. I observed that she grew more and more
+distrait, only half listening to the captain, and very evidently
+trying to overhear our conversation. I had not known that mademoiselle
+was so interested in science, and I began to make deep and learned
+speeches (or, at least, I hoped they sounded so) on quicksilver and on
+every subject allied to it. I did not hesitate to make some remarkable
+statements, for whose truth I modestly said I could not vouch. The
+doctor was too courteous to show the surprise I think he must have
+felt at some of them, but if I had not been so interested in my
+investigations in the mirror (which, I am sure, is closely allied to
+quicksilver) I would have noticed without doubt that knowing twinkle
+of the eye that I had seen at least twice before. My glances in the
+mirror, however, showed me that my learned speeches had produced their
+intended effect on mademoiselle, at least, and once more I caught that
+wondering glance fixed upon me.
+
+I did not see mademoiselle again until the evening supper-hour. After
+breakfast Dr. Saugrain invited the captain and me to ride with him up
+to Pierre Chouteau's, and on the ride he told us that mademoiselle had
+come to him that morning in the laboratory and had told him all about
+the chevalier. I was much touched that she had acted upon my advice so
+promptly, and half forgave her for her treatment of me at coffee,
+though I understood it the less. The doctor did not say so directly,
+but I judged from one or two little remarks that he and Pelagie had
+had a thorough clearing up of all their misunderstandings and were
+once more on the old confidential terms. He spoke especially of her
+"sweetness," and said his advice had been, like mine, to write the
+chevalier at once a firm refusal. But the good doctor was greatly
+troubled.
+
+"I shall never feel quite secure again," he said, "till I have Pelagie
+safe with her friends in France; so I shall seek the first opportunity
+of sending her there. 'Tis for that I am going to consult Pierre
+Chouteau, and I thought you might have some suggestion, one or both of
+you, as to how to find an escort for her."
+
+I was so eager with my plan that had flashed on me the night before
+that I could not wait to show the proper courtesy to my captain. He
+certainly had a right to speak first, but I broke forth, "I have a
+plan, sir--" and then was abashed and stopped short.
+
+The doctor understood, and nodded to me.
+
+"Yes; let the captain speak first, and then we will hear your plan."
+
+"Nay," said the captain, with his friendliest smile; "let the lad
+speak. He has a plan that seems to me not wholly unpracticable and may
+prove the very thing."
+
+Thus encouraged, I rushed ahead:
+
+"I have been talking to Captain Clarke about it, sir, and he thinks it
+can be done. My last letter from home said that Colonel Livingston was
+about to join his father in Paris. My family know Colonel Livingston
+well, and a letter from my father would insure the protection of both
+Colonel and Mrs. Livingston for mademoiselle on the voyage."
+
+But the good doctor shook his head.
+
+"I could never get Pelagie to New York, I fear; to both Madame
+Saugrain and myself, such a journey seems an almost impossible
+undertaking."
+
+"But Captain Clarke has that all arranged," I cried.
+
+The doctor looked at the captain, who answered, smiling:
+
+"It is my good Achates who has arranged it, but I heartily approve of
+his plans. It is time we were getting back to Kentucky, and he
+proposes that we take mademoiselle with us to my sister, Mrs.
+O'Fallon. There she can stay until we can find a suitable escort up
+the Ohio to Port Duquesne, and across the mountains to New York. There
+are boats going up the river every week, and always some one going
+back to the old home to whom we could intrust mademoiselle. I think it
+a good and feasible plan."
+
+But we had quite reached Pierre Chouteau's before we had persuaded the
+doctor that our plan was at all a practical one. Not, as he assured
+us, that he could not trust mademoiselle with us, but the
+difficulties, dangers, and inconveniences of such a trip, for a young
+maiden with no woman in the party but her colored maid, seemed to him
+almost insurmountable. However, he was so nearly convinced by my
+eloquence and the captain's logic that just as we were turning in at
+Mr. Chouteau's he said:
+
+"Well, well, my dear friends, it may be possible. We will see! I must
+take time to consult Madame Saugrain, and, until then, not a word to
+mademoiselle, I beg of you both."
+
+We both readily promised, though I was so elated at what I considered
+the already assured success of my plan that I might have found it
+difficult not to speak to mademoiselle about it if she had not been
+in the same icy mood to me at supper (though sweet and most charming
+to the captain and her guardian) as she had been at breakfast.
+
+The next day Dr. Saugrain told us that he and his wife had talked far
+into the night about Pelagie, and they had come to the conclusion that
+our plan was the best solution of the difficulties. He said madame had
+wept much at the thought of parting with Pelagie, and of all the
+difficulties and dangers she must encounter, before she could become
+reconciled to the thought of it; but now she was quite resigned, and
+had already begun to plan what clothes and other conveniences it would
+be necessary for Pelagie to take with her, and how they could best be
+got ready.
+
+"And, after the manner of women," the doctor said, "from the moment
+she began to think about clothes, she began to grow cheerful. And she
+has such confidence in Clotilde, who will go with her, and who has had
+entire charge of her since her babyhood, that she thinks she will be
+as well taken care of as if she were with her herself. But we both
+think," he added, "that it will be wiser to say nothing to Pelagie
+about it until it is almost time to make the start. If, for any
+reason, our plan should fail, her mind will not be unsettled by it,
+and she will be no worse off than if we had not thought of it.
+Moreover, the fewer we take into our confidence the better, for I am
+assured the chevalier has spies and secret emissaries that we do not
+suspect. We will give him no chance to thwart our plans!"
+
+The good doctor spoke the last words so grimly that it was easy to
+understand in what esteem he held the villain, and both the captain
+and I heartily approved his precaution.
+
+There followed busy days for me. The captain, who was much engaged in
+settling up the business for his brother which had brought him to St.
+Louis, had little time for aught else, though Governor Delassus, the
+Chouteaus, and Mr. Gratiot made many demands upon him for counsel and
+for social festivities, in which last I was courteously included. When
+these fell upon the evening I was very ready to join in them, but my
+days were more than full. All the arrangements for mademoiselle's
+comfort on the boat my captain had intrusted to me, and I was
+determined that nothing should be left undone to make her voyage on
+the Great River as comfortable as possible. The cabin, a rough affair
+at its best, was partitioned into two, and the larger one made as
+clean as six blacks scrubbing hard on hands and knees could make it.
+Then I got from Pierre Chouteau a small stove such as he often used on
+his boat in winter trips up the Missouri, and set it up in the cabin,
+cutting a hole in the roof to give egress to the stovepipe. From
+Madame Saugrain I got some strips of warm, bright carpet and some
+clean warm bedding, and I set Yorke to work, under my careful
+supervision, to make the two beds for mademoiselle and her maid, to
+tack down the strips of carpet, to put up some white ruffled curtains
+(also Madame Saugrain's gift) at the square bit of window, and to
+polish up the brass handles of the portable locker that was to hold
+mademoiselle's wardrobe. I thought, when all was done,--the small
+table covered with a white cloth, and two shining candlesticks on it,
+and the three comfortable chairs arranged about it,--I thought it cozy
+and complete enough for a trip to France; and my heart beat high when
+I thought of the tete-a-tetes with mademoiselle that must almost
+necessarily fall to my lot on a voyage of at least a week. But, in the
+meantime, I was seeing very little of her, between being busy all day
+and often invited out in the evening--and not getting much
+satisfaction when I did; for either she was incased in her icy
+hauteur, or, if she chanced to be kind, I was so brimming over with my
+secret, so afraid I should let it slip, I was unnaturally constrained
+with her.
+
+Before I knew it the Jour de l'An was upon us, and the doctor and the
+captain had both agreed it would be wise to set out on the day before
+the Jour des Rois. On no account would it do to risk remaining over
+the Jour des Rois, lest the chevalier should accomplish his purpose in
+spite of mademoiselle's letter of refusal.
+
+Now, as its name signifies, the Jour de l'An is the greatest of all
+days to these St. Louis Frenchmen. Preparations had been making for it
+all the week. The governor himself was to give a grand ball at
+Government House, and I had heard mademoiselle telling Captain Clarke,
+as we sat at supper on New Year's eve, how that would be only the
+beginning of a round of festivities, and that Marguerite Papin,
+Pelagie Chouteau, and she had been making the bean-cake that
+afternoon.
+
+"And what is the bean-cake, pray, Mademoiselle?" I inquired,
+determined to take matters into my own hands and be no longer shut out
+from conversation as if I were infected.
+
+Mademoiselle looked up in surprise at my audacity, and for a moment
+was of half a mind not to reply to me; but she thought better of it,
+and answered coolly and formally:
+
+"'Tis a cake, Monsieur, with four beans baked in it. It will be cut
+to-morrow night at the governor's ball, and the four maidens who
+receive the slices with the beans will be the queens of the ball. They
+will choose four kings, who will then be obliged to get up the ball
+for the Jour des Rois, and at that these four kings will choose four
+queens, who will choose four other kings, who must give the next ball.
+'Tis an endless chain of balls till Shrove Tuesday arrives, to finish
+it all up with one grand carnival ball; and so you see, sir, if you
+stay in St. Louis I can promise you a merry winter."
+
+I almost laughed as I thought how little she dreamed that she would
+not be here herself. Yet the prospect sounded alluring, and I could
+have been well pleased to spend the winter in the gay little village,
+if the fates had ordained. I answered her to that effect, and then I
+added:
+
+"If you could but give me any hope that I should be chosen a king, I
+might take fate into my own hands and stay anyway."
+
+"There is much ground for hope, sir," she answered demurely, "since
+both Pelagie Chouteau and Marguerite Papin are almost certain to be
+queens."
+
+Then, with a quick beat of the heart, I thought perhaps she had not
+liked it that they had been friendly and I had been polite. If her
+manner to me could be so accounted for I was well content, for at
+least it did not argue indifference.
+
+But before I could reply there was a great noise, outside on the
+gallery, of shuffling feet and smothered whispers, and mademoiselle
+clapped her hands and cried:
+
+"La Guignolee!" And at the same moment there arose, to the quaintest
+air, a chorus of men's voices:
+
+    "Bon soir, le maitre et la maitresse,
+      Et tout le monde du logis!
+    Pour le premier jour de l'annee
+      La Guignolee vous nous devez.
+    Si vous n'avez rien a nous donner,
+      Dites-nous le;
+    Nous vous demandons pas grande chose, une echinee--
+      Une echinee n'est pas bien longue
+    De quatre-vingt-dix pieds de longue.
+      Encore nous demandons pas de grande chose,
+    La fille ainee de la maison.
+      Nous lui ferons faire bonne chere--
+    Nous lui ferons chauffer les pieds."
+
+Horrified at these last words of the song, I scarcely dared glance at
+mademoiselle; but when I did dare, to my amazement, she was smiling
+good-humoredly, and I saw the words meant nothing to her. But the
+chorus was interrupted at that moment by a single voice which I
+recognized at once as Josef Papin's, singing a ditty about doves and
+cuckoos and nightingales, and winding up by declaring that he was
+dying for the soft eyes of his mistress. I saw that mademoiselle
+recognized the voice, too, and I was vexed to see the bright color and
+downcast eyes that betokened she understood these words perfectly.
+
+But the chorus began again immediately:
+
+    "Nous saluons la compagnie
+      Et la prions nous excuser.
+    Si l'on a fait quelque folie."
+
+(I thought this apology most becoming.)
+
+    "C'etait pour vous desennuyer;
+      Une autre fois nous prendrons garde
+    Quand sera temps d'y revenir.
+      Dansons la guenille,
+    Dansons la guenille,
+      Dansons la guenille!"
+
+And then the doors were flung open, and there burst in upon us a
+motley crew of grotesque and hideous masks, each one bearing a basket
+or bucket or sack, and all singing and shouting in every key and in no
+time:
+
+    "Bon soir, le maitre et la maitresse,
+      Et tout le monde du logis!"
+
+Madame Saugrain and mademoiselle sprang up from the table and ran to
+the kitchen, returning with both hands full, and followed by a
+procession of servants bringing eggs and sugar and butter and flour
+and poultry and wine--a goodly donation indeed for the Jour des Rois
+ball, and for which the maskers showed their thanks by dancing _la
+guenille_, a truly Saturnalian performance, somewhat shocking to my
+Eastern notions of propriety. But evidently neither the doctor nor his
+wife nor mademoiselle saw any harm in it, for they applauded it
+greatly, after the French fashion, by clapping of hands and crying
+"Encore!"
+
+Yorke had come in with the other servants from the kitchen, and it was
+a sight to see his great eyes rolling in ecstasy and his white teeth
+displayed from ear to ear as he watched the mummers, and I was not
+surprised to see him follow them like one bewitched as they went up
+toward the Rue des Granges to Paschal Cerre's house, singing:
+
+    "Bon soir, le maitre et la maitresse,
+      Et tout le monde du logis!"
+
+"You will be having Yorke dancing la guenille," I said to the captain,
+"when he gets back to Kentucky."
+
+"An he does," answered the captain, with a grim smile, "I will
+bastinado him." For I think the captain did not like some of the
+figures of la guenille any better than did I.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+CHOISSEZ LE ROI
+
+    "She moves a goddess and she looks a queen."
+
+
+Le Jour de l'An was a full day with me. Though I did not go to early
+mass with the family, I left the house when they did and had a fast
+gallop on Fatima's back through the gray dawn down to the boat, for
+there were still a few finishing touches to be put to my decorations
+and arrangements for mademoiselle's comfort, and I was in feverish
+haste that all should be in readiness. Captain Clarke and I spent the
+day in visits of ceremony made at the houses where we had been so
+often and so kindly entertained during our stay. They were really
+farewell visits, though for prudential reasons we said nothing of our
+approaching departure. At every house we were served with
+croquecignolles and wine or ratafia by the young maidens and their
+mothers, and we were so hospitably urged to eat and drink that had we
+done anything more than make the merest pretense for the sake of good
+fellowship we would have been in no condition for the dance in the
+evening.
+
+Frenchmen know better how to manage their drinking than do we
+Anglo-Saxons. I know not how they do it, but I know not a young
+fellow appeared at the governor's house in the evening who had
+apparently taken more than was good for him; and yet had our
+Philadelphia lads been through the ordeal of proffered glasses all day
+long, I warrant there would not have been a corporal's guard able to
+line up in good order at the governor's ball. But all these young St.
+Louis Frenchmen were out in fine feather, and carrying themselves
+grandly, eyes bright and heads steady, ready to lead out to the
+governor's table the belles of St. Louis, dazzling in brocades and
+feathers, lace, and powder and black patches.
+
+It was a goodly feast, ragout and roast fowl and venison pasties, and
+cakes and tarts and rich conserves making the tables groan; but the
+crowning moment was when the governor's stately butler brought in the
+bean-cake (almost as much as he could carry) and set it down before
+the governor. 'Twas a breathless silence as the governor cut each
+slice and sent it first to the maiden nearest him and then to the next
+in order. I was not in the least surprised when one of the four beans
+fell to mademoiselle's lot; I would have been surprised if it had not.
+There was a burst of ringing cheers, led by Josef Papin, when the
+lucky slice came to her, and I thought, "He knows he will be chosen
+king," and smiled with bitterness at the thought.
+
+I had not seen mademoiselle all day. As I glanced at her now, smiling
+and coloring with pleasure at the cheers that betokened her
+popularity, it flashed into my mind that she would reign a queen
+indeed when she came into her own in France, for I was very sure
+there were no court ladies could compare with her for beauty and
+grace.
+
+The governor himself crowned the four queens, and then they had to
+retire into the background for a space while their elders danced the
+first minuet, in which the governor led out Madame Chouteau in stately
+measure. But after that formal opening of the ball the young people
+had it all their own way, and the four queens queened it royally each
+with a flock of suitors around her. I said to myself proudly, "I will
+not hang on to any of their trains." There was no possible doubt but
+that mademoiselle would choose Josef Papin (since the chevalier was
+not there), and while I would have liked it well if one of the others
+had chosen me, just to show mademoiselle that all did not scorn me, I
+would not seem to sue for favors. So I attached myself to Mademoiselle
+Chouteau (who had not been so lucky as to draw a bean); and she being
+in the sauciest mood (and looking exceeding pretty), and I feeling
+that I was at least as well dressed as any other man (since I had on
+my plum-colored velvets and my finest lace), and therefore at my ease,
+we made ourselves so entertaining to each other that I began in my
+heart to feel a little regret that this was to be my last ball with
+her.
+
+I would not so much as look at mademoiselle, whose silvery laugh
+sometimes floated to my ears, for she had treated me shamefully of
+late, and, as far as I could see, without the least reason. Just once
+I caught her eye, however. I do not know how it happened, but there
+was a moment of almost silence in the crowded room. The violins were
+not playing, no one was dancing, and for one fleeting moment, every
+one, or nearly every one, seemed to have ceased talking. Into this
+strange silence, through the open windows, there floated the clear
+call of the whippoorwill,--only one, for the buzz and clamor and
+clatter of many voices surged up again instantly, and the violins
+began to scrape and screech themselves into tune, and no one seemed to
+have noticed either the silence or the whippoorwill. But I could not
+for the life of me help one swift glance toward mademoiselle, and I
+met her eyes seeking mine in a look of startled alarm that was almost
+terror. I held her glance long enough to say to her with my eyes, "Do
+not be afraid; I will see what it is," and I had the satisfaction of
+seeing, before she turned away, that she understood and was reassured.
+
+A few minutes later I slipped outside. I was not entirely at ease
+about that call, it had meant so much once. And I was not at all sure
+of the chevalier. A ball like this, with every one off guard, would be
+just his opportunity. Outside there was a motley throng of negroes,
+river-men, and Indians, hanging around to get glimpses of the dancers
+and the guests coming and going. The yard was brightly lighted in
+spots by flaming lightwood torches, which left the other parts in
+deepest gloom. I noticed among the throng a little group of mummers,
+such as had been at Dr. Saugrain's the night before in hideous masks.
+This did not at first seem strange to me, but afterward I thought it
+must be unusual, for they belonged peculiarly to New Year's eve.
+
+Leaning against a post that held a lightwood torch, a little withdrawn
+from the others, in solitary dignity, stood Black Hawk. I knew if
+there had been anything unusual in the whippoorwill cry he would know
+it. I sauntered up to him carelessly (for if there were spies about, I
+did not want to arouse suspicion), and stopped where the light fell
+full on me, for I knew well the value of impressing Black Hawk with
+the splendor of my dress. For the benefit of any possible listener, I
+told him that the governor's halls were hot and I must needs get a
+draft of cold air before I could go back to my dancing. Then I talked
+to him of Daniel Boone, for he had been with us on our trip to his
+home, and I knew his admiration for that wonderful man. His only
+responses were a series of grunts, but they were amiable ones (I think
+the old savage rather liked me), and as I talked I gradually drew
+nearer. When I was quite close to him, I said suddenly, in a low tone:
+
+"Does the Great Chief of the Sacs think there are any White Wolves or
+Red Dogs about to-night?"
+
+I saw a sudden glitter in his eye, but that was the only response
+except the invariable "Ugh!" Then I said again in the same low tone:
+
+"If Black Hawk will watch and let his white brother know what he finds
+out, it will greatly please the brother of the Captain of the Long
+Knives."
+
+There was another "Ugh!"--this time with half an inclination of the
+head, and I went back to the dance satisfied that if there was
+anything wrong, Black Hawk would discover it.
+
+It was half an hour later when Yorke came to me between the figures of
+the dance and begged a word with me.
+
+"Jes as soon as yo' can slip out unbeknownst-like," he said, "that
+thar decent redskin 's waitin' to speak to yo'-all at the kitchen
+doah. Yo' 's to go down through the house, so 's nobody outside won't
+see yo'."
+
+I found an opportunity as soon as that dance was over, and going down
+through the house, with Yorke as my guide, I found Black Hawk waiting,
+and without a preliminary word, in slow, sententious fashion, he
+delivered his message.
+
+"Black Hawk say to White Brother, Beware of White Wolf and six Red
+Dogs. Wear devil's faces. All gone now. Wait for Little White Fawn
+going home. Black Hawk go home with White Fawn and Fine Dress and Long
+Knives' brother and Little Medicine-man and Big Black."
+
+I understood his broken sentences very well. The mummers were, as I
+had half suspected, the chevalier and a band of Osages. They would lie
+in wait for Pelagie on our way home and capture her if we were off
+guard. Black Hawk offered his services to guard her on the way home,
+and I gladly accepted them, for even then the chevalier's band would
+outnumber us; and while in a hand-to-hand fight I did not doubt we
+were much the better men, they would have greatly the advantage of us
+in being able to spring upon us from ambuscade and get the first
+shot.
+
+[Illustration: "In solitary dignity stood Black Hawk"]
+
+Black Hawk had planned our forces well, but I did not like his title
+for me, "Fine Dress"; I would rather he had called me "Straight
+Shoot," the name he had several times given me on our trip together up
+the Missouri. I had a lurking doubt that he was rebuking me for my
+vanity.
+
+But there was no time to quarrel about titles. I hunted up Dr.
+Saugrain, whom I found in the wide chimney-corner, the center of a
+group of choice spirits,--the two Chouteaus, Mr. Gratiot, Mr. Cerre,
+Francis Vigo, and Manuel Lisa,--and he was telling them all, with
+great enthusiasm, about his experiments in quicksilver, and, to my
+surprise, they were listening as eagerly as if he had been telling
+tales of war and adventure--which was a marvelous thing to me, to whom
+science was ever dull and dry-as-dust. I liked not to interrupt him,
+but the need was pressing, and when I had called him to one side and
+told him of the presence of the chevalier and his Osages, he was
+greatly excited.
+
+The thing that troubled me most was that we were without firearms. I
+had my sword on, of course, and so had the captain, but swords would
+be of little use, for the savages would not wait for a hand-to-hand
+encounter, but would fire at long range. The only thing to be done was
+to borrow from the governor; and in his grand Spanish manner he
+pressed all the guns of his armory upon us, and said he would send a
+messenger at once to the fort to have a troop despatched to scour the
+town and rid it of every suspicious character; which was somewhat of a
+relief to me, but would have been more so if I could only have felt
+more confidence in his slow-moving Spanish soldiers.
+
+But the governor begged, since it was a matter that required no haste,
+that we would say nothing to alarm his guests and so break up the
+dance in undue time, for, as he said, the kings had not yet been
+chosen, and it would be a great pity to interfere with that pleasant
+ceremony. As for me, I would have been quite willing to dispense with
+it. There would be no pleasure to me in seeing mademoiselle pin her
+bouquet on the lapel of Josef Papin's coat, thus choosing him her
+king; but there was nothing to do but go back to the ball-room and see
+it out.
+
+As I entered the room, there happened to be a little break in the
+coterie of young men surrounding mademoiselle, and through it I met
+her glance of eager inquiry. She had evidently missed me from the
+room, and had her suspicions as to the cause of my long absence. I
+returned her glance with an assuring smile that all was well, and went
+on to where I had left Mademoiselle Chouteau a half-hour before. I
+could not have expected her to sit in a corner waiting for me all that
+while, yet when I found that she too had her little coterie, and I was
+evidently not missed, I felt unaccountably hurt and forlorn: as if
+there was no place for me, an alien, among these St. Louis French
+people. As I had done many times before, I turned to Madame Saugrain
+for comfort.
+
+It was nearing midnight, and I had wondered as I came in why they were
+not dancing. Now I saw the reason of it. Down through the center of
+the floor came the governor, followed by his tall butler bearing a
+silver tray with four small bouquets upon it. He went directly to
+mademoiselle first, and then to the three other queens in turn,
+presenting each with one of the bouquets and making to each a gallant
+little speech, which the four maidens received with smiles and blushes
+and curtsies as became them, but mademoiselle also with a stately
+grace befitting a queen.
+
+Then there was a moment of intense expectancy, for it was mademoiselle
+who was first to place her bouquet on the lapel of the coat of the
+chosen king. I would not look at her. I did not want to see her put it
+upon Josef Papin's coat, though there was no other there more fitting
+to receive it or who would make a more royal king for such a queen. So
+I half turned my back and talked busily to madame, who listened to me
+not at all, so engrossed was she in the spectacle. It seemed to me a
+long time in the doing, and presently I saw in madame's eyes a light
+of eager surprise.
+
+"Look, m'ami, look!" she cried to me. But I would not look; no, not
+even when I began to feel a suspicion of what was going to happen,
+from a queer feeling in my backbone, and my heart beating like a
+trip-hammer, and the blood rushing to the roots of my hair.
+
+"Look, look! I beg you to turn!" madame cried again. But I would not
+turn, though I heard a subdued murmur of voices all around me, and a
+soft rustle of silken skirts coming nearer and nearer--not until the
+soft rustle stopped close beside me, and a sweet voice said:
+
+"Shall I pin my bouquet upon Monsieur's back? I believe it is usual to
+pin it upon the lapel of the coat."
+
+Then I turned quickly, and for all the answer I made I dropped on one
+knee and held toward her the lapel of my coat, and as she stooped to
+pin it on I looked straight into her eyes. And what my eyes said to
+hers I know not, but quickly the white lids drooped over hers and shut
+me out from heaven, while the long black lashes lay upon her cheek,
+and the rich blood swept in a slow flood from the snowy throat to the
+dark waves of hair that crowned her white brow.
+
+And now her fingers trembled so in pinning on the flowers that she was
+long in the doing of it (though I could have wished it much longer);
+and when she had finished I seized the hand that trembled, and for the
+first time I had ever dared I pressed my lips upon it. I saw another
+wave of color sweep her face, and then she bade me rise, and as I
+stood beside her a burst of acclaims came from every lip, "Vive le
+roi! Vive le roi!" and from one, "Vive le roi et la reine!" and I
+could not have been prouder had I been king indeed, and she my royal
+consort beside me!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+A MIDNIGHT FRAY
+
+    "Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety."
+
+
+Josef Papin was the first to bow the knee to me in mock homage, and as
+his laughing eyes met mine he said, in a tone not so low but that
+mademoiselle might have heard if she had listened:
+
+"I owe you a grudge, sire. You have stolen the honors I so dearly
+coveted."
+
+A sudden impulse seized me.
+
+"Would you like to be detailed on some special service to your king
+and queen?" I asked.
+
+"Most certainly, sire."
+
+"Then stay by me, and when the ceremony of choosing the next king
+begins I will tell you about it."
+
+Here was a heart as true as steel, ready to be generous to a
+successful rival and loyal unto death to his queen. It would not hurt
+to have one more guard for mademoiselle on our midnight ride; we would
+then more nearly match in numbers the chevalier's band, and by numbers
+alone might intimidate him from even making the attack. Which was much
+to be desired, since there would be two ladies in our party, and
+fighting and bloodshed are not for tender hearts like theirs to know.
+
+But more than that, I thought I could give him no greater pleasure
+than the chance to prove himself of some real service to mademoiselle,
+and I would like to atone for stealing the honors he had felt so sure
+of. And more still: we had decided, in our hasty conference a little
+while before,--Dr. Saugrain, my captain, and I,--that it would not do
+at all to wait until the day before the Jour des Rois, as we had at
+first intended. Since the boat was in readiness, and the captain's
+business finished, there was no reason why we should not start at
+once. We had decided, therefore, on the next morning for our
+departure, for we all felt that as long as the chevalier was lurking
+about there was no safety for mademoiselle until she was well on her
+way to France.
+
+To spirit mademoiselle away without a chance of saying good-by to so
+good a friend as young Papin seemed to me unkind to them both. We
+could trust him fully, and he should have his chance to say good-by.
+The captain and Dr. Saugrain had intrusted me with the entire
+arrangement for mademoiselle's safety and given me command of our
+little force, so I could make my offer to him with authority. When the
+opportunity offered to explain to him, a very few minutes sufficed to
+tell him our fears for mademoiselle's safety. His eyes flashed fire as
+he listened, and when I said to him, "Would you like to make one of
+our guard on our way home?" he grasped my hand and wrung it.
+
+"I thank you, monsieur," he said, and then he muttered in my ear:
+
+"What would I not give for one good chance at the chevalier!"
+
+Half an hour later our little cavalcade set off from the governor's
+house, the governor himself waving us an adieu from the gallery steps.
+We had placed madame and mademoiselle in the center, with Josef Papin
+on one side and myself on the other. Black Hawk and Yorke were in the
+van, and Captain Clarke and Dr. Saugrain brought up the rear.
+
+It had been necessary to make to the two ladies some explanation of
+these warlike arrangements, but we had said nothing of the presence of
+the chevalier. I knew it would distress mademoiselle, nor was I sure
+that her heart would not dictate a surrender, and he would at last
+accomplish his purpose and bear her away with him, a willing captive,
+to France. We had only said that a suspicious band of Osages was
+lurking about, and we thought it wise to take some precautions.
+
+There was, on the Rue de l'Eglise, which was our direct way home, one
+spot peculiarly fitted for an ambuscade, where the road dipped
+suddenly into a deep gully and rose again on the farther side, and
+where, owing to the marshy nature of the soil, the forest had not been
+cleared away. It was a lonely bit of road, without houses on either
+side for a quarter of a mile, and I thought it more than likely that
+the chevalier would select this spot for an attack, if he intended to
+make one.
+
+To cheat him, if possible, we rode up the hill of the Rue de la Tour
+and turned to the left at the fort, which was dark and silent, a proof
+to me that the troops had left it, and had, no doubt, ere this rid the
+village of our enemy. The Rue des Granges, down which we rode, ran
+along the crest of the hill, and there was no marsh here to be
+crossed, and the gully had run out to a mere depression. We bore no
+torches, and moving as silently as possible through the blackness of
+the night, we hoped we might escape detection. But as we came to the
+head of the gully I glanced down, and at that moment a swift spark as
+from a tinder flashed into the air, followed by a steady glow, and I
+knew the chevalier was there and that, deeming himself securely hidden
+among the trees, he had just lighted a cigar to keep him company in
+his stealthy watch. And I knew, too, that if I but drew my pistol and
+took steady aim at that glow-worm in the dark there would be no more
+trouble or anxiety for any of us on mademoiselle's account. For one
+moment I hesitated, and Fatima, feeling the involuntary grasp of her
+bridle-rein, half stopped. But could I have brought my mind to the
+committing of a cold-blooded murder like that, the memory of
+mademoiselle's plea for the chevalier's safety would have palsied my
+arm. Yet my generosity had like to have been our undoing. What it was
+that betrayed us I know not. It may have been the tramp of our horses'
+feet, conveyed down the gully as by an ear-trumpet; or it is possible
+that in spite of the darkness our moving figures were silhouetted
+against the faint light in the western sky; or a stone, loosened by
+one of our horses, may have rolled down the gully to the chevalier's
+feet. Whatever it was, I knew we were discovered. There was suddenly a
+soft call of a whippoorwill from below us, answered quickly and softly
+by a half-dozen others, and then a sound as of hasty but cautious
+stirrings. I knew what it meant: they had seen us, and they would cut
+us off before we reached our gates. I gave a quick word of command:
+
+"Ride as hard and as fast as you can; never mind the noise you make.
+We are discovered! Our only hope of avoiding a fight is by reaching
+the gates first."
+
+Black Hawk and Yorke were off like a shot: Yorke, I have no doubt,
+with the intention of getting to cover as quickly as possible, but
+Black Hawk, I believe, after a scalp or two. I had to call to them
+both to come back and keep close to the ladies. Mademoiselle had
+uttered not a word, only urged her little La Bette to do her utmost,
+but madame, since the embargo of silence was removed, did not cease to
+utter a string of prayers and entreaties to "le bon Dieu" to save us
+all from the savages.
+
+We were on the crest of the hill, and looking down to the Rue de
+l'Eglise I could get an inkling of what progress the savages were
+making from an occasional flash of shining metal in a ray of light
+from some window; for though the hour was late the town was still
+astir from the governor's ball, and lights were in most of the houses.
+As yet they were some distance behind us, but though we were on horses
+and they afoot, they had a much shorter distance to travel and they
+were fleet runners. We were like a chain, only as strong as our
+weakest link; we were only as fleet as our slowest horse, and that was
+the one that bore madame's plump figure. La Bette was not much faster,
+and I began to get in a fever of impatience, as I could see the
+savages were steadily gaining on us. Should we meet them in that dark
+lane leading down from the Rue des Granges to the Rue de l'Eglise we
+were almost certainly at their mercy. In a few minutes it was evident
+to me that at our present rate of progress they were sure to meet us
+there, and there seemed no possible way of hurrying our two slow
+ponies. I would have turned back but that I believed the chevalier was
+sharp enough to have sent part of his men up the gully to cut off our
+retreat, should we attempt one. There was but one thing to do: Fatima
+had saved mademoiselle once; she should save her again. I leaned back
+of mademoiselle and spoke to Josef Papin:
+
+"We will never reach the house before the savages at this rate. I
+shall take mademoiselle on Fatima and get her safe inside the gates.
+You and Black Hawk follow me as quickly as possible, and the other
+three will remain to protect Madame Saugrain."
+
+Then I called a halt and explained my plan to the others. It needed
+but a word, and there was no demur but a low wail from Madame
+Saugrain, who, I make no doubt, believed Pelagie was going to certain
+death. Mademoiselle herself said nothing; I think for the first time
+she realized that the chevalier was leading the Osages and that their
+only aim was to get possession of her.
+
+My explanation had not consumed a minute, and as I finished it I
+turned in my saddle.
+
+"By your leave, Mademoiselle," I said, bent over and lifted her from
+La Bette's back (and never was I more thankful for my great strength
+and that she was but a feather-weight, else had the feat proved a
+difficult one) and placed her securely in front of me on Fatima. 'Twas
+not so comfortable a seat as at my back, no doubt, but I dared not
+risk her where I could not see what befell her. One word to Fatima:
+
+"Sweetheart, for our lives!" I laid the reins low on her neck, and we
+were off with a long swinging stride that soon left even Black Hawk
+and Papin far behind, though they were urging their good horses to the
+utmost.
+
+There was not a moment to be lost, for I could see that the savages
+were nearing the junction of the lane and the Rue de l'Eglise, and we
+must pass that point before them and ride some twenty paces down the
+Rue de l'Eglise before we should reach the gates and a safe refuge
+behind the walls of Emigre's Retreat. I did not cease to urge Fatima
+by my voice, though never touching her reins. One arm held
+mademoiselle securely, and my right hand lay on the holster of my
+pistol, ready for instant service.
+
+Out of the Rue des Granges we shot like a bolt, into the steep and
+rough lane leading down the hill. Had I not held mademoiselle so
+firmly I think that swift swerve at the sharp corner might have
+unseated us both. Faster and faster we flew, like a swallow on the
+wing, Fatima's dainty feet as surely placed among the rocks and holes
+of the rough road as if she had been pacing in Rotten Row. Well she
+knew that a misstep of hers now might mean death to all three of us,
+and well she knew that her master trusted her perfectly.
+
+I could feel mademoiselle's heart fluttering like a caged bird for
+terror; my own was beating like a trip-hammer, for I was near enough
+now to perceive that the savages too were redoubling their efforts and
+it was still a chance which of us would reach the corner of the Rue de
+l'Eglise first.
+
+"Faster, Sweetheart, faster!" I urged in an agony of apprehension as I
+pressed my knees close to Fatima's hot sides, and felt her breath
+beginning to come in long laboring moans as my great weight (with
+mademoiselle's added one, which might yet prove the last feather)
+began to tell on her. Bravely she responded to my voice and stretched
+out farther and faster at every stride, and in another moment, with
+another tremendous swerve, we had turned the corner into the Rue de
+l'Eglise with the foremost of the savages not twenty feet behind us. I
+expected nothing less than a bullet in my back, and was glad indeed
+that mademoiselle was in front of me, fully shielded by my broad
+shoulders, for I knew whatever befell me Fatima would carry
+mademoiselle into the garden and to the very door of Emigre's Retreat
+before any savage could possibly reach her. But I felt no bullet, nor
+did any whistle by my ears, and I wondered why, until I saw, what the
+savage possibly saw too in the dim light, that mademoiselle (whose
+head had been cowering on my breast like a child in great terror
+trying to hide from the sight of danger) had, as we turned into the
+Rue de l'Eglise, raised her head and looked boldly over my shoulder.
+
+I have no doubt the savage feared to shoot, lest he should hit that
+white face, and I did not doubt that was mademoiselle's plan, to use
+herself as a shield for me. I was very angry with her, but I had only
+time to draw her head roughly down on my shoulder again when we were
+within the gates and, in a dozen mighty strides, at the very door of
+Emigre's Retreat.
+
+At the sound of clattering hoofs, Narcisse and half a dozen servants,
+among them mademoiselle's maid, Clotilde, came running out on the
+gallery. I sprang from my horse and lifted mademoiselle down, in too
+great haste to be gentle, I fear.
+
+"Take your mistress into the house and bar every door and window!" I
+cried sharply. "The savages are after us!"
+
+It needed but that word "savages" to lend wings of terror to the
+usually slow and lazy movements of the negroes. With shrieks of women
+and shouts of men, they dragged mademoiselle into the house, and I
+heard the hasty putting up of bars. Then I turned to meet that one
+savage who was so far in advance and who must by this time have
+reached the gates. I had no fear, now that I was free of mademoiselle,
+for I felt myself good for two or three of them, and I could even now
+hear the clattering hoofs of Josef Papin's and Black Hawk's horse
+coming down the lane, and they were a host in themselves. But by the
+time I had reached the gate there was a great noise of shouts and
+firing and wild halloos at the corner, and I ran on, knowing that
+Papin and Black Hawk must have met the savages, and knowing that the
+two would be outnumbered and greatly in need of my assistance.
+
+But I had hardly got into the thick of the melee, cutting and slashing
+with my sword for fear a shot would go astray and hit one of my
+friends should I use my pistol, when the savages suddenly turned tail
+and ran off, disappearing in the night like shadows. For a moment I
+thought it was my prowess that had put them to flight, and I began in
+my heart to plume myself thereon. But only for a moment, for up the
+Rue des Granges and down the steep lane there came charging the
+belated troops of Spanish horsemen (they had stupidly been scouring
+the other end of the village, it seems), and would have charged full
+upon us, no doubt,--since in the dark one could not tell friend from
+foe,--had not young Papin called out in Spanish that we were friends
+and belonged to Dr. Saugrain's party. Whereupon the officer halted
+long enough to inquire in which direction the savages had fled, and
+with many a round Spanish oath that he would not leave one of the red
+dogs alive if he had to follow them to Cape Girardeau, he led his
+troop clattering off toward the stockade. And no sooner had they
+disappeared than down the steep lane came the rest of the party,
+Madame Saugrain half dead with fright (for she had heard the sounds of
+firing and of fighting, and feared the worst for Pelagie), the
+doughty doctor and my captain not a little disappointed that they
+should have missed the fray, and Yorke almost as much so, since it had
+turned out to be such an easy victory.
+
+But when I had told madame that Pelagie was safe in the house and the
+savages had fled and, except for a scratch on my forehead that scarce
+drew blood, no one was hurt (though at that very moment Black Hawk
+came creeping back out of the darkness hanging a dripping scalp to his
+belt, which when I perceived I was nigh sick unto death for a
+moment)--when I told her all this (and, fortunately, madame did not
+see Black Hawk's ugly trophy), she broke forth into a Te Deum and went
+happily up to the house, where Pelagie herself came running out to
+meet her, and they fell into each other's arms and, after the manner
+of women, wept long and loud for joy, though they had shed no tears
+when there might have been occasion for them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+"A PRETTY BOY!"
+
+    "And to be wroth with one we love
+    Doth work like madness in the brain."
+
+
+At the door of the house, Black Hawk and Yorke branched off to the
+servants' quarters, and I followed them to see what had become of
+Fatima, for I had left her standing beside the gallery when I ran back
+to meet the savage. I found her standing patiently by the stable door
+waiting to be let in, and she whinnied with delight as she heard my
+step. I called to Yorke to come and take care of her (for I was in
+haste to get back to the house), and at the sound of my voice Leon
+came rushing, in great bounds. Together we walked down to the well,
+that I might wash the blood from my face before presenting myself to
+the ladies. The well was in a low part of the grounds, some little
+distance from the house, and it was while I was vigorously splashing
+my hands and face that I heard a low growl from Leon. I looked up
+quickly and thought I caught the glimpse of a gun, and instinctively I
+sprang to one side, that if any one was aiming at me I might cheat him
+of his aim. At the same moment Leon sprang with a terrible roar
+straight at the spot where I had fancied I saw the metal shining and
+where now I was sure I heard the rustle of some one fleeing. I
+followed quickly after, for the thought of any human creature in the
+power of that great beast in rage was awful to me. Enemy or no, I
+would if possible save him from being torn to pieces by a furious dog.
+
+As I ran, I called to him as I had heard his mistress call, and in
+French, lest he might not understand English:
+
+"A bas, Leon! Tais-toi, mon ange!" But the words had no meaning for
+him in my gruff voice: it was the soft music of his mistress's tones
+he understood and obeyed. I heard another furious roar, a wild shriek
+as of a creature in mortal fear or pain, and then a shot. I was on the
+spot almost before the shot had ceased to ring in my ears. There lay
+Leon on the white snow, a dark mass writhing in what I feared was a
+death-struggle, and above him stood the chevalier, his smoking pistol
+in his hand. I knew as soon as I saw him in Indian costume that he was
+the savage who had been the foremost of his band, who had followed us
+so closely and had disappeared when I had gone to seek him. It was in
+the doctor's garden he had disappeared and lain in hiding to
+accomplish the capture or execute a revenge later.
+
+My own pistol was in my hand, and I covered him with it. In that
+moment of rage when Leon, whom I had learned to love and who loved
+me,--Leon, _her_ dog,--great, beautiful, tried and trusty companion
+and friend,--lay dying from a shot from that villain's hand: in that
+moment of rage I came near putting an end at once and forever to a
+life that I believed could never be anything but a curse to any mortal
+associated with it. But the words of Pelagie rang in my ears and
+stayed my hand:
+
+"If it is in your power, save the chevalier!"
+
+His own pistol was empty and he knew himself to be at my mercy, and
+that his life was worth no more than the snuffing out of a candle;
+yet, to do him justice, he held his ground and returned my gaze as
+fearlessly as he might have done had we stood with drawn swords, each
+ready for the thrust and parry.
+
+The old moon had but lately risen, and, hanging low in the eastern
+sky, her level rays fell full on the chevalier's face. It was white
+enough, but that might have been the effect of her sickly light
+reflected from the ghostly snow; the daredevil in his eyes said
+plainly as words, "Do your worst!"
+
+For a full half-minute I kept him covered, and for a full half-minute
+he returned my steady gaze. Then suddenly there arose from the house
+the noise of doors opening and shutting and the hurried tramp of feet.
+I knew what it meant. The shot had been heard and they were coming to
+see what had happened. In a moment they would all be upon us,--my
+captain, the doctor, young Papin, yes, and Yorke and Black Hawk
+too,--and there would be no possibility of saving the chevalier.
+
+He heard the noise, also, and he too knew what it meant. For one
+instant his eyes wavered and he looked as if he would turn and run,
+spite of my threatening pistol. Only for an instant, and then he drew
+himself up proudly and threw back his head.
+
+"Fire, Monsieur," he said: "Why do you wait to let others share the
+glory?"
+
+For answer I lowered my pistol.
+
+"Monsieur," I said, "you richly deserve death, and for a moment you
+were in deadly peril; but Mademoiselle Pelagie, whom you would basely
+wrong, pleads for you, and I spare your life at her intercession. If
+you will turn and run directly south, there is a low place in the
+wall, and on this side a pile of logs by which you may easily scale
+it, and almost directly opposite a narrow opening in the stockade
+through which you can force your way. But you must run for your life.
+I will remain here and do what I can to prevent pursuit; 'twill be no
+easy matter to keep Black Hawk off your trail."
+
+Yet he did not start at once. He hesitated and his eyes fell; then he
+looked up quickly and half extended his hand.
+
+"Monsieur, you have been a generous foe; will you permit that I clasp
+your hand?"
+
+But a flood of memories rushed over me: his unswording me in the
+dance; his attempt to steal mademoiselle at the picnic and to poison
+her mind against her friends; this second attempt, where it was
+through no fault of his that we were not all dead men and mademoiselle
+far on her way to Cape Girardeau, in the power of savages and a
+villain more to be dreaded than they. I put my hand behind me and said
+coldly:
+
+"My hand belongs to my friends and to a foe whom I can honor.
+Monsieur, if you tarry longer, I will not be responsible for your
+life."
+
+Even in the pale light I could see the deep flush sweep his cheek and
+his hand spring involuntarily to his sword-hilt. But he thought better
+of it, turned, and strode quickly away toward the low spot in the
+stone wall.
+
+Then I had leisure to think of poor Leon. I knelt down beside him,
+where a dark pool was rapidly widening in the white snow. I could see
+where the red fountain gushed from a wound in his shoulder. It was
+possible no vital part had been touched and he might be saved could
+that gushing fountain of life-blood be stanched. As it was, his eyes
+were already glazing and his limbs stiffening and his breath coming in
+long-drawn sobs, like a man in extremity. He was like to breathe his
+last before even those hurrying feet, fast drawing near, should reach
+him. I knew enough of surgery to know that I must apply a tight
+bandage above the wound; but where should I find a bandage? My flimsy
+lace handkerchief was worse than useless. There was no help for it:
+the purple silken sword-sash, of which I was mightily proud, whose
+long fringed ends, tied in a graceful knot, fell almost to my knees,
+must be sacrificed. I hastily unknotted it, and tenderly as possible,
+that I might not hurt the poor fellow more than needs must (for his
+flesh quivered under my touch), I bound it round the shoulder and with
+all my strength drew it tight. Quickly the gushing fountain stayed,
+and then taking from my pocket a flask that my mother herself had
+always bid me carry, I forced a few drops into his fast-setting jaws.
+I knew I had done the right thing when, by the time they had all come
+up, Leon had lifted his head and was feebly licking my hand.
+
+Their first exclamations of horror were followed by a hail of
+questions:
+
+"Who has done this?" "Where is he?" "Did you see him?" "How did it
+happen?"
+
+To all their questions I made but one answer:
+
+"I heard the shot, and ran up to find Leon lying on the ground, dying
+as I believed, and I have done what I could to help him."
+
+"And you have saved his life, or, at least, if he lives, he will have
+only you to thank," said Dr. Saugrain, who had been on his knees
+beside Leon, examining him.
+
+"You and your silken sash," he added, with the old twinkle of his eye.
+"'Twas a noble sacrifice, and we all appreciate how great a one."
+
+The good doctor was ever twitting me on what he was pleased to call my
+love of dress; but I made him no answer this time, for I was watching
+Black Hawk, who, with an Indian's cunning, had at once discovered the
+footprints in the snow and that there was but one pair of them, and
+was stealing off after them. That would never do.
+
+"Great Chief," I cried, "'tis no use following the Red Dog; he has had
+too long a start. Will you help us to carry the dog of La Petite to
+the house, where we can put him in a warm bed? 'Twill never do to let
+him lie in the snow, and 'twill take us all to carry him comfortably."
+
+Black Hawk hesitated, and then grunted out an unwilling consent. I
+think it seemed to him somewhat beneath the dignity of a great chief
+to carry a dog, and only because of his love for La Petite did he
+bring his mind to it. Nor did my little fiction about the Red Dog
+deceive him.
+
+"No Red Dog," he grunted. "White Wolf! Trail fresh. Black Hawk bring
+his scalp to La Petite."
+
+But the doctor saved me the necessity of arguing further with him.
+
+"Red Dog or White Wolf, Black Hawk," he said, "n'importe! 'Tis the
+mastiff we must look to now. A sad day 'twould be for all of us should
+he die; so lend a hand, vite, vite!"
+
+And this from the doctor, who had told me when I first met him he
+would not have cared had I killed Leon, for he loved him not. The
+truth was that the doctor's devotion to Leon and Leon's to him were
+second only to the devotion of the dog and his mistress to each other,
+though, owing to the fact that Leon often stalked into his laboratory
+at inopportune moments, sometimes spoiling the most delicate
+experiment by poking his great inquisitive muzzle where it did not
+belong, the doctor's patience was sometimes tried almost beyond the
+limit of endurance.
+
+The doctor's exhortation, uttered in a sharp and clipping way peculiar
+to him when excited, was effectual. Very tenderly between us all we
+managed to lift the mastiff, and bore him to the negroes' quarters,
+where, in Narcisse's cabin, we made him a warm bed and washed and
+dressed his wound, and left him in a fair way to recovery.
+
+I was a little behind the others in reaching the house, for I had
+delayed about some last arrangements for Leon's comfort, and then it
+had been necessary that I should make a hasty toilet. Hands and face
+were soiled with blood and grime (my purple velvets I feared were
+ruined forever, but I would not take the time to change them), and my
+hair was in much disorder. A hasty scrubbing of hands and face and a
+retying of my hair-ribbon to try to confine the rebellious yellow
+curls that were tumbling all over my head, and that I so much
+despised, were all I permitted myself time for. Yet the few minutes I
+had lingered had been long enough for the launching of a thunderbolt,
+and I arrived just at the moment to see the havoc it had made.
+
+Mademoiselle in her ball-dress had thrown herself on her knees beside
+madame, her white arms flung around madame's neck, her face buried in
+her motherly bosom, sobbing piteously. Madame gently stroked the dark
+curls, saying over and over only the same words, "My child, my child,
+my poor child!" while the tears flowed down her own cheeks all
+unnoticed.
+
+The doctor stood beside her, patting as he could her white arm or dark
+curls or tender cheek, and saying helplessly:
+
+"Voila, voila! Quoi donc! N'importe, n'importe!" and many other as
+senseless words, and growing every moment more hopeless and helpless
+as mademoiselle but wept the more bitterly.
+
+On the other side of the room stood young Papin, pale and rigid as if
+carved in stone, his eyes fixed on mademoiselle. I feared that for him
+too it had been a bitter blow, for I could not doubt that it was the
+announcement of mademoiselle's departure on the morrow that had
+created such consternation.
+
+The captain had discreetly turned his back and was looking out of the
+window. At the sound of my entrance he turned and beckoned me to him.
+
+"I fear 'twill never do," he whispered; "the maiden is breaking her
+heart."
+
+As if she had heard his words, mademoiselle lifted her head, and
+though her face was tear-stained and her hair hanging in disheveled
+locks about it, it was still the most beautiful face I had ever seen.
+
+At sight of me she flung her head back, and her eyes flashed. She
+extended one round white arm toward me, and in tones of bitter scorn
+she exclaimed:
+
+"It is you, you, Monsieur, who have done this! I will not leave my
+guardians and my home and go away with you! You would not hear of my
+going with the chevalier, yet he was a French gentleman, and not
+merely a pretty boy!"
+
+Madame and the doctor tried in vain to stop her tirade. She was in a
+fury; such blazing eyes, such crimson cheeks, and voice quivering with
+scorn. For a moment I was abashed and would have liked to slink out of
+sight. But when she was so ungenerous as to call me "a pretty boy,"
+the fire returned to my heart, and I too drew myself up proudly.
+
+"Mademoiselle, listen to me!" I said sternly. "I have but a few
+minutes ago spared the chevalier's life when I had him at my mercy,
+and shown him the way to escape from your friends here, who were
+running at the sound of his shot, and who, had they found him in Dr.
+Saugrain's grounds, would have made short work with him, I fear." (I
+could not but note out of the corner of my eye while I was speaking
+the quick start of young Papin at this announcement, the eager
+interest of my captain, and the doctor's look of dismay.)
+
+"I spared him, and I told him that I spared him, only because you had
+begged me to do my utmost to save him if he should ever fall into my
+power. I cannot believe that he would have treated me or any one of
+your friends with the like courtesy. He is now well on his way to Cape
+Girardeau, but I think he is not gone so far but that he can be easily
+overtaken. Black Hawk is ready to set out at once; indeed, it is with
+much difficulty that I have restrained him from so doing. Then, if you
+desire it, and Dr. Saugrain and madame approve, you can return to
+France under the chevalier's protection."
+
+I lifted my hand as the doctor and his wife both started to speak.
+
+"Nay, my friends, permit that mademoiselle first tells me her
+pleasure."
+
+Then, as mademoiselle (whose eyes were no longer flashing with scorn,
+but regarding me with the same wonder I had seen in them before) did
+not speak, I said, if possible with greater sternness:
+
+"Speak at once, mademoiselle: shall we send for the chevalier and
+bring him back? There is no time to be lost; every minute is carrying
+him away from you as fast as a very good pair of legs for running can
+take him."
+
+I hope I did not exceed the limits of courtesy in so speaking of the
+chevalier, but it was hard to resist a little fling at the "French
+gentleman" to whom the "pretty boy" had been so disparagingly
+compared. I caught a twinkle in the doctor's eye and a fleeting smile
+on young Papin's face and on my captain's, but I looked only at
+mademoiselle. She was meek enough now, but she no longer looked at me;
+her dark lashes were sweeping her cheek.
+
+"You need not send for him," she said.
+
+"Then, mademoiselle," I went on, a little more gently, "it seems to me
+and to your friends that the only other way to return to France is the
+way we have planned. You will be as safe under Captain Clarke's care
+as you would be under Dr. Saugrain's. He will take you to his sister,
+Mrs. O'Fallon, who will be as a mother to you, until a suitable escort
+can be found for you to New York to place you under Mr. Livingston's
+care. As for me, I shall not in any way annoy you: you need not know I
+am on the boat; and as soon as you are placed in Mrs. O'Fallon's care
+I shall say good-by to you forever, and continue my journey east,
+since it is indeed time I should be starting homeward. Dr. and Madame
+Saugrain will assure you that this is the most feasible plan, and I
+hope once more that you will not be deterred from accepting it by any
+fear of annoyance from me. There will be none. If you decide to go
+with us, we must make an early start, and there will be many things
+for me to attend to. Captain Clarke will inform me of your decision,
+and I will see Dr. Saugrain and madame in the morning. Till then, I
+wish you all a very good night."
+
+I made my grand bow, turned quickly, and left the room, though Dr.
+Saugrain and his wife both tried to stay me, and young Papin sprang
+forward with an eager hand to prevent me.
+
+I was bitterly angry, and more hurt and disappointed than angry.
+Outside I strode furiously up and down in the snow, calling myself a
+fool that I should care. Mademoiselle might be a great lady in France,
+I said to myself, but to me she had shown herself only a fickle,
+capricious, silly maiden. But even as I so spoke to myself my heart
+revolted. I saw her once more weeping in madame's arms, and I began to
+think it was only natural and commendable in her that she should be so
+stirred at the thought of leaving friends who had been so good to her,
+and that I had been much harder with her than was well.
+
+And at last, as I began to walk myself into a calmer frame of mind, I
+could have wished that I had not made that rash promise to keep myself
+out of her sight on the boat. My word was given and I would have to
+stick to it, but in my own room, as I listened to the murmur of voices
+still going on in the room below me, I thought no longer with anger,
+but sadly enough, of the long delightful tete-a-tetes with
+mademoiselle I had dreamed of when I had first planned this trip on
+the Great River.
+
+A bright drop suddenly fell on my hand. I brushed my eyes angrily.
+
+"Domtiferation!" I whispered furiously to myself. "Mademoiselle was
+right! A pretty boy indeed!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A CREOLE LOVE-SONG
+
+    "So sweetly she bade me adieu,
+    I thought that she bade me return."
+
+
+For three days we had been floating down the Great River, and for
+three days I had kept my word. Mademoiselle had not been annoyed by
+me; she had hardly seen me. Much to my captain's vexation, I had
+refused to take my meals with him and mademoiselle, though our cozy
+table of three had been one of the brightest parts of my dream when I
+was planning this trip.
+
+It was nearing the supper-hour on the evening of this third day. The
+men were making ready to tie up for the night (for navigation on the
+river at night was a dangerous matter), and for the hundredth time I
+was wishing with all my heart that I had not been so rash as to make
+that promise to keep out of mademoiselle's way. The vision of a hot
+supper comfortably served in her warm and cozy cabin was of itself
+sufficiently enticing, as all my meals since coming aboard had been
+brought to me in any out-of-the-way corner of the deck, and I had
+found them but cold comfort. Not that my resolution was weakening,
+though my captain let no meal-hour pass without doing his best to
+weaken it, and more than once had brought me a message from
+mademoiselle herself begging me to join them at table. No; I was as
+fixed as ever, and, in a way, enjoying my own discomfort, since to
+pose as a martyr ever brings with it a certain satisfaction which is
+its own reward.
+
+The weather had been clear and mild up to this time; but this evening
+an icy sleet was beginning to fall, and I glanced at mademoiselle's
+cabin window, brightly lighted and eloquent of warmth and dryness, and
+fetched a great sigh as I looked. A voice at my elbow said:
+
+"Monsieur is sad?--or lonely, perhaps?"
+
+I started, for I had supposed myself entirely alone on that end of the
+boat--the men all busy with their tying-up preparations forward, and
+mademoiselle and the captain in the cabin. I lifted my hat and bowed
+ceremoniously.
+
+"Neither, Mademoiselle."
+
+Mademoiselle hesitated. I saw she felt repulsed, and I secretly
+gloried in her embarrassment. Neither would I help her out by adding
+another word; I waited for what she might say further.
+
+"Monsieur," she said presently, "you have shown me much kindness in
+the past, and done me great service. I would like to have you know
+that I am not ungrateful."
+
+"I do not desire your gratitude, Mademoiselle," I said coldly (though
+it hurt me to speak so when she was so evidently trying to be friendly
+with me). "No gentleman could have done less, even if he were not a
+French gentleman."
+
+The light from her cabin window fell full upon her. I could see that
+she colored quickly at my retort, and half started to go away, but
+turned back again.
+
+"Monsieur," she said earnestly, "I have a very humble apology to make
+to you. I hope you will forgive me for my rude and wicked speech. I
+was beside myself with sorrow at the thought of being so suddenly torn
+from my friends, and for the time nothing else weighed with me, not
+even that you had just saved my life at the peril of your own. Ah, how
+could I have been so base! I wonder not that you will not even look at
+so mean a creature, and you do well to shun her as if she were vile."
+
+No man could have resisted her sweet humility. For a moment all my
+anger melted.
+
+"Mademoiselle, do not apologize to me!" I cried. "If there are any
+apologies to be made, it is I who should make them for not knowing how
+to understand and appreciate what you felt."
+
+A quick radiance sprang into her eyes, and with a childlike abandon
+she extended both her hands to me.
+
+"Then you forgive me?" she cried.
+
+I took one hand and held it in both mine, and as I bent my knee I
+lifted it to my lips.
+
+"If I am forgiven, my Queen," I answered softly.
+
+Her dark eyes, tender and glorious, looked down into mine. For a
+moment I forgot she was a great lady in France; to me she was only the
+most bewitching and adorable maiden in the wide world. She was
+wearing a heavy capote to shield her from the weather, but the hood
+had fallen slightly back, and the falling sleet had spangled the
+little fringe of curls about her face with diamonds that sparkled in
+the candle-shine, but were not half so bright as her starry eyes. I
+could have knelt forever on the icy deck if I might have gazed forever
+into their heavenly depths. But in a minute she let the white lids
+fall over them.
+
+"Rise, Monsieur," she said gently. "You are forgiven, but on one
+condition."
+
+"Name it, my Queen!" And I rose to my feet, but still held her hand.
+"No condition can be too hard."
+
+"That you come to supper with us to-night, and to every meal while I
+am on your boat."
+
+The condition fetched me back to earth with a shock. I remembered all
+the cause, and I answered moodily:
+
+"My word has been given, Mademoiselle; I cannot go back on my word."
+
+"Your word was given to me, and I absolve you from it," she said.
+
+"But in the presence of others," I objected. "I am bound by it, unless
+I be shamed before them."
+
+"Only your captain is here," she said, still gently; "and he, too,
+urges it."
+
+But still I was obdurate. Then at last she drew away her hand and
+lifted her head proudly.
+
+"Your Queen commands you!" she said haughtily, and turned and walked
+away. Yet she walked but slowly. Perhaps she thought I would overtake
+her, or call her back and tell her I had yielded. But I was still
+fighting with my stubborn pride, and let her go. I watched her close
+her cabin door, then for five minutes I strode rapidly up and down,
+the slippery deck.
+
+"Your Queen commands you!" I thrilled at her words. My Queen! Yes, but
+only if I were her king. Now that I was away from her, and her glowing
+eyes were not melting my heart to softest wax, I was resolved never
+again to submit to her tyranny and caprice. I would go to supper,
+because she commanded it; but I would never for a moment forget that
+she was a great lady of France, and I a proud citizen of America--too
+proud to woo where I could only meet with scorn.
+
+So I went to my cabin and made a careful toilet, and when Yorke came
+to call me to supper, I presented myself in mademoiselle's cabin. I
+had not been in it since she had come aboard, and, though I had
+carefully planned and arranged every detail of it for her comfort, I
+would not have known it for the same place. What she had done to it I
+know not; a touch here, a touch there, such as women's fingers know
+how to give, and the bare and rough boat's cabin had become a dainty
+little boudoir. The round table, draped in snowy linen, with places
+set for three; the silver and glass shining in the rays from two tall
+candles; Yorke and mademoiselle's maid Clotilde bringing in each a
+smoking dish to set upon it; and mademoiselle standing beside it like
+the glowing heart of a ruby, her dark beauty well set off by a gown of
+crimson paduasoy, with rich lace through which the graceful neck and
+rounded arms gleamed white and soft: it all looked to me like a
+picture from one of Master Titian's canvases, and I could hardly
+believe that if I should look through the closely drawn curtains I
+would see the rough and dirty decks of our barge, and, beyond, the
+dark forest of the Illinois shore, where even now hostile savages
+might be lurking, ready to spring upon us with blood-curdling yells.
+
+The captain was already there, chatting gaily with mademoiselle as I
+came in, and he had the delicacy to make his greeting of me as natural
+and unsurprised as if I had never been absent from the little board,
+while mademoiselle added a touch of gracious cordiality to hers.
+
+I was on my mettle. Determined that never again, even to herself,
+should she call me a boy, I summoned to my aid all the _savoir-faire_
+I could command. I was (at least, in my own estimation, and I hoped
+also in hers) the elegant man of the world, discoursing at ease on
+every fashionable topic, and, to my own amazement, parrying every
+thrust of her keen repartee, and sometimes sending her as keen in
+return. I think the situation had gone to my head. Certainly I had
+never before thought myself a brilliant fellow, but when I rose to
+make my bow to mademoiselle (and it was indeed a very grand one), I
+hoped that even in her mind I would not suffer by comparison with any
+French gentleman, no, though it were the chevalier himself.
+
+I did not see mademoiselle again until the midday meal next day; for
+all the morning I was busy with the men, making the difficult and
+dangerous turn from the Great River into the Ohio, past Fort Massac.
+Once in the Ohio, there was no surcease from hard work--poling,
+paddling, or cordelling, sometimes all three together, to climb the
+rushing stream.
+
+Punctually at the noon-hour I presented myself at table, and again at
+supper, and my good star did not desert me. Quip and repartee and
+merry tale and polished phrase were all at my tongue's end, and no one
+could have been more amazed than I at my own brilliancy.
+
+But I lingered not a moment after the meal was over, and I never saw
+mademoiselle between times. If she came out to take the air on deck, I
+was hard at work with the men, sometimes taking my turn at paddling,
+sometimes, though not often, at poling; but our crew of French
+Canadians were better at that than I. Indeed, there are no such
+fellows in the world for navigating these dangerous Western waters.
+
+The weather had grown mild, and often in the evening I envied Yorke
+(who had straightway, of course, made desperate love to Clotilde, who
+was old enough to be his mother), sitting in the bow of the boat and
+thrumming his banjo lightly as he sang her some creole love-song he
+had picked up in St. Louis.
+
+Our trip was fast drawing to a close. The last evening on the river
+had arrived. We would tie up one more night; all hands at the cordelle
+and the poles, we would reach Mrs. O'Fallon's by noon, in time for
+dinner. I had determined not to linger there at all. I should go on,
+the same afternoon, to my uncle's plantation, not many miles away,
+and the next day start for the East. I had told mademoiselle I would
+say good-by to her forever when we reached Mrs. O'Fallon's, but in my
+own mind I was saying good-by to her now. It had been for several days
+that I had felt the weight of this approaching hour, and my brilliance
+had gradually departed. I had grown duller and quieter at each
+succeeding meal, and mademoiselle, too, had grown quieter (she could
+never be dull). Sometimes I fancied she looked sad, and once I was
+sure I recognized the trace of tears in her beautiful eyes. There was
+nothing strange in that; it would have been strange indeed if she
+could have left home and friends, and started on a long and dangerous
+journey (with no companion but the faithful negro woman who had been
+nurse and lady's-maid and trusted friend for ten long years, but who
+was still but servant and slave), and had not often been overcome with
+sadness. Indeed, there were times, when she was merriest at the table,
+when I had mentally accused her of heartlessness as I thought of the
+two fond old people mourning for her in Emigre's Retreat. So, though I
+would have liked to attribute some of mademoiselle's sadness to an
+approaching separation, I had no grounds for so doing, and I scoffed
+at myself for the attempt.
+
+That last night at supper I made a desperate effort to be my gayest,
+but it was uphill work, and the more so because neither the captain
+nor mademoiselle seconded my efforts with any heartiness; so when
+supper was ended, feeling that the hour had at last come, I stood as
+mademoiselle rose from her seat, and instead of excusing myself at
+once, as had been my custom, I lingered.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "we have had our last meal aboard together
+(God prospering our voyage), and I desire to thank you for your
+courtesy, and to say to you that whatever there may have been in our
+intercourse during our brief acquaintance not pleasant to either of us
+to hold in remembrance, I hope you will banish it from your memory, as
+I shall from mine. I shall think of these weeks always as among the
+brightest of my life, and perhaps, had I been a chevalier of France
+instead of an American boy, I should not so easily have said good-by
+to the Rose of St. Louis; it would have been au revoir instead!"
+
+I was standing as I said it all formally, with the air of one making
+pretty compliments: for I did not wish mademoiselle to know how every
+word was from the depths of my heart; nor would I have lightly
+betrayed myself before my captain, who was not apparently listening,
+but had turned to give some instructions to Yorke.
+
+Mademoiselle's color came and went as I spoke. She did not answer me
+for a moment, and when she did it was in a low tone, and she seemed to
+speak with effort:
+
+"Monsieur, you are ungenerous! You will never forgive my unhappy
+speech. Permit me to say you have taught me that a chevalier of France
+may be outshone by an American gentleman in bravery, manliness, truth,
+and honor--in every virtue except the doubtful one of knowing how to
+utter pleasant insincerities to us maidens. And I will not say
+good-by. Am I not to see you again?"
+
+"I will certainly see you in the morning, Mademoiselle, but there may
+be no time for more than a word, and so I take this opportunity to say
+good-by."
+
+"I will not say good-by, Monsieur"--with the old wilful toss of the
+head. "I will tell your captain he is not to let you go back to
+Philadelphia so soon. But no matter where you go, I will never say
+good-by; it shall always be au revoir."
+
+She smiled up at me with such bewitching grace that perforce I smiled
+back at her, and if she had but asked me this evening, as she had on
+many others, to linger in her cozy cabin for a game of piquet, I would
+not have had the courage to say no. But she did not ask me, and, much
+as I longed to stay, there was nothing for me to do but to pick up my
+hat and say, with the best grace I could:
+
+"I thank you with all my heart, Mademoiselle, and, for to-night at
+least, au revoir!"
+
+An hour later my captain and I were leaning on the rail in the stern
+of the boat, looking up at the tree-crowned bluffs standing dark
+against the moonlight and listening to the soft lapping of the water
+against the boat's sides. We did not realize that we were hidden by a
+great pile of peltries, as high as our heads, which Captain Clarke was
+taking back to Kentucky with him to sell on commission for Pierre
+Chouteau, until we heard voices. Mademoiselle and Clotilde had
+evidently found a seat on the other side of the pile of pelts, and
+mademoiselle was speaking in plaintive tone:
+
+"And they would not let me bring Leon with me! He at least would have
+loved me and been a companion and protector when all the world forsake
+me."
+
+Then Clotilde's rich negro voice:
+
+"Mademoiselle, I find out why they not let you bring Leon. Mr. Yorke
+tell me last night. Leon shot, the night before we come away."
+
+There was a heartrending cry, and then a torrent of swift French:
+
+"Leon shot! My Leon! Why have they not told me? Oh, the villains! Who
+shot him, Clotilde? My poor angel! My Leon! No one left to love your
+poor mistress!" And much more that I cannot recall, I was so excited
+and angry that that rascal Yorke should have caused her such needless
+pain. But every word of Clotilde's next speech was graven on my heart
+as with a knife of fire.
+
+"Mr. Yorke say they all hear the shot, and they all run out to see
+what the matter, and there stood the lieutenant with pistol in his
+hand, and Yorke say he don' _think_ he shoot him, but--"
+
+Clotilde had no chance to say another word.
+
+"Shoot my Leon! He! Ah, I could not have believed such baseness! He
+never forgave him for throwing him down-stairs! His last act before
+leaving Emigre's Retreat! Oh, mon Dieu, what perfidy! What a monster!"
+
+And every word was so interrupted with sighs and moans and sobs as
+would have melted a heart of stone.
+
+As for me, I was nearly turned to stone, such horror did I feel that
+she should think me guilty of so base a deed. I had no thought of
+acting in my self-defense, but my captain started up at once with a
+quick exclamation, and, seizing my arm, dragged me around the pile of
+pelts. There was mademoiselle, seated on a low bundle of them, weeping
+as if her heart would break, and Clotilde trying in vain to stay the
+torrent she had set loose.
+
+"Mademoiselle," said the captain, quickly, "there has been some
+terrible mistake. It was the chevalier who shot Leon; it was this lad"
+(laying his arm affectionately across my shoulders) "who saved his
+life."
+
+Now half the joy of this speech to me was taken out of it by the
+captain's way of treating me as a boy--I think the captain never
+thought of me in any other light; and I made up my mind on the instant
+that I should seize the very first opportunity to beg him, at least in
+mademoiselle's presence, to treat me as a man.
+
+But mademoiselle was so concerned with the matter of the captain's
+speech, she paid no heed to its manner; and it chagrined me not a
+little that her first thought was for Leon, and not that I was
+innocent.
+
+"Saved his life!" she cried. "Is my Leon alive?"
+
+"He is, Mademoiselle," I said coldly, "and I have every reason to
+believe he is doing well. My 'last act' before leaving Emigre's
+Retreat was to visit him in Narcisse's cabin. I renewed his dressing,
+and left minute instructions as to his care. We had thought to spare
+you this anxiety, Mademoiselle, but two blundering servants have
+undone our plans."
+
+"Ah, Monsieur," cried mademoiselle, impetuously, springing to her feet
+and extending both her hands to me in her pretty French fashion, "how
+unjust I have been to you! How can I ever thank you enough for your
+care of my poor Leon? Your last act in the cold and dark of the early
+morning, and the hurry of departure, to see that my Leon was taken
+care of, and I have accused you of making it one of base revenge! Ah,
+Monsieur, can you ever forgive me?" half whispering.
+
+I had taken her hands and was holding them as I looked down into her
+radiant eyes. I bent low and kissed them both, first one and then the
+other, as I said (very low, so that the captain and Clotilde should
+not hear):
+
+"Mademoiselle, I can forgive you everything."
+
+But I needed not to speak so low, for when I lifted my head the
+captain and Clotilde had both disappeared. And whither they had gone,
+or why, I neither knew nor cared. For now a mad intoxication seized
+me. This was the last evening I should ever spend with mademoiselle in
+this world; why should I not enjoy it to the full? For the hundredth
+time we had had our misunderstanding and it had cleared away; now
+there should be no more misunderstandings, no more coldness, nothing
+but joy in the warm sunshine of her smiles.
+
+So I begged her once more to be seated and to atone for all that was
+unkind in the past by letting me talk to her. There could have been no
+better place, outside of her cozy cabin, for this long-dreamed-of
+tete-a-tete, which now at last was to have a realization, than this
+she had herself chosen. The pile of pelts at her back kept off the
+east wind, the young moon in the west shone full upon her face, so
+that I could feast my eyes upon its glorious beauty (for the last
+time, I said to myself) and interpret every changing expression.
+
+And yet, just at first, I was afraid I was going to be disappointed,
+after all. Mademoiselle was embarrassed and constrained, and it was
+I--I, the gauche and unsophisticated "boy"--who had to gently disarm
+her fears and lead her back to her bright and natural way. And this is
+how I did it. Mademoiselle had seated herself at my request, almost
+awkwardly, if awkwardness were possible to her, so much afraid was she
+she was not doing quite the proper thing.
+
+"I cannot imagine what has become of Clotilde," she said nervously. "I
+did not send her away."
+
+"I think she has gone to find Yorke and set him right about Leon," I
+answered, smiling.
+
+She smiled slightly in return, but still with some embarrassment.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "have you observed that Yorke has been making
+himself very agreeable to Clotilde?"
+
+"What folly!" she exclaimed. "Clotilde is an old woman. I spoke to her
+about it quite seriously to-day."
+
+"And what did she say, Mademoiselle?"
+
+"She said that she found Yorke most entertaining. 'One must be
+amused,' were her words, and she made me feel very young with her
+worldly wisdom. 'We do not contemplate matrimony, Mam'selle, but Mr.
+Yorke and I both think there may be an affinity of spirit, regardless
+of difference in age'! I was amazed at her philosophical attitude."
+
+"How did you reply to her, Mademoiselle?"
+
+"She quite took my breath away, but I only said, 'Clotilde, you will
+oblige me by seeing as little as possible of Yorke on the remainder of
+the trip.' I had fully intended to keep her with me this evening, and
+now she has slipped away. I think I ought to go and find her," half
+rising as she spoke.
+
+"By no means," I answered quickly. "Indeed, I am quite on Clotilde's
+side."
+
+"On Clotilde's side! Impossible, Monsieur! Such arrant nonsense!"
+
+All this time I had been standing, for from a maidenly shyness (rather
+new in her, and which I liked) she would not ask me to sit beside her,
+and there was no other seat. Now I said:
+
+"Mademoiselle, if you will permit me to share your bundle of pelts, I
+believe I can prove to you that it is not such arrant nonsense, after
+all."
+
+"Certainly, Monsieur," a little stiffly; "I am sorry to have kept you
+standing so long."
+
+She drew her skirts a little aside, and I sat down, quite at the other
+end of the bundle of pelts, but nearer to her than I had been in many
+long days. Then, in a purposely didactic and argumentative way, I
+cited to her all the instances in history I could think of, winding up
+with Cleopatra and Ninon de l'Enclos, until by entering into the
+argument she had entirely forgotten herself and her embarrassment.
+Then suddenly into a little break in our conversation there came the
+clear whinny of Fatima. She was on the other boat, tied close to ours,
+and as we were in the stern and she in the bow, she had no doubt heard
+her master's voice and was calling him. I was greatly tempted to call
+her by the whistle she knew, but I did not quite dare. She would have
+broken all possible bounds to come to me in answer to that whistle,
+and I would not have been surprised to see her clear the space between
+the two boats.
+
+"That was Fatima," mademoiselle said, and sighed a little.
+
+"Yes," I said, "and I think I could tell what your sigh meant."
+
+"Did I sigh?"
+
+"Yes, and it meant, 'I wish it were Leon.'"
+
+"Yes," she said; "I was thinking how much Fatima loves you, and Leon,
+too, as soon as he was able to forgive your disgracing him so. I think
+all dogs and horses love you, Monsieur."
+
+"That is because I love them, Mademoiselle."
+
+"Does love always beget love?"
+
+"Not always, Mademoiselle; sometimes it begets scorn."
+
+"Then I suppose the love dies?"
+
+"No, Mademoiselle; unhappily, it but grows the stronger."
+
+"That is folly, is it not?"
+
+"Mademoiselle, if you will allow me to be a philosopher like
+Clotilde--love has no regard for sense or wisdom, else would Yorke
+love one of his own age, and I would love one of my own country and my
+own rank."
+
+She said not a word for a long time, but sat with downcast eyes.
+Suddenly she lifted them, and they shone with a softer radiance than I
+had ever seen in them before.
+
+"Of what were you thinking, Mademoiselle?" I said gently.
+
+She hesitated a moment, and then like the soft sigh of a zephyr came
+her words:
+
+"I was wishing you were a chevalier of France."
+
+"And I, Mademoiselle, was wishing you were a maiden of St. Louis, as I
+supposed you were when I first saw you."
+
+"I would not have been of your country, even then," she said, with
+delicious shyness, half looking at me, half looking away in pretty
+confusion.
+
+"Not now, but you soon would be. St. Louis will belong to us some
+day."
+
+"Never!" She spoke in hot haste, all the patriot firing within her,
+and looking full at me with flashing eyes. "St. Louis will be French
+some day, as it used to be, I believe with all my heart; but American,
+_never_!"
+
+"Mademoiselle, we had a wager once. Shall we have one more?"
+
+"Is it that St. Louis will one day be American?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I am very willing to wager on that, for it is a certainty for me.
+What shall be the stakes?"
+
+"Mademoiselle, they would be very high."
+
+"I am not afraid."
+
+I thought for a moment, and then I shook my head.
+
+"Mademoiselle, I dare not. I am sure St. Louis will one day be ours,
+but the time may be long, and by that day the worst may have happened.
+You may have found your chevalier of France."
+
+She looked up at me in a quick, startled way, which changed gradually
+to her old proud look.
+
+"Monsieur, I know not what stakes you had in mind, but this I know: if
+'twere a lady's hand it were unworthy you and her. A lady's hand is
+for the winning by deeds of prowess or by proof of worth, not by
+betting for it as though 'twere a horse or a pile of louis d'or."
+
+"Mademoiselle," I cried in an agony of shame, "forgive me, I beg.
+Forgive a poor wretch who saw no chance of winning by prowess or
+worth, and who was so desperate that he would clutch at any straw to
+help him win his heart's desire."
+
+Her look softened at once, and when she spoke again 'twas in her
+gentlest tones.
+
+"Monsieur," she said, "to-morrow we part, and it would seem there is
+but little chance that we shall see each other again in this world.
+Fate has placed our lots on different continents, with wide seas
+between. But for to-night let us forget that. Let us think we are to
+meet every day, as we have met in these weeks, and let us have a happy
+memory of this last evening to cherish always."
+
+I could not speak for a moment. Her voice, its sweet tones breaking a
+little at the last, unmanned me. I turned away my head, for I would
+not let her see the workings of my face, nor my wet eyes, lest she
+think me boyish again. It was the sealing of my doom, but I had known
+it always. And there was a drop of sweet amid the bitter that I had
+never dared hope for. She, too, was sad--then she must care a little.
+In a minute I was able to turn toward her again and speak in a firm,
+low voice.
+
+"You are right, Mademoiselle; we will be happy to-night. Come," I
+said, rising and extending my hand to her, "let us go watch the
+revelers on the other boat; they, at least, are troubled by no useless
+regrets."
+
+She put her hand in mine, and we went back by the stern rail and stood
+watching the scene below us.
+
+A plank had been thrown from one boat to the other to make easy
+communication, and the crew of our boat, with the exception of the two
+left always on guard, had crossed over. They had cleared a space for
+dancing, and lighted it by great pine-knots cut from the forest close
+by. Yorke, set high on a pile of forage with his beloved banjo, was
+playing such music as put springs into their heels. Canadians and
+negroes were all dancing together--the Frenchmen with graceful
+agility, the negroes more clumsily, even grotesquely, but with a
+rhythm that proved their musical ear. Clotilde and a negress cook were
+the only women, and greatly in demand by both Frenchmen and negroes.
+Clotilde rather scorned partners of her own color, and was choosing
+only the best-looking and the best dancers of the white men, with a
+caprice worthy of her mistress, I thought, and probably in imitation
+of her. Yorke did not seem to mind, but with the gayest good humor
+called out the figures as he played. Suddenly, as he wound up the last
+figure with a grand flourish, he beckoned to a little Canadian who had
+been specially agile in the dance, and they held a whispered
+consultation. Then Yorke resigned his banjo to him, and, leaping down
+into the middle of the floor, seized Clotilde about the waist without
+so much as saying "By your leave," and shouted:
+
+"Choose partners for a waltz!"
+
+Consternation followed, for not more than half a dozen had ever seen
+the new French dance. But when the little Canadian started up with his
+witching _trois-temps_, Yorke and Clotilde glided off rhythmically to
+its strains, the half-dozen followed, more or less skilfully, and the
+rest stood round gazing in respectful admiration.
+
+Now I had learned the waltz at home in Philadelphia, but it had never
+been danced at the St. Louis parties, and I knew not whether
+mademoiselle knew the step or not. Yet was I seized with a great
+desire to follow Yorke's example.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said timidly, "why cannot we have a dance here? See,
+there is a clear space on the deck, and the music is good."
+
+"I waltz but poorly, Monsieur," she answered, looking up at me with a
+bright blush. "Madame Saugrain taught me the step, but I have
+practised it but little."
+
+"Then we will be the better matched," I answered gaily. But when I had
+put my arm around her waist, and one of her beautiful hands rested on
+my shoulder, and I held the other in my firm clasp, I was seized with
+such trembling at my boldness in daring to hold her so near that
+almost my feet refused to move. Yet as soon as we were both gliding to
+the Canadian's music there was no longer any fear in my heart, only a
+great longing that the music might never cease and that we could go on
+forever circling to its strains. Wild thoughts whirled in my brain.
+Why need mademoiselle go back to Paris? I believed, as I bent my head
+and looked into her dark eyes uplifted to mine, that only a little
+persuasion would be needed to make her give it all up. And I said to
+myself, "I will try."
+
+But the music stopped. Mademoiselle gently withdrew herself from my
+encircling arm, and suddenly cold reason returned. How could I dream
+of betraying Dr. Saugrain's trust! How could I think of persuading her
+to relinquish the glories awaiting her for me! And, most of all, how
+could I dare to think she could be persuaded!
+
+Mademoiselle had thrown off her capote before beginning to dance; I
+picked it up and put it around her, and led her back to her seat on
+the pelts. But she would not sit down.
+
+"No, Monsieur," she said; "our evening is over. I am going to my
+cabin. Will you send for Clotilde and tell her that I want her?"
+
+"Mademoiselle! Mademoiselle!" I cried, my heart in my mouth to beg her
+not to leave me without one word of hope. But then I stopped. It was
+all over; the world had come to an end.
+
+"It is good-by, then, Mademoiselle?" I said steadily, and holding out
+my hand to her.
+
+"No, Monsieur," she said, with that voice that from the first time I
+heard it had ever seemed to me the sweetest in the world. "'Tis _au
+revoir--toujours, toujours au revoir_!"
+
+I watched her close her cabin door and turned back to my place by the
+rail, black despair in my heart, but just one little ray of hope
+brightening it--her courageous _au revoir_. Over the plank came Yorke
+and Clotilde, and strolled slowly up the deck together, Yorke
+thrumming his banjo and singing a creole love-song he had learned in
+St. Louis:
+
+        "Tous les printemps
+        Tan' de nouvelles,
+        Tous les amants
+        Changent de maitresses.
+    Qu'ils changent qui voudront,
+    Pour moi, je garde la mienne."
+
+Insensibly my heart lightened. "Pour moi, je garde la mienne," I said
+aloud, and added in a whisper:
+
+"Yes--though I must first win her, and win I will!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+"AU REVOIR"
+
+    "While memory watches o'er the sad review
+    Of joys that faded like the morning dew."
+
+
+It was a busy morning that followed--no time for idle thoughts or vain
+regrets. If we were to dine with Mrs. O'Fallon at Mulberry Hill, all
+hands must work hard.
+
+A line of ten men with the cordelle was attached to each boat to pull
+it up the stream, and at the same time ten more on each boat planted
+the great pole at the bow, and then, pushing on it, walked back to the
+stern, lifted it out of the soft mud, carried it forward to the bow,
+planted it again in the mud, and, pushing mightily, again walked back
+to the stern. In this way we made great progress. We moved as fast as
+the ten men on shore carrying the cordelle could walk, and the men at
+the pole lightened their load so greatly, they were able to walk at a
+good round pace.
+
+So it was not yet quite noon when the white walls of Mulberry House
+came in view, the blue smoke curling from its chimneys giving promise
+of good cheer awaiting us. The men at the cordelle walked faster, the
+men at the pole pushed harder, and, there being here a chance to use
+them, two great sweep-oars were fastened in the rowlocks, and, four
+men at each oar, we went forward at such a gait that the water curled
+back from our prow in two foaming streams, and before many minutes we
+were running our nose into the bank at the foot of Mulberry Hill.
+
+Down the bank came a long line of men and boys, chiefly negroes,
+shouting in every key, and running to catch the ropes our crew were
+throwing them, and tying us fast to big stumps left standing on the
+bank for that purpose.
+
+Foremost to step foot on board was young John O'Fallon, running first
+to greet his uncle William, whom next to his uncle General Clarke he
+thought the greatest man on earth, and then coming to greet me, whom
+he called "cousin" in his kindly Southern fashion, for I could not
+claim to be kin. He was a bright, engaging lad of twelve or thirteen,
+"with the manners of a chevalier of France," I said laughingly to
+mademoiselle, when my captain was bringing him up to present to her.
+She was greatly taken with him at once, and as for him, 'twas a case
+of love at first sight, and he took full possession of her, giving me
+small chance to help her off the boat or up the hill.
+
+At the top of the hill, Aunt Fanny, as his mother always insisted I
+should call her, was waiting for us. She kissed me on each cheek and
+called me "my boy" in a manner that made me feel very young indeed.
+Much as I loved her, I could have wished that in mademoiselle's
+presence she had treated me as one too old for such gracious
+liberties. But mademoiselle seemed not to notice her greeting to me;
+she had eyes only for the beautiful and charming woman and her manly
+little son. Indeed, I felt so much left out in the cold (for, after
+the manner of women, the two instantly made violent love to each
+other) that I was not sorry to find letters awaiting me from my uncle,
+inclosing letters from home that required my instant attention. When I
+had read them I knew not whether to be sorry or glad. I had fully
+intended to make no stay at all at Mulberry Hill, but go on at once to
+my uncle's; but now that there was no chance left me,--that marching
+orders I dared not disobey ordered me East at once,--I realized that
+lurking in the depths of my heart had been a secret hope that
+something would happen to delay me longer in mademoiselle's society.
+
+I was at once busy with preparations for a more hasty departure than I
+had expected, so that I saw neither Mrs. O'Fallon nor mademoiselle
+again until we were seated at the long table in the great dining-room
+overlooking the river, which here makes a wide and graceful sweep to
+the south. The warm winter sun was flooding the room through its many
+windows, lighting up the table with its brave show of silver and glass
+and snowy linen, and by its cheery glow warming all hearts and setting
+all tongues free, so that there was a pleasant confusion of talk, such
+as a hostess dearly loves. It was a bright and happy scene, and every
+face was smiling and every heart was gay save one; for I could not
+hope that mademoiselle's bright smile and beaming glance disguised
+another aching heart.
+
+I was seated at Mrs. O'Fallon's left hand; a Mr. Thruston, whom I had
+never met, but who was evidently paying earnest court to the charming
+widow, was on her right; and mademoiselle was almost at the other end
+of the long table, between Captain Clarke and young John--about as far
+from me as possible, which, since it was to be our last meal together,
+I felt to be a distinct grievance. But as no one was to blame but Aunt
+Fanny, and she had set me beside her to do me honor, I could not well
+find fault.
+
+It was in response to her asking me to show some little courtesy to
+Mr. Thruston after dinner (I do not now recall what) that I told her I
+must set out on my journey as soon after dinner as I could start. Her
+short, sharp exclamation of surprise and displeasure caught the
+attention of all the table.
+
+"Brother William, do you hear that?" she called to my captain. "Our
+kinsman leaves us immediately."
+
+Aunt Fanny spoke with her knife poised in air. A noble great bird, a
+wild turkey, was on the platter before her, oozing a rich brown gravy
+from every pore. With a deftness I have never seen equaled, she had
+been separating joints and carving great slices of the rich dark meat,
+sending savory odors steaming up into my nostrils. Now, as she paused
+in her work to make her announcement, there arose instantly a chorus
+of remonstrances, loudest from young John and his younger brother Ben.
+I answered them modestly, I hoped, looking at everybody except
+mademoiselle, who yet, I saw distinctly, turned very pale, then red,
+then pale again.
+
+I addressed myself directly to Captain Clarke:
+
+"My uncle has forwarded me letters from home, requiring my presence
+there as shortly as possible. The letters do not enlighten me as to
+the reasons for haste, and I am naturally beset with some misgivings,
+but I hope all is well with my family."
+
+My captain smiled inscrutably.
+
+"Set your anxieties at rest, my lad. I also found a letter awaiting me
+from your father. It explains the reasons for haste, but wishes them
+kept from you for the present; but they are of the most agreeable
+nature, and all is well at home."
+
+I was greatly relieved, and so expressed myself.
+
+"But why start immediately?" my captain continued. "You will have to
+wait for a boat, and the waiting had best be done here."
+
+"I have found one, sir," I answered. "It is expected up the river this
+afternoon, and goes as far as Clarksville. My instructions are to go
+by way of Washington, and call on Mr. Jefferson, so nothing could suit
+me better, for I find the road from Clarksville to Washington is
+comparatively short, and the boat is a small keel-boat and likely to
+make good time."
+
+"Well, well!" said my captain, pleasantly, "you must have been hard at
+work to find out all this between landing and dinner; but I know the
+reasons for haste are imperative, and you are quite right to set off
+at once."
+
+Then suddenly mademoiselle spoke up:
+
+"Mon Capitaine, if monsieur is going just where I must go, why do not
+I and Clotilde go with him?"
+
+There was a moment's embarrassing silence, and then I, feeling the
+silence unbearable and a great discourtesy to mademoiselle, answered
+her.
+
+"Mademoiselle, nothing could give me greater pleasure if my captain
+and Aunt Fanny think it could be arranged. But I fear the route would
+be a hard one for a lady's traveling, since the boat goes only to
+Clarksville, and from there to Washington there is but a bridle-path,
+and a very rough one."
+
+Then everybody broke forth at once, volubly:
+
+"Oh, no, no, no! We cannot think of letting you go!"
+
+"Indeed, miss," said Aunt Fanny, in her pretty imperious way, "you may
+think yourself fortunate if you get away from here any time in the
+next two months. We do not get hold of a lovely young lady visitor
+very often, and when we do we mean to keep her as long as we can. And
+here is my son John over head and ears in love." (Young John blushed
+like a peony.) "Would you break his heart, madam? And Ben is no
+better" (for Ben had been slyly laughing at his brother's
+discomfiture, but now looked very silly indeed as he took his share of
+his mother's tongue-lash). "You will be having my family at
+loggerheads if you stay, no doubt, but stay you must, for now that we
+have once seen you, there is no living without you."
+
+Mademoiselle took the speech adorably (as I knew she would, though I
+doubt whether she understood half of it), smiling and blushing, and
+saying in her pretty baby-English that they were very good to her, and
+she would not break "Meester Jean's" heart, no, nor "Meester Ben's";
+she would stay with "dear madame."
+
+If I did not thereupon fetch a long and deep sigh from the very bottom
+of my boots, it was not because it was not there to fetch, as I
+thought of all I was missing in not spending a happy two months with
+mademoiselle under Aunt Fanny's delightful roof.
+
+But I had short time to indulge vain regrets. We were in the midst of
+dessert, a huge bowl of steaming punch brewed by Aunt Fanny before our
+eyes, and a great Christmas cake, which she said she had saved for our
+home-coming, when a small negro burst open the door in great
+excitement.
+
+"Hi, Miss Fanny, she's comin'!"
+
+"Who's coming, Scipio? And where are your manners? Go tell your mother
+if she doesn't teach you how to come into a room properly, I will have
+to take you in hand."
+
+It was a terrible threat, and had been many times employed--always
+successfully, for "Miss Fanny" never did "take in hand" the small
+darkies, and so, having no notion of what taking in hand might mean,
+all the terrors of mystery were added to their fears. Young Scipio was
+greatly abashed, and pulled his forelock respectfully as he answered
+Mrs. O'Fallon's question.
+
+"It's de boat, missus; she's comin' roun' de ben'."
+
+In a moment all was confusion. There was no time to be lost. Yorke was
+despatched to get together my belongings, see that they were carried
+to the landing, and himself lead Fatima down the bank and on to the
+boat; for to no other would I trust my beauty. The boat by this time
+had nearly reached the landing, and there was a hurry of good-bys,
+Aunt Fanny shedding tears of vexation that my visit should be so
+short, and calling me her "dear boy," and kissing me and scolding me
+in one breath.
+
+She and mademoiselle walked as far as the top of the bluff with me (I
+would not let them come farther, for the bank was steep and muddy),
+and then I said my good-by to mademoiselle. I raised her hand to my
+lips as I said it, and she looked straight into my eyes with eyes that
+shone with something brighter than smiles as she answered:
+
+"Au revoir, monsieur!"
+
+The captain of the keel-boat was shouting to us to make haste, and
+there was no time for another word; and I was glad to have it so, for
+another word might have made me indeed the boy Aunt Fanny was always
+calling me.
+
+The two boys, Mr. Thruston, and my captain went down to the boat with
+me (which proved to be a more comfortable one than I had dared to hope
+for), and Fatima having been coaxed aboard and quarters found for her
+in a warm shed, and my captain pressing my hand with an affectionate
+"Good-by, dear lad," that was once more near to my undoing, we were
+untied, and the men at the poles pushed hard and walked rapidly back
+to the stern, and the men at the cordelle pulled all together, with a
+long-drawn "Heave, ho, heave!" and we were off.
+
+I stood in the stern watching the two figures on the bluff until one
+of them went away and there was only one, slender and of but little
+stature, with soft dark curls, and eyes whose tender glow I could feel
+long after the figure was but one indistinct blur, with a white hand
+waving farewell.
+
+Then came another bend in the river and shut her from my sight. And
+there was naught left to me of Mademoiselle Pelagie but a memory of
+tears and smiles; of hard words and gentle ones; of cold looks and
+kind ones; of alternate hopes and fears on my side; of scorning
+and--yes, I believed it with all my heart--of scorning and loving on
+hers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+A VIRGINIA FARMER
+
+    "Statesman, yet friend to truth! of soul sincere,
+    In action faithful, and in honour clear."
+
+
+"What, Fatima! You refuse?"
+
+I dismounted and led her carefully down the steep bank and on to the
+ferry-boat. She followed me very willingly, but I stood with my arm
+over her glossy neck, for I saw she eyed the water distrustfully, and
+while I had no fear of her being disobedient to my word of command, I
+knew it would comfort her to feel my arm about her neck. She neighed
+her appreciation, and gently rubbed her nostrils against my side, ever
+a token of affection with her. When the boat began to move, the two
+stalwart negroes pulling at their great oars and chanting dismally in
+time to their pulling, Fatima again showed signs of excitement, but I
+easily quieted her, and then I had leisure to use my eyes.
+
+This crossing the Potomac to Washington reminded me vividly of
+crossing the Mississippi to St. Louis more than three months before.
+Nor did the capital look more impressive at this distance than the
+village of St. Louis. Both were embowered in trees, and, but for the
+two imposing white buildings,--the President's Palace and the
+Capitol,--Washington was much the less prepossessing village of the
+two, and I thought how much more worthy was our own city of
+Philadelphia to be the capital of the nation.
+
+Indeed, when I had led Fatima off the ferry, she sank over her
+fetlocks in mud, and I had to lead her some distance before I found
+ground firm enough to warrant my mounting her, lest my weight should
+make the poor creature flounder hopelessly in the mire.
+
+I bore in my pocket a letter from Captain Clarke introducing me to Mr.
+Meriwether Lewis, which he had written at Mulberry Hill, after the
+boat that was to bear me away was in sight, and also an address he had
+given me of a respectable innkeeper where I might find lodging. The
+inn was my first quest, and that once found and a suitable toilet
+made, I was eager to present my letter of introduction, and, if chance
+favored me, meet the President also.
+
+It was still early, and the road I found myself upon (for it could not
+be called a street, since there were no pavements and only at long
+intervals a house) was filled with a well-dressed throng all wending
+their way in one direction. It seemed to me too early an hour for
+gentlemen to be seeking a place of amusement, and too late and the
+throng too generally well dressed to be on their way to business. Some
+were in coaches, with coachmen in livery on the box and footmen
+standing up behind, and some were on horseback and some on foot, but
+all, or nearly all, were wearing silk stockings and fine ruffled
+shirts and carefully powdered queues and shining shoe-buckles.
+
+A little stretch of brick sidewalk gave an air of distinction to a
+solidly built two-story house with sloping roof and dormer-windows,
+and in front of the house, on a stool planted on the curb, sat an old
+negro, bandy-legged, with snowy wool, industriously polishing a row of
+shoes neatly arranged in front of him, and crooning happily a
+plantation melody as he worked. I drew Fatima to the curb.
+
+"Good morning, uncle," I said as the negro slowly lifted his head,
+bowed over his brush. "Can you tell me who all these people are and
+where they are going?"
+
+"Mohnen, marsa," the negro returned politely, and then looked at me
+with round-eyed astonishment. "Yo' dunno whar they's gwine? Why, sah,
+dey's de Senatahs and Represenatahs, sah, and dey gwine to de Cap'tul,
+sah."
+
+Of course! It was very stupid of me not to have thought of it. The
+negro evidently thought so, too, but a sudden excuse suggested itself
+to him.
+
+"Mought yo' be a stranger in Washington, sah?" with a glance of such
+undisguised pity for any barbarian who did not know the capital that I
+felt myself coloring, and to recover my self-respect assured him that
+I had set foot in this "domtiferous" mud-hole for the first time just
+fifteen minutes before.
+
+He was greatly impressed with my emphatic word, and addressed me with
+much-increased respect.
+
+"Den, sah, if I might be so libertious, p'r'aps yo' like me to p'int
+out de 'stinguished gen'lemen."
+
+Nothing could have pleased me better, and I drew Fatima still closer
+to the curb while Bandy Jim--for that, he said, was his
+name--proceeded to point out the celebrities.
+
+There was passing at that moment a very elegant coach, with mounted
+postilions in pink plush and gold lace, and an exceedingly handsome
+man with an aristocratic face leaning back among the cushions, his
+eyes half closed, as if mentally conning a speech for delivery in
+Congress. Bandy Jim did not wait for the eager question on the tip of
+my tongue.
+
+"Dat, sah, is de welfiest and most 'stocratic gen'leman in Washington.
+Dat am Mistah Gubernoor Morris of de gre't city of New York. I 'low he
+studying dis minnit on a speech 'bout de Mississippi Riber and dem
+Spanish men."
+
+I looked at him again, more eagerly than before. I knew Gouverneur
+Morris well by reputation, though I had never seen him, as one of the
+most polished and scholarly men of the country, and the devoted friend
+of Hamilton, whom I idolized as all that was brilliant, great, and
+noble. But my eagerness was largely due to Bandy Jim's suggestion that
+they were discussing the Mississippi question in Congress, and as I
+looked more keenly I hoped he was on the right side, for I thought
+that broad white brow could think great thoughts and those clear-cut
+lips could utter them with force.
+
+"Why do you think it will be on the Mississippi this morning, uncle?"
+I inquired, amused that the old darky should seem to know the doings
+in Congress. "Do you go up to the Capitol to listen to the debates?"
+
+"Sometimes, sah, but mos'ly I reads dem in de 'Post,' sah!" And the
+proud air with which he let me know of his unusual accomplishment
+beggars description.
+
+"And so you can read, Uncle? And who taught you?"
+
+"Ole Miss, sah. I's a free nigger, sah. Ole Miss gib me my papers so I
+mought stay wid my fambly when she follow de gin'ral and his father to
+Mulberry Hill in Kaintuck'."
+
+I confess Bandy Jim seemed like an old friend at once when I found he
+had belonged to the Clarkes, and in my delight at seeing "one of the
+family" in a strange land, I slipped from Fatima's back and grasped
+him by the hand.
+
+When he found I was just from Kentucky and Mulberry Hill, he was more
+excited than I, and especially was he eager for news of "Marse
+William."
+
+"He mah baby, sah!" he repeated over and over, his old eyes shining
+with visions of other days.
+
+"An' Yorke, sah,--you know Yorke?--he mah son!" with great dignity and
+much evident pride in a son of such distinction.
+
+I had many things to tell him of Yorke's prowess and address that
+pleased the old fellow greatly. I might also have recounted the many
+times when I had had all the will in the world to horsewhip the
+rascal, but I did not distress his old father with any of his
+shortcomings.
+
+The morning was fast slipping away when I bethought me it was time to
+be looking up my lodging and making myself ready for my call at the
+President's Palace. I flung Bandy Jim a piece of gold and told him I
+would see him again. And then as I was in the act of mounting Fatima
+it occurred to me he could no doubt direct me.
+
+"Can you tell me how to find the Mansion House, Uncle?"
+
+"Right here, sah," grinning with delight; and sure enough, what had
+seemed to me the home of some respectable citizen proved to be mine
+inn. And a very good one indeed; for when Bandy Jim had called a boy
+to lead Fatima around the house to the stables in the rear, and
+another to take me in to the landlord, I found myself in as clean and
+comfortable a hostelry as one could hope to find. My chamber was a
+large square one, on the second landing, and from its windows I could
+catch glimpses through the bare trees of the white building on the
+hill that I knew was the Capitol.
+
+And when a boy had brought my saddle-bags, Bandy Jim himself hobbled
+in to help me dress. He had been body-servant to both General Clarke
+and his father, and, old as he was, bent nearly double and dim of
+sight, his fingers were skilled for lacers and laces, for buckles and
+ribbons.
+
+I thought I looked quite as a gentleman should for a morning call at
+the "White House," for that, I understand, is what Mr. Jefferson
+prefers to have the President's Palace called. Indeed, I have heard he
+very vehemently objects to having it called a palace at all. I was
+wearing a plain cloth habit of dark green with no lace at wrist or
+knee and only a small lace tie at the neck. My shoe-buckles were of
+the plainest silver, but Bandy Jim had polished them till they shone
+like new. I had some thoughts of deferring my visit until later in the
+day, when I might with a good grace have worn satin and velvet and
+fine lace ruffles, for I am afraid I was something of a beau in those
+days in my liking for dress. But bethinking me that the plainness of
+my costume would only be an additional recommendation in the eyes of
+the President, should I have the good fortune to meet him, I set off
+on Fatima's back, following the straight road, as Bandy Jim had
+directed.
+
+A more forlorn village it has rarely been my lot to see: stretches of
+mud road with neither houses nor fields to outline it, and then for a
+block or more bare and ugly houses, hideous in their newness, not
+having even the grace of age to soften their ill proportions. I was
+glad mademoiselle was not there to gaze upon the capital of America
+with eyes that knew so well how to be scornful, and that would so soon
+find her own gay French capital so beautiful.
+
+I was in the very act of saying to myself for the twentieth time,
+"Idiots and dolts, not to have selected beautiful Philadelphia for a
+nation's capital!" when there rode up beside me a farmer in plain,
+almost rough, clothes, but riding a magnificent horse. He was about to
+pass me (for I was riding slowly, out of respect to the mud, which
+might easily have bespattered me so that I would be in no condition
+for a call), but I hailed him:
+
+"Are you going my way, my friend?"
+
+"If you are going mine."
+
+"I am going straight ahead to the President's Palace."
+
+"And I to the White House, sir."
+
+"Then our ways lie together. Are you acquainted in Washington?"
+
+"Somewhat, sir."
+
+I began to think this rather a surly farmer, he was so chary of words,
+so I looked at him more narrowly. But I saw nothing surly in his face.
+Indeed, at a second glance, I decided it was as fine a face, its
+features as clearly chiseled, as one often sees, and the eyes, beneath
+the broad white brow, were full, open, and benignant.
+
+"He is no ordinary farmer," I said to myself, "but most like a wealthy
+Virginia planter of education and social standing, but careless in
+matters of dress." Therefore I addressed him with a shade more of
+respect than I had hitherto used:
+
+"I am a stranger in Washington, sir," I said, "and if you are better
+acquainted here, I thought perhaps you would be so good as to tell me
+something of the city."
+
+He unbent immediately, and not only pointed out every object of
+interest on the road, but in a very delicate and gentlemanly manner
+proceeded also to pump me as to my name and errand in Washington. I
+was not more amused at his curiosity than at the skilful method he
+employed in trying to satisfy it, but, as I flattered myself, I gave
+him but little satisfaction.
+
+In reply to some question of mine about the debate in Congress on the
+Mississippi question, he gave me such a masterly exposition of the
+whole subject, so clearly and concisely put into a nutshell, I began
+to think my eccentric planter was a political genius, possibly a
+member of Congress, though if so I thought his horse was headed the
+wrong way.
+
+But evidently I had lighted unwittingly upon a rich mine of
+information. It was never my way to neglect my opportunities, and I
+began at once to ply him with questions about men and things in
+Washington. Last of all, I asked him about Mr. Jefferson.
+
+Now my family was not of Mr. Jefferson's party: we were ardent
+admirers and strong partizans of Mr. Hamilton. Not that we had any
+fault to find with Mr. Jefferson, except for his quarrel with
+Hamilton. But bethinking me that it was quite possible my planter
+might be a "Democrat," as Mr. Jefferson calls his party, I spoke
+guardedly, I thought.
+
+"Can you tell me something of the President, sir? Do you admire him?
+And is it true he is such a sloven in dress as they say he is?"
+
+I could not tell from his face whether he were Democrat or Whig, for
+it changed not a whit. He answered readily:
+
+"I know Mr. Jefferson quite well. I can hardly say whether I admire
+him or not, but I like him. In fact, he is quite a friend of mine. As
+to his being a sloven in dress, is that what they say about him? He
+dresses as well as I do: would you call that being a sloven?"
+
+"Not at all, sir, not at all!" I answered quickly; but to myself I
+said, "If he dresses no better, God help us!" I added aloud:
+
+"I hope, sir, what I have said about the President has not offended
+you, since he is a friend of yours. I have never seen him, and was
+only repeating the general report."
+
+The stream of people that had been setting eastward earlier in the
+morning had ceased entirely. We had ridden on some distance without
+meeting any one, but at this moment we met two gentlemen on horseback,
+and both took off their hats and kept them off until we had passed. I
+thought it probable that from my fine clothes (which, though plain,
+were of undeniable elegance) they took me for a stranger of
+distinction, and I bowed most graciously in return. My farmer friend
+but touched his hat with his riding-whip, and then pointed off through
+the woods to where we could see the chimneys of a large house, on the
+banks of the river.
+
+"That," he said, "is Mr. Law's mansion. You may have heard of him?"
+
+"Oh, yes," I answered; "he married Miss Custis, and I used to know her
+quite well, when we were both children."
+
+We mounted a little elevation in the road, not enough to be called a
+hill, but enough to give a more extended view over the wide acres of
+brick-kilns and huts of laborers and dismal waste land unfenced and
+uncultivated. To the east, in the direction of the Capitol, he pointed
+out the towers of Doddington Manor, the house of Daniel Carroll. We
+had passed so many houses that seemed to me but little more than
+hovels or barracks that it was a relief to me to see from Mr. Law's
+and Mr. Carroll's places that there were some gentlemen's residences
+in the capital. When I said something of the kind to my guide, he
+replied, with some asperity, that there were many gentlemen's
+residences at Alexandria and Arlington and Georgetown, only a short
+gallop away, and that it would not be many years until Washington
+itself could claim as many as New York or Philadelphia.
+
+I saw he was one of those violent partizans of the "ten-mile square"
+(probably because his farm lay somewhere near), so discreetly turned
+the discourse, since I did not want to bring up the vexed question of
+the superior merits of New York, Philadelphia, and the ten-mile square
+as a seat for the capital.
+
+By this time the President's Palace was in full view, and a beautiful
+building it was, looking very large and very white, and, it must be
+confessed, very bare, since there were no gardens surrounding it,
+nothing but mud in front and marsh behind, between it and the Potomac.
+
+Fatima picked her way daintily through the mud, often half stopping
+for better footing (as if she knew she must not bespatter me when I
+was going to call at the President's house), and by that means the
+farmer's powerful horse (who seemed not to mind the mud, knowing there
+was no finery to be hurt by it) got well ahead. I was myself so much
+engaged with the badness of the road that I did not, for a few
+minutes, look up. When I did, I observed that two orderlies were
+holding the farmer's horse, from which he had just dismounted, while
+the farmer himself stood on the steps awaiting my approach. One
+orderly led his horse away as I rode up, but the exclamation of
+disgust for the mud that rose to my lips never passed them. As I
+glanced up at this "farmer" in corduroy small-clothes, red plush
+waistcoat, rough riding-boots splashed with mud, he had suddenly grown
+tall and majestic.
+
+"Orderly, take this gentleman's horse to the stable!" he said, with an
+air of command, and then turned to me with stately dignity.
+
+"Welcome to the White House, my young Philadelphia friend," he said,
+and smiled.
+
+For my confusion knew no bounds. I was never quick where a puzzle or
+trick was concerned, but now it slowly dawned upon me that my farmer
+friend was the President of the United States! and I had been
+criticizing him to his face, and talking flippantly to him, and even
+superciliously. My consternation grew; I knew not what was the proper
+thing to do, but I stammered out the most abject apology I could think
+of.
+
+Mr. Jefferson only laughed at my confusion.
+
+"Come, come, sir," he said genially, "there is no great harm done.
+Don't you suppose I know what people say of me? You were only
+repeating the 'general report,' you know." And then he added
+seriously, as he saw my confusion was but increased by his raillery:
+
+"Where no offense is intended, sir, none is taken. I beg you will
+enter the White House, and I will send my secretary to you, Mr.
+Meriwether Lewis."
+
+As he spoke he led the way into the house and into a very large and
+beautiful room, with a full-length portrait of General Washington on
+the walls.
+
+"I shall hope to see you later," he said pleasantly as he left me; "if
+I mistake not, I have some communications of interest for you." Then
+he turned and went up the grand staircase and left me alone to my
+miserable pastime of recalling every word and every incident of that
+wretched ride to the White House, and from not one of them could I
+extract an atom of comfort to soothe my wounded self-esteem.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+A GREAT DEBATE
+
+    They "of the western dome, whose weighty sense
+    Flows in fit words and heavenly eloquence."
+
+
+I had been so abashed by my wretched mistake that I had not so much as
+told the President who I was (though, truth to tell, he had not asked
+me, and it would have been only another impertinence on my part to
+have volunteered the information). Yet as I sat waiting for young Mr.
+Lewis, and reviewing in my mind the miserable events through which I
+had just passed, it suddenly occurred to me as very remarkable that
+Mr. Jefferson should have known I was from Philadelphia, when I
+thought I had been so particularly skilful in betraying no fact
+concerning myself. Moreover, he had not only guessed I was from
+Philadelphia; he must have guessed my identity also, for he had
+"communications of interest" for me.
+
+My curiosity was now so thoroughly aroused, both as to how the
+President knew me and what his communications might be, that it began
+to efface the keenness of my mortification. In the midst of my
+wondering surmises, Mr. Lewis appeared and greeted me most affably;
+and when I had presented Captain Clarke's letter of introduction, he
+was, if possible, more affable still. He was an older-looking man than
+I had expected to see, and with so much of seriousness in his
+countenance, and yet of such frankness and earnestness in his manner,
+that it drew my interest and liking at once.
+
+He was the bearer of a very polite message from the President,
+inviting me to dinner at the White House at four o'clock that
+afternoon; and then he proposed that we should set out at once for the
+Capitol, where, as he said, a debate of special interest was on the
+calendar.
+
+I was much touched at the generosity of Mr. Jefferson in returning my
+discourtesy to himself by so courteously placing his secretary at my
+disposal for my entertainment, and nothing could have pleased me
+better than Mr. Lewis's proposal. It had been my intention to visit
+the Capitol as soon as this visit of ceremony should be performed, but
+to visit it with a guide so much at home as the President's secretary
+was good luck indeed.
+
+I thought it still better luck when I found that, by Mr. Jefferson's
+special invitation, we were to sit in a small gallery set aside for
+the President and his friends, and to which a guard in uniform
+admitted us with a key. I was much impressed by the exterior of the
+Capitol (though in such an unfinished state), but when I found myself
+seated in the seclusion of the President's own private gallery,
+looking down upon the horseshoe of grave and distinguished senators, I
+could have wished that one of the ladies (of whom there were a number
+in the gallery opposite, and who cast many inquisitive glances at the
+two young men in the President's box) might have been Mademoiselle
+Pelagie, for I felt sure she would never again think of me as a boy,
+could she but see me in my present dignified surroundings.
+
+But it was only for a moment that my attention was distracted by the
+ladies and by thoughts of mademoiselle. A gentleman was speaking (Mr.
+Lewis told me it was Mr. Ross of Pennsylvania) in a most impassioned
+manner, and the magic word "Mississippi" caught my ear and charmed my
+attention. Mr. Ross was saying:
+
+"To the free navigation of the Mississippi we have undoubted right,
+from nature and also from the position of our Western country. This
+right and the right of deposit in the Island of New Orleans were
+solemnly acknowledged and fixed by treaty in 1795. That treaty has
+been in actual operation and execution for many years, and now,
+without any pretense of abuse or violation on our part, the officers
+of the Spanish government deny that right, refuse the place of
+deposit, and add the most offensive of all insults by forbidding us
+from landing on any part of their territory and shutting us out as a
+common nuisance. I declare it, therefore, to be my firm and mature
+opinion that so important a right will never be secure while the mouth
+of the Mississippi is exclusively in the hands of the Spanish. From
+the very position of our country, from its geographical shape, from
+motives of complete independence, the command of the navigation of
+the river ought to be in our hands.
+
+"We are now wantonly provoked to take it. Hostility in its most
+offensive shape has been offered us, and hostility fatal to the
+happiness of the Western World. Why not seize, then, what is so
+essential to us as a nation? Why not expel the wrong-doers? Paper
+treaties have proved too feeble. Plant yourselves on the river;
+fortify the banks; invite those who have an interest at stake to
+defend it. Do justice to yourselves when your adversaries deny it, and
+leave the event to Him who controls the fate of nations!"
+
+Ah, how his words burnt my brain! I was for leaving Mr. Lewis in the
+President's gallery, running down to the great entrance where I had
+left Fatima in charge of a negro boy, mounting her, and riding
+straight back to Kentucky. Once there, I was sure it would be an easy
+matter to raise a company of eager patriots and march at their head
+down the Great River to the hostile city. But Mr. Ross had not
+finished, and I could not lose a word of his impassioned speech:
+
+"Why submit to a tardy and uncertain negotiation--a negotiation with
+those who have wronged you? When in possession you will negotiate with
+more advantage. You will then be in the position to keep others out.
+The present possessors have no pretense to complain, for they have no
+right to the country, by their own confession.
+
+"The Western people will discover that you are making every effort
+they could desire for their protection. They will ardently support you
+in the contest, if a contest becomes necessary. Their all will be at
+stake, and neither their zeal nor their courage need be doubted.
+
+"But after negotiations shall have failed; after a powerful, ambitious
+nation shall have taken possession of the key of their Western country
+and fortified it; after the garrisons are filled by the veterans who
+have conquered the East: will you have it in your power to waken the
+generous spirit of the West and dispossess them? No, no; their
+confidence in you as their rulers will be gone; they will be
+disheartened, divided, and will place no further dependence upon you."
+
+At this moment two officers in uniform entered the Senate, preceding a
+gentleman who carried on a cushion a document. Immediately the
+President of the Senate, Mr. Burr (a man whom I had been reared to
+dislike and distrust above all men, and whose enmity for Mr. Hamilton
+was sufficient cause to make me his foe, yet whose attractive
+personality, seeing him for the first time, I could not deny), called
+the house to order, and requested Mr. Ross to defer the completion of
+his speech until a message from the House of Representatives should
+have been read.
+
+I was all curiosity, for it seemed to me an imposing ceremony and one
+that must be of great moment. But I was doomed to disappointment. The
+gentleman bearing the document said something in a low tone to the
+clerk, who repeated it to Mr. Burr. Whereupon Mr. Burr rose in his
+seat.
+
+"Gentlemen of the Senate," he said, "the House of Representatives
+sends you a confidential message. Sergeant-at-arms, clear the house!"
+
+Mr. Lewis rose at once, and signaled to me to follow, which I did,
+very unwillingly. Outside in the corridors he said:
+
+"I think this will be but a brief secret conference--most like we can
+return in a few minutes; and I will employ the interim in showing you
+the building."
+
+From his manner I thought he must know the subject of the secret
+conference, as, indeed, being the President's private secretary, he
+would have every means of knowing. But he gave me no hint of it, and
+it was not until long afterward that I learned that in the half-hour
+we were shut out the Senate had confirmed the House bill to place two
+million dollars at the President's disposal to commence with more
+effect a negotiation with France and Spain for the purchase of the
+Isle of New Orleans and the East and West Floridas.
+
+When the doors were opened again, and we were back in our seats in the
+President's gallery, we found Mr. Ross already on his feet, continuing
+his interrupted speech, and evidently the sentences I first heard were
+in reference to the bill just passed.
+
+"I know," he said, "that some gentlemen think there is a mode of
+accomplishing our object, of which, by a most extraordinary procedure,
+I am forbidden to speak on this occasion. I will not, therefore, touch
+it. But I will ask honorable gentlemen, especially those from the
+Western country, what they will say, on their return home, to a people
+pressed by the heavy hand of this calamity, when they inquire: What
+has been done? What are our hopes? How long will this obstruction
+continue? You answer: We have provided a remedy, but it is a secret!
+We are not allowed to speak of it there, much less here. It was only
+communicated to us confidentially, in whispers, with closed doors. But
+by and by you will see it operate like enchantment. It is a sovereign
+balsam which will heal your wounded honor; it is a potent spell, or a
+kind of patent medicine, which will extinguish and forever put at rest
+the devouring spirit which has desolated so many nations of Europe.
+You never can know exactly what it is; nor can we tell you precisely
+the time it will begin to operate: but operate it certainly will, and
+effectually, too! You will see strange things by and by; wait
+patiently, and place full faith in us, for we cannot be mistaken!
+
+"This idle tale may amuse children, but the men of the West will not
+be satisfied. They will tell you that they expected better things of
+you, that their confidence has been misplaced, and that they will not
+wait the operation of your newly invented drug; they will go and
+redress themselves!"
+
+Then Mr. Ross proceeded to read a series of resolutions he had drawn
+up, the most important part of them being to authorize the President
+to take immediate possession of the Isle of New Orleans, and to raise
+a militia army not exceeding fifty thousand men in the Western States,
+to cooperate with the army and navy of the Union; and that the sum of
+five millions of dollars should be appropriated to carry out these
+resolutions.
+
+They took my breath away. "What would I not give to be back in
+Kentucky!" I whispered to Mr. Lewis, in irrepressible excitement.
+
+"Calm yourself, my young friend," he whispered back. "War is not
+declared yet. Listen to this next speech; it is Mr. White from
+Delaware. See whether he supports or opposes the resolutions."
+
+His opening sentence answered the question:
+
+"As to the closing of the port of New Orleans against our citizens,
+the man who can now doubt that it was a deliberate act of the Spanish
+or French government must have locked up his mind against truth and
+conviction, and be determined to discredit even the evidence of his
+own senses. But, sir, it is not only the depriving us of our right of
+deposit by which we have been grieved: it is by a system of measures
+pursued antecedent and subsequent to that event, equally hostile and
+even more insulting. I have in my hand a paper signed by a Spanish
+officer, which, with the indulgence of the chair, I will read to the
+Senate."
+
+Then he read a paper signed by Carlos de Grandpre, warning the
+subjects of his Majesty of Spain that they were to have no
+communications with America, and couched in the most insulting terms.
+My blood boiled as I listened!
+
+"These," said Mr. White, "are the measures that have been adopted by
+the Spaniard, excluding us from their shores for a distance of two
+hundred and seventy miles, treating us like a nation of pirates and
+banditti. Would the great Washington have permitted such an insult had
+he still been with us? Spain has dared us to the trial, and now bids
+us defiance. She is yet in possession of that country; it is at this
+moment within your reach and within your power. It offers a sure and
+easy conquest. We should have to encounter there only a weak,
+inactive, and unenterprising people. But how may a few months vary the
+scene and darken our prospects! Though not officially informed, we
+know that the Spanish provinces on the Mississippi have been ceded to
+the French, and that they will, as soon as possible, take possession
+of them. What may we then expect? When, in the last extremity, we
+shall be drawn to arms in defense of our indisputable rights, where
+now slumbers on his post the sluggish Spaniard we shall be hailed by
+the vigilant and alert French grenadier; and in the defenseless
+garrison that would now surrender at our approach we shall see
+unfurled the standards that have waved triumphant in Italy, surrounded
+by impregnable ramparts and defended by the disciplined veterans of
+Europe. I am willing to attribute to honorable gentlemen the best of
+motives; I am sure they do not wish to involve this country in a
+war--and, God knows, I deprecate its horrors as much as any man. But
+this business can never be adjusted abroad; it will ultimately have to
+be settled upon the banks of the Mississippi; the war is inevitable
+unless honorable gentlemen opposed to us are prepared to yield up the
+best interest and honor of the nation. I believe the only question now
+in our power to decide is, whether it shall be the bloodless war of a
+few months or the carnage of years.
+
+"These observations are urged upon the supposition that it is in the
+power of the government to restrain the impetuosity of the Western
+people and to prevent their doing justice to themselves, which, by the
+by, I beg to be understood as not believing. They know their own
+strength; they know the feebleness of the enemy; they know the
+infinite importance of the stake, and they feel--permit me to say,
+sir, with more than mere sensibility--the insults and injuries they
+have received. You had as well pretend to dam up the mouth of the
+Mississippi, and say to its restless waves, 'Ye shall cease here and
+never mingle with the ocean,' as to expect they will be prevented from
+descending it.
+
+"Without the free use of the river and the necessary advantage of
+deposit below our line, their fertile country is not worth possession;
+their produce must be wasted in the field or rot in the granary. These
+are rights not only guaranteed to them by treaty, but also given to
+them by the God of nature, and they will enforce them, with or without
+the authority of government!"
+
+This long speech (and I have not remembered half of it) was
+interrupted by frequent bursts of applause, and when Mr. White sat
+down, it was amid such enthusiasm of cheering as quite carried me off
+my feet.
+
+"Was there ever such a speech?" I shouted into Mr. Lewis's ear, for
+the noise was deafening. "That will surely win the day."
+
+"Wait," he shouted back, "until you hear the other side. That is Mr.
+Jackson of Georgia trying to get the floor, and, if I mistake not, he
+will be in opposition, and he is a strong speaker, with plenty of
+caustic wit."
+
+Mr. Jackson began to speak with so slow a drawl and in such low tones
+that at first I hardly thought him an adversary to be dreaded. But as
+he warmed to his work I changed my mind.
+
+"What is the course," he began, "which we have to pursue? Is it to go
+immediately to war without asking for redress? By the law of nations
+and the doctrines of all writers on such law, you are not justified
+until you have tried every possible method of obtaining redress in a
+peaceable manner. It is only in the last extremity, when you have no
+other expedient left, that a recourse to arms is lawful and just, and
+I hope the United States will never forfeit their character for
+justice by any hasty or rash steps which they may, too late, have to
+repent of.
+
+"Sir, we have been told much, by the gentleman from Delaware, of
+Bonaparte: that he is the hero of France, the conqueror of Italy, the
+tyrant of Germany, and that his legions are invincible. We have been
+told that we must hasten to take possession of New Orleans whilst in
+the hands of the sluggish Spaniards, and not wait until it is in the
+iron grip of the Caesar of modern times. But much as I respect the fame
+and exploits of that extraordinary man, I believe we should have
+little more to fear from him, should it be necessary in the end to
+contend with him for the possession of New Orleans, than from the
+sluggish Spaniards. Bonaparte, sir, in our Southern country would be
+lost with all his martial talents. His hollow squares and horse
+artillery would be of little service to him in the midst of our
+morasses and woods, where he would meet, not with the champaign
+country of Italy,--with the little rivulets commanded by his cannon
+which he could pass at leisure,--not with the fortified cities which
+command surrounding districts, but with rivers miles wide, and swamps
+mortal or impenetrable to Europeans. With a body of only ten thousand
+of our expert riflemen around him, his laurels would be torn from his
+brow, and he would heartily wish himself once more on the plains of
+Italy.
+
+"The sacred name of Washington has been unnecessarily appealed to on
+this as on many other occasions, and we have been boastingly told that
+in his time no nation dared insult us. Much, sir, as I revere his
+memory, acknowledging him among the fathers of his country, was this
+the fact? Was he not insulted?--was not the nation insulted under his
+administration? How came the posts to be detained after the definitive
+treaty with Great Britain? What dictated that inhuman deed to stir up
+horror and destruction among us--Lord Dorchester's insolent and savage
+speech to the hordes of Indians on our frontiers to massacre our
+inhabitants without distinction? Were those not insults? Or have we
+tamely forgotten them? Yet, sir, did Washington go to war? He did not;
+he preferred negotiation, and sent an envoy to Great Britain. Peace
+was obtained by a treaty with that nation. Shall we, then, not
+negotiate? Shall we not follow the leading feature of our nation's
+policy? We are all actuated, I hope, by one view, but we differ in the
+means. Let us show the nations of the earth we are not anxious for
+war, that scourge of mankind; that we bear patiently our injuries, in
+hope of redress.
+
+"But, sir, if forced to war, contrary to our policy and wish, let us
+unsheathe the sword and fling away the scabbard until our enemies be
+brought to a sense of justice and our wrongs be redressed."
+
+Now to every word of this speech I had listened breathlessly. There
+was a ring in Mr. Jackson's voice as he warmed to his theme, and his
+long body swayed in the power of his own eloquence, that moved me
+mightily, though I wished not to be moved.
+
+I scarcely listened to the gentleman that followed (a Mr. Cocke from
+Tennessee), so intently was I reviewing Mr. Jackson's ringing
+sentences, and wondering if, after all, he was right, and all the
+brave Kentuckians who had been so loud in their demands for war were
+wrong. But one or two sentences of Mr. Cocke caught my ear; I heard
+him say:
+
+"We were told by Mr. Ross that we were bound to go to war for this
+right which God and nature had given to the Western people. What are
+we to understand by this right given by God and nature? Surely not the
+right of deposit, for that was given by treaty, and as to the right of
+navigation, that has been neither suspended nor brought into question.
+But we are told by the same gentleman that the possession of New
+Orleans is necessary to our complete security. Leaving to the
+gentleman's own conscience to settle the question as to the morality
+of taking that place because it would be convenient, I beg to inform
+him that the possession of it would not give us complete security."
+
+What further Mr. Cocke said I do not know, for at that moment Mr.
+Lewis whispered to me:
+
+"Do you know the lady in the gallery opposite? She has been for some
+time covertly regarding one of us, and I think it must be you. Do not
+look at her just now; look at the right-hand gallery, and then
+gradually let your glance come around to the lady wearing a black lace
+veil beside the pillar in the front row opposite."
+
+I did as Mr. Lewis instructed--letting my glance finally fall in the
+most casual manner where he indicated. But as I did so my heart gave a
+great bound. Could that be Mademoiselle Pelagie? The pose of the head,
+the dark eyes seen dimly through the lace veil, the little ringlets in
+the neck, were hers; but after a moment I convinced myself that it was
+only a chance resemblance. I had left Mademoiselle Pelagie in Kentucky
+not three weeks before, with no intention of coming to Washington, but
+of going direct to New York as soon as suitable escort could be found.
+It would hardly be within the bounds of possibility that she should be
+in Washington as soon as I. It was true I had been detained somewhat
+on the route, once by losing my way, and once by Fatima laming her
+foot and causing me to spend two days with a Virginia planter while
+she recovered sufficiently to permit our resuming our journey. But
+still I could not believe mademoiselle could have accomplished such a
+journey so quickly, and when I had left her there had been a small
+prospect of an escort to New York, but none at all to Washington.
+
+So I told Mr. Meriwether Lewis that the lady did indeed remind me of
+one I knew, but as she was at that moment (I had every reason to
+believe) safe with Mrs. O'Fallon at Mulberry Hill, it was impossible
+that it could be she. Then, though much disturbed by this chance
+resemblance and the thronging memories it awakened, I addressed myself
+once more to the debate.
+
+I was just in time to see rising to his feet the handsomest man in the
+Senate, as I had long before decided. Mr. Gouverneur Morris, with his
+clean-cut, aristocratic features, his carefully curled peruke, his
+fine lace ruffles falling over his long white hands, and his
+immaculate stockings and pumps with their glittering buckles, was, to
+my mind, every inch the gentleman, and quite worthy to have called
+himself a blue-blooded Philadelphian, but that an unkind fate had
+given him New York for a birthplace. I was more than curious to know
+on which side he would be, and his opening sentence filled me with the
+assurance he was on the right side and every word was weighted.
+Clear-cut, each sentence dropped from his lips like a string of
+burnished jewels.
+
+"Had Spain the right to make this cession to France without our
+consent? Gentlemen have taken it for granted that she had. But I deny
+the position. No nation has a right to give to another a dangerous
+neighbor without her consent. He who renders me insecure, he who
+hazards my peace and exposes me to imminent danger, commits an act of
+hostility against me and gives me the rights consequent on that act.
+Suppose Great Britain should give to Algiers one of the Bahamas, and
+contribute thereby to establish a nest of pirates near your coast.
+Would you not consider it as an aggression? It is among the first
+limitations to the exercise of the rights of property that we must so
+use our own as not to injure another, and it is under the immediate
+sense of this restriction that nations are bound to act toward each
+other.
+
+"The possession of Louisiana by the ambitious ruler of France would
+give him in the New World the preponderance he has already obtained in
+the Old. It becomes the United States to show that they do not fear
+him who is the ruler of all; and it specially behooves the young and
+growing republic to interpose, in order to revive the energy and
+resistance of the half-conquered nations of Europe, and to save the
+expiring liberties of mankind!"
+
+No one can imagine the fire, the grace, the inspiring tones and
+gestures, with which this last sentence was uttered. In my enthusiasm
+I looked across to my fair neighbor in the opposite gallery for
+sympathy. Through the veil I thought I caught her eye; but by the
+slightest turn of her head and an almost imperceptible movement of her
+hand she conveyed to me (whether intentionally or not, I was not sure)
+that she was not at all in sympathy with the speaker--indeed, that she
+disagreed with him wholly.
+
+I looked down again into the arena below me. Slowly rising from his
+seat was a figure as ungainly as the other had been elegant. Red of
+face, with features almost coarse, and unwieldy from too great a
+burden of flesh, I recognized at once Mr. Morris's colleague, the
+famous Mr. Clinton of New York. What he said pleased me no more than
+his appearance, yet I could but own that no speaker had spoken with
+more force, more caustic satire, or more fluent eloquence. I had to
+admit, also, that there was a flavor of good sense and practicability
+about much that he said, though I was loath to admit it. He began
+ponderously, with pompous tones; but as he went on his voice changed
+until it became at times high and even rasping.
+
+"Sublime, sir, as these speculations may appear to the eyes of some,
+and high-sounding as they may strike the ears of many, they do not
+affect me with any force. In the first place, I do not perceive how
+they bear upon the question before me; it merely refers to the seizure
+of New Orleans, not to the maintenance of the balance of power. Again,
+of all characters, I think that of a conquering nation least becomes
+the American people. What, sir! Shall America go forth, like another
+Don Quixote, to relieve distressed nations and to rescue from the
+fangs of tyranny the powerful states of Britain, Spain, Austria,
+Italy, the Netherlands? Shall she, like another Phaethon, madly ascend
+the chariot of Empire, and spread desolation and horror over the
+world? Shall she attempt to restrain the career of a nation, which my
+honorable colleague represents to have been irresistible, and which he
+declares has appalled the British lion and the imperial eagle of the
+house of Austria? Shall we wantonly court destruction and violate all
+the maxims of policy which ought to govern infant and free republics?
+Let us, sir, never carry our arms into the territory of other nations,
+unless we are compelled to take them up in self-defense. A pacific
+character is of all others most important for us to maintain. With a
+sea-coast of two thousand miles, indented with harbors and lined with
+cities, with an extended commerce, and with a population of only six
+millions, how are we to set up for the avenger of nations? Can gravity
+itself refrain itself from laughter at the figure which my honorable
+colleague would wish us to make on the theater of the world? He would
+put a fool's cap on our head and dress us up in the parti-colored
+robes of a harlequin for the nations of the world to laugh at. And
+after all the puissant knights of the times have been worsted in the
+tournament by the Orlando Furioso of France, we must then, forsooth,
+come forward and console them for their defeat by an exhibition of our
+follies!
+
+"I look, sir, upon all the dangers we heard about the French
+possession of Louisiana as visionary and idle. Twenty years must roll
+over our heads before France can establish in that country a
+population of two hundred thousand souls. What, in the meantime, will
+become of your Southern and Western States? Are they not advancing to
+greatness with a giant's stride? The Western States will then contain
+on their borders millions of free and hardy republicans, able to crush
+every daring invader of their rights!"
+
+There was a slight stir in the gallery opposite. I looked up to see
+the figure in black rising from her seat. But even as I looked I
+thought I caught a direct glance from the dark eyes, and I could
+almost have sworn there was a slight wave of the hand as if in parting
+salute to me. Her companion, an older lady, rose with her, and
+together they turned and left the gallery. Once more I was struck by
+the startling resemblance to Mademoiselle Pelagie in every movement,
+and in the outlines of the graceful figure. I heard nothing more Mr.
+Clinton had to say; I was lost in an abstracted reverie as to the
+possibility of its being mademoiselle in the flesh. I would have liked
+to propose to Mr. Lewis that we go out and follow the mysterious
+figure, but cold reason assured me that mademoiselle was many miles
+away, and it was but a fond fancy that pictured her image in every
+dark-eyed maiden, and so shamed me from such a foolish pursuit.
+
+"Shall we go?" said Mr. Lewis. "There will be no vote--probably none
+for a week at least."
+
+I started from my reverie to find the debate over, the Senate
+adjourned, floor and gallery rapidly clearing. I answered with
+alacrity, hoping he had not discovered my abstraction:
+
+"By all means. It has been a grand occasion, and I am much indebted to
+you, sir, for giving me the opportunity of hearing so great a debate."
+
+Through the long corridors I hurried Mr. Lewis, eagerly scanning the
+throng for a glimpse of that figure, which I hoped we might overtake;
+but it had utterly vanished. Outside we found our horses waiting, and
+together we picked a rough and broken path down Capitol Hill, and
+then a smoother road where we could put our horses to a canter up the
+avenue; a gay throng in coaches, in saddle, and on foot accompanying
+us, and Mr. Meriwether Lewis saluting to right and left as we passed
+the more leisurely ones, or were passed by those riding or driving in
+reckless haste. And so on to my inn, where Bandy Jim, still
+industriously polishing boots on the sidewalk, ducked his white head
+with a joyous "Howdy, marsa!" and I felt as if an old friend was
+welcoming me home.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A MAGIC COACH
+
+    "And we meet with champagne and a chicken."
+
+
+I had made my toilet with such despatch that scarcely an hour after
+parting with Mr. Lewis at my inn I found myself once more at the White
+House. This time I was ushered up-stairs into an oval room, very
+gorgeously furnished in crimson, where the President was waiting, and
+a few of his guests. Beside him stood Mistress Madison, helping him to
+receive; for his daughters were both away at their homes. I improved
+the moment when she was speaking to some guests, who had arrived just
+before me, to look at her well. I had heard much of her, and I knew my
+sisters at home would want me to tell them exactly how she looked and
+what she wore.
+
+I think I have often seen more beautiful women (a dark-eyed maiden
+from France was in my mind at the moment as far more beautiful), but
+rarely have I seen a face lighted up with more of animation and good
+humor. On her head she wore an article of dress which I had heard
+described as worn by the ladies of London and Paris, but which I had
+never before seen; for the head-dresses of the Frenchwomen in St.
+Louis, while in some respects quite as remarkable, bore not the
+slightest resemblance to this of Mistress Madison's. It was a Turkish
+turban of white satin and velvet, with a jeweled crescent in front
+clasping a bunch of nodding white ostrich-plumes. Her gown, of pale
+pink satin, was heavily trimmed with ermine, and she wore gold chains
+about her waist and wrists, and carried a jeweled snuff-box in her
+hand. She was truly regal-looking, and I did not wonder that people
+sometimes laughingly spoke of her as "her Majesty." Her turban
+especially, I think, gave her an indescribable air of distinction; but
+I was not quite sure that I thought it as becoming as the dark curling
+locks of the very beautiful lady who stood beside her.
+
+Mr. Lewis, at this moment descrying me, came forward to present me to
+the President and to Mistress Madison, who put me at my ease at once
+by inquiring for my mother and for many of my Philadelphia kin, who,
+she declared, were old and very dear friends. I would have liked to
+linger at her side, for she made me much at home, and I liked not to
+turn away and find myself among a roomful of strangers; but I knew
+there were others waiting to be received by her, and I must move on.
+
+As I turned from her, a voice in my ear said imperiously:
+
+"Well, sir, and have you no word for your old friend, Fanny
+Cadwalader?"
+
+I turned quickly; it was the beautiful lady with the dark curls.
+
+"Miss Fanny!" I cried in joyous recognition, and bent low over her
+extended hand.
+
+I had been but a young boy when Frances Cadwalader married Mr. Erskine
+and went to London to live; but we had been great friends as children,
+and I did not understand how I had failed to recognize her. She bade
+me stand beside her and she would point out all the distinguished
+guests, and I was glad indeed of her protection. In reply to my eager
+question as to how she came to be in Washington, she told me that her
+husband had been appointed minister from Great Britain in Mr. Merry's
+place, and they were but newly arrived.
+
+"But where have you been living, sir," she asked, with mock severity,
+"that you know nothing of what has been going on in the great world?
+Or are we personages of so small importance that our movements are not
+chronicled in America?"
+
+I had to explain that I had been in the backwoods for months, and for
+the last two months in the foreign colony of Louisiana, in the village
+of St. Louis, where little of the doings of the outside world
+penetrated.
+
+She forgave me my ignorance, and immediately pointed out to me her
+husband, a fine-looking Englishman, talking to the most gorgeously
+arrayed creature I had ever beheld: satin, laces, velvets, jewels,
+gold lace, and powder made up a dazzling ensemble.
+
+"That," said she, "is the Marquis de Casa Yrujo, and the lady with him
+is his wife, Sally McKean. He is magnificent, is he not? I would not
+quite like it if I were the marchioness, for people look at him
+instead of her, and she is quite beautiful enough to be looked at
+herself."
+
+"Ah, why begrudge the marquis his meed of admiration, if he likes it?"
+I said. "And since he likes it, let us be grateful, for his sake, that
+it is not Mistress Erskine who is the marchioness, for who can see the
+glitter of the stars when the lovely moon is in the sky?"
+
+She laughed good-naturedly at my gallantry, but I think she also liked
+it. We were standing near a window that looked out on the front
+approach to the White House. Suddenly Mistress Erskine exclaimed:
+
+"Look, look quick, my friend! Here is magnificence indeed!"
+
+I looked as she bade me, and saw what I conceived to be a rolling ball
+of burnished gold borne swiftly through the air by two gilt wings. As
+it came nearer we both grew more excited--I because I did not know
+what it was (and it looked more like a fairy coach than anything I had
+dreamed of), and she both because she enjoyed my bewilderment and
+because she loved magnificence. By this time as many of the other
+guests as were near windows and could look out without seeming to be
+over-eager, or discourteous to their host, were doing so. The rolling
+golden ball came to the very foot of the White House steps and
+stopped. What I had taken to be two gilt wings proved to be nothing
+more than gorgeous footmen, with _chapeaux bras_, gilt-braided skirts,
+and splendid swords. They sprang to the ground, opened the door of the
+coach, and from it alighted the French minister, weighted with gold
+lace and glittering with diamonds and jeweled orders. He turned with
+stately ceremony to offer his hand to a lady who was alighting from
+the coach. First a tiny foot in high-arched slippers and embroidered
+stocking; then a glimpse of a skirt, pale pink and silver brocade,
+that had a strangely familiar air. I looked quickly at the head just
+emerging--waving black curls, dark glowing eyes, a complexion of ivory
+tinted with rose.
+
+It was Mademoiselle Pelagie!
+
+My head swam. Was it indeed all a bit of enchantment? The golden
+coach, the gorgeous footmen, the dazzling minister of France,
+and--Pelagie! Mrs. Erskine noted my agitation.
+
+"Qu'as-tu, m'ami?" she said softly. "You know her, then?"
+
+"Know whom, madam?" I asked, trying to get myself under control and
+seem indifferent.
+
+"Our new sensation, the Great Lady of France, whom all the town is
+talking of. She arrived two days ago at the house of the French
+minister, and is staying there, it is said, under his protection,
+until she shall find suitable escort to Paris, where she goes to take
+possession of her estates returned to her by Bonaparte. This is what
+rumor says, and it looks as if it were true that she is a great lady,
+since the minister has handed her from the carriage before his own
+wife. We will wait now to see where the President seats her at table;
+that will decide it."
+
+I was trying hard to hold myself in hand and make suitable answer.
+
+"Is the President such a stickler, then, for form and ceremony? We had
+heard otherwise."
+
+Mistress Erskine laughed:
+
+"True, I forgot. If he had been as particular as he should concerning
+precedence, I should not be here. You know, do you not, that my
+husband's predecessor quarreled with President Jefferson because he
+gave his arm to Dolly Madison, in going in to dinner, instead of to
+the wife of the British minister?"
+
+"Yes; I have heard of the 'Merry War,'" I answered, and stopped. Not
+another word could I utter. Nor apparently could anybody else in the
+room; for every voice was hushed as all eyes were turned to the door
+where the French minister was entering with his wife on his left arm,
+and what I veritably believed to be the most beautiful creature in the
+world on his right.
+
+It was a brilliant spectacle; for the French minister and his wife
+dazzled the sight by the glitter of gold lace and the flash of jewels,
+and Pelagie blinded the eyes as truly by a vision of radiant dark
+eyes, soft black tresses curling around a white throat, the gleam of
+snowy neck and rounded arms through rare lace, and the color of the
+rose slowly tinting the rich ivory of her cheeks, as they passed
+through a double lane of guests to speak to the President.
+
+Now was I in two minds whether to be supremely happy in once more
+beholding Mademoiselle Pelagie, whose graceful figure I thought had
+forever faded from my sight when the boat rounded the bend of the
+Ohio, or to be most miserable lest here among courtiers, and taking
+her rightful place with the great of the earth, she should no longer
+condescend to show me the friendliness she had shown on our last
+evening on the river. Neither was I quite sure whether it was my place
+to go forward and speak to her or to await her pleasure in speaking to
+me.
+
+But Mistress Erskine solved the problem.
+
+"You do know her," she said--"I see it in your eyes; and you must
+present me at once. And do tell me," she added eagerly: "is she so
+great a lady? We have heard so many rumors about her; what is the
+truth?"
+
+"I have only known her," I answered, "as Mademoiselle Pelagie de Villa
+Real. I know that in France she is of high rank, but I do not know
+what."
+
+"Ah," she said, with a little gesture of disappointment, "then you
+cannot introduce me properly, and I shall have to trust to that astute
+diplomat that he gives her her right title. Does she know it herself?"
+
+"I think she did not when she left St. Louis," I answered, "but her
+new friends may have revealed it to her."
+
+"On second thought," said she, "I believe I will ask you to present
+her to me instead of the minister, if you will; I would like to see
+how she takes the 'Mademoiselle de Villa Real.'"
+
+So there was nothing for it but to brace up my courage and go forward
+to speak to mademoiselle. Nothing could have been sweeter and more
+friendly than her greeting, and with no trace of embarrassment, though
+I thought the French minister regarded me with a coldly critical eye.
+Beside his magnificence I did feel rather shabby; for, though Yorke
+had done his best to freshen and restore my purple velvets by steaming
+and other appliances, they still were the worse for much service
+(especially the encounter with the chevalier), and for many packings
+in saddle-bags. Of my lace ruffles I was justly proud, for no
+courtier's in the room were finer or richer, and my sword and scabbard
+were not to be ashamed of, for though not so bejeweled as some, they
+were of the finest workmanship and inlaid with gold and pearl.
+
+Mademoiselle presented me to the French minister very prettily,
+however; and though I thought his greeting somewhat scant in courtesy,
+I attributed it to the suspicions he would naturally have, as
+mademoiselle's guardian, of a young gentleman of whom he knew nothing,
+and whom mademoiselle received so kindly.
+
+I at once preferred Mistress Erskine's request, but the minister gave
+Pelagie no chance to reply.
+
+"I will myself present the comtesse to the wife of the British
+ambassador," he said with alacrity, and led her away to Mistress
+Erskine.
+
+I saw that he had availed himself of this opportunity to cut short my
+interview with mademoiselle; but, not to be outdone in diplomacy, I
+followed leisurely, and was in time to hear the minister say:
+
+"It gives me pleasure to present to Madame Erskine the Comtesse de
+Baloit." And I saw by the profound curtsy Mistress Erskine made (and
+which mademoiselle returned very prettily, but with a touch of
+condescension, I thought) that that name meant something more to her
+than it did to me.
+
+After the fashion of women, the two began at once a lively chatter in
+French, and I saw myself like to be shut out in the cold, with no
+further opportunity for converse with mademoiselle. But I would not
+desert my post, hoping sooner or later to get my chance. And I was
+rewarded; for in a few minutes Mistress Erskine was called to receive
+another presentation. But as she turned away she whispered in my ear:
+
+"Be careful how you behave, sir; she is of the blood royal!"
+
+Blood royal or not, she would always be Mademoiselle Pelagie to me,
+and I was not going to lose my opportunity.
+
+"Tell me, Comtesse," I said, "how you came here. When I saw you last
+you had no idea of coming to Washington."
+
+She did not answer my question at once, but, glancing up at me from
+under her long lashes in the most adorable fashion, she said softly:
+
+"You used to call me Comtesse when you were angry. Are you angry now?"
+
+"No, not when I was angry," I answered, "but when you were--were--"
+
+"Proud and naughty and altogether disagreeable," she interposed
+quickly; "and that was very often, was it not, Monsieur?"
+
+"Yes, Comtesse."
+
+"I am not either now, am I? Then why do you not call me
+Mademoiselle?"
+
+"No, indeed! You are"--I was going to say "adorable," but I finished
+tamely--"neither. But you are really Comtesse, and it is proper I
+should call you so." And before I was aware of what I was doing, I
+fetched a great sigh from the bottom of my boots. She understood, and
+looked up at me with a pathetic little smile that was sadder than my
+sigh.
+
+"I am sorry, too; I think I would rather be mademoiselle," she said.
+
+"And of the blood royal!" I added severely, as if accusing her of a
+crime.
+
+She dropped her eyes.
+
+"I cannot help it. I never knew till yesterday," meekly.
+
+"And your guardian," I indicated the French minister with a slight nod
+in his direction, "thinks it great presumption for a plain Yankee
+gentleman to be talking on such familiar terms with a princess of the
+blood, and is coming in a few minutes to put a stop to it."
+
+She looked at the minister quickly with a haughty turn of the head and
+a flashing glance, but in a moment she turned back to me with a smile
+curling her scarlet lips and a humorous twinkle in her eye.
+
+"He would never dare," she said. "He is a good Citizen of the
+Republic."
+
+"Nevertheless he will dare," I insisted. "I see it in his eye; so
+first tell me quickly how you got here, and when and where you are
+going."
+
+"Your boat was hardly out of sight, Monsieur," she answered, "when
+another came up the river direct from St. Louis with Monsieur and
+Madame Cerre aboard. They brought letters from my guardian directing
+me to go on with them to Washington (where they were going to
+see the Spanish minister about some trouble they had had with
+Americans--concerning peltries, I think, and land, perhaps), and they
+would place me in the French minister's care. I did not expect to find
+you here, for we were a whole day behind you; but we traveled
+rapidly."
+
+"And I was delayed," I said. "But when and how are you to get to
+Paris? With the Livingstons?"
+
+"No; Citizen Pichon says they sailed this week. But he tells me, what
+is not generally known, that your government is about to send a
+special envoy to France concerning New Orleans--a Monsieur Monroe; and
+Monsieur Pichon has arranged that I shall go with him."
+
+"Do you know when?" I asked hastily, for I saw the President moving
+toward us with the Marquis de Casa Yrujo, and I was quite sure that
+meant an end to all conversation.
+
+"Not for several weeks, I believe; but I am not sure," she answered.
+
+"Will the Comtesse de Baloit permit me to present the Marquis de Casa
+Yrujo, who will take her out to dinner?" And the President was adding
+a pretty little speech of compliment, in his gallant way, and the
+marquis was bowing solemnly and profoundly, and the comtesse was
+curtsying and smiling, and I was left entirely out in the cold. I was
+rescued by Mistress Madison.
+
+"I would like nothing better than to give you your old friend Mistress
+Erskine to take out to dinner," she said, smiling. "It is forlorn for
+a young man among so many grown-ups, and the only young maiden
+snatched away from him. But the President is not going to blunder
+twice in the same fashion, and will take Mistress Erskine himself. Now
+I will give you your choice among the rest. Whom would you like to
+take?"
+
+"Ah, your Majesty," I answered quickly, hand on my heart and bowing
+low, but smiling up at her,--for she was a woman into whose amiable,
+cordial face no man could look without smiling,--"I suppose I dare not
+lift my eyes as high as my heart would dictate, and since you are out
+of the question, I care not whom you give me."
+
+"Saucy boy!"--and she tapped me lightly with her snuff-box,--"I vow I
+think you would be vastly more fun than the British minister, but my
+country demands that I sacrifice myself. I will give you the
+Marchioness de Casa Yrujo. If you do not know Sally McKean, she
+certainly knew you when you were in petticoats."
+
+So I found myself seated at table between the most brilliant woman
+there and the most beautiful; for the Marchioness de Casa Yrujo was
+universally conceded to be the one, and the Comtesse de Baloit was, in
+my esteem at least, as certainly the other.
+
+It was a long table, and bounteously furnished--lacking, perhaps, some
+of the elegance of the Philadelphia tables I had been accustomed to,
+but with a lavish prodigality native to the South. Two new guests had
+arrived while I had been so engrossed in talking to the comtesse that
+I had not observed their entrance, a gentleman and his wife. The lady
+was amiable-looking, but of no great distinction of appearance. The
+gentleman I thought I had seen before; his long, rather lean visage,
+somber but dignified, looked familiar to me. When the marchioness told
+me it was Mr. Monroe, I wondered that I had not recognized him at
+once, for he was a familiar figure on our streets during the ten years
+when Philadelphia was the capital. Moreover, I could have vowed he was
+wearing the same sad-colored drab clothes he used to appear in then,
+so entirely unchanged were both cut and color. I looked at him now
+with great interest, for was he not to decide the fortunes of the
+West?--in which I could have taken no greater interest had I been
+Western-born. And, more than that, was he not appointed to what seemed
+to me a mission of far greater importance, the conveying of
+mademoiselle in safety to her home?
+
+I could have wished Mistress Monroe was to accompany him, for she had
+an air of motherly kindliness that I felt would be both protection and
+comfort to Mademoiselle Pelagie; and aside from the fact that there
+was something cold and austere in Mr. Monroe's face, I was
+sufficiently imbued with Mr. Hamilton's ideas to feel no great
+confidence in the man. (Wherein I have since thought I did Mr. Monroe
+great injustice, since in every act of his life he has proved himself
+a high-minded gentleman. But Mr. Hamilton's personal magnetism was so
+great that it was quite impossible for us younger men at least, not to
+feel that every one who differed with him must be, if not wholly
+unprincipled, at least worthy of doubt and suspicion.)
+
+It was a brilliant dinner-table, for the exciting debate at the
+Capitol furnished a theme that loosed every tongue. Yet I could see
+that the President, while he kept the ball rolling with a gaiety and
+good humor that rather surprised me, was himself most guarded. Indeed,
+many were restrained, no doubt, from saying quite what they thought by
+the presence of the Spanish minister, who at that time was at the
+height of his popularity--his course in the Louisiana affair, which
+made him so many enemies, not having been taken until later.
+
+Yet most of those present were more in sympathy with Clinton of New
+York and Jackson of Georgia than with Ross of Pennsylvania and
+Gouverneur Morris. When Mr. Erskine spoke of Gouverneur Morris's
+speech as a masterly effort, the President, whom he addressed, replied
+only by a smile so coldly polite that it was like a dash of cold
+water, not only to the British minister, but to the whole table.
+
+I was ever a blundering idiot, and knew not when to leave well enough
+alone; neither had I ever the heart to see fellow-man discomfited
+(especially if he were on my side of the question) without going at
+once to his aid. So, forgetting that it was the powerful minister of a
+great nation, who needed no help from a man entirely unknown in the
+great world and of extreme youth, I plunged boldly in.
+
+"I agree with you, sir, most heartily," I said. "In force and polish
+and weight of argument it was beyond compare. But I expected nothing
+less from Gouverneur Morris."
+
+There was a dead silence around the table; even the British minister
+had not the temerity to do more than bow his thanks in the face of
+Jefferson's icy smile. I caught a glimpse of the marquis's profile; he
+was frowning heavily. The French minister's face was a blank, and so
+was Mr. Monroe's. Pelagie looked the picture of distress, and Mr.
+Lewis made me a slight gesture which I took to mean, "Keep still."
+Even Mistress Erskine looked embarrassed, and I could understand none
+of it. But as I caught Mistress Madison's eye there was a twinkle of
+humor in it, and she gave the slightest, very slightest nod in the
+world toward the President.
+
+Then at once it flashed upon me: Gouverneur Morris was bosom friend to
+Mr. Hamilton, and this was no place to be lauding him to the skies.
+Then was I seized with a rage against the restraints of society, that
+would not permit me to fling defiance in the face of all these
+grandees,--aye, and of the President himself--and declare my
+allegiance to Hamilton and his friends. And mingled with my rage was
+an intolerable sense of mortification that I had made such an arrant
+fool of myself before all these older men and lovely women. But, with
+a tact for which I can never be sufficiently grateful to her, Mistress
+Madison turned at once to Pelagie.
+
+"Comtesse," she said, "you are fresh from the colony of Louisiana, in
+which we are all so deeply interested; tell us something about your
+life in St. Louis, and how you found your Spanish rulers."
+
+And mademoiselle, understanding, responded at once with glowing
+descriptions of her happy life there, and the courtesy and polish of
+the people, with many gay little touches of rude and funny experience.
+Everybody thawed at once; for most of those present had been much in
+Paris and could understand her French as easily as I. The President
+became as genial as he had been icy, and he insisted on drawing me
+also into the conversation (I think for the purpose of giving me an
+opportunity of retrieving myself), in which I hope I bore my part
+modestly; for I like not to seem either presumptuous or vainglorious,
+though, because I am a blunderer, I no doubt seem sometimes to be
+both.
+
+The curtains had been drawn and the candles lighted when we sat down
+to dinner, though the sun was still shining; but the short winter
+afternoon had rapidly passed into evening, and then into dark night,
+and we still lingered at the table. Talk had grown more and more
+animated as the wine flowed more freely, and toasts were drunk and
+bright speeches made in response. I had, as in duty bound, devoted
+most of my attention to the marchioness, and the marquis had engrossed
+Pelagie. Yet there had been chance for an occasional word with her. It
+was when the marquis was rising to respond to a toast to his Most
+Catholic Majesty of Spain, amid the ringing of glasses, that I turned
+to mademoiselle.
+
+"Would it be permitted an old friend to call at the house of the
+French minister on the Comtesse de Baloit?"
+
+"It would be unpardonable if he neglected to do so," she responded,
+with a bright smile.
+
+"Then to-morrow at two I hope to find you at home," I said, and then
+added quickly--"unless you are going to the Senate again?"
+
+She colored a little.
+
+"Did you know me?"
+
+But she would not let me answer her own question, for the marquis was
+beginning to speak, and it behooved us to listen. In the midst of the
+applause that followed his speech, I saw the President whisper
+something to the black man who stood behind his chair and send him to
+me. For a moment, when the messenger told me the President wished to
+see me in his office after the others were gone, I thought I was to be
+called to account for my malapropos speech, but I was relieved when he
+added:
+
+"The President hab a message from yo' home, sah."
+
+And had it not been that I liked much feeling myself so near
+mademoiselle, even if I had only an occasional word from her, I would
+have been very impatient for dinner to be over, for a message from
+home sent to the President, it seemed to me, must be of importance.
+
+Dinner was over at last, and there was but little lingering afterward.
+I had the pleasure of helping mademoiselle into her coach, though
+Monsieur Pichon looked cold and the Marquis de Yrujo tried to
+forestall me. But when she was shut up inside the golden ball, and
+the great golden wings were once more perched on either side of it,
+and it rolled away glittering and flashing in the light of the torches
+as it had flashed and glittered in the rays of the sun five hours
+before, I had a sinking of the heart such as I might have felt had she
+been snatched away from my sight forever in the prophet's fiery
+chariot bearing her to the skies.
+
+Mr. Meriwether Lewis was waiting to conduct me to the President's
+office, and he stayed and talked with me pleasantly until the
+President arrived; laughing with me at my _faux pas_, but telling me I
+had nothing to fear from the President's displeasure, as he was not
+the man to harbor a grudge on so slight a matter, and he (though, to
+be sure, he was a lifelong friend) had ever found him to be kind,
+considerate, and genial.
+
+And such I found him in our brief interview. He went directly to the
+point with me, which always goes far toward winning my liking.
+
+"I know your family," he said, "have ever been friends of Mr.
+Hamilton, and so not particularly friendly to me in a political way;
+but your father and I have been associated much in scientific
+pursuits, and we have ever been congenial friends in our love of
+botanical research. He has sent me many rare plants and seeds to
+Monticello, and now he shows me the further courtesy of reposing a
+confidence in me, and I hope you will express to him my appreciation,
+which I will prove by reposing a like confidence in you. Your father
+writes me that a letter has just been received from your uncle,
+Monsieur Barbe Marbois, inviting you to spend some time with him in
+Paris. He says that both he and your mother think it much to be
+desired that you should improve this opportunity for completing your
+education. He says, further, that a ship sails from New York early
+next week, and requests me, if you should be in Washington when I
+receive this letter, as he suspects, that I will instruct you to lose
+no time in reaching home. Indeed, so urgent is he, and the time is so
+short, I think, without doubt, you should set off by daybreak
+to-morrow morning.
+
+"Now, as I said before, I am going also to repose a confidence in you.
+It is not generally known, nor do I wish it known for the present
+(therefore I speak in confidence), that I have decided to send an
+envoy extraordinaire to Paris for the purpose of discussing with the
+French government the possibility of purchasing New Orleans. I
+communicated this to the Senate to-day in secret session, and I now
+communicate it to you, also in 'secret session'"--with a genial smile.
+
+"I have asked Mr. Monroe to undertake this delicate mission, and he
+has to-day consented, and is here arranging his plans and discussing
+with me and with Mr. Madison the points involved. He will not be able
+to set out for some weeks, but we hope now that he can sail by the
+eighth of March, reaching Paris somewhere near the twelfth of April.
+Mr. Livingston naturally knows nothing of this, and the favor I have
+to ask of you is that, immediately upon your arrival in Paris, you
+call upon him and deliver to him a note which I shall give you, and
+also explain fully to him all that I have said to you, all that you
+have heard at dinner this evening, and particularly repeat to him as
+much as you can hold in memory of the debate you listened to in the
+Senate to-day."
+
+The President paused for a moment, and then, with a smile of rare
+sweetness, he added:
+
+"Is the ardent young friend of Hamilton willing to put the President
+under such a load of obligations?"
+
+For a moment I hardly knew what response to make. Not that I dreamed
+of denying his request: I was only too proud and happy that he should
+have made it. But that he should have reposed such a confidence in me,
+when he knew me scarcely at all, seemed incomprehensible. I made but a
+stammering reply.
+
+"Your Excellency," I said, "I fear I have given you but a poor idea of
+my discretion, but since you trust me in spite of my blunder, I am
+very proud to be of service to you."
+
+It took but a minute for the President to give me his note to Mr.
+Livingston, and a few further instructions, and then he bade me
+God-speed with a warmth and cordiality I had never expected and
+certainly never deserved at his hands.
+
+There was but little sleep for me that night. As Fatima clattered into
+the stony courtyard of my inn, I called loudly for Bandy Jim; and when
+the poor old man came stumbling out of some inner retreat, half
+blinded with sleep, I begged him to look after Fatima himself, and see
+that she was well rubbed down and ready for an early morning start,
+and that I was called and breakfast ready by six.
+
+In my own room I spent not much time in packing my saddle-bags, but it
+took me a good half-hour to write a brief note to mademoiselle,
+explaining why I was compelled to cancel my engagement with her for
+the next day, and bidding her good-by in such fashion that, without
+seeming presumptuous, she might read between the lines how much of my
+heart I had put into it.
+
+I had said nothing in my note about going to Paris. I very much
+desired to keep that for a surprise when I might some day meet her
+there. And, lest she should hear it from others, I wrote also a note
+to Meriwether Lewis, asking him to say nothing about it to any one,
+and to request the President to keep my secret for me.
+
+Then, putting a bright new gold piece with the two notes to be
+delivered by the trusty hands of Bandy Jim in the morning, I lay down
+to get a brief sleep, if possible--but, sleeping or waking, to dream
+of Paris and the Comtesse de Baloit.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+CHECK TO THE ABBE!
+
+    "When Greeks joined Greeks, then was the tug of war."
+
+
+I had been in Paris three weeks, and they had been weeks of unalloyed
+delight. The life and gaiety of the brilliant capital, the streets
+lined with handsome houses and thronged with gay equipages, richly
+dressed people, soldiers wearing the tricolored cockade, students,
+artists, workmen, blanchisseuses, and nursery-maids in picturesque
+costumes tending prettily dressed children, made a moving panorama I
+never tired of. Even the great palaces and the wonderful works of art
+scarcely interested me as did this shifting kaleidoscopic picture, and
+I looked back at life in my native town on the banks of the Delaware
+as belonging to another world, incomparably tame and dull by
+comparison.
+
+Every morning I accompanied my uncle, Monsieur Barbe Marbois, to the
+Treasury office, and left him at the door, to roam around the streets
+and watch the life of the town. I was at home again in time for midday
+dejeuner, and then on Fatima's back (for I had brought Fatima with me;
+no persuasion of friends could induce me to leave her behind, since
+she had twice rescued mademoiselle and so become my most trusted
+friend)--on Fatima's back I dashed out the Avenue to the beautiful
+Wood of Boulogne, sometimes racing with the young bloods to whom my
+uncle had introduced me, sometimes checking my horse to a gentle
+canter beside a coachful of Faubourg St. Germain beauties, exchanging
+merry compliments with the brilliant and witty mothers while I looked
+at the pretty daughters, who, for aught I knew, were as stupid as
+their mothers were brilliant, since they never opened their mouths.
+And so back to my aunt's in time to make a careful toilet for the
+four-o'clock dinner, when there were sure to be guests, more or less
+distinguished, but always interesting.
+
+I had delivered my message and my note from the President to Mr.
+Livingston on the day of my arrival, and it seemed to me that it did
+not please him overmuch that an envoy extraordinaire should be sent to
+attend to his affairs; but he said nothing, and received me most
+graciously, both as a messenger from the President and because I was
+the son of his old friend.
+
+Several times since my arrival at my uncle's house, both Mr.
+Livingston and his son the colonel had been guests there, and always
+the talk had turned on what most interested me, the purchase of New
+Orleans and the Floridas. At one of these dinners, Monsieur
+Talleyrand, the Minister of Foreign Relations, was also guest, and
+while there was but little reference to Louisiana at table, I was,
+with no intention on my part, a listener later to a most interesting
+conversation between Monsieur Talleyrand and Mr. Livingston that was
+no doubt intended to be strictly private.
+
+Thinking that it was very likely the three gentlemen--- the Minister
+of Foreign Relations, my uncle the Secretary of the Treasury, and the
+United States minister--might have matters of importance to discuss
+where my absence would be more desirable than my presence, I left the
+salon immediately after dinner, and went out into the garden, taking
+with me a Philadelphia paper that had arrived by that morning's
+express and that I had not yet seen. I took my paper into the little
+summer-house at the farther end of the garden, and was soon engrossed
+reading the debates in Congress. I found there had been another of
+great interest on the same Louisiana subject, and so deeply immersed
+was I in my paper that I did not notice that any one had entered the
+garden until the sound of voices quite close to me roused me. A small
+table with several garden-chairs surrounding it stood under a
+spreading horse-chestnut tree, and there we often took our morning
+coffee, if the weather was fine, or smoked our evening cigars. At this
+table Monsieur Talleyrand and Mr. Livingston had seated themselves,
+and how long they had been talking I did not know, so absorbed was I
+in my paper, when Mr. Livingston's voice, a little raised above its
+usual even tenor, roused me.
+
+I sprang to my feet, realizing that I must seem like an eavesdropper,
+should any one discover me there, even though I had not heard a word.
+Mr. Livingston was facing the door of the summer-house, and as he saw
+me he nodded pleasantly to me to come forward.
+
+"Here, Citizen Minister," he said to Mr. Talleyrand, "is a young man
+whose father would like to train him for the profession of diplomacy.
+Perhaps he could not begin his apprenticeship better than by being
+present at our interview, and, if you have no objections, I will ask
+him to remain. He can act as secretary and take notes for the future
+reference of us both, if you like."
+
+I rather thought Mr. Talleyrand did _not_ quite like, though he
+assented to Mr. Livingston's proposal, but with such cold politeness
+as made me exceedingly uncomfortable, and I would have been very glad
+to make my escape to the house. But, for some reason, Mr. Livingston
+seemed to especially desire me to remain, and I saw no help for it but
+to sit down at a respectful distance, take my memorandum-book out of
+my pocket, and prepare, ostensibly at least, to take notes.
+
+I was much concerned, also, at what Mr. Livingston had said about my
+father desiring to train me for diplomacy. He had never said anything
+to me about it, and I determined on the instant I would never be a
+diplomat. "The life of a soldier for me!" I said to myself, and then
+suddenly realized that Mr. Livingston was talking, and it behooved me
+to listen carefully if I was to play the secretary.
+
+Mr. Livingston was saying:
+
+"Be assured, sir, that even were it possible that the government of
+the United States could be insensible to the sufferings of the Western
+people, they would find it as easy to prevent the Mississippi from
+rolling its waters into the ocean as to control the impulse of the
+people to do themselves justice. Sir, I will venture to say that were
+a fleet to shut up the mouths of the Chesapeake, the Delaware, and the
+Hudson, it would create less sensation in the United States than the
+denial of the right of deposit at New Orleans has done."
+
+I liked the ring in Mr. Livingston's voice, and his words sounded very
+stirring to me; but I could not see that they made any impression on
+the impassive countenance of Monsieur Talleyrand. He was reclining in
+his garden-chair, and I could see that as Mr. Livingston spoke he was
+regarding him intently through half-shut eyes. His tones were of the
+sweetest and blandest as he replied:
+
+"The First Consul, Mr. Livingston, has asked me to say to you that he
+proposes to send General Bernadotte as envoy to the United States to
+acquire such information as he may deem necessary, previous to his
+taking any measure relative to the situation in which the acquisition
+of Louisiana will place France with respect to the United States. I
+hope, moreover, that this measure on the part of the First Consul will
+prove satisfactory both to you and to your government."
+
+Now I cannot but think that Mr. Talleyrand is too astute a man to have
+thought for an instant that this would prove satisfactory, and so, I
+have no doubt, he was quite prepared for Mr. Livingston's indignant
+outburst:
+
+"Satisfactory, sir! If, sir, the question related to the forming of a
+new treaty, I should find no objection to this measure. On the
+contrary, I should readily acquiesce in it as that which would be
+best calculated to render the treaty mutually advantageous. But, sir,
+it is not a new treaty for which we now press, but the recognition of
+an old one, by which the United States have acquired rights that no
+change in the circumstances of the country obliges them to relinquish,
+and which they never will relinquish but with their political
+existence!"
+
+It was hard for me to sit still under such ringing sentences. I wanted
+to clap my hands and cry "Bravo!" For a moment all the glories of
+Paris turned dull and insipid; I would have given them all to be in
+Kentucky on Fatima's back, marching down the river to capture New
+Orleans.
+
+But Mr. Livingston had not finished. Mr. Talleyrand made a slight
+movement as if to speak, but, with uplifted hand to prevent him, Mr.
+Livingston hurried on:
+
+"In what situation, sir, are we now placed? An armament is about
+sailing for New Orleans. That port has been shut by the order of
+Spain. The French commandant will find it shut. Will he think himself
+authorized to open it? If not, it must remain shut until the envoy of
+France shall have arrived in America, made the necessary inquiries,
+and transmitted the result of those inquiries to the First Consul. In
+the meantime all the produce of five States is left to rot upon their
+hands. There is only one season in which the navigation of the
+Mississippi is practicable. This season must necessarily pass before
+the envoy of France can arrive and make his report. Is it supposable,
+sir, that the people of the United States will tranquilly await the
+progress of negotiations, when the ruin of themselves and their
+families will be attendant on the delay? I can never bring myself to
+believe that the First Consul will, by deferring for a moment the
+recognition of a right that admits of no discussion, break all those
+ties which bind the United States to France, obliterate the sense of
+past obligations, change every political relation that it has been,
+and still is, the earnest wish of the United States to preserve, and
+force them to connect their interests with a rival power! And this,
+too, for an object of no real moment in itself. Louisiana is, and ever
+must be, from physical causes, a miserable country in the hands of an
+European power."
+
+Mr. Talleyrand's eyes had not moved from Mr. Livingston's face during
+this long speech, but at his last words I saw a sudden spark leap into
+them.
+
+"You no doubt think, sir," he said in his low, even tones, "that
+Louisiana would be a much better country in the hands of the United
+States. Would your government like to buy it from us?"
+
+"You know, sir, and have known for some time," replied Mr. Livingston,
+"that we are ready to make an offer for New Orleans and the Floridas
+as soon as you are ready to listen to it."
+
+"But would you not rather have the whole of Louisiana? The rest of it,
+without New Orleans, would be of little value to us. What would you
+give for the whole?"
+
+Mr. Livingston looked bewildered for an instant; it was almost more
+than he could take in at once. But after a moment's thought he
+replied:
+
+"It is a subject, sir, I have not considered; but I suppose we shall
+not object to twenty million francs, provided our citizens are paid."
+
+"That is much too low an offer, my dear sir," responded Talleyrand,
+"but I see the idea is new to you. I would be glad if you would
+reflect upon it, and tell me to-morrow the result of your
+reflections."
+
+"Mr. Monroe will be in town in a day or two." (My heart gave so great
+a thump when Mr. Livingston said that, I feared they might hear
+it--for would not the Comtesse de Baloit be with him?) "And I would
+like to delay any further offer until I shall have the pleasure of
+introducing him."
+
+Mr. Talleyrand shrugged his shoulders slightly.
+
+"As you will, Monsieur; but do not give Mr. Monroe reason to think
+that I speak with authority. The idea struck me that you might like
+the whole of the colony quite as well as part of it."
+
+I thought this would have put an end to the conversation; but I soon
+saw that Mr. Livingston had another card to play, and that he
+evidently did not believe the minister was speaking entirely on his
+own authority.
+
+"Monsieur Talleyrand," he said, "I have this morning received a notice
+from my home government that Mr. Ross's resolution authorizing the
+President to seize New Orleans was lost by four votes. Another was
+offered by Mr. Breckinridge of Kentucky, which was unanimously
+adopted. Mr. Breckinridge's resolution was to the effect that the
+President of the United States be authorized to require of the
+executives of the several States, to arm and equip, and hold in
+readiness to march at a moment's notice, eighty thousand militia; that
+money be appropriated for paying and subsisting such troops; and also
+that money be appropriated for erecting on the Western border one or
+more arsenals, as the President may judge proper. Monsieur Talleyrand,
+this means but one thing: that the United States is ready to act at
+once if France does not recognize our right of deposit; and I beg you
+will use your influence with the First Consul, that he will not send
+General Bernadotte until this question is determined."
+
+Mr. Talleyrand, with another shrug of his shoulders, seemed to
+disclaim any influence with the First Consul, though he said:
+
+"If you will make me an offer for the whole of Louisiana that I can
+convey to him, I have no doubt it will carry great weight."
+
+"I must decline to do so, Monsieur, as I am expecting Mr. Monroe in a
+day or two."
+
+Suddenly Mr. Livingston changed his tone. It was no longer one of mild
+argument, but as of one who called another to account. I was
+astonished that he dared so address the powerful Minister of Foreign
+Relations.
+
+"I have long been endeavoring to bring you to some point, Monsieur,
+but, unfortunately, without effect. I wish merely to have the
+negotiation opened by any proposition on your part. It was with that
+view I sent you a note a few days ago, to which, as yet, I have
+received no answer."
+
+The great man sounded to me surprisingly meek as he replied:
+
+"I would have answered your note earlier, Mr. Livingston, but I have
+been waiting, hoping I could give you some more satisfactory reply. I
+will delay no longer. I will answer it; but it will have to be
+evasively, for Louisiana is not ours."
+
+I caught a glimpse of Mr. Livingston's countenance; a more sardonic
+smile I have never seen--a smile which said as plainly as words, "You
+are lying." He spoke with frigid courtesy:
+
+"It seems strange that I should be better informed than the Minister
+of Foreign Relations," he said, "but I have seen the treaty. Moreover,
+I know that the Consul has appointed officers to govern the colony,
+and he has himself told me that General Victor was to take possession.
+And, what seems to me most convincing proof--why does the First Consul
+send General Bernadotte to the United States to treat in relation to
+Louisiana, if Louisiana does not belong to France?"
+
+I thought that would have floored even Talleyrand; but not at all.
+With another shrug of his shoulders, and putting together his
+finger-tips in a manner that gave him a most indifferent air, he only
+persisted in saying that they had it in contemplation, but had not yet
+secured it. I wondered what Mr. Livingston would say next, but I need
+not have feared for him. Quick as thought, and all smiles and
+amiability, he responded to the minister:
+
+"I am very well pleased to understand this from you, Monsieur,
+because, if so, we will not commit ourselves with you by taking it
+from Spain, to whom, by your account, it still belongs. And as we have
+just cause of complaint against Spain, if Mr. Monroe concurs in my
+opinion, we will negotiate no further on the subject with you, but
+advise our government to take possession."
+
+For the first time Mr. Talleyrand seemed moved. He sprang to his feet
+and spoke quickly:
+
+"I beg you will take no such measures at present, Mr. Livingston. I
+will answer your note, though I must still say, as I have said before,
+it will have to be evasively."
+
+Mr. Livingston, who had also risen to his feet, bowed formally.
+
+"I shall be glad to receive any communication from you, Citizen
+Minister, but we are not disposed to trifle. The times are critical,
+and though I do not know what instructions Mr. Monroe may bring, I am
+perfectly satisfied they will require a precise and prompt notice. I
+am very fearful, from the little progress I have made, my government
+will consider me as a very indolent negotiator."
+
+Mr. Talleyrand laughed, a high, rasping laugh, but evidently intended
+to be of great good humor.
+
+"I will give you a certificate, Mr. Livingston, and you can send it
+home to your government, that you are the most importunate negotiator
+I have ever met with."
+
+Their conference seemed to be ended; they turned and walked toward the
+house, leaving me to ponder with wonder and amaze at what I had
+listened to, and with keen admiration for the part Mr. Livingston had
+taken in the matter. I had always been led to believe that no man
+could hold his own against the shrewd and unfathomable Abbe; but, if I
+mistook not, this time Mr. Livingston had not only held his own, but
+got much the better of him.
+
+Suddenly a thought flashed into my mind. What did Talleyrand mean by
+repeating over and over, and in such significant phrase, that his
+answer must be "evasive"? Could it be possible that he was intimating
+that a consideration would be necessary to make it more decided? I
+believed that he had so intimated, and that Mr. Livingston had
+understood him, and had repelled the intimation with scorn.
+
+Then again there flashed into my mind the two million dollars that had
+been voted the President to use "as he thought best" in adjusting this
+matter. Was it intended to use in buying up "such creatures," I said
+scornfully to myself, "as Talleyrand"? Vague insinuations in those
+speeches in Congress I had listened to now seemed to me as clear as
+day.
+
+Hot with indignation and shame,--my indignation for Talleyrand, my
+shame that my country could stoop to such measures,--I rushed into the
+house to my uncle. He had been entertaining Colonel Livingston while
+the other two were holding their conference; but all three gentlemen
+were gone now, and I found him sitting quietly in his library,
+reading. I had flung the door wide as I entered, and I stopped on the
+threshold.
+
+"Monsieur, what does it mean?" I cried. "Does Monsieur Talleyrand
+want Mr. Livingston to offer him a bribe? And were the two millions of
+dollars given to Mr. Jefferson for such base purposes?"
+
+My uncle looked up, startled and amazed beyond measure. He did not at
+all take in my meaning, but he was very sensible of my rudeness. My
+uncle was ever the most amiable of men and the most tolerant, but for
+correctness of deportment and elegance of manner he was a stickler,
+and so flagrant a breach of both was intolerable to him.
+
+"I think you forget yourself, sir," he said coldly; and that was all
+he said, but his words cut like tempered steel in quivering flesh. A
+great wave of mortification rushed in a crimson flood to the very
+roots of my hair.
+
+"I am most truly sorry, sir, to have been so rude," I stammered, "and
+I beg you will not think that we do not know good manners in America.
+I fear I am ever slow to think and headlong to act, and it has often
+brought me to grief."
+
+My uncle, who, as I said, was all amiability, forgave me at once, and
+invited me most cordially to enter his library. I was loath to intrude
+after my great rudeness, but he would not let me off.
+
+"Come in, come in," he said, "and I will answer your question by
+another. What has led you to think that Mr. Talleyrand desires a bribe
+from Mr. Livingston? Has any one been saying so to you?"
+
+Then was I in greater confusion than before. I did not know whether
+Mr. Livingston would desire me to say anything about the interview to
+which I had been accidentally made a party, and I had intended to say
+nothing to any one until I had had a chance to find out his wishes;
+and now, in my indignation, I had entirely forgot my resolution and
+betrayed myself. There was no way out but to make a clean breast of my
+part in it.
+
+So I told my uncle how I had been caught in the summer-house, and been
+invited to become a listener to secrets of state. My uncle threw back
+his head and laughed long and loud. But when he had calmed down a
+little, he looked at me keenly.
+
+"So you think Mr. Talleyrand wanted a bribe from Mr. Livingston? Would
+you mind telling me what he said that led you to think so?"
+
+Now was I greatly embarrassed, for I had fully resolved that not one
+iota of information of which I had become the possessor so innocently
+should pass my lips without Mr. Livingston's sanction. My uncle
+noticed my embarrassment, and spoke quickly:
+
+"Never mind, my boy. It is no doubt just as well that you should not
+tell me what you feel you have no right to repeat; but it would make
+no real difference. I see that you are trustworthy, and I do not mind
+telling you that the First Consul is of somewhat the same opinion. He
+does not altogether trust the Minister of Foreign Relations, and it is
+more than likely the negotiations will be taken out of his hands and
+put into mine. It is more than likely also that it was because Mr.
+Livingston does not trust him that he desired to have you present as a
+witness. Now you see how I trust you. These are matters of grave
+import, my boy, and if you had been eager to tell me all you had
+heard I would have been loath indeed to confide in you, as I have just
+done."
+
+I glowed with pleasure at my uncle's words, and thanked him most
+earnestly for his confidence, which I told him was not misplaced. And
+then, fearing I was intruding too long upon his hours of privacy (for
+they were few indeed, and greatly prized, I knew), I bowed myself out
+of his library, and dashed for a ride on Fatima down the crowded
+avenue. For it was upon Fatima's back I could ever think best, and I
+had much to think over: the amazing conversation I had listened to; my
+uncle's confidence to me; and last of all, and which set my pulses
+throbbing and the blood tingling to my finger-tips--Mr. Monroe would
+be in Paris in a day or two!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+BONAPARTE GIVES ENGLAND A RIVAL
+
+    "Great let me call him, for he conquered me."
+
+
+The next morning was Easter, and, dressed in a new suit of
+puce-colored ferrandine, with fresh ruffles of finest lace, and a new
+plume in my hat, I walked decorously beside my aunt through the
+thronged streets, every one dressed in his best and every one going
+the same way--to the Church of the Madeleine, to see the First Consul
+attend service. The sun was shining, birds were singing, the air was
+soft and warm and filled with the mingled perfume of flowers and
+incense, borne out through the open doors of all the churches.
+
+The world was happy, and so was I. I was greatly excited, too, for I
+was to behold, for the first time, the man who held in his hand the
+destinies of nations, and before whose terrible word even our own
+proud republic trembled.
+
+I had been three weeks in Paris and had not seen him. It seemed to be
+my ill fortune never to be on the streets when he made one of his
+dashing progresses through them, and though there had been several
+levees my wardrobe had not been in condition to attend them. At
+least, so my aunt thought. I think I would have been willing to don
+once more the old plum-colored velvets for the sake of seeing the
+great Bonaparte, but Madame Marbois thought otherwise.
+
+"Nobody is such a stickler for forms and ceremonies, or such a lover
+of magnificence, as the First Consul," said she, "and if you want to
+make a good impression upon him, or do credit to your family at home
+and to your uncle and to me, you must wait for your new costumes."
+
+So she had me to the tailor's, and more suits were ordered than I
+thought I could wear in a lifetime. When they came home and my man
+Caesar (my own colored boy whom I had brought with me from home) had
+laid them all out for me in my room, I thought them well worth waiting
+for. There were suits for church and suits for dinner, suits for
+riding and for walking, and, most resplendent of all, two court
+costumes. One especially of white satin with much gold lace and
+bullion quite took my breath away. Now I have always had a weakness
+for fine clothes that I secretly deprecated, for I feared it was a
+womanish weakness quite unbefitting a soldier of fortune, which was
+the career I had laid out for myself and was quite determined upon.
+Yet I have never found that my liking for fine clothes has made me
+less ready to draw my sword to help the innocent or weak, and so I
+hope it may not be a sign in me of any lack of true manliness.
+
+Be this as it may, I was walking joyously beside my aunt that
+beautiful Easter morning, and part of the joy in my heart was for the
+beautiful puce-colored ferrandine that sat so well and had an air of
+distinction I was sure no other clothes of mine had ever had, for
+these were made in Paris.
+
+I have no very distinct recollection of the services; indeed, I hardly
+paid enough attention to them to follow them decorously, for I was
+consumed with an eager desire for but one event--the entrance of the
+First Consul.
+
+A subdued murmur (almost, it seemed to me, like suppressed "Vive le
+rois") announced to me that he was just entering the door, and as I
+sat by the aisle down which he was coming, and far to the front, by
+turning in my seat and stretching my neck shamelessly I had time to
+see him well.
+
+Could this little fellow, who might easily have stood under my arm
+stretched level with my shoulder, could he be the hero of Marengo! the
+Dictator of France who held all Europe trembling in his grasp! I think
+that I had heretofore had an unconscious feeling that greatness of
+stature meant greatness of heart and mind and courage, and I had
+gloried in my inches. Now I was almost ashamed of them, for this
+little man coming rapidly down the aisle with a firm, quick step
+seemed to breathe power from the chiseled curve of the nostril, from
+the haughty curl of the beautiful lips, but most of all from the
+imperial flash of the dark eyes under level brows. If his face had not
+been so full of power, yes, and of arrogance, it would have been
+almost too beautiful for a man's face, framed in silky brown hair
+thinning at the temples, but curling in one dark lock above the broad
+white brow.
+
+But if it humbled me to see so much greatness in such small stature,
+it comforted me not a little to observe that the great man was no
+despiser of dress. He might have been molded into his small-clothes
+and waistcoat of white doeskin, so exactly did they fit every line and
+curve of his perfect figure. His dark-blue military coat of finest
+cloth was set off by heavy epaulets of gold and by a broad azure
+ribbon crossing his breast and bearing the jeweled insignia of the
+Legion of Honor. The crimson sword-sash which bore his sword sheathed
+in a scabbard of gold flashing with jewels, completed in his own dress
+the tricolor of France. He wore high military boots, I think to carry
+out the military effect of his epaulets and sword, for it was in the
+character of soldier, the hero of many battles, the winner of glory
+for France, that the people idolized him.
+
+To the right and the left, his eagle glance took in the whole great
+congregation, and as he passed it fell on me. His glances were never
+idle ones; I knew he had seen me, and my pulses quivered and fluttered
+like a young maiden's. From that moment I was as much his slave as any
+soldier of La Vendee, and had he not himself disillusioned me most
+bitterly, I should still have been regarding him as the hero of my
+dreams, _sans peur et sans reproche_, the greatest man and greatest
+soldier of all time. I still believe the latter title belongs to him,
+but not the first, for a great man must be a good man too, like our
+Washington, and that Bonaparte was not.
+
+It is no wonder, then, that I was quite beside myself with excitement
+when at dejeuner my uncle said to me:
+
+"Would you like to ride out to St. Cloud with me this afternoon? The
+First Consul has summoned me to a conference with him, if I mistake
+not, on the subject you heard discussed yesterday."
+
+"Oh, thank you, sir. And shall I be present at the conference?" I
+spoke quickly and foolishly, for I was greatly excited.
+
+My uncle laughed.
+
+"Well, hardly, my boy, unless you find a way, as you did yesterday, of
+compelling the First Consul to invite you to be present."
+
+I liked not to be laughed at, but I knew it was but my uncle's teasing
+fashion, and all the way out through the beautiful Boulogne woods, the
+birds singing, the sun shining, the soft spring airs blowing, the
+alders and willows pale pink and yellow in the distance, the great
+buds of the horse-chestnuts just bursting into leaf and everywhere the
+vivid green of the fresh turf; my heart beating high with happy
+excitement to be in beautiful Paris and on my way to historic St.
+Cloud, where dwelt the most wonderful man of the world; and Fatima
+prancing and curveting under me, her dainty hoofs scarce touching the
+earth as she danced along the green allees of St. Cloud's beautiful
+park, sharing my happy excitement (though only, I suppose, for a
+horse's natural joy in trees and grass and sunshine)--all that swift
+and beautiful ride, galloping beside my uncle's coach, his words rang
+in my ears, and I longed with all my heart to be present at that
+conference: not so much to hear what was said as to see the great
+Bonaparte saying it.
+
+I parted from my uncle at one of the great fountains, he riding up in
+his coach to the palace doors, and Fatima and I starting off on an
+exploring tour around the park. He would not hear to my waiting for
+him, for he said he might be detained for hours, and indeed it was
+possible the Consul would keep him all night at St. Cloud, as
+sometimes happened, to call upon at any hour of the night when some
+new suggestion occurred to him.
+
+Riding fast, as was my custom when alone with Fatima, it did not take
+us long to exhaust the beauties of the park, and my eyes began to turn
+longingly toward the palace. Somewhere within its stately walls I
+supposed the conference was going on. Verily, there were some
+compensations in diplomacy when it gave a man like my uncle a chance
+to hold close converse with a man like the First Consul. (And in that
+I do not intend to speak slightingly of my Uncle Francois, for he was
+ever in my regard the most admirable of men. Only, it seemed to me
+then that to be able to talk familiarly with the great Bonaparte was a
+privilege above the deserts of ordinary mortals.)
+
+I intended to remain at St. Cloud until toward evening, for if the
+conference should prove short I might still have the pleasure of my
+uncle's company on the homeward trip. But time began to hang heavily
+on my hands, and it occurred to me that I would ask the sentry, whom I
+had seen from a distance walking up and down in front of the main
+entrance, whether it were possible to gain admission to the palace. I
+thought it probable that it was not open to visitors, since the First
+Consul was occupying it, but it would do no harm to find out, and if
+by chance I should be admitted, I would at least have the pleasure of
+wandering through the rooms where he dwelt.
+
+It was necessary first to dispose of Fatima, and a thicket of
+evergreen at one side of the palace caught my eye as affording a
+grateful shade from the warm afternoon sun (which so early in the
+season could be found only under evergreens) and a hiding-place from
+any prowling thief who might want to steal her, or from any
+troublesome guard who might come upon her and carry her off to the
+Consul's stables.
+
+So into the thicket I rode, following a winding path that led toward
+the upper end near the palace, and at the very upper edge I found just
+what I wanted--a clump of bushes so thick set that they formed an
+almost impenetrable screen. They were lower than the other
+evergreens--not much higher than my horse's ears, but that was high
+enough. Into the midst of this clump I rode Fatima and dismounted.
+
+"Stand here, Sweetheart," I said softly, "and budge not a step for any
+man but your master."
+
+She rubbed her nose against my shoulder in token that she understood,
+and I whispered again in her ear:
+
+"Not a whinny, not a sound, my Beauty," and left her, feeling sure no
+man could steal her and no guard could lead her away by guile or
+force, nor would she betray her presence there by any noise.
+
+As I left the evergreens, intending to go around to the front of the
+building and speak to the sentry, I saw, coming down the path toward
+me, a young and pretty woman, who, I recognized by her dress, must be
+in service at the palace.
+
+"I will inquire from her," I said to myself promptly, "for she will
+know as well as the sentry whether there is any admission, and she
+will no doubt have a much pleasanter way of saying either yes or no."
+
+So, as she was about to pass me with a little curtsy and a pretty
+smile, I stopped her.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, and doffed my hat, "is it permitted to see the
+palace to-day?"
+
+"No, Monsieur," she answered, "unless one is invited or has business
+of importance with the First Consul."
+
+Now I have ever had great faith in woman's wit, and especially a
+Frenchwoman's, and it suddenly struck me if this one should prove as
+quick-witted as most of her kind, she would know how to secure my
+admission into the palace; and if she should prove as kindly disposed
+as I believed the sight of gold and a pleasant word might make her,
+then was my success assured.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, and my manner was as deferential as it might
+have been to her mistress. "I am not invited, and I have no business
+of importance with the First Consul; but I am from America, and it
+would please me greatly to see the rooms where the famous general
+lives. Cannot Mademoiselle think of a way?" and I slipped into her
+hand a louis d'or.
+
+She curtsied again and smiled again, and then she answered:
+
+"It is difficult, Monsieur, but I have a friend on guard in the upper
+corridor. If I can arrange with him to let us pass, I can show
+Monsieur the grand salon, the little salon, and the state dining-room.
+Would that please Monsieur?"
+
+"Vastly," I answered, for though it might not be seeing all I would
+like to see, it would be doing something to while away the tedium of
+waiting, and there seemed a little of the spice of adventure about it
+that pleased my restless spirit.
+
+"I will go and consult Gaston," said Mademoiselle Felice (for that,
+she told me, was her pretty name, and I took it as a felicitous omen),
+"and I will return in five minutes. If Monsieur will await me by the
+pines, he will not have to wait long."
+
+Yet it seemed long. I am sure many five minutes had passed, and I had
+begun to think I would never see again either my gold piece or my
+pretty Felice, when she came tripping up in an entirely different
+direction from the one in which she had left me.
+
+She had had trouble. Gaston had scruples. Suppose harm were intended
+his general? Women were easily deceived. Her "American" might be a
+British assassin in disguise. She had had to make herself
+responsible--she, Felice!--for my innocence and honor. She had also
+been obliged to show Gaston the piece of gold I had given her and to
+assure him there would be another for him if he were complaisant. I
+judged, also, that she had found it necessary to offer him a bribe
+quite as tangible as the gold piece but less mercenary, for her face
+was rosier and her eyes brighter and her hair a little more disheveled
+than when I had first seen her.
+
+And now began a real adventure, for Felice assured me much caution
+would be necessary. How we both slipped out of the pine thicket, she
+some distance ahead, I strolling carelessly behind, how by almost
+insensible little signs she indicated to me when to advance and when
+to stay my steps; how she finally guided me through a narrow rear
+entrance and by dark corridors and winding staircases to the very
+corridor Gaston was guarding; and how I slipped another gold piece
+into Gaston's hand as we passed him, would be too long in the telling.
+
+Gaston was doing sentry duty before two doors some twenty paces apart.
+One of them opened into a dark side corridor (where we had passed him
+and I had slipped the gold into his hand), and the other into the head
+of the main corridor. We had just entered the main corridor, and
+Felice was leading the way into the grand salon, when she turned
+quickly:
+
+"Go back, Monsieur," she said in an excited whisper, "here comes an
+officer!"
+
+I had caught sight of him, too, and I was the more ready to turn back
+quickly, because in my hasty glimpse the officer had looked to me very
+much like the Chevalier Le Moyne. I thought it was more than likely I
+was mistaken, but I did not wish to run any possible risk of being
+seen by him, and I hoped that in the semi-obscurity of that part of
+the corridor he had either not seen us at all or at least not
+recognized us.
+
+We fled precipitately back through the dark side corridor, I with a
+keen feeling of elation (for a sense of risk or peril of any kind
+always sends my spirits to the highest point), but Felice, I believe,
+beginning to repent of her bargain.
+
+"Monsieur," she whispered, "we will go back the way we came--" but
+what further she was about to say I know not, for at that moment a
+door opened at the farther end of the side corridor. It was a door we
+must pass in finding our way out, and through it now we heard much
+loud laughing and loud talking of men. Evidently a party at cards was
+breaking up, and through that open door some of the players were about
+to pass. Our retreat was cut off.
+
+Felice clutched her hair in desperation.
+
+"Ah, mon Dieu!" she moaned, "I will lose my place! I will lose my
+life!"
+
+I had hardly time to think of my own plight, I was so sorry for her
+distress, and so remorseful to think I had brought her into such
+straits for the sake of a silly adventure.
+
+But an idea struck Felice. We had come to a stand beside Gaston and
+the one of the two doors he was guarding which opened into the side
+corridor. He had himself stopped a moment in his pacing to and fro,
+perplexed by our dilemma.
+
+"Quick, Gaston," Felice whispered eagerly, "let Monsieur into the
+dressing-room closet; it is the only place!"
+
+Gaston seemed to demur, but Felice overruled him imperiously.
+
+"You must, Gaston! And be quick! Would you have Monsieur Fouche throw
+us both into prison? I will be back for him in a few minutes, as soon
+as all is quiet."
+
+Gaston hesitated no longer. He threw open the door before which we
+were standing, and together they hurried me into a room which I saw at
+once was a dressing-room belonging to a gentleman.
+
+"You must be very still, Monsieur," whispered Felice; then she opened
+a door and thrust me into a dark closet, closing the door noiselessly
+behind me as she whispered, "I will return in a few minutes."
+
+I was but as wax in her hands, for having led her into such distress
+and peril, I felt that I must submit to any means that would save her
+from disastrous results. Yet I liked not being shut up in a dark
+closet in a gentleman's dressing-room. I began, too, to think of my
+own peril, and for a full minute after finding myself in my
+hiding-place my knees did so shake beneath me, and my heart did so
+pound within me, I was as one deaf and unconscious to all
+surroundings.
+
+But as my excitement began to calm itself I became aware that I had
+for some time been hearing several voices: one, which did most of the
+talking, high, rasping, vehement, passionate; the other two, making
+brief or monosyllabic replies, low-toned and restrained. I began to
+perceive, too, that I was not entirely in the dark. A faint light was
+coming through between slightly parted curtains which seemed to
+separate my closet from some other apartment than the dressing-room. I
+looked through this aperture, barely wide enough for the line of
+vision, not wide enough to betray me to any one in the room beyond,
+especially since I was in the dark and the Easter sun was flooding the
+richly furnished apartment.
+
+Standing in an attitude of respect on either side of a low marble
+mantel bearing a wonderful golden clock stood two gentlemen. One of
+them was my uncle, Monsieur Marbois, and the other, whom I did not
+know, I learned later was Minister Decres. Gesticulating vehemently
+and speaking with great excitement, through the center of the room
+back and forth strode rapidly the First Consul!
+
+I was overwhelmed at the sight. By what trick of fate had I been
+thrust into the very midst of this conference at which I had so longed
+to be present? My blood rushed through my veins at such tumultuous
+pace as carried my reason with it. No thought of listening to what was
+not intended for me to hear entered my mind, only a great joy that I
+was in the midst of some strange adventure such as I had read of in
+books, where wonderful things happen to the hero who hides behind an
+arras. And no more wonderful thing could happen to me than to be
+seeing and hearing the great Bonaparte!
+
+And this is what he was saying:
+
+"I know the full value of Louisiana, and I have been desirous of
+repairing the fault of the French negotiator who abandoned it in
+1763. A few lines of a treaty have restored it to me, and I have
+scarcely recovered it when I must expect to lose it. But if it escapes
+from me," he stopped and turned suddenly to the two ministers, lifting
+a threatening hand, "it shall one day cost dearer to those who oblige
+me to strip myself of it than to those to whom I wish to deliver it."
+
+I thought at first this threat was uttered against the United States,
+and so terrible did he look, so like an avenging fury, that I
+shuddered as I thought of my country the object of his vindictive
+wrath. But his next words enlightened me. He resumed his rapid stride
+and went on speaking with the same excitement:
+
+"The English have successively taken from France Canada, Cape Breton,
+Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and India. They are engaged in exciting
+troubles in San Domingo. _They shall not have the Mississippi, which
+they covet._
+
+"Louisiana is nothing in comparison with their conquests in all parts
+of the globe, and yet the jealousy they feel at the restoration of
+this colony to the sovereignty of France acquaints me with their wish
+to take possession of it, and it is thus they will begin the war.
+
+"They have twenty ships of war in the Gulf of Mexico; they sail over
+those seas as sovereigns! The conquest of Louisiana would be easy, if
+they only took the trouble to make a descent there. I have not a
+moment to lose in putting it out of their reach! I know not whether
+they are not already there. It is their usual course, and if I had
+been in their place, I would not have waited. I wish, if there is
+still time, to take away from them any idea that they may have of ever
+possessing that colony."
+
+[Illustration: "He stopped and turned suddenly to the two ministers"]
+
+Once more he stopped and faced the two ministers, and gazed at them
+steadily for a moment, first one, then the other, before he uttered
+his next words. I know not whether he paused because he hesitated to
+utter them, or because he wished to make them more forcible. Then he
+said slowly and impressively, with no trace of the excitement that had
+characterized his former words:
+
+"I think of ceding it to the United States."
+
+If he had expected to create a sensation he was not disappointed; the
+irrepressible start of each, the glowing eyes, the eager desire to
+speak expressed in both countenances were abundant evidences of it,
+and I in my dark closet was far more excited than either: for here was
+more than my wildest dreams to be realized. But Bonaparte had not
+finished his speech; with a gesture restraining them from giving
+utterance to the words that were hurrying to their lips, he went on:
+
+"You will say that I can scarcely cede it to them, for it is not yet
+in our possession. If, however, I leave the least time to our enemies,
+I shall transmit only an empty title to those republicans whose
+friendship I seek. They ask of me only one town in Louisiana; but I
+already consider the colony as entirely lost, and it appears to me
+that in the hands of this growing power it will be more useful to the
+policy of France, and even to its commerce, than if I should attempt
+to keep it. Citizen Minister," looking at my uncle, "what is your
+opinion?"
+
+My uncle, who had been all eagerness to speak at first, seemed to
+hesitate now that the opportunity was given him.
+
+"I believe, Citizen First Consul," he said slowly, "that we should not
+hesitate to make a sacrifice of that which is about slipping away from
+us. War with England is inevitable. Shall we be able with inferior
+naval forces to defend Louisiana against that power? At the time of
+the discovery of Louisiana the neighboring provinces were as feeble as
+herself. They are now powerful and Louisiana is still in her infancy.
+The country is scarcely at all inhabited; you have not fifty soldiers
+there. Where are your means of sending garrisons thither? Can we
+restore fortifications that are in ruins, and construct a long chain
+of forts upon a frontier of four hundred leagues? If England lets you
+undertake these things, it is because they will drain your resources,
+and she will feel a secret joy in seeing you exhaust yourself in
+efforts of which she alone will derive the profit. You will send out a
+squadron; but while it is crossing the oceans, the colony will fall,
+and the squadron will in its turn be in great danger. Louisiana is
+open to the English from the north by the Great Lakes, and if, to the
+south, they show themselves at the mouth of the Mississippi, New
+Orleans will immediately fall into their hands. This conquest would be
+still easier to the Americans: they can reach the Mississippi by
+several navigable rivers, and to be masters of the country it will be
+sufficient for them to enter it. The colony has existed for a century,
+and, in spite of efforts and sacrifices of every kind, the last
+account of its population and resources attests its weakness. If it
+becomes a French colony and acquires increased importance, there will
+be in its very prosperity a germ of independence which will not be
+long in developing itself. The more it nourishes the less chance shall
+we have of preserving it.
+
+"The French have attempted to form colonies in several parts of the
+continent of North America. Their efforts have everywhere proved
+abortive. The English are patient and laborious; they do not fear the
+solitude and silence of newly settled countries. The Frenchman, lively
+and active, requires society; he is fond of conversing with neighbors.
+He willingly enters on the experiment of cultivating the soil, but at
+the first disappointment quits the spade and ax for the chase."
+
+Bonaparte, as my uncle ceased talking, had thrown himself into a
+fauteuil and signed to the others to sit down. He had listened with
+keen attention to my uncle's long speech, but now he interrupted him
+abruptly and harshly.
+
+"How does it happen that the French, who are incapable of succeeding
+in a continental colony, have always made great progress in the West
+Indies?"
+
+"Because," replied Monsieur Marbois, "the slaves perform all the
+labors. The whites, who would soon be exhausted by the heat of the
+climate, have, however, the vigor of mind necessary to direct their
+operations."
+
+"By whom is the land cultivated in Louisiana?" asked the First Consul.
+
+"Slavery," answered my uncle, "has given Louisiana half her
+population. An inexcusable imprudence was committed in suddenly
+granting to the slaves of San Domingo a liberty for which they had not
+been prepared. The blacks and whites both have been victims of this
+great fault."
+
+"I am undecided," said Bonaparte, "whether it would be better to
+maintain or abolish slavery in Louisiana."
+
+"Of all the scourges that have afflicted the human race," responded my
+uncle, "slavery is the most detestable! But even humanity requires
+great precautions in the application of the remedy, and you cannot
+apply it if Louisiana should again become French. Governments still
+half resist emancipation: they tolerate in secret what they ostensibly
+condemn, and they themselves are embarrassed by their false position.
+The general sentiment of the world is in favor of emancipation; it is
+in vain that the colonists and planters wish to arrest a movement
+which public opinion approves. The occupation of Louisiana--a colony
+with slaves--will occasion us more expense than it will afford us
+profit."
+
+As my uncle ceased speaking, Bonaparte turned to Minister Decres and
+with a motion of his hand indicated that he was ready to hear his
+opinion. The minister began eagerly:
+
+"We are still at peace with England," said he; "the colony has just
+been ceded to us; it depends on the First Consul to preserve it. It
+would not be wise in him to abandon, for fear of a doubtful danger,
+the most important establishment that we can form out of France, and
+despoil ourselves of it for no other reason than the possibility of a
+war; it would be as well, if not better, that it should be taken from
+us by force of arms.
+
+"You will not acknowledge, by a resignation of Louisiana, that England
+is sovereign mistress of the seas, that she is there invulnerable, and
+that no one can possess colonies except at her good pleasure! It does
+not become you to fear the kings of England! If they should seize
+Louisiana, as some would have you fear, Hanover would be immediately
+in your hands, as a certain pledge of its restoration. France,
+deprived of her navy and her colonies, is stripped of half her
+splendor and of a great part of her strength. Louisiana can indemnify
+us for all our losses. There does not exist on the globe a single
+port, a single city, susceptible of becoming as important as New
+Orleans, and the neighborhood of the American States already makes it
+one of the most commercial in the world. The Mississippi does not
+reach there until it has received twenty other rivers, most of which
+surpass in size the finest rivers of Europe.
+
+"The navigation to the Indies, by doubling the Cape of Good Hope, has
+changed the course of European trade and ruined Venice and Genoa. What
+will be its direction if, at the Isthmus of Panama, a simple canal
+should be opened to connect the one ocean with the other? The
+revolution which navigation will then experience will be still more
+considerable, and the circumnavigation of the globe will become easier
+than the long voyages that are now made in going to and returning from
+India. Louisiana will be on this new route, and it will then be
+acknowledged that this possession is of inestimable value.
+
+"Finally, France, after her long troubles, requires such a colony for
+her internal pacification; it will be for our country what a century
+ago were for England the settlements which the emigrants from the
+three kingdoms have raised to so high a degree of prosperity. It will
+be the asylum of our religious and political dissenters; it will cure
+a part of the maladies which the Revolution has caused, and be the
+supreme conciliator of all the parties into which we are divided. You
+will there find the remedies for which you search with so much
+solicitude!"
+
+I thought this a very bold speech, and it was uttered with much fire
+and enthusiasm. I could not be sure how the Consul took it, for he
+said not a word through it all. When the minister had finished
+speaking he dismissed them both with a few words, but telling them he
+should expect them to remain all night.
+
+As the door closed behind the two ministers, Bonaparte threw himself
+back in his chair, his arms folded across his breast, his head
+drooping forward, in an attitude of deep thought. It seemed to me more
+than likely that Minister Decres's words had touched his pride and his
+patriotism, and he was hesitating now at the thought of getting rid
+of France's last important colony.
+
+He was interrupted in his reverie by an officer bringing in the
+despatches from London which had just arrived, and he sent word by the
+officer to have Minister Marbois sent to him immediately.
+
+It was only a few moments until the return of my uncle, but in the
+interval I could see that Bonaparte was glancing through the
+despatches with such lightning rapidity that to me, for whom all
+reading is slow work, it seemed impossible he should have grasped
+their meaning. As Monsieur Marbois entered the apartment Bonaparte
+greeted him.
+
+"Citizen Minister," he said, "the despatches from London have arrived.
+Have you seen them?"
+
+"I was just reading them," replied my uncle, "when you sent for me."
+
+"Did you see that England is preparing for war? That both naval and
+military preparations are going forward with extraordinary rapidity?"
+
+"Yes," said the minister, "so I understand."
+
+"Perhaps you saw, too, that in the American Congress Mr. Ross proposed
+that the President should raise fifty thousand troops and capture New
+Orleans?"
+
+"Yes," repeated my uncle, "I saw it, and I regret greatly that any
+cause of difference should arise between our countries."
+
+The Consul sprang to his feet and resumed his rapid striding up and
+down the room without uttering a word for full two minutes, but with a
+deep frown between his eyes, as I could see whenever he faced me in
+his hurried pacing to and fro.
+
+Suddenly he stopped and turned to my uncle.
+
+"Irresolution and deliberation are no longer in season," he said
+slowly, and then added with sudden fire:
+
+"I renounce Louisiana! It is not only New Orleans I will cede, it is
+the whole colony without reservation. I renounce it with the greatest
+regret! To attempt obstinately to retain it would be the greatest
+folly. I direct you to negotiate this affair with the envoys of the
+United States. Do not even await the arrival of Mr. Monroe; have an
+interview to-morrow with Mr. Livingston. But I require a great deal of
+money for this war with England, and I would not like to commence it
+with new contributions. I will be moderate, in consideration of the
+necessity in which I am of making a sale; but keep this to yourself. I
+want fifty millions, and for less than that sum I will not treat; I
+would rather make a desperate attempt to keep these fine countries.
+To-morrow you shall have full power."
+
+I think my uncle was somewhat aghast at the suddenness of the decision
+to sell the whole country, though he had himself advised it, and still
+more at the great responsibility thrust upon him of conducting the
+negotiations in place of the Minister of Foreign Relations. Perhaps,
+too, now that the sale was fully determined upon, he was touched with
+regrets and misgivings. At any rate, he said, somewhat hesitatingly:
+
+"You feel sure, Citizen Consul, that we have a right to cede the
+sovereignty of a people without consulting the people themselves? Have
+we a right to abandon what the Germans call the _souls_? Can they be
+the subject of a contract of sale or exchange?"
+
+Now I really think from what I had seen of Bonaparte's reverie while
+the minister was out of the room, of his frowning cogitations in that
+rapid walk to and fro, and of the solemnity of his manner when he
+finally announced his determination to sell, that he had been troubled
+by the same misgivings. But none the less did his lip curl satirically
+as he listened to my uncle, and his eyes narrow and glow with a
+malevolent fire. He hardly waited for him to finish till he burst
+forth bitterly:
+
+"You are giving me, in all its perfection, the ideology of the law of
+nature and nations! But I require money to make war on the richest
+nation of the world. Send your maxims to the London market! I am sure
+they will be greatly admired there; and yet no great attention is paid
+to them when the question is the occupation of the finest regions of
+Asia!"
+
+I thought my uncle would have wilted under such bitter sarcasm, for
+never have I seen anything more malevolent than Bonaparte's whole
+aspect, and I trembled for him. But he seemed not greatly afraid of
+the great man's bluster, and persisted in his argument when it seemed
+to me the part of wisdom would have been to keep silence.
+
+"But, Citizen Consul," he urged, "are you not afraid by ceding such
+great possessions to America you may make her in the course of two or
+three centuries too powerful for Europe--the mistress of the world?"
+
+The Consul's lip curled again. He answered in a harsh voice:
+
+"My foresight does not embrace such remote fears. I have no children;
+after me the deluge! Besides, we may hereafter expect rivalries among
+the members of the Union. The confederations that are called perpetual
+only last till one of the contracting parties finds it to his interest
+to break them."
+
+The minister made no reply, though Bonaparte waited a moment as if
+expecting one. Then he went on:
+
+"Mr. Monroe is on the point of arriving. To this minister, going a
+thousand leagues from his constituents, the President must have given
+secret instructions for the stipulation of the payments to be made,
+more extensive than the ostensible authorization of Congress. Neither
+this minister nor his colleague is prepared for a decision which goes
+infinitely beyond anything they are about to ask us. Begin by making
+the overture without any subterfuge. You will acquaint me, day by day,
+hour by hour, of your progress. The cabinet of London is informed of
+the measures adopted at Washington, but it can have no suspicion of
+those I am now taking. Observe the greatest secrecy, and recommend it
+to the American ministers: they have not a less interest than yourself
+in conforming to this counsel. You will correspond with Monsieur de
+Talleyrand, who alone knows my intentions. Keep him informed of the
+progress of this affair."
+
+All this was uttered in a sharp clipping tone of voice, at times harsh
+and rasping, that carried with it an inconceivable effect of
+autocratic power. As he finished he made a gesture of dismissal, but
+as the minister was about to withdraw he called him back again.
+
+"Monsieur Marbois," he said in a far gentler tone than he had used at
+all heretofore, "there will be a treaty drawn up between you and the
+American ministers, of course, and I would like to write one article
+of that treaty. If you will sit down a few moments I will not detain
+you long."
+
+My uncle bowed and seated himself, and with marvelous rapidity
+Bonaparte's pen flew over the sheet before him. In scarcely more than
+a minute's time he looked up from his paper.
+
+"This is the article, Monsieur Marbois, that I wish you to make it
+your business to see embodied somewhere in the treaty." And then he
+read slowly, in a firm, clear voice, with no longer any rasping tones:
+
+"The inhabitants of the ceded territory shall be incorporated in the
+Union of the United States, and admitted as soon as possible,
+according to the principles of the Federal Constitution, to the
+enjoyment of all the rights, advantages, and immunities of citizens of
+the United States. And in the meantime they shall be maintained and
+protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty, property, and the
+religion which they profess."
+
+The Consul rose to his feet as he finished reading and extended the
+paper toward my uncle.
+
+"Citizen Minister," he said (and I almost thought there was a ring of
+sadness in his tone, but that I could not believe such an emotion
+possible to the imperious conqueror), "let the Louisianians know that
+we separate ourselves from them with regret; that we stipulate in
+their favor everything that they can desire; and let them hereafter,
+happy in their independence, recollect that they have been Frenchmen,
+and that France, in ceding them, has secured for them advantages which
+they could not have obtained from a European power, however paternal
+it might have been. Let them retain for us sentiments of affection;
+and may their common origin, descent, language, and customs perpetuate
+the friendship."
+
+He finished speaking, and turned his back abruptly upon my uncle, who
+bowed silently and withdrew. I could not see the face of either, but I
+believe both were too deeply moved to utter another word. As my uncle
+left the room, Bonaparte threw himself once more into his deep-armed
+chair in the same attitude of reverie he had before maintained in the
+interval of the minister's absence--arms folded, chin sunk deep on his
+breast.
+
+It seemed to me a long time that he sat thus, for I was growing every
+moment more anxious for my own safe escape from my hiding-place.
+Felice had promised to return for me in a few moments if the way was
+open, and I was sure it must have been more nearly hours than moments
+that I had been watching the foremost man of all the world decide the
+fate of a people and the future of my own proud nation. I had been so
+intensely interested that I had not noted the flight of time, but now
+that the First Consul sat wrapped in thought, I, too, began to think,
+to wonder, and to grow every moment more anxious. What had become of
+my little guide? Had she forsaken me and left me to my fate? And
+should she come for me now, would I be able, with my clumsy movements,
+to escape unheard, when the room was no longer ringing with the
+rasping tones of Bonaparte?
+
+There was a deep-drawn sigh from the chair of the First Consul. He
+unfolded his arms, flung back his head, and sprang to his feet, once
+more pacing rapidly back and forth. Suddenly he stopped, lifted one
+hand as if calling on Heaven to witness, and exclaimed aloud:
+
+"This accession of territory strengthens forever the power of the
+United States! I have just given to England a maritime rival that will
+sooner or later humble her pride!"
+
+His hand dropped upon a bell which he rang violently. Instantly there
+was a little sound of scratching on the panel of a door leading into
+an apartment beyond.
+
+"Enter!" said Bonaparte, and there glided silently into the room
+Rustan, the famous Mameluke attendant of whom I had heard much.
+
+"I will dress for dinner, Rustan," said the First Consul; "call my
+valet and tell him to prepare my bath."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+A TEMPEST IN A BATH-TUB
+
+    "The mouse that always trusts to one poor hole
+    Can never be a mouse of any soul."
+
+"Prepare my bath!" Did ever such simple words have so dire a sound?
+Now was all hope of escape cut off; for was not the Consul's bath in
+the very room into which the closet where I was hiding opened, and
+through which I had expected to make my exit as I had made my
+entrance? Now did I curse the folly that had led me into such a trap
+for the sake of a mere adventure.
+
+Whereas a moment ago I had been congratulating myself on the spirit of
+enterprise and daring that had led me to be the witness of such great
+and stirring events, I now despised it all as a silly boyishness which
+had brought me into what seemed like to prove something more than a
+foolish scrape. Nor could I help reflecting that whether death or
+disgrace (which seemed to me far worse than death) awaited me, it
+would not affect me alone. My uncle's reputation, and honor also,
+might easily be involved in his nephew's downfall. And, most
+intolerable of all, what would the Comtesse de Baloit think when she
+should come to hear (as it was inevitable that she would) that I had
+been caught spying like any common eavesdropper?--found hid in the
+Consul's private closet, taken and done to death, as I had not the
+least doubt in the world I should be!
+
+Yet it was not in me to wait idly for the worst to happen; I began at
+once to plan other means of escape than those I had been relying upon.
+If I could not make my exit through the dressing-room, why not through
+the other apartment, from which my closet was separated only by a
+curtain?
+
+As far as I could judge, the apartment had three entrance-doors. One
+which was not within my range of vision was the one by which the
+ministers had withdrawn and through which my uncle had returned. This,
+no doubt, was the main entrance, and led into some public corridor,
+where detection by passers-by would be certain, to say nothing of the
+fact that the door was no doubt strongly guarded, and by a soldier who
+would not be so complacent as Gaston had been (having neither handled
+my gold nor tasted a maiden's kisses as reward for his complacency).
+
+The second door led into the dressing-room, where even now I could
+hear the splashing of water and the vigorous preparations of the valet
+for the Consul's bath. That, of course, was not to be considered. The
+third one was the one through which I had seen Rustan glide; and at
+the thought of entering that room, and falling into the tender mercies
+of the mysterious Mameluke, I shuddered. A stealthy stiletto with
+poisoned point I had no doubt would make short work with me. And even
+could it be possible to seize a moment when Rustan was out of the room
+in attendance on his master, it was more than likely the room would
+prove a _cul-de-sac_ and I would be more securely trapped than ever.
+
+In the midst of these perplexing meditations I heard a heavy splash,
+followed by a vigorous sputtering, that assured me the First Consul
+was already in his bath. A moment later I heard a scratching at the
+door through which my uncle had departed. ('Tis the fashion, I have
+heard, at the Tuileries and St. Cloud, to scratch instead of knock.)
+Rustan answered it immediately, and led the gentleman who entered
+directly through the outer apartment to the dressing-room. This seemed
+a novel procedure to me, but I remembered that the French often
+received callers at the toilet, and perhaps it was nothing unusual for
+the First Consul to receive his friends in the bath.
+
+I could hear all that went on in the dressing-room; even the slightest
+sound was as audible in my closet as if no door intervened. I was
+surprised at this until I discovered that just higher than my head a
+small panel, not more than three inches square, had been removed from
+the door of the closet, admitting a little light and a little air. It
+was through this opening that sounds were conveyed, and it was through
+it that I heard the Consul's voice a moment after the visitor was
+conducted through the outer apartment.
+
+"Ah, my dear Lucien! Where were you last night, and where was my
+brother Joseph? Did you not intend to join me at the Theatre Francais?
+I expected you, and Talma showed great power in 'Hamlet.' I was
+surprised and disappointed not to see you both there."
+
+I do not remember what answer his brother made, but Bonaparte replied
+with the greatest good humor:
+
+"You might have seen, too, that the Parisians always like to see me.
+In fact, I scarcely flattered myself they would ever become so
+sympathetic when I had to shoot them down that October day in 1795."
+
+I could scarcely believe it was the First Consul speaking, so unlike
+were his tones to any I had heard from him before,--playful,
+affectionate, almost tender,--and I said to myself, "Ah, this despot
+has a heart! He loves his brother."
+
+I did not hear anything more that was said for a while, for I was
+revolving in my mind all possible modes of escape. I had just come to
+the conclusion that the only safe way was to remain quietly where I
+was until Bonaparte should have finished his bath and left his
+dressing-room (which I felt sure could not be long, since he had
+already been in the water for more than a quarter of an hour), when I
+heard again that peculiar little scratching sound on the dressing-room
+door, and Rustan entered, announcing to the Consul his brother Joseph.
+
+"Let him come in," said the Consul; "I shall stay in the bath a
+quarter of an hour longer."
+
+Black despair seized me. A quarter of an hour seemed to me
+interminable when I knew not at what moment the valet would fling open
+the closet door in his search for some article of dress, and discover
+me. There was nothing to do, however, but to make the best of it,
+hoping against hope that the great Bonaparte, who seemed inordinately
+fond of his bath, would some time be through with it and leave his
+dressing-room free for me to traverse it in safety. For I had made up
+my mind that I would wait no longer for Felice; the first minute that
+I could be quite sure that the dressing-room was vacant, I would open
+my closet door and escape, trusting to find Gaston still on guard at
+the outer dressing-room door.
+
+It occurred to me that if I were only a little taller, and could look
+through that open panel just above my head, it would be well, for then
+I could assure myself that the room was empty before attempting my
+escape, and not stumble upon some lurking valet or Mameluke. Then I
+remembered what I had noticed on entering the closet, but had not
+thought of since, a low three-legged taboret, not more than five
+inches high, but quite high enough, were I once upon it, to enable me
+to look through the open panel. I stooped carefully down and felt
+around the floor of the closet in the dark. My hand struck against it.
+I picked it up and set it noiselessly directly under the small
+opening, and slowly and carefully, and absolutely without making a
+sound, I mounted upon it.
+
+Just below me was the most remarkable group I had ever looked upon,
+or, I have no doubt, ever shall look upon. Respectfully standing near
+the bath were the two brothers Lucien and Joseph, and it was easy for
+me to decide at a glance which was Joseph and which Lucien, for I had
+heard much of both and knew their characteristics, though I knew not
+their faces. Joseph was the handsomer of the two, and looked more like
+his august brother, with the same fiery eye and mobile mouth, showing
+the same excitable temperament. Lucien had the calmer face that
+belongs to a scholar, though in some respects I thought it a stronger
+one than his brother Joseph's. In the marble bath lay Bonaparte, only
+his head and a little of his shoulders visible, for the water was
+frothy and opaque from quantities of cologne, whose sweet, pungent
+odor rose to my nostrils refreshingly. Bonaparte was in the act of
+speaking to Joseph:
+
+"Well, brother, have you spoken to Lucien?"
+
+"What about!" said Joseph.
+
+"Of our plan as to Louisiana--don't you know?"
+
+"Of _your_ plan, you mean, my dear brother; you cannot have forgotten
+that--far from being mine--"
+
+Bonaparte interrupted him with good-natured scorn.
+
+"Well, well, preacher, I don't need to discuss that with you; you are
+so obstinate. I like better to talk about serious things with Lucien;
+for, although he sometimes takes it into his head to go against me, he
+knows how to give up to my idea when I think fit to change his."
+
+Joseph's color rose quickly, and he spoke with some spirit:
+
+"You are unjust enough to attribute to obstinacy what is the effect of
+wise reflection."
+
+Lucien was evidently afraid of an outbreak, and he interposed quickly
+and laughingly:
+
+"Then that means, brother Joseph, that I hold my ideas so lightly I
+can easily be reasoned out of them."
+
+"Ah, my dear boy," said Bonaparte, with affectionate raillery, "fear
+not that any one will accuse thee of lightness. Thou art more likely
+to be named 'Iron-head.'"
+
+For a few minutes the two brothers playfully called each other
+nicknames, going back to the days of their boyhood in Corsica, while
+Joseph stood by, looking bored and every moment growing more
+impatient. Finally he broke in quite brusquely:
+
+"Well, you say nothing more about your famous plan!"
+
+Bonaparte turned at once to Lucien.
+
+"Well, Lucien, I have made up my mind to sell Louisiana to the
+Americans."
+
+"Indeed!" said Lucien, in a tone of curiosity, but with so much
+coolness I suspected he was not hearing the announcement for the first
+time.
+
+Bonaparte turned to Joseph with an air of triumph.
+
+"Well, Joseph, you see Lucien does not utter loud cries about this
+thing. Yet he almost has a right to, seeing that Louisiana is, so to
+speak, his own conquest."
+
+I knew what the Consul meant by that, for it was Lucien who had
+negotiated the San Ildefonso treaty which gave Louisiana to France.
+This speech of his brother's seemed to irritate Joseph still more, and
+he replied quite sharply:
+
+"I assure you, if Lucien says nothing, he thinks none the less."
+
+"Indeed!" said Bonaparte, his eyes beginning to flash and his lip to
+curl. "And why should he be diplomatic with me?"
+
+It was evident that Lucien thought it time to come forward to support
+Joseph, but that he also wished to placate the rising wrath of the
+Consul. So he spoke very gently:
+
+"I really think as my brother Joseph does on this matter, and I
+undertake to say that the Chambers will never assent."
+
+Bonaparte's head shot up above the rim of the bath-tub, and he leveled
+a fiery glance at Lucien.
+
+"_You_ undertake to say! A pretty piece of business!" with an air and
+tone of withering contempt.
+
+"Yes; and _I_ undertake to say," cried Joseph, in a tone of triumph,
+"that it will be so. And that is what I told the First Consul before."
+
+"And what did I say?" said the Consul, his tone rising with his wrath,
+and with his head still above the rim of the bath-tub, looking by
+turns quickly from one brother to the other, as if not to lose any
+change in the countenance of either.
+
+"You declared," said Joseph, his voice also rising, "you would get
+along without the assent of the Chambers; did you not?"
+
+"Exactly," said Bonaparte, concentrated irony in his tone. "That is
+what I took the liberty to say to Monsieur Joseph, and what I repeat
+here to Citizen Lucien, begging him to give me his opinion about it,
+derived from his paternal tenderness for that mighty diplomatic
+conquest of his, the treaty of San Ildefonso."
+
+Now I thought this a very unkind thrust at Lucien, for I had heard
+his part in the treaty had been most creditable and that the First
+Consul had been much pleased with it. I could see that Lucien found it
+hard to brook, but he struggled for mastery with himself, and spoke
+still gently:
+
+"My brother, my devotion is deep enough to sacrifice everything for
+you, except my duty. If I believed, for example, this sale of
+Louisiana would be fatal to me alone, I would consent to it to prove
+to you my devotion. But it is too unconstitutional."
+
+Bonaparte broke into his sentence with a fit of rasping, sarcastic
+laughter, sinking back into the bath-tub almost in a convulsion of
+demoniacal mirth.
+
+"Ha, ha, ha! You are drawing it fine. 'For example'!" His words
+struggled out in the intervals of his spasms of laughter. "Ha, ha, ha!
+'For example'!"--catching his breath. "'Unconstitutional'! That's
+droll from you; a good joke--ha, ha!" As his laughter ceased an
+expression of ironical and contemptuous rage passed over his face.
+
+"How have I touched your constitution?" he cried. "Answer!"
+
+"I know well," said Lucien, still trying to control himself, "you have
+not done so; but you know well that to alienate any possession of the
+republic without the consent of the Chambers is unconstitutional."
+
+That last word seemed to drive the Consul beside himself. Once more
+his head shot above the top of the bath-tub, and with blazing eyes he
+shook his fist at Lucien.
+
+"Clear out!" he shouted. "'Constitution'! 'Unconstitutional'!
+'Republic'! Great words--fine phrases! Do you think you are still at
+the Club of St. Maximin? We are past that, you had better believe!
+Parbleu! You phrase it nobly. 'Unconstitutional'! It becomes you well,
+Sir Knight of the Constitution, to talk that way to me. You hadn't the
+same respect for the Chambers on the eighteenth Brumaire."
+
+Lucien, roused at last, broke in, in a tone as high as Bonaparte's:
+
+"You well know, my dear brother, that your entry into the Five Hundred
+had no warmer opponent than I. No! I was not your accomplice, but the
+repairer of the evil which you had done to yourself!--and that at my
+own peril, and with some generosity on my part, because we did not
+then agree. Not to boast, I may add that no one in Europe, more than
+I, has disapproved the sacrilege against the national representation."
+
+Bonaparte's eyes blazed like diamonds.
+
+"Go on--go on!" he thundered. "That's quite too fine a thing to cut
+short, Sir Orator of the Clubs! But at the same time take note of
+this: that I shall do just as I please; that I detest, without
+fearing, your friends the Jacobins!--not one of whom shall remain in
+France if, as I hope, things continue to remain in my hands; and that,
+in fine, I snap my fingers at you and your 'national representation.'"
+
+"On my side," shouted Lucien, "I do not snap my fingers at you,
+Citizen Consul, but I well know what I think about you."
+
+"What do you think about me, Citizen Lucien? Parbleu! I am curious to
+know. Out with it!"
+
+"I think, Citizen Consul, that, having sworn to the constitution of
+the eighteenth Brumaire, as President of the Council of the Five
+Hundred, and seeing you despise it thus, if I were not your brother I
+would be your enemy!"
+
+"My enemy!" screamed Bonaparte. "Try it once! That's rather strong!"
+And, shaking his fist at Lucien, as he had done once before, "Thou my
+enemy!" he screamed again, and then sank back in the water up to his
+neck, as if exhausted. In a moment he spoke again in a somewhat
+quieter tone:
+
+"Cease this miserable caviling which you and Joseph are at work on
+night and day--ridiculous for him, and still less appropriate for you.
+It is not from you that I expect lessons in government. Enough! Forget
+all you have said about it! I shall contrive to dispense with you. A
+precious, well-disposed pair of brothers you are! Please call back the
+valet; I must get out of the bath-tub at once."
+
+The valet had come in; Joseph and Lucien, thinking the matter was
+dropped, were turning toward the door; the valet was spreading open
+the sheet to wrap up his master, when the Consul suddenly returned to
+the charge, and thundered in a tone that made Lucien and Joseph start
+and turn back quickly, and the valet drop the sheet from his trembling
+hands:
+
+"Well, sirs, think what you please about the sale of Louisiana! but
+you may both of you put on mourning over this thing--you, Lucien, over
+the sale of your province; you, Joseph, because I propose to dispense
+with the consent of all persons whatsoever. Do you hear?"
+
+I fairly shivered in my hiding-place at such an outbreak on such a
+topic in the presence of a servant. Lucien shrank farther toward the
+door, but Joseph, who had held his peace through the quarrel of the
+two brothers, stung by the scornful words and manner, and especially
+by the contemptuous "Do you hear?" which was like a cutting snapper to
+the Consul's lashing wrath, rushed back, exclaiming:
+
+"You will do well, my dear brother, not to lay your plan before the
+Chambers, for I swear to you I will put myself, if necessary, at the
+head of the opposition which will certainly be made."
+
+There was no reply from Bonaparte but an outburst of loud and sardonic
+laughter.
+
+Joseph flushed dark red, and, almost beside himself with rage,
+stooping over the figure that lay immersed in the bath, screamed out:
+
+"Laugh! laugh! laugh, then! All the same, I shall do what I say, and,
+though I do not like to mount the tribune, this time you'll see me
+there!"
+
+At these words, Bonaparte rose in the bath-tub so as to show half his
+body out of the water, opaque and frothy with cologne, and pale as his
+brother was red, he cried sternly:
+
+"You will not need to play the orator, for I repeat to you that this
+debate will not take place, because the plan so unlucky as to be
+disapproved by you, conceived by me, negotiated by me, will be
+ratified and executed by me--by me alone; do you understand?--by me!"
+Then he sank back once more to his neck in the water. Joseph, whose
+self-control was all gone, his face aflame, roared:
+
+"Well, general, on my side, I tell you that you and I and all the
+family, if you do what you say you will, may get ready to join shortly
+those poor innocent devils whom you so legally, so humanely,--above
+all, with so much justice,--have had transported to Cayenne!"
+
+This was a terrible home thrust, and I could see Lucien draw hastily
+still farther back toward the door, and the valet literally cowered.
+
+"You insolent fellow!" thundered Bonaparte. "I ought--" But I did not
+hear the rest of the sentence, for as he spoke he rose quickly from
+the water and plunged heavily back, so that the water dashed out in a
+flood on the floor. Lucien, who was back by the door, escaped a
+wetting; but Joseph received the splash full in his face, and his
+clothes were drenched. The valet ran to Joseph's assistance, but had
+no more than begun to sponge him off than he fell to the floor in a
+fainting fit. The quarrel was calmed at once, and the Bonapartes
+good-heartedly ran to the rescue. Joseph hurried to pick him up from
+the wet floor; Lucien rang the bell so hard that Rustan and another
+servant came running in, frightened; and the First Consul, his eyes
+and lips just visible above the rim of the bath-tub, called out
+sympathetically:
+
+"Carry off the poor fellow, and take good care of him."
+
+As for me, the excitement was too much for me also. I did not faint,
+but my stool, which was none of the steadiest on its three legs,
+suddenly tipped from the excess of my emotion, and, though I caught
+myself from falling entirely, I yet made what sounded to my horrified
+ears a deafening racket. In reality I suppose it was only a slight
+scuffling noise, but it was enough to catch the quick ears of the
+First Consul and Rustan.
+
+"What was that?" I heard the First Consul say in a startled tone.
+
+"I think, sir, it was some noise in the closet," I heard Rustan reply.
+"If Monsieur Joseph will assist in supporting your valet, I will
+investigate."
+
+Now was my last hour come. But I was not going to die like a rat in a
+trap. I would rush out the door into the public corridor, and, if
+necessary, slay the guard and make one bold dash for safety. I drew my
+sword from its scabbard to have it in readiness in my hand for
+whatever might befall, pulled back the curtain, and came near running
+through the body my pretty Felice! She was coming to keep her promise
+to me and show me the way out. She did not seem to see my sword, but
+the moment she saw me she spoke in great excitement:
+
+"Make haste, Monsieur; there is not a moment to lose. You can escape
+through the main corridor. But you must be quick, for the Consul may
+finish his bath at any minute, and his brothers retire here to await
+him while he dresses."
+
+We were hurrying toward the door as she spoke, but I, feeling as if
+the Mameluke were close behind me, seized her hand and dragged her
+roughly into the corridor as I whispered:
+
+"Yes, we must be quick, for Rustan is after us!"
+
+With a half-suppressed scream she let go my hand, turned to Gaston,
+who was standing at the door motionless as a statue and, to all
+appearance, deaf and blind as one also, uttered the one word,
+"Rustan!" and fled swiftly down the dark side corridor, leaving me
+utterly bewildered. The western sun was flooding the cabinet of the
+First Consul when I went into my hiding-place, but the sun had set and
+twilight had fallen and the candles had been long lit when I stepped
+out into the corridor. The wax tapers set in sconces along the
+corridor lighted it but poorly, and I knew not which way to go.
+
+"Run, Monsieur!" cried Gaston, in a terrified whisper, "straight down
+the corridor till you come to the grand staircase. And run as if the
+devil was after you, for he is!"
+
+That was all I needed,--a word of direction,--and I was off. But
+scarcely had I gone a few feet when I heard a great noise and shouting
+behind me, and Gaston crying, "Stop thief!" I thought at first he was
+turning traitor, now that he had my gold piece with no chance of
+gaining another from me. But as I ran the faster, and the noise behind
+me did not seem to gain on me, as I feared it might, I concluded he
+was making a great outcry to cover his own part in my escape, and
+perhaps was hindering the pursuit more than helping it.
+
+Yet when I came to the turn of the grand staircase I thought for a
+moment I had also come to the end of my days; for just as I felt sure
+I was distancing those behind me, there came running swiftly toward me
+from the other end of the dim corridor an officer with sword drawn,
+and I saw he would meet me exactly at the head of the grand staircase.
+The light from a tall taper fell on his face as he neared the
+staircase. It was the Chevalier Le Moyne!
+
+I had but a moment to think. Should I stop to engage with him, I had
+no doubt I could unsword him as easily as he had unsworded me in the
+dance by Chouteau's Pond; but the delay would bring a score to his
+help, and I would be quickly overpowered, if not done to death at
+once. Neither did I like to turn my back on that drawn sword as I fled
+down the steps, feeling sure it would spit me through the shoulders,
+much as Narcisse spitted the wild fowl for roasting at Emigre's
+Retreat. But above all I did not wish the chevalier to see my face;
+for, even should I make good my escape, Paris would be no safe place
+for me should he recognize in the flying "thief" his hated St. Louis
+rival.
+
+I pulled my hat low over my eyes, lifted my left arm before my face as
+if to shield it from his sword, rushed straight toward him, met him,
+as I thought I should, at the top of the staircase, and, with a quick
+twist of my foot (a school-boy's trick), sent him sprawling down the
+stairs. In three great bounds I had cleared the staircase and his
+prostrate body, and like a whirlwind I threw myself upon the sentry at
+its foot, who--half dazed by this sudden descent of the chevalier and
+myself, one rolling and bumping from step to step, the other leaping
+through the air like some great winged creature--was nevertheless in
+the act of raising his gun to fire at me. As I hurled my great weight
+full upon him, the gun flew from his hands, and his little
+dancing-master figure went pirouetting across the terrace into the
+darkness beyond, in a vain struggle to recover his balance. I sprang
+down the terrace after him, and disappeared in the friendly darkness.
+
+It was time. Starting from the gloom in every direction, armed figures
+seemed to spring from the ground, while down the great staircase
+behind me clattered, shrieking and shouting in every key, a throng of
+officers and soldiers, led by a dark figure gliding swiftly and
+silently far in advance, and holding in his upraised hand something
+that glittered as it caught the rays from wax tapers. In the very act
+of springing down the first terrace, I saw the glittering dagger leave
+Rustan's hand, hurled straight at my head, and heard it fall far below
+me on the stone parapet of the last terrace.
+
+It was but the work of a moment to run swiftly to the pines and find
+Fatima, and lead her out of the thicket. I had not found my seat upon
+her back when she bounded away into the dark, straight down the broad
+green allee that led toward the Bois de Boulogne and Paris. Then was
+there hurrying to horse, and the pounding of many hoofs behind me on
+the soft turf, and the wild clamor of confused orders shouted back
+and forth, and a fusillade of bullets firing into the dark, if by
+chance one might find its mark.
+
+But I no longer felt any fear. Fatima was stretching away beneath me
+with the swift and easy motion of a bird, and I did not believe there
+was a horse in all France could overtake her. The night was my friend,
+too, and a dark night it was; for the clouds had gathered and shut out
+even the faint light of stars, and I could not so much as see my hand
+before my face. But I could trust Fatima to find her way, and I felt
+nothing but a wild exhilaration as we went swinging along in great
+strides through the cool, damp night breeze, and I could tell, from
+the clamor of voices and pounding of hoofs growing more distant, that
+we were gaining on our pursuers.
+
+Out from the soft turf of the park we clattered on to the stony
+streets of the little village. Here there were lights, and people
+passing to and fro, who stopped and stared at the wild flight of horse
+and rider. But none molested until the hallooes and the clatter of
+hoofs of those following reached their ears. Then men rushed out from
+low taverns, from hut and hovel and respectable houses, brandishing
+arms and shouting "Stop thief!" and adding much to the noise and
+excitement, but availing nothing to stop the fugitive. Only one young
+fellow, an officer by his dress, snatched a gun from a bystander, and
+fired with so true an aim that had I not ducked my head I would have
+had no head to duck.
+
+But in a few moments we had left the village behind us and were once
+more on the unlighted country roads. Faster and faster we flew, by
+hedge and stone wall and orchard, whence the night breeze wafted the
+scent of blossoming fruit-trees, with ever the sound of hallooes and
+hoofs growing fainter in the distance.
+
+Yet not until I had long ceased to catch even the slightest sound of
+pursuit, and we were well on our way through the gloomy depths of the
+Bois,--night haunt of robbers, suicides, and assassins,--did I draw
+rein and give Fatima a chance to breathe. As we ambled along, my
+pulses growing quieter as Fatima's breath no longer came in deep-drawn
+sobs, but regularly in warm puffs from her wide nostrils, I fell to
+thinking over the events of the afternoon.
+
+Now that it was all safely over, and no ill had befallen me, and I had
+brought no disgrace upon my uncle, I was elated beyond measure that my
+adventure had exceeded my wildest hopes of its success. I had seen the
+great Bonaparte, and would henceforth know him as no man outside the
+circle of his intimate friends could possibly know him. He would no
+longer be, in my eyes, the impossible hero of romance, faultless and
+beyond criticism, but a man with more than the ordinary man's meed of
+shortcomings as to temper, yet with also a thousand times more than
+any ordinary man's power to control men and mold circumstance.
+Dictatorial, harsh, intolerant of all opinions that did not coincide
+with his own, brooking no interference with his methods or suggestions
+as to his duty, he could yet be playful and affectionate with the
+brother he loved, sympathetic with a servant whom his own harsh temper
+had frightened into fainting, and touched with a soft feeling of
+regret for the colony he ruthlessly alienated from the fatherland.
+
+My mind pictured him vividly in every aspect in which I had seen him,
+but strongest and most persistent of all was the vision of the figure
+in the deep-armed chair, bowed in mournful thought, or with arm
+outstretched to my uncle, and voice trembling with suppressed emotion,
+saying:
+
+"Let the Louisianians know that we separate ourselves from them with
+regret. Let them retain for us sentiments of affection. And may our
+common origin, descent, language, and customs perpetuate the
+friendship!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+MR. MONROE ARRIVES!
+
+    "No sun upon an Easter day
+      Is half so fine a sight."
+
+
+It was ten o'clock when I reached Monsieur Marbois's house and found
+my aunt anxiously awaiting me. I had to explain the lateness of my
+return and the bespattered condition of my garments by telling her I
+had lost my way in the Boulogne woods (which was true, for in those
+winding roads Fatima did for a time go astray), and such was her
+horror at the thought of the perils to which I had been exposed in
+that forest of evil repute that she questioned me not at all about my
+visit to St. Cloud, for which I was devoutly thankful. She had
+expected that my uncle would be detained all night, so that I had no
+explanations to make in his behalf.
+
+The dinner-hour was long past, but she insisted on having a hot supper
+prepared for me, and though my conscience assured me I deserved to go
+to bed hungry, the little fillet of beef with mushrooms, flanked by an
+omelet _au gratin_, which Jacques, my aunt's accomplished chef, sent
+up to my room piping hot, with a glass of fine old Burgundy, tasted a
+little better to me than I ever remembered anything to have tasted
+before. _Le petit souper_ was served in my room, because my aunt had
+insisted that my wet clothes should be removed (it had begun to rain
+long before we reached the streets of Paris) and I should get into a
+hot bath at once to prevent, if possible, the cold she was sure I had
+contracted on my wet and perilous ride.
+
+Safe in my own comfortable room, warm and refreshed from my bath, with
+a delicious supper smoking before me, the memory of my exciting
+adventures and the discomforts of the latter part of the ride, lost in
+the dismal woods and chilled to the bone by the cold rain, already
+began to grow dim and hazy.
+
+The April rain driving against my windows added to my sense of comfort
+and security. It had been a good friend to me in at least two
+respects: it had washed out every trace of Fatima's hoof-prints, so
+that not even Monsieur Fouche's lynx-eyed police could track me when
+the morning light should start them on the trail; and it had ruined my
+new puce-colored costume. Remembering how I had rejoiced in the
+wearing of it that very morning, its destruction might not seem to be
+a cause for thankfulness. But I would never dare to wear it again,
+lest some one who had seen me at St. Cloud (most of all, the
+chevalier) should recognize it; and yet I might have found it
+difficult to frame excuses for not wearing it that would satisfy my
+aunt's minute and anxious care for me, which extended to seeing that I
+wore the proper suit for every occasion.
+
+But I did not feel quite so secure the next morning, when I saw
+posted all over the city flaming accounts of an attack upon the First
+Consul's life when he was in his bath, frustrated by the vigilance of
+his faithful Mameluke. There followed descriptions of the assassin as
+given by various witnesses who had had deadly hand-to-hand encounters
+with him, no two descriptions agreeing in any particulars, except that
+he was of great stature and rode a mysterious steed that bore him away
+on the wings of the wind.
+
+There was great excitement throughout all Paris, and there were not
+wanting those who hinted at supernatural agencies. Some of those who
+had stood gaping at our swift flight through St. Cloud village were
+ready to swear that the horse the assassin rode had wings from his
+shoulders and his feet, and one poor lout added a tail and a pair of
+horns for the rider!
+
+I might have been amused at all this if it had not been for the
+Chevalier Le Moyne. It was almost inevitable that I should meet him
+some day in the city, and when he should come to know of my presence
+in Paris he would at once connect the assassin of great size and his
+wonderful horse with the horse and rider that had snatched
+Mademoiselle Pelagie from his grasp at Rock Spring. And I was quite
+sure, also, that no considerations of gratitude for his life spared
+when he was in my power would deter him from handing me over to the
+merciless police with the greatest delight, now that I was in his
+power.
+
+So it was not with a perfect sense of security that I went about Paris
+for the next day or two, and I left Fatima to pine in her stable
+rather than to run the risk of suggesting a resemblance to some St.
+Cloud villager while yet the apparition of horse and rider was fresh
+in his mind.
+
+I did not see my uncle until late on Tuesday afternoon. He had gone
+direct to the Treasury office on Monday morning, and had been summoned
+to St. Cloud again Monday afternoon to spend the night. I had fully
+made up my mind to make a clean breast of it to him when I should see
+him, though I dreaded much the just reprimands I knew I should
+receive. It was with a very trembling heart, but striving to keep as
+courageous a front as possible, that I obeyed a summons to his private
+library late Tuesday afternoon. My uncle was sternness itself.
+
+"Sit down, sir," he said as I entered, scarcely returning my greeting.
+
+"If you will permit me, I would prefer to stand until I have made an
+explanation and my most heart-felt apologies," I replied, determined
+to speak quickly and have it over before my courage should desert me.
+
+"I desire no apologies," returned my uncle, a little less sternly, I
+thought, "and I particularly desire that you make me no explanations.
+If you had any connection with the mysterious assassin and his horse,
+I prefer to be able to say that I know nothing at all about it. I may
+have my suspicions that only a daredevil young American could
+accomplish such feats of prowess as were ascribed to this
+'assassin,'--over-power single-handed all the guards of the palace,
+and make good his escape on a steed of supernatural swiftness,--but I
+prefer that they should remain suspicions; do you understand?"
+
+I bowed silently, too mortified to make any reply.
+
+"I may have my theories, also," continued my uncle, "as to this young
+daredevil's presence in the First Consul's closet, and they would
+certainly not be those entertained by the police. Yet it would be a
+difficult matter to convince any one, least of all the First Consul
+and Fouche, that he could be there for any other purpose than
+assassination; and should his identity be discovered, I fear no
+influence could be brought to bear strong enough to save his life.
+Permit me to add, also, that an insatiable curiosity to be present at
+councils of state, such as I have no doubt led this young man to
+contrive an entrance into the Consul's private apartments, seems to me
+only one degree less culpable than the dastardly designs of an
+assassin."
+
+It is impossible to describe the scathing tone with which my uncle
+uttered this last sentence. Nor, had I been receiving condemnation
+from a just judge for the most dastardly crimes, could I have felt
+keener humiliation. I dared not lift my eyes, and every pulse in my
+body sent the blood in waves to my already scarlet countenance. I
+broke out into a great sweat all over my body as I realized that I had
+forever forfeited the respect and confidence of my uncle, whom I
+greatly honored and admired. I felt that I must make one desperate
+effort to regain a little of what I had lost. Not until that moment
+did I dream that I would be suspected of deliberately hiding in that
+closet for the purpose of eavesdropping, and not to be allowed to
+explain to my uncle that my presence there was by accident was almost
+more than I could bear.
+
+"Sir," I began, still not lifting my eyes, "you will not permit me to
+tell you anything when I had desired to tell you all, but I beg that
+you will allow me to say that it was not a spirit of mean curiosity
+that moved that young man, but a spirit of foolish and reckless
+adventure, of which he bitterly repents--most of all, because he has
+forever forfeited the respect and esteem of him whose good opinion he
+most prizes. He will return at once to America, where he will be in no
+danger of disgracing those whom he honors so highly. That his visit to
+Paris, so kindly planned by you, looked forward to with such delight,
+and, until the present moment, enjoyed so keenly, should end in such
+failure, is a greater bitterness than you can comprehend; but he feels
+that he has richly deserved it for his foolish recklessness. He only
+prays that in condemning his actions you will not judge too harshly of
+his motives, and that if it is possible to retain affection where
+esteem is forfeited, he may still be permitted to retain a little of
+yours."
+
+I stood with my head bowed for what seemed to me a very long time
+before my uncle spoke. Then he said in the kindest of tones:
+
+"Sit down, my boy; 'tis not quite so bad as that."
+
+I looked up quickly. My uncle was actually smiling, and a great load
+rolled off my heart. For whereas a moment before I had thought I could
+never look any man in the face again, least of all my uncle, it now
+seemed to me that there was almost as much of kindly affection in his
+glance as I had ever found there. Yet I would not sit down, as my
+uncle so kindly insisted, feeling that I deserved still to retain the
+attitude of culprit; seeing which, my uncle softened still more.
+
+"Perhaps I have been too hard on you," he said; "it was a foolish
+trick, without doubt, and you deserve some punishment for your
+thoughtlessness and recklessness. From what I know of you, I can
+charge you with no mean motive, and I am not sure but that at your age
+an adventure of such kind would have tempted me greatly. I do not mind
+saying, also, that I am rather proud of the way you got yourself out
+of your scrape, and I am glad there were no more serious results than
+a sprained ankle for the Chevalier Le Moyne and a temporary aberration
+of mind for the sentry. I am told you sent him spinning in such
+fashion that his brains flew out of the top of his head, and it was
+some hours before he got them back again. I hear, too, that he insists
+it could have been no less a personage than his Satanic Majesty
+himself who with a touch of the hand sent his gun flying when he was
+in the very act of firing, and then gave him a twirl that sent him
+spinning down the terraces in the dark."
+
+I did not want to laugh, but I could not quite suppress a sheepish
+grin at this picture of the dazed sentry, seeing which my uncle threw
+back his head and laughed in a way I am sure he learned in America,
+for I have never heard the like from these ever-smiling Parisians. I
+would have liked to laugh with him, so jolly did it sound, and my
+heart growing lighter every moment; but I did not quite dare. In a
+minute my uncle stopped as suddenly as he had begun, and was all
+seriousness again.
+
+"Well, well, my boy, it's all over," he said, "and I am thankful there
+was no bloodshed, and not very sorry that the chevalier must go
+limping for a while. I like not that fellow, and I don't understand
+why he is hanging around the First Consul so much of late. As to your
+going back to America, it would be the worst possible thing to do. You
+might as well make a confession at once. No; you must go about exactly
+as you have always done, no more, no less--certainly no less. And you
+must ride Fatima, but always at a moderate pace, and be sure you make
+no exhibitions of her training."
+
+I hardly knew how to thank my uncle, and I told him so. I was indeed
+glad not to be sent back to America, and I had no doubt that he was
+right about the wisdom of showing myself in public places with Fatima.
+I was glad, too, to hear him say that he did not like the Chevalier Le
+Moyne. I thought I could have enlightened him as to the chevalier's
+reasons for hanging around the First Consul, but my uncle did not know
+that I had ever seen Chevalier Le Moyne before, and I could not
+explain to him without telling him also about the Comtesse de Baloit;
+and--I knew not why, but I shrank greatly from mentioning her name to
+my uncle. So I held my peace about the chevalier, and instead made
+many promises as to my future conduct, and expressed many regrets for
+the past.
+
+I was leaving the room, feeling myself partly at least restored to my
+self-respect, when my uncle called me back.
+
+"I've a piece of news that may interest you," he said. "The
+President's envoy, Mr. Monroe, has arrived, and I am going to call on
+him at Mr. Livingston's this evening. Would you like to go with me?"
+
+I thanked him much, and assured him that I was greatly honored and
+pleased at his invitation (which did, indeed, seem to me like a sign
+that his confidence in me had returned), and then I hastily left the
+room with my head in a whirl. Mr. Monroe had arrived! Then so also had
+mademoiselle. I knew of no way to quiet the tumult of my heart and
+brain but to go for a ride on Fatima, though in my state of excitement
+it was hard work keeping her down to the moderate pace my uncle had
+recommended.
+
+I sought the Champs-Elysees, for it was the fashionable hour for
+driving, and I hoped that she might be taking the air there with all
+the rest of the world, though I hardly thought it probable so soon
+after her arrival. I rode slowly up and down the avenue, bowing to
+many acquaintances, and looking eagerly at every beautiful woman,
+whether I knew her or not, for fear that, seeing her in a strange city
+with strange surroundings, I might pass her and not know her.
+
+I was about to give up the quest and go home, when I saw coming toward
+me a carriage that had just turned into the avenue from a street
+leading to the Faubourg St. Germain. It was more magnificent than any
+I had seen, with outriders in gorgeous liveries, but I thought that
+hardly accounted for the way people were staring, stopping to look
+back when the carriage had passed, and the young men bowing to the
+ground. My heart began to beat tumultuously, as if it knew what my
+eyes were soon to look upon; yet I am not sure that I really believed
+it until it burst upon me, a vision of dazzling loveliness. Had I
+forgotten how beautiful she was? or was it that the fine Parisian hat
+and dress had added the transcendent touch? Unconsciously I drew
+Fatima to one side, so dazzled was I by her radiance; and so she did
+not see me, though she was looking eagerly from side to side, trying
+to take in at once all this wonderful Paris of which she had heard so
+much. She seemed to me like a happy child, eyes and lips smiling with
+delight, and I was happy just to be looking at her, though I liked not
+the face of the proud and haughty lady who sat beside her, and who, I
+feared, would never let her speak to her old St. Louis friend.
+
+The carriage passed, and I, too, looked back, as did all the rest of
+the world. Alas! in one moment was my joy turned to bitterness; for,
+sitting with his back to the horses and facing Pelagie, a proud smile
+as of ownership on his evil but handsome face, sat the Chevalier Le
+Moyne!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+THE CONSUL'S SENTENCE
+
+    "'Tis an old maxim in the schools,
+    That flattery's the food of fools;
+    Yet now and then your man of wit
+    Will condescend to take a bit."
+
+
+"I wonder what her cousin will say about it? He is her next of kin,
+and I suppose will have some authority."
+
+"You mean the young Duc d'Enghien? He is in Baden, you know, and not
+in a position to say anything. He is still emigre, and likely to
+remain so; for the First Consul distrusts all Bourbon princes."
+
+"Yes; but he might use his authority with his royal cousin, even at a
+distance. I had always thought he and the Comte d'Artois had other
+plans for the comtesse--that she was to strengthen their house by an
+alliance with one of the royal houses of Europe."
+
+"Without doubt that was their plan, but the other side of the house
+got ahead of them. It is to prevent just such an alliance, I believe,
+that the wily old duchesse is planning this marriage with the
+chevalier. He is too far down in the royal ranks to be a dangerous
+_parti_."
+
+"Have her estates been restored, do you know?"
+
+"I am not sure, but I think not. I have heard that Bonaparte is making
+this marriage a condition. He, too, wants to prevent anything that
+will strengthen the power of the Bourbons."
+
+"Oh, then the marriage is assured, and the duchesse has accomplished
+her purpose. I am sorry. I wish the comtesse had remained a little
+longer in America."
+
+"I am not quite so sure about it. It seems the comtesse herself is
+making difficulties. Perhaps, now that she has discovered her true
+rank, she does not consider the chevalier sufficiently noble."
+
+"It will make no difference what she thinks or feels, poor child; with
+the duchesse and the First Consul both against her, she is as helpless
+as a bird in the snares of the fowler."
+
+I was one of the group where this conversation took place, and so,
+though I had no part in it, I could not be considered an eavesdropper
+(for I had sworn that, rather than listen again to what was not
+intended for my hearing, I would go about with my ears stuffed with
+wax and be deaf to the whole world). No name had been mentioned, yet I
+knew well it was of the Comtesse de Baloit they were speaking, and
+every word pierced my soul like a knife.
+
+A stir at the upper end of the grand salon put a stop to the
+conversation. Every voice was hushed, and all eyes were turned to
+where Madame Bonaparte and the First Consul were making a grand entry.
+They were followed by a throng of ladies and gentlemen in attendance,
+and the scene could not have been more magnificent had they been king
+and queen holding royal court, with lords and ladies in waiting.
+
+I had eyes at first for no one but Madame Bonaparte (since coming to
+live at the Tuileries she was no longer called Citizeness Bonaparte),
+whom I had not yet seen, this being my first levee, and of whom I had
+heard almost as much as of the First Consul. I had heard that she was
+not faultlessly beautiful, but of great charm, and I could see at once
+that this was true. I do not know why she was not perfectly
+beautiful--perhaps her features were a little heavy, her nose a little
+long, her cheek-bones a little high, which just prevented her face
+from being faultless; but her eyes were large and lustrous and beaming
+with kindness, and her hair was soft and dark and abundant and
+gathered under a Grecian _filet_ in rich waves and curls, and her skin
+was of that creamy whiteness so often seen in creoles, and which sets
+off so well dark hair and eyes. I have never seen more beautiful neck
+and shoulders and arms; they looked to me more like some of those
+beautiful figures in marble in the Louvre Museum, that Bonaparte
+brought back with him from Italy, than like real flesh and blood.
+
+She was dressed all in white, and my aunt whispered to me that the
+First Consul liked her best in white, and that it was said when Madame
+Bonaparte (who was herself fond of more gorgeous costumes) appeared in
+white, it was a sign either that she was jealous of her husband and
+was trying to win back his straying affections, or that she wanted
+some special favor granted. Very likely this was only idle court
+gossip, but it might easily be true, for I could hardly think her so
+nearly beautiful in any other dress as in that softly falling white,
+with high girdle of gold, richly jeweled, and her dark waves of hair
+caught in a golden net under the Grecian filet.
+
+The First Consul was very magnificent also; I think he likes dress as
+well as his wife. When I had looked well at these two, I had leisure
+to look at their retinue; and I looked first at the gentlemen, many of
+whom were wearing the brilliant uniforms of army officers. To my
+chagrin, my eyes fell almost instantly upon the Chevalier Le Moyne,
+wearing the very gorgeous uniform of aide to General Bonaparte. As I
+looked at him his eye caught mine, and I saw him start, turn pale, and
+then color violently. In a moment he forced a quick smile to his lips
+(to his teeth, I had almost said, for there was always something
+wolfish to me in his smile), and then he bowed. I returned his bow
+very coldly, and his presence there suggesting to me that I might
+possibly find Pelagie among the court ladies (for so 'tis the fashion
+to call them in jest), I turned to look for her. Yes, she was there,
+and, like Madame Bonaparte, all in white. Only Pelagie's white was
+filmy and lacy, and fuller and more flowing than madame's, with jewels
+shining in its folds and in her waving hair. And whereas Madame
+Bonaparte made me think of a Greek goddess, Pelagie reminded me of one
+of Mr. Shakspere's fairies, sparkling, graceful, exquisite.
+
+She did not seem to see me, and I could gaze at her no longer, for the
+First Consul was already moving about from group to group of the
+assembled guests, saying a few words to each, and he was just
+approaching our party. He greeted my aunt and uncle and those standing
+with us, whom he knew, very affably; then he turned his quick glance
+on me, and my uncle presented me.
+
+"Ah," he said, "I was not mistaken. I thought you were from America
+when I saw you in church on Easter morning"; and, turning to my uncle,
+he added:
+
+"We do not grow such great fair men in France, Citizen Minister."
+
+"No," said my uncle, quickly; "we have small dark great men in France,
+Citizen First Consul."
+
+Bonaparte laughed, pleased both with the play on words and my uncle's
+compliment, and turned quickly to the next group before I had time to
+stammer out how flattered I felt at his remembering me.
+
+The next group happened to be the English ambassador, Lord Whitworth,
+and his friends. The Consul had been very affable with us, and I had
+discovered that his smile was of rare sweetness and gave great beauty
+to his face. But as he turned to Lord Whitworth the smile vanished and
+his brows were drawn together in a dark frown. Without the slightest
+word of greeting, he spoke to him abruptly and harshly:
+
+"I find your nation wants war again."
+
+Lord Whitworth bowed low, and a dull red slowly spread over his face
+as he answered:
+
+"No, sir; we are very desirous of peace."
+
+"You have just finished a war of fifteen years," said Bonaparte again,
+in the most offensive of tones, almost a sneer.
+
+The ambassador bit his lip in his effort at self-control, but he
+answered with great suavity:
+
+"It is true, sir; and that was fifteen years too long."
+
+"But you want another war of fifteen years," insisted Bonaparte, his
+tones every moment harsher and louder, so that every one in that part
+of the salon could not help but hear. All conversation ceased, and
+every one listened with strained and painful attention. Lord Whitworth
+quietly reiterated:
+
+"Pardon me, sir; we are very desirous of peace."
+
+Then, in a tone that rang out like the harsh clang of crossing swords,
+Bonaparte cried:
+
+"I must either have Malta or war!"
+
+A shock ran through the whole assembly. No man dared look at his
+neighbor. This was nothing less than a declaration of war, and in the
+most insulting manner. Whether the proud representative of the
+haughtiest nation on the globe would receive such a rude insult to
+himself and his country calmly was very doubtful, and we all awaited
+Lord Whitworth's reply in trembling silence. With compressed lips and
+eyes that flashed in spite of himself, but with a calmness in marked
+contrast to Bonaparte's petulance, he replied:
+
+"I am not prepared, sir, to speak on that subject; and I can only
+assure you, Citizen First Consul, that we wish for peace."
+
+Bonaparte's frown grew darker, but he said no more; and with a curt
+nod, and almost a sneer on his lips, he withdrew at once into a small
+cabinet opening into the salon, leaving the rest of his guests without
+addressing a word to them, which I was told afterward was very
+unusual with him, and showed that his irritation must be very great.
+
+An embarrassed silence followed the First Consul's exit. I had been
+looking forward to this levee for weeks, but it promised to be a very
+uncomfortable occasion for me as well as for others. I had a great
+desire to speak to the British ambassador and assure him of my
+sympathy, for none of the Frenchmen so much as dared to look at him,
+now that he was in disgrace, lest it be reported to the Consul, and
+they themselves fall under suspicion. But I feared it would be
+presumption in one so young and unknown, and I dreaded meeting the
+haughty British stare with which an Englishman petrifies one he
+considers unduly forward. Much to my relief, and indeed to the relief
+of the whole company, my uncle turned to him and began at once to talk
+in a most animated manner of the doings in the American Congress. That
+the relief was general was evident, for conversation was at once
+resumed, and with a gaiety that was somewhat feverish, I thought.
+
+It was our turn now to pay our respects to Madame Bonaparte. I had
+been eager to meet her until I discovered the presence of Pelagie; but
+now it had suddenly become a trying ordeal to walk forward and salute
+madame, and perhaps stand talking to her a few moments, conscious that
+Pelagie's eyes, if they cared to, might be watching every movement.
+Should I be awkward (as I feared I would under such a scrutiny), I was
+sure there would be the old mocking light in them I had so often seen,
+and dreaded to see, in St. Louis. I resolved not to glance at her
+once while I was going through my ordeal, lest she should prove my
+undoing; and I tried to think only of the charming woman who smiled
+bewitchingly when I made gallant speeches, and who tapped me with her
+fan in much the same playful fashion as Mistress Madison had tapped me
+with her jeweled snuff-box. Indeed, she reminded me much of the lovely
+Washington lady. Both had the same kind way of putting an awkward lad
+at his ease, and seeming to like him and be pleased with his speeches,
+especially if they savored a little of audacity. But Madame Bonaparte
+had not the dash and sparkle of Mistress Madison; instead, she had a
+lazy Southern fashion of speech and a wonderfully winning gentleness
+that I am not sure was not more charming than the gay brilliancy of
+the other.
+
+She kept me talking to her longer than I had expected (or hoped for),
+and I began to see significant glances exchanged, while my color was
+steadily rising; and I was sure mademoiselle (if she looked at me at
+all), noting my shining curls, as yellow as the gold lace on my white
+satin court-dress, and my cheeks flaming like any girl's, was saying
+to herself with infinite scorn, "Pretty boy!"
+
+I think Madame Bonaparte saw the significant glances also, for she
+said presently:
+
+"You must meet the Comtesse de Baloit. She has just returned from your
+America, and you will have much in common to talk about."
+
+And so I found myself bowing low over Pelagie's hand, and a moment
+later looking straight down into her lovely dark eyes, which looked
+straight up at mine with no hint of scorn in their shadowy depths, but
+only a great wonder, and a little of something else that set my pulses
+to beating like trip-hammers.
+
+"I cannot understand, Monsieur," she said. "I shall have to ask you,
+as you asked me in Washington--how did you get here?"
+
+"It was a lodestar drew me," I murmured.
+
+But the warm light in her eyes changed quickly to proud disdain.
+
+"I like not idle gallantries between old friends. Keep those for
+Madame Bonaparte. I saw they pleased her greatly, and that you were
+much flattered by their reception."
+
+Could the Comtesse de Baloit be jealous? or was it the haughty
+Faubourg St. Germain scorning the parvenue of the Tuileries? I hoped
+it was the first, but in either case it behooved me to make quick
+_amende_.
+
+"Forgive me, Comtesse," I said, as coldly as she had spoken, but in
+English, and so low that I hoped no listener could understand even if
+he knew the tongue. "It was true, but you could not know how true, and
+I have no right to tell you. I know well how great a distance lies
+between the proud Lady of France and a simple American gentleman.
+Permit me to inform you, Comtesse, that I have been in Paris for more
+than a month with my uncle, Monsieur Barbe Marbois. And permit me to
+add, as a simple fact in which you may be interested or not, that this
+is the moment for which I have lived through that month--the moment
+when I should meet again the Comtesse de Baloit."
+
+It had ever been the way with the little Pelagie in America to meet
+her hauteur with hauteur, but I was not sure it would work here, and I
+trembled inwardly while I spoke so calmly. But it did. Her lids
+dropped for a moment, and a soft color stole up to her temples. When
+she lifted her eyes again, there was a sweet, shy light in them.
+
+"Monsieur," she said softly, in her pretty English, "why do you call
+me Comtesse? Have you forgotten?"
+
+"Is it still to be Mademoiselle?" I cried eagerly, and had hard work
+not to pick her up in my arms and run away with her, so adorable was
+she in her sweet friendliness.
+
+"Mademoiselle always, unless it is--" But then she broke off suddenly
+and turned a rosy red, and added quickly, with something of her old
+sauciness: "Never Comtesse, unless I am very, _very_ naughty."
+
+My heart told me what she had meant to say, and I whispered proudly:
+
+"Unless it is some day--Pelagie"; and I know my eyes told her all the
+rest I did not dare to say, for she looked away from me quickly, and
+I, glancing up, met a black scowl on the face of the chevalier, who, I
+knew, must have been watching this little by-play, though he could not
+have heard a word, such was the buzz and clatter of conversation about
+us. His face cleared instantly, and he stepped quickly forward with a
+forced smile and an extended hand.
+
+"Permit me to greet an old friend," he said gaily. "When did you
+arrive in Paris?"
+
+It would have been well for me if I could have swallowed my pride
+sufficiently to take his proffered hand; but it seemed to me the hand
+of a scoundrel and a dastard, and I could not bring myself to touch
+it. I pretended not to see it, and I hoped the chevalier and those who
+were looking on might be deceived into thinking I did not, as I
+answered politely enough:
+
+"The Chevalier Le Moyne is very kind to welcome me so cordially to
+Paris."
+
+And then, with a sudden recollection of our last encounter, and hoping
+to throw him off the track, I added:
+
+"I have been in Paris but a short time; this is my first visit to the
+Tuileries."
+
+But I had not deceived him. The black scowl returned quickly at my
+rejection of his proffered hand, and stretching himself to his full
+height, so as to be as near my ear as possible, he said between his
+teeth:
+
+"It may be your first visit to the Tuileries, Monsieur; but, if I
+mistake not, you have been at St. Cloud before. If I had known you
+were in Paris I would have been at no loss to account for the
+mysterious horse and his rider. I suppose you have brought that
+accursed mare with you?"
+
+I may have turned pale, for I saw black ruin yawn before me, but I
+answered steadily:
+
+"I do not understand you, Monsieur. I beg you will explain."
+
+"Diable! You understand well enough, Monsieur," he sneered, and
+turned and walked away with an exaggerated limp--it had been scarcely
+perceptible when he came to greet me.
+
+I had little time to worry over this new peril that threatened, for my
+uncle came up to present me to more of the "court ladies," and I did
+my best to talk and be merry, while in the background of my thoughts I
+was trying to plan some way of escape from the meshes of the net I saw
+closing around me. Paris was no longer any place for me. I must tell
+my uncle at the first opportunity, and ask his help in getting away as
+quietly as possible to America; and at that thought, and that I was
+cutting myself off from ever seeing again the Comtesse de Baloit, I
+groaned inwardly, and could have cursed the reckless folly that had
+brought me to such a pass.
+
+In the midst of my troubled thoughts I saw an officer approach the
+Comtesse de Baloit (for, no matter to whom I might be talking, the
+Comtesse was ever in my sight), bow low, and apparently deliver some
+message to her. I saw her turn to the lady who stood near her (the one
+with whom I had seen her driving, whose bearing was so stern and
+haughty, and who, I did not doubt, was the duchesse I had heard spoken
+of as desiring to marry her to the chevalier), and then the officer
+offered an arm to each of them and bore them away to the cabinet to
+which the First Consul had withdrawn.
+
+I did not know why this should be cause for anxiety on my part, but
+none the less I felt anxious. When, a few minutes later, the same
+officer approached the Chevalier Le Moyne and delivered to him also a
+message, and the chevalier deliberately turned to me with a smile of
+triumph, and then followed the officer to the same cabinet, I felt
+doubly anxious. Indeed, so great had my anxiety become that it was
+almost impossible for me to keep up longer the semblance of gay
+converse with the witty beauties about me.
+
+The chevalier's smile of triumph meant one of two things--either
+terrible for me, but one impossible to think of. It meant, "You see,
+now I have my chance to denounce you to the First Consul, and I shall
+use it"--which would mean nothing less than death for me; or, it
+meant, "You see, the First Consul is bringing his influence to bear
+upon my marriage with the Comtesse de Baloit; it is all
+arranged"--which would mean something far worse than death for me.
+
+I was not surprised, therefore, and I was almost relieved when ten
+minutes later the officer touched me on the shoulder.
+
+"The First Consul desires your presence in his cabinet, Monsieur," he
+said; and I turned and followed him, conscious that I was followed in
+turn by all eyes. There had been no surprise when first the comtesse
+and then the chevalier had been summoned, for every one thought he
+understood--the First Consul's powerful influence was to be brought to
+bear upon a recalcitrant maiden; and while some pitied, none doubted
+that the First Consul's influence would avail. But no one knew what
+connection I could have with the affair, and the first moment of
+startled surprise was followed by a murmur of curious surmises.
+
+Amid that murmur I walked as one who goes to his execution; for from
+the moment the officer touched me upon the shoulder I had known what
+the chevalier's smile of triumph meant, and I knew that I was on my
+way to be accused and condemned, and, for aught I knew, marched off to
+instant execution under the eyes of the Comtesse de Baloit. As I
+passed Monsieur Marbois, his eyes, filled with a startled alarm, met
+mine. I tried to reassure him with a smile, but I fear it was sorry
+work, for a sudden rush of remembrance of all his goodness to me
+overwhelmed me and came near to unmanning me.
+
+Just inside the door of the cabinet the officer stopped, and motioned
+to me also to stay my steps. On whatever errand I had been sent for,
+it was evident that neither the First Consul nor any one else was
+quite ready for me. The Consul was seated, while on one side of him
+stood the chevalier, and on the other the duchesse and the Comtesse de
+Baloit; and that any man should remain seated in the presence of the
+comtesse filled me at once with a blind rage that ill prepared me to
+play my part in what was about to follow. The attitude of the three
+struck me at once as significant: the duchesse complacent, with almost
+a smile upon her haughty features, and to the best of her ability
+beaming upon the First Consul; the chevalier eager, obsequious,
+fawning; the comtesse her head held proudly up, a little frown between
+her brows, her eyes flashing; impatience, annoyance, disdain expressed
+in every feature. The First Consul was speaking as we entered, and I
+thought his tones were meant to be persuasive; they were less rasping
+than I had often heard them.
+
+"The estates are very great, Mademoiselle." (And again I was indignant
+that he should address her as Mademoiselle, a title which I felt
+belonged to no man to use but to me. I knew, of course, that it was
+but the common usage,--that titles were not permitted in republican
+France,--but none the less I was angry.) "Your father was almost the
+richest man in France," he was saying. "Should I restore these estates
+to you, I must have some guaranty that they will be used for the
+welfare of the republic, and not against it. Citizen Le Moyne is such
+a guaranty. His sword is already pledged to the service of the
+republic, and to the Citizeness Le Moyne I will restore all the
+estates of her father."
+
+A bright red spot burned in each of Pelagie's cheeks. I know not what
+she might have said (though she looked not as if she would meekly
+yield assent to this powerful plea), for at that moment the First
+Consul discovered our entrance and turned to the chevalier.
+
+"Citizen Le Moyne," he said, "you asked us to send for this young man.
+He is here. What has the nephew of Monsieur Marbois to do with this
+matter?"
+
+A malicious smile played round the chevalier's lips.
+
+"If you remember, Citizen First Consul," he said "I told you that at
+one time mademoiselle was not averse to my suit--that in all
+probability I would have won her hand in St. Louis, but that her mind
+was poisoned against me by malicious insinuations and fabrications,
+the work of a rival who desired to win her for himself?"
+
+The chevalier waited for the Consul's reply, and he nodded curtly.
+
+"Well?"
+
+"Citizen First Consul, that rival is the nephew of Minister Marbois,
+and I have brought him here to ask him to renounce publicly all claims
+to the hand of the Citizeness de Baloit."
+
+I saw a flash in the beautiful eyes, and a proud toss of the little
+head that I well knew meant, "He has no claim," and I hastened to
+speak.
+
+"Sire," I said quickly, and then stopped in confusion. How could I
+have made such an egregious blunder as to address the first citizen of
+the republic by a royal title? Yet it was a natural enough mistake,
+for no Czar or Sultan or Grand Mogul was ever a more autocratic ruler
+than he, or made men tremble more at his nod. I thought I had no doubt
+ruined my cause in the very outset, for a dark frown gathered between
+the Consul's brows, but it quickly disappeared.
+
+"I believe you spoke innocently, young man," he said, with a smile of
+rare sweetness. "Speak on!"
+
+"Pardon, Citizen First Consul," I said--"it was indeed an innocent
+mistake"; and then I added with a sudden impulse of audacity, "but a
+very natural one."
+
+The Consul answered me only with his flashing smile, that transfigured
+his face, and I hurried on:
+
+"I wish to say, sir, that I have no claim to the hand of Mademoiselle
+la Comtesse." I saw from the tail of my eye her head take a prouder
+pose and her lips curl scornfully as she perceived that I was tamely
+renouncing my "claim" at the chevalier's bidding; but I went calmly
+on: "I have always known that there was a great gulf fixed between the
+proud Lady of France of royal blood and a simple American gentleman.
+Mademoiselle la Comtesse has never given me any reason to hope that
+that gulf could be crossed, but," and I turned and looked straight at
+the chevalier,--and if my head was flung back too proudly and my eyes
+flashed too fiercely and my voice rang out too defiantly, it was from
+no lack of respect to the great Bonaparte, but because my soul was
+seething with wrath and indignation against that cowardly villain "but
+should Mademoiselle la Comtesse give me the faintest hope that the
+honest love of an honest American heart could weigh with her against
+lands and titles, that the devotion of a lifetime to her every thought
+and desire could hope to win her love, then no argument the Chevalier
+Le Moyne could bring to bear would have a feather's weight with me. I
+would renounce my 'claim to her hand' only with my life!"
+
+The First Consul's eyes were smiling as I ceased speaking; there was
+no frown on his brow. The duchesse looked aghast, as if it were
+inconceivable blasphemy that I should think of aspiring to the
+comtesse, and the chevalier's face was dark, with an ugly sneer
+distorting his lips. But I cared little how Consul or duchesse or
+chevalier took my speech: I cared only for what mademoiselle might
+think. I glanced quickly at her. Her head was drooping, her long
+lashes were sweeping her cheek, her face was rosy red, and a
+half-smile was playing about her mouth. My heart beat high with
+exultant joy. I turned proudly to the chevalier and awaited the
+thunderbolt I knew was sure to fall. He, too, had seen mademoiselle's
+soft and drooping aspect, and the sight had lashed him to fury. But
+before he had a chance to speak, the First Consul himself spoke with
+good-natured raillery:
+
+"I think, Citizen Le Moyne, your golden-haired giant makes a very good
+plea for himself. Suppose I offer him a position on my staff and make
+a Frenchman of him, and then let the Citizeness de Baloit choose
+between you? Perhaps her estates would be as safe in his hands as in
+yours."
+
+Had the First Consul uttered his speech with the purpose of lashing
+the chevalier to fury and goading him to still greater venom against
+me, he could have taken no better course to accomplish it.
+
+"Safe!" he hissed. "Safe in the hands of an assassin! You would give
+mademoiselle and her estates to the man who hid in your closet to
+attempt your life in your bath! Regardez! the coward--the sneak--the
+villain! When your Mameluke discovers him he flees. I run to your
+defense. Does he meet me with his sword like an honorable gentleman?
+No! he trips me with the foot like a school-boy, and throws me down
+the stair, to be the laughing-stock of my fellow-officers! Because he
+is a giant, he falls upon your sentry of small stature and hurls him
+down the terraces! He calls to his trick horse,--trained in the
+circus, I do not doubt,--and rides away in the dark, and thinks no one
+will ever know! But _I_ know. I have seen his tricks in America. He
+is a clown--a mountebank! No gentleman would touch his hand!"
+
+The chevalier's voice had grown shriller and higher with each word,
+till he ended in a scream, tearing his hair, rushing up and down the
+cabinet in his fury, and pointing every epithet with a long finger
+extended toward me. I could have smiled at such childish rage but that
+it was too serious a matter to me for smiling. Mademoiselle's eyes
+were wide with terror and amaze, and the Consul's brow grew darker
+with every word of the chevalier's.
+
+"Officer, call the guard!" he said in his rasping voice, as soon as
+the chevalier gave him a chance to speak, and I knew my doom was
+sealed.
+
+But mademoiselle sprang forward, one arm outstretched to stay the
+officer, and one extended toward the Consul in supplication.
+
+"No, no, officer, not yet!" she cried, and then to Bonaparte:
+
+"Oh, Citizen Consul, it is all a terrible mistake! I know him well. He
+could not be guilty of so dreadful a crime! He could not do anything
+mean or low or dishonorable. There is no gentleman in the world more
+generous and noble! And the man who denounces him owes his life to
+him!"
+
+"Look at him, Mademoiselle," said the Consul, harshly, "and see if his
+looks do not confess him the culprit."
+
+I knew that I must look the very picture of conscious guilt, for every
+word mademoiselle had uttered had pierced me like a two-edged sword. I
+might have braved the chevalier's accusations and the First Consul's
+suspicions (for, after all, neither had any evidence against me), but
+I could not bear her generous confidence in me, feeling that I had so
+miserably forfeited my right to it by indulging in a foolish boyish
+prank. I did not raise my head (where it had sunk in shame), but by
+reason of being so much taller I yet could see her turn toward me, see
+her look of implicit trust change slowly to doubt and fear. Then I
+heard her utter one low cry, "Oh, Monsieur, Monsieur!" and turn away.
+In a moment my resolve was taken. I would make a clean breast of it;
+she should not think me worse than I was. I lifted my head.
+
+"Mademoiselle!" I cried, and she turned quickly toward me and looked
+straight into my eyes with a look that was hard to bear. "I am guilty
+Mademoiselle! I am the man who was in the First Consul's closet, and
+who escaped on Fatima's back."
+
+The Consul made a motion toward the officer, but I turned to him
+quickly.
+
+"I beg you, sire,"--and this time I did not know that I had said it,
+not until long afterward, when one of those who heard told me of
+it,--"that you will not send your officer for the guard until I have
+made my confession; then you can send for it, and I will go away
+quietly, without resistance."
+
+"Very well, officer; you can wait," said Bonaparte, still harshly. The
+rest of my confession I addressed directly to him.
+
+"I am no clown, mountebank, or circus rider in my own country, sir, as
+the Chevalier Le Moyne would have you believe; I am the son of a
+Philadelphia gentleman, and the nephew of Madame Marbois.
+Unfortunately, life in my native land has bred in me a spirit of
+adventure that has many times been near my undoing. It has also bred
+in me a great love for the life of a soldier, and a great admiration
+for the famous soldiers of history. When I accompanied my uncle to St.
+Cloud, and knew that he was summoned there to meet the First Consul, I
+was seized with a desire to enter the palace and roam through the
+rooms where the First Consul dwelt. When I found admission was not
+permitted I thought it would be a fine adventure to find my way in
+without permission. It was a boy's wild spirit of daring, and a boy's
+almost idolatrous hero-worship that led me into such a scrape."
+
+The Consul interrupted me here, but I thought his tones a little less
+harsh than before:
+
+"Did your uncle know of your intention to enter the palace?"
+
+"Most certainly not, Citizen First Consul," I answered, "else had I
+never accomplished it."
+
+"Then how did you find your way to my closet?"
+
+"I followed a servant through some winding corridors, but an officer
+suddenly appeared. I fled, opened the first door I came to, saw myself
+in a dressing-room, opened another, and found myself in the closet
+connecting with your cabinet."
+
+All of which was literally true, and implicated neither Gaston nor
+Felice, I hoped. The Consul signed to me to go on with my story.
+
+"All would have been well, and I should have slipped out the way I
+came, had not the First Consul decided to take a bath."
+
+I was watching my auditor narrowly as I talked, for I felt my life
+depended upon his change of mood, and I thought I saw here the least
+glimmer of a twinkle in his eye; but if it was there it was banished
+instantly, and his face was as set and stern as before.
+
+"I have never heard any words, your"--I started to say "your Majesty,"
+caught myself, and stumbled miserably--"your--your--Excellency, that
+filled me with greater dismay than these: 'Tell my valet to prepare my
+bath'!"
+
+Again I thought I caught that fleeting twinkle of the eye, but could
+not be sure.
+
+"There was no hope for me," I went on, "but to wait for the First
+Consul to finish his bath; but, unfortunately for me, he is fonder of
+his bath than most men, and I stood in that dark closet in an agony of
+suspense, and revolving in my mind every conceivable plan of escape,
+for what seemed to me many long hours. All might still have been
+well,--for in the nature of things even the First Consul's bath must
+come to an end sometime,--had I not made a slight noise which the
+quick ears of the Consul and the Mameluke heard. I was discovered,
+and there was nothing for me to do but to flee through the
+audience-chamber and the main corridor, surprising the guard at the
+door, who, in his turn, raised the whole palace in pursuit.
+
+"I was distancing my pursuers, and should have gotten out of the
+palace without difficulty, but that at the head of the grand staircase
+I met the Chevalier Le Moyne, running from the opposite end of the
+corridor. I would not under ordinary circumstances refuse a sword
+encounter with the chevalier (though I would prefer an opponent with a
+nicer sense of honor), but there was no time for such an encounter now
+if I would not have the whole palace upon me, and, besides, it was
+most important that the chevalier should not recognize me. There was
+nothing to do but to hide my face with my arm as if shielding it from
+his sword, and trip him up, as he says, school-boy fashion. I am sorry
+that it should have hurt his self-esteem to be vanquished by such a
+youthful trick, and regret still more that he should have suffered in
+the estimation of his fellow-officers thereby."
+
+This time the twinkle in the Consul's eye was unmistakable, and I
+could hear the chevalier grinding his teeth with rage.
+
+"As for your sentry," I continued, "he was aiming his gun to fire at
+me. There was no time for ceremony. I could have spitted him upon my
+sword, which was in my hand, and it might have been more respectful;
+but I dislike bloodshed, unless it is absolutely unavoidable, and so I
+threw up his gun with my arm, and sent him spinning after it in the
+dark. I had left my mare Fatima--who is no trick horse, but a young
+Arabian trained by myself from colthood to do my bidding--in a pine
+thicket close by. I was on her back and away just in time to escape
+your mounted guards, who thundered out the gates of the park scarce
+twenty paces behind me. Had Fatima been less swift I had not been
+here to tell the tale. I hope the First Consul will believe me when I
+say I have suffered much from remorse for my rash and thoughtless act.
+It was a wild spirit of adventure that led me into it, but I see
+clearly now that does not in the least excuse it, and I am ready to
+atone for it in any way you decree."
+
+The eye of the First Consul, clear, piercing, heart-reading, had been
+upon me through the whole of this recital; but I, feeling that I was
+keeping nothing back (save only Gaston and Felice), and being nerved
+up to meet whatever fate should befall, bore its scrutiny well. He was
+silent for a moment after I had finished speaking, and my heart sank
+steadily down, for life looked very bright to me and I began to be
+very sure I had forfeited it by my foolishness. Suddenly the Consul
+spoke, but it was not to me nor to the chevalier; he turned to
+Pelagie.
+
+"Mademoiselle, that was a boyish escapade, certainly, and it was a
+very pretty boy that contrived it. What do you think would be suitable
+punishment for such a crime? You shall be the arbiter of his fate."
+
+Mademoiselle gave me one fleeting glance, saucy merriment dancing in
+her eye; then she turned to Bonaparte, and, curtsying low, she said
+with pretty archness:
+
+"Citizen First Consul, I know him well, and I know that only death
+could be a greater punishment to him than to be called a 'pretty boy'!
+Do you not think his crime is atoned for?"
+
+Bonaparte's wonderful smile lighted his face and fell on mademoiselle
+with almost too great sweetness, I thought.
+
+"It is as you say, Mademoiselle," he replied. "Officer, you need not
+call the guard."
+
+But I, suddenly relieved from the fear of death, stood there scarlet
+with confusion, head drooping, and ready to sink through the floor
+with shame, while I mentally anathematized my yellow curls and rosy
+cheeks and blue eyes, and most of all my _domtiferous_ vanity that had
+led me to array myself in shining white satin and glittering gold
+lace, that I was sure made me look fairer and rosier and more than
+ever like a big blond baby.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+A NEW CHEVALIER OF FRANCE
+
+    "Our hopes, like towering falcons, aim
+      At objects in an airy height."
+
+
+"Officer," said Bonaparte, in his iciest tones, "conduct Citizeness
+Capet and Citizen Le Moyne back to the salon. I have something to say
+to the others that it will not be necessary for them to hear. You need
+not return yourself until I ring for you."
+
+Madame la Duchesse glared at the little figure lazily and haughtily
+reclining at ease in the deep-armed chair while we all stood meekly
+before him. I think for a moment she was tempted to spring upon him
+and tear his eyes out. That the parvenu ruler of the republic should
+so address a member not only of the old nobility but the old royalty,
+was more than she could bear. A cool stare from the fathomless eyes of
+the Consul made her think better of it; she turned and accompanied the
+chevalier (who was nigh to foaming at the mouth with ill-suppressed
+rage) back to the salon.
+
+As they left the cabinet, conducted in state by the officer, Bonaparte
+turned to Pelagie.
+
+"Mademoiselle la Comtesse," he said in tones whose suavity were in
+marked contrast to the coldness of his last speech, "will you not be
+seated? I am sorry to have kept you standing so long. I have asked you
+to wait while I spoke to this young man, because I have something more
+to say to you on the subject we were discussing. I beg, therefore, you
+will make yourself perfectly comfortable while you wait."
+
+I think Pelagie was of half a mind to decline the Consul's courtesy,
+for she hesitated a moment, and I saw a dangerous spark leap into his
+eyes. I do not know whether she saw it also, or whether she simply
+decided it was better to be as complaisant as possible in small
+matters, since she might have to be recalcitrant in great ones. She
+sat down, apparently cool and collected, but in the chair most distant
+from the First Consul. I had noted the change in the form of his
+address, and wondered at it; but I believe he liked titles, and was
+glad to use them when there were no jealous ears about to find fault
+with his lapse from republican simplicity. He did not ask me to sit
+down, but turned to me as soon as Pelagie had taken her seat, and
+began abruptly:
+
+"I made a proposition a few moments ago in jest; I now make it in
+earnest: I offer you a position on my staff as military aide. The
+young man who has the skill to extricate himself from such an escapade
+as yours is of the stuff I would like to use in my service, and when
+he adds to his other qualities the ability to tell his story so
+discreetly that it is impossible to guess whether or not he has heard
+anything of state councils and family quarrels, he is of still greater
+value in such a capacity."
+
+I was overwhelmed. Lifted from the depths of disgrace and fear of
+death to the pinnacle of my day-dreams realized (for it had ever been
+my fondest dream to be a soldier of fortune, and to serve under the
+great Bonaparte--one that I had hardly dared to confess to myself) was
+almost more than brain could stand. More than that, to hear such words
+of commendation from the great soldier, when I had expected severest
+censure, set heart throbbing and head whirling. I could only stammer
+out:
+
+"It would be the greatest joy and glory of my life to serve under the
+First Consul! I shall have to get my uncle's permission; may I defer
+my answer until I have an opportunity to consult him?"
+
+The Consul frowned quickly; I have no doubt he was used to receiving
+only instant acceptances of his offers. But in a moment his
+countenance cleared, and he answered, pleasantly enough:
+
+"Very well; I shall expect to hear from you the day after to-morrow";
+and with a slight nod from him I understood myself dismissed.
+
+Somehow I liked not leaving Pelagie there alone with him, but there
+was no alternative. I thought, too, as I made my low bow to her in
+leaving the room, that her eyes met mine with a look of appeal in
+their dark depths it was hard to withstand. I determined to take my
+station in the salon near the cabinet door, so that if she should need
+me I would be near at hand.
+
+And thus it happened that a few minutes later I heard the Consul's
+bell ring violently, saw the officer on duty enter the cabinet
+hastily, and immediately return, conducting Pelagie. Her eyes were
+shining with a fierce light, a bright spot was burning in either
+cheek, and her head was held so high and she was looking so straight
+forward with an unseeing gaze that she did not see me as she passed. I
+saw her take her place among the court ladies and Madame Bonaparte
+look at her with cold displeasure. Being no longer on sentry duty, I
+joined my aunt, and she whispered to me:
+
+"The pretty Comtesse is in trouble. Madame will not easily forgive her
+husband spending ten minutes alone with her in his cabinet."
+
+My soul raged within me, for I could see that others also were
+whispering about her, and for a moment I was ready to challenge all
+the world, including the great Bonaparte himself, who (though, I
+believed, innocently) had given occasion for the whisperings. Of
+course I knew that his interview with Pelagie had been entirely in
+behalf of the chevalier, but others did not seem to be so certain of
+it, and especially did Madame Bonaparte's attitude toward her give
+rise to unpleasant comment. I longed eagerly for a word with Pelagie
+herself, but I saw no chance of obtaining it. Yet fortune favored me,
+for later in the evening, when they were preparing the piquet-tables,
+I found myself placed next to her; and once, when excitement over some
+disputed point in the game was running high, and the din of contending
+voices made a friendly cover for a low-toned speech, I managed to say
+to her:
+
+"You look troubled, Mademoiselle; is there any way in which I can be
+of service to you?"
+
+She smiled up at me with a look of trust that touched me greatly, and
+said hurriedly, mentioning no names (which might have been dangerous):
+
+"I wanted this chance to tell you. He insisted on that marriage, and
+when I told him I would never marry a man who had denounced and
+betrayed in such cowardly fashion the man to whom he owed his life, he
+was very rude to me."
+
+"Rude to you!" I whispered fiercely. "Then I cannot take service under
+him."
+
+But she looked greatly alarmed when I said that, and whispered
+eagerly:
+
+"No, no, Monsieur; do not say that! Take the place, if you can, for
+your own sake,"--and then she hesitated a moment,--"and for mine."
+
+There was no chance for another word; the game was breaking up, and
+the old duchess came and carried her off with a glare of distrust and
+suspicion at me, and I had no doubt she had been watching our
+whispered consultation.
+
+There was no chance, either, to tell my uncle of my interview with the
+Consul; for I could say nothing before my aunt without entering into
+explanations that I did not want to make to her, and I knew the fact
+of my returning to the salon instead of being hurried off to prison
+had quieted his alarms. The hour was late, and we said good night to
+each other in the corridors when we returned home, going at once to
+our rooms.
+
+I hurried down-stairs the next morning, hoping to find my uncle taking
+his morning coffee in the garden, as he often did in this lovely
+spring weather; but I had overslept, and he was already gone. Late in
+the afternoon I sought him in his library, for I knew my answer to the
+First Consul must be decided upon at once, and I was anxious to tell
+him all about my interview. He answered my knock by a quick "Enter,
+enter!" and I found him brimming over with gay good humor and
+excitement.
+
+"You are just in time, my boy," he cried. "I am expecting the American
+ambassadors every moment, and, if they offer no objection, you may
+stay and see how history is made. We are to sign the treaty that is to
+give the First Consul the munitions of war, and that will place
+America in the very front rank of nations."
+
+My own affairs seemed of small moment beside such stupendous ones, and
+I saw that my uncle had entirely forgotten his alarm of the evening
+before. I was myself very greatly excited, for this was the moment to
+which I had been looking for nearly a year, though the realization
+about to be consummated was far exceeding my wildest fancies.
+
+The two gentlemen were announced a moment later, and they both greeted
+me cordially, for they knew my family at home and I had called on them
+several times in Paris. Nor did my uncle have to prefer a request that
+I should be permitted to be a witness of the signing of the treaty.
+Mr. Livingston himself suggested that I be invited to remain, and, the
+others assenting most cordially, I thanked them heartily for their
+courtesy, and retired to a seat in the background, where I might not
+intrude upon their deliberations.
+
+The document seemed long, and in fact, as I understood it, there were
+three documents--one which they called the treaty, and two others they
+called "conventions." They read them all over carefully several times
+before signing, and I heard the article read that I had seen the First
+Consul write, and discovered that one convention was to determine in
+what manner the sixty million francs were to be paid to France, and
+the other convention was concerned with the twenty million francs to
+be paid by the United States to such of its citizens as held claims
+against France.
+
+There seemed to be some little discussions on a few minor points which
+were easily settled, and then very solemnly they each signed the three
+documents, Mr. Livingston writing his name first, then Mr. Monroe, and
+then my uncle. When this was done, the three gentlemen, as by a common
+impulse, rose to their feet and shook hands, their faces shining with
+a solemn light which I believe had nothing to do with self-glory, but
+with an unselfish joy at having accomplished an act that would bring
+honor and benefit to two great nations and to future generations. I,
+in my corner, was almost as proud as they, and quite as happy (when I
+thought of the honor that was to come to my country, and especially
+the blessings to that great West I was so interested in), and for the
+first time in my life I felt it might be almost finer to accomplish
+such great things by statesmanship and a stroke of the pen than to
+win fame and glory by the sword. Then I saw that Mr. Livingston was
+beginning to speak. He stood up straight and tall and fine-looking,
+and his manner was very impressive and full of dignity and a kind of
+solemn joy. I was very proud of him as a representative of my country,
+and each word that he spoke made me prouder and happier.
+
+"We have lived long," he began, "but this is the noblest work of our
+whole lives. The treaty which we have just signed has not been
+obtained by art or dictated by force; equally advantageous to the two
+contracting parties, it will change vast solitudes into flourishing
+districts. From this day the United States take their place among the
+powers of the first rank. The English lose all exclusive influence in
+the affairs of America. Thus one of the principal causes of European
+rivalries and animosities is about to cease. The instruments we have
+just signed will cause no tears to be shed; they prepare ages of
+happiness for innumerable generations of human creatures. The
+Mississippi and Missouri will see them succeed one another, and
+multiply, truly worthy of the regard and care of Providence, in the
+bosom of equality, under just laws, freed from the errors of
+superstition and the scourge of bad government."
+
+My uncle and Mr. Monroe seemed greatly impressed by his words (as,
+indeed, no one who heard them could help being); and then there was
+half an hour of pleasant talk, in which the three gentlemen kindly
+included me. As the American ambassadors took their leave, my uncle
+turned to me.
+
+[Illustration: The Signing of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty by
+Marbois, Livingston, and Monroe]
+
+"Well, my boy," he said, his kind face beaming, "we have settled the
+affairs of two great nations most satisfactorily; now we will settle
+yours. What did the First Consul want of you last evening?"
+
+I had made up my mind to tell my uncle all about my acquaintance with
+the Comtesse de Baloit and the Chevalier Le Moyne, if he had time to
+listen,--for otherwise it would be difficult to explain my interview
+with the Consul, or how I happened to be summoned to his
+presence,--and I asked him if he had time to hear a long story. He
+replied that he considered he had accomplished enough for one day, and
+he should do nothing more, until dinner at least; he might possibly be
+summoned to an interview with the First Consul at the Tuileries later
+in the evening.
+
+He scarcely interrupted me through my long recital, unless an
+occasional heavy scowl at some special perfidy of the chevalier's
+could be called an interruption. He chuckled with delight when I told
+how I tripped up the chevalier on the grand staircase of St. Cloud,
+and uttered a vigorous "Diable!" when he heard how I came to be
+summoned before the First Consul. He listened almost breathlessly to
+my account of my interview with the Consul, and drew a great sigh of
+relief as I finished.
+
+"Why, my lad," he said, "you have been having great experiences! I
+wonder you could forget them sufficiently to be so deeply interested,
+as you seemed to be, in the doings of three old diplomats."
+
+I assured him that what the three diplomats had just accomplished was
+of greater interest to me than any of my own affairs could possibly
+be. In all my story I had touched as lightly as I could on the
+Comtesse de Baloit, hoping that my uncle would not discover that I had
+any special interest in that direction; but he was too astute a reader
+of human nature to be easily misled.
+
+"That is all very well," he said, in reply to my assurance of a deeper
+interest in affairs of state than in my own; "I do not doubt for a
+moment that you believe what you say, and I could easily believe it,
+too, if it were not for the Comtesse de Baloit. Such affairs are more
+engrossing than all others in the world, if I remember my own youthful
+days aright. But I had no idea the wind sat in that quarter, as your
+Mr. Shakspere would say. Have you any idea how high you are aspiring?
+I know you Americans stop at nothing; but, my dear boy, you might as
+well aspire to the hand of the Princess Charlotte of England!"
+
+"I am aspiring to the hand of no one, sir," I answered rather hotly,
+for I knew so well how hopeless any dreams of mine might be that I
+liked not to have any one think I was cherishing false hopes.
+"Whatever my feeling toward the Comtesse may be, I have never had the
+slightest hope. If Citizeness Capet, as the First Consul calls her,
+does not succeed in marrying the comtesse to the Chevalier Le Moyne,
+then her cousins the Comte d'Arbois and the Duc d'Enghien will
+probably marry her into one of the reigning houses of Europe.
+Mademoiselle la Comtesse has shown me some kindness, but only such as
+any right-feeling young maiden would show to one who has been able to
+do her some little service, and I am not one to presume upon her
+grateful feeling."
+
+My uncle looked at me for a moment with a little frown between his
+brows, as if he were trying to solve some perplexing question, and
+then the frown cleared away and he spoke smilingly:
+
+"Well, well, we will dismiss the Comtesse; that is too difficult a
+problem. And now for what is, after all, a question of more practical
+importance. Do you want to accept this offer of the First Consul's?"
+
+"Very much, sir," I answered eagerly.
+
+"I doubt whether I have any right to give you permission to do so,"
+responded my uncle; "but this much authority I will assume. If the
+First Consul is willing to take you subject to the commands of your
+father when we can hear from him, I will give my permission, and I
+will write to your father by the first packet. It will be ten or
+twelve weeks before we can possibly hear from him, and it may be much
+longer. But I am rather relieved that you desire to accept the First
+Consul's offer. He does not like his favors rejected, and he is quite
+capable of holding me responsible for having influenced you, should
+you decline."
+
+The First Consul was willing to take me on those conditions (I think
+he felt no doubt of my father's answer; such confidence had he in the
+magnetism of his own name that he believed any man would feel proud to
+have his son serve under him), and a very few days saw me arrayed in
+my glittering uniform and spending every spare moment, when I was off
+duty, riding up and down the Champs-Elysees in the hope not so much of
+seeing the Comtesse de Baloit as of being seen by her. For I felt that
+half the joy I had in my gorgeous trappings would be gone if she could
+not see them and admire them too.
+
+And as my sword clanked and my spurs jingled while Fatima pranced and
+curveted under me in the bright spring weather, my heart sang an
+accompaniment to them.
+
+Could it be possible that the great Bonaparte might turn the rest of
+his speech from jest to earnest? Would he, perhaps, now that he had
+made me his aide, trust her to me as willingly as to the chevalier?
+
+And higher still sang my heart as Fatima, in answer to my excited
+touch, leaped and bounded along the avenue, and I remembered that
+night upon _La Belle Riviere_ when mademoiselle had wished that I was
+a chevalier of France. Was I not one now in fact, if not in name?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+THE COMTESSE DE BALOIT SENDS FOR HER HUNTER
+
+     "Take a straw and throw it into the air; you may see by that
+     which way the wind is."
+
+
+All my riding up and down the Champs-Elysees was like to have been for
+naught. We had received orders to be in readiness to start on the
+morrow for Belgium, where Bonaparte was to make his headquarters while
+preparing for war with England, and still I had not seen the comtesse,
+and she had not seen my beautiful regimentals.
+
+My packing was done, my last arrangements made, most of my good-bys
+said; there was nothing left to do but to take my last ride down the
+avenue. And this time not in vain! There she sat in her gorgeous coach
+of scarlet and gold with the footmen and coachmen in dazzling liveries
+of gold lace and scarlet plush, and beside her, not the stern duchesse
+this time, but a younger woman who looked as if she might be a less
+formidable guardian.
+
+She saw me, though for a moment she did not recognize me in my new and
+gaudy plumage. When she did, her eager look of welcome more than
+repaid me for my fruitless rides up and down the avenue. She signaled
+to her coachman to stop, and with a pretty little peremptory gesture
+summoned me to her side. She seemed to have no fear of the lady beside
+her, and no doubt she was merely a paid companion, for she ignored her
+entirely, or noticed her presence only by using English when she had
+anything of serious import to say.
+
+"'Tis Fatima I wish to see, sir," she said as I drew up by her coach,
+my hat tucked under my arm. She put out her little hand and gently
+stroked the white star on Fatima's forehead, and the mare whinnied
+softly and rubbed her nose against the little gloved hand as if to
+say, "I remember you well; those were famous rides we had in old St.
+Louis."
+
+"And 'tis you I wish to see," I responded boldly. "I have been looking
+for you for many days; why have you deserted the Champs-Elysees?"
+
+She looked up at me quickly, as if pleased with the audacity of the
+first part of my speech, but as I finished with my question she
+dropped her eyes and seemed embarrassed. In a moment she spoke in a
+low, constrained voice, and in English:
+
+"My aunt and I have had misunderstandings. She wishes me to appear in
+public with a man I do not like. In Paris that means fiance. I will
+stay in my hotel with headaches rather than ride on the avenue beside
+him!" with sudden fire. Then she added with an attempt at her old
+lightness:
+
+"But I must drive on. Should it be reported to madame that I stopped
+to talk to Monsieur, I might have to suffer for it."
+
+A sudden horror seized me.
+
+"Mademoiselle, they do not use force?" I cried. "You are not held a
+prisoner?"
+
+"No--not yet," she said slowly.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, looking steadily into her eyes, "I have tried
+to see you to say good-by; I leave Paris to-morrow."
+
+I saw her go suddenly white, but in a moment she spoke very calmly,
+and in French:
+
+"Do you go back to America, Monsieur?"
+
+"No, to Belgium with the First Consul: to Antwerp, I believe."
+
+I spoke also in French, but added in English:
+
+"Mademoiselle, if you need me, I will not go to Belgium; I will
+resign."
+
+She shook her head.
+
+"No; I am sorry you are going, but I would not have you resign. The
+First Consul is vindictive, they say; should you reject his favors, he
+may remember your St. Cloud offense."
+
+"I care not for that!" And then I added moodily, "They will compel you
+to marry him."
+
+She threw up her head in much the same fashion Fatima throws up hers
+when she scents conflict in the distance.
+
+"They cannot coerce me!" she said proudly, and then she added, half
+playfully, half defiantly:
+
+"They tell me I have royal blood; they shall see I know how to use my
+royal prerogative." She held out her hand to me and spoke again in
+French:
+
+"Good-by, Monsieur, and bon voyage!"
+
+I bent low over her hand.
+
+"Let me stay, Mademoiselle," I whispered.
+
+"What! and lose your beautiful uniform! 'Tis too severe a test of
+friendship. No, no, Monsieur," with the old mocking laugh. But before
+I had time to resent her teasing speech, her mood had changed. She
+leaned far out of the carriage and threw her beautiful arm over
+Fatima's arching neck.
+
+"Good-by, Fatima," she cried--"dear, dear Fatima!" And as Fatima, in
+answer to her caress, drew closer to her, she dropped a light kiss on
+her soft muzzle, leaned back in her carriage with a signal to the
+coachman, and rolled away.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The weeks that followed were in some respects the strangest weeks of
+my life, and often in memory they return to me as a confused dream.
+War had been declared with England, and in Antwerp, in Dunkirk, on the
+Loire, in every little bay and inlet that indented the coast from
+Brest, where a great squadron was gathered, to Boulogne, where another
+was getting together, ships were building of every kind: floating
+fortresses of wood, light pinnaces and yawls for carrying the swift
+van of an army, and heavy barges for the impedimenta of war. A mighty
+flotilla, gathering from the Scheldt to the Garonne, from Toulon and
+Rochefort to Calais and Antwerp, to bear a vast invading army to the
+shores of England.
+
+In constant communication with the great captain, I yet saw little of
+him, for day and night I was kept riding over the green fields of
+France, through the beautiful May and June, carrying orders,
+sometimes to little inland streams where tiny yawls were building,
+sometimes to great city dockyards where mighty ships were on the
+stays. And though these were not the deeds of valor I had dreamed of,
+I began to realize what a wonderful mind was planning all these
+wide-spread activities, and to understand that a great captain must be
+something more than a good fighter, and prowess on the field of battle
+was not all that was required of a soldier.
+
+Yet I began to long for the din and stir of conflict and to see my
+hero, as in dreams I had often seen him, calm and unmoved, 'midst
+smoke and carnage, directing with unerring genius masses of men,
+infantry, cavalry, artillery, through the mazes of battle; or himself
+leading a resistless charge, sword extended, waving his men forward to
+victory and glory.
+
+So when an old officer who had seen many wars told me he had no doubt
+it would be two years before the preparations for war were finished
+and war actually begun, my heart sank within me. Two years of hard
+work day and night and no glory! To be aide to the First Consul was
+not what I had dreamed of, and my thoughts turned longingly back to
+Paris and the Comtesse de Baloit. All the more did my thoughts turn in
+that direction because the Chevalier Le Moyne, who was also on the
+general's staff, had been for some weeks absent from headquarters. I
+always studiously avoided him if we happened to be in quarters at the
+same time, and so I did not at first miss him; but when day after day
+and even weeks passed without his reporting at mess, I began to be
+greatly troubled. My imagination pictured him as back in Paris urging
+his suit to Pelagie, and I feared greatly, either that she would at
+last yield to his importunities, seeing no way of escape, or that some
+trouble would come to her if she persistently scorned him.
+
+In the midst of my anxieties a letter was brought me from home. The
+ten weeks were up when I could begin to expect an answer to my uncle's
+letter asking my father's permission for me to take service under
+Bonaparte, and I tore it eagerly open, hardly knowing, since
+hostilities would be so long delayed, whether I most hoped that it
+would contain his permission or his refusal. In my haste I had not
+noticed that it was not my father's writing on the outside, and that
+made it the greater shock to find within, in my mother's dearly loved
+penmanship, only these few words:
+
+"Your father is very ill; come home at once."
+
+I had never known my father to be ill even for a day. I knew this must
+be no ordinary illness to cause so brief and so peremptory a summons
+home, and all my world seemed suddenly topsy-turvy.
+
+I loved my father, but I had been much away from home, in school at
+Princeton, and in my short vacations I had found him somewhat cold and
+stern in manner; so that my love for him was more of reverence and
+honor than the tender affection I felt for my beautiful mother. None
+the less was my heart torn with anguish at the thought of what might
+befall in the long weeks before I could possibly reach his side, and
+how vainly I wished that I had been a better son, and shown him more
+of the love that was really in my heart for him.
+
+There was no time to be lost, and my first duty was to seek the First
+Consul and show him my letter. He was more kind and considerate than I
+could have expected.
+
+"You have my sincerest sympathy," he said. "There is no question as to
+your course. Your first duty is to your father. I am sorry to lose my
+officer whom I have found even more efficient than I had expected and
+for whom I predicted great glory as soon as actual war should
+commence. But it may be possible you will find your father entirely
+recovered on your arrival at home; in that case, and should you have
+his permission to return, your old position will be open to you."
+
+I hardly knew how to thank him suitably and to express my regret at
+leaving his service, and I have no doubt I did it awkwardly enough. As
+I was leaving the room he called me back.
+
+"Will you go to Paris before you sail?"
+
+There was nothing in the question to make me blush and stammer, yet I
+did both.
+
+"I must sail on the earliest packet, sir," I said; "but if one is not
+sailing immediately I would like your permission to return to Paris
+and settle my affairs there and say good-by to my aunt and uncle."
+
+"It is no doubt the wiser course," replied Bonaparte. "In sailing from
+Antwerp you are liable to fall into the hands of the English in
+passing the Straits of Dover. From Paris you can find a ship sailing
+from Le Havre carrying the American flag. It will be safer, and you
+will save time in going by Paris. Should you decide to do so, I shall
+have a commission to intrust to you."
+
+Since the First Consul advised it, I decided on the moment, and an
+hour later, saddle-bags packed, my man Caesar holding his own horse and
+Fatima at the door, I was ready to start, only awaiting the Consul's
+commission. An officer rode up and handed me a packet.
+
+"From General Bonaparte, sir," he said; and as I opened my saddle-bags
+to put the packet away for safe keeping, my eye caught the directions
+on the wrapper.
+
+"To be delivered to the Comtesse de Baloit, Faubourg St. Germain."
+
+The sight of the inscription gave me only pleasure, and I was tempted
+to think that the Consul had devised this commission especially to
+give me an opportunity of seeing the comtesse. It seemed to me an
+evidence of wonderful delicacy of feeling and thoughtfulness for
+others on the part of the great general, and I could not sufficiently
+admire him or be grateful to him. There was no question but that his
+commission would be faithfully executed the very first possible moment
+after my arrival in Paris.
+
+It was early morning, the dew still on the hedges and the lark still
+singing his matins, as we entered the city with a stream of
+market-carts bringing in fresh fruits and vegetables and flowers for
+the early morning markets. Only working-people were in the streets:
+men going to their day's labor, blanchisseuses with their clothes in
+bundles on their heads, cooks and maids of all work with their baskets
+on their arms going to the market for the day's supply of food for the
+family.
+
+Crossing the Place de la Bastille, a man on horseback rode up beside
+us and gave us good day. He had evidently come in with the country
+folk and was himself without doubt a small market-gardener, for the
+loam of the garden was on his rough cowhide boots and his blue smock
+was such as a countryman wears. I thought at first there was something
+strangely familiar in his face, and then I remembered I had seen him
+the evening before at the little country inn, twenty miles out from
+the city, where we had spent the night. He, like us, must have started
+at early dawn to reach the city by seven o'clock, very like for the
+same reason--to take advantage of the cool of the day; and like us
+also, he must have had a very good horse to make that distance in that
+time. I glanced at his horse as the thought occurred to me, and saw
+that it was indeed a good horse. Coal-black, except for a white star
+on his forehead and one white stocking, he was powerfully built, and
+yet with such an easy stretch of limb as promised speed as well as
+endurance. I thought it a little strange that a country farmer should
+own a horse of such points and breeding as this one showed itself to
+be, and perhaps my thought appeared in my face, for the countryman
+answered it.
+
+"'Tis a fine horse, Monsieur, is it not?" he said.
+
+I noticed that he spoke with a very slight lisp, but that otherwise
+both his language and his intonations were better than I could have
+expected.
+
+"Yes," I said. "Did you breed him yourself?"
+
+"Not exactly," he answered, "but he was bred on an estate belonging to
+the Comtesse de Baloit, where I work, and I have helped to train him."
+
+He must have seen my irrepressible start when he mentioned Pelagie's
+name, for he looked at me curiously with something like either alarm
+or suspicion in his glance. I was tempted to tell him that I knew his
+mistress and expected to see her that very day, but I was saved from
+making such a foolish speech by the fellow himself.
+
+"I am bringing him into the city for the comtesse to try," he said.
+"He is a very fine hunter."
+
+"Then your mistress intends to follow the chase?" I asked, feeling a
+queer little pang that I did not stop to explain to myself at the
+thought.
+
+"I suppose so, Monsieur, since she has sent for her hunter."
+
+We were now well down the Rue de la St. Antoine, just where the narrow
+street of Francois-Miron comes in; and as if a sudden thought had
+struck him, the countryman said:
+
+"I go this way, Monsieur; adieu," turned into the narrow street, and
+Caesar and I rode on into the Rue de Rivoli, past the Hotel de Ville,
+and so toward my uncle's house.
+
+"Marsa," said Caesar, as we turned off the Rue de Rivoli, "dat fellah
+had a gold belt and a little dagger stuck in it under his smock. I
+seed it when I's ridin' behind youse bof and de win' tuk and blew up
+his smock-skirt."
+
+I believed the "gold belt" and the "little dagger" were inventions of
+Caesar's, for he loved to tell wonderful tales; but none the less was I
+uneasy and troubled, for suppose it should be true! I liked not the
+thought of a man wearing a concealed weapon going on a plausible
+errand to the Comtesse de Baloit.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+THE CONSUL'S COMMISSION
+
+    "Hope tells a flattering tale,
+      Delusive, vain, and hollow.
+    Ah! let not Hope prevail,
+      Lest disappointment follow."
+
+
+Not many hours later saw me seeking admittance to the stately but
+dilapidated hotel of the Comtesse de Baloit in the Faubourg St.
+Germain. I was determined to see Pelagie, and if possible alone, so I
+sent up word that a messenger from the First Consul desired to see
+Mademoiselle la Comtesse on business of importance. I feared, should I
+send up my own name, that the duchesse would not permit her to see me,
+but, had I known it, I could have sent no message less likely to win
+Pelagie's consent to an interview. It was only through a lurking
+suspicion of whom the messenger might be that she consented to see me.
+
+I was ushered into a room very luxuriously furnished, but in which
+everything had an air of faded grandeur--as if belonging to another
+age. The tapestries were not only faded but rapidly growing
+thread-bare, and the gold of the buhl furniture was peeling off in
+strips, and in tables inlaid with fine mosaics many of the stones were
+wanting. All this lack of care or evidence of poverty rather surprised
+me, remembering the magnificent coach and gorgeously liveried servants
+I had twice seen on the avenue. Then I recalled what I had often heard
+since coming to Paris, that the nobility of the old regime would
+starve and go cold at home to make the display in public they
+considered befitting their dignity. It seemed very sad to me, and I
+wondered if it could be because mademoiselle did not have enough to
+eat that she had seemed of late to be growing thin and pale. To me,
+who am both somewhat of an epicure and a valiant trencherman (and
+remembering the abundance she had been used to in America), nothing
+could seem more pitiful than to think of my little Pelagie as going
+hungry.
+
+Yet when, in a few minutes, she came in, radiantly beautiful in some
+Frenchy flowing gown of pale rose-color and much soft lace and
+ribbons, no one could think of her as hungry or poverty-pinched in any
+way, but only as some wonderful fairy queen who dined on peacocks'
+tongues and supped on nectar and ambrosia.
+
+She was greatly surprised to see me; I think she thought of me as a
+kind of Daniel venturing into the lion's den. But the old lioness, the
+duchesse, was not with her, only the same companion I had seen in the
+carriage on the Champs-Elysees, and I felt once more that fate smiled
+on me. It meant much to me, for I knew not whether I should ever see
+her again, and I longed greatly to have a few minutes' untrammeled
+conversation with her, such as I had often had in St. Louis in those
+days that seemed so far away.
+
+Perhaps my eyes dwelt too eagerly upon her. I never could quite
+remember how beautiful she was when I was away from her, and so every
+time I saw her I was dazzled afresh. This time, too, I was trying to
+fasten every lovely curve of cheek and throat, and glowing scarlet of
+lips, and shadowy glory of dark eyes and waving hair, and witching
+little curls about white brow and neck, yes, and every knot of lace
+and ribbon, so firmly in my mind that I might always have the
+beautiful picture to look on when there was no longer any hope of
+seeing again the bright reality.
+
+So absorbed was I in fixing fast in memory every little detail of the
+bright picture that I think I must have forgot my manners: it was only
+seeing the long lashes on the rose-tinted cheek that brought me to
+myself. I bent low over her hand and then put into it the packet the
+First Consul had intrusted me to give to her.
+
+"For me? From the First Consul?" she said, in slow surprise.
+
+"Yes," I said; "and when you have opened it, Mademoiselle, then I
+crave a few minutes' speech with you."
+
+I turned and walked to one of the windows and stood looking down into
+the courtyard where Caesar was holding our horses, that mademoiselle
+might examine its contents unobserved.
+
+I knew not what was in the package nor the contents of the note that
+accompanied it, but somehow I had had a feeling (perhaps because the
+First Consul had seemed so kind in his manner at our last interview,
+or perhaps only because my hopes pointed that way) that the Consul's
+note was to use his influence with her in my behalf, as he had once
+used it for the chevalier. Therefore as I stood with my back to her,
+looking down into the courtyard, my eyes saw not what they were
+looking at, for they were filled with a vision of future happiness and
+I was trembling with the beauty of the vision.
+
+"Monsieur!" I turned quickly, for the voice was cold and hard, and it
+fell on my heart like the sleet of early spring falling on opening
+buds to chill them to death. And when I turned, the Pelagie that met
+my gaze was the Pelagie I had first seen in Mr. Gratiot's house: eyes
+blazing with wrath, little teeth close set between scarlet lips, and
+little hands tightly clenched. My heart froze at the sight. Could the
+Consul's plea for me have been so distasteful to her?
+
+"Monsieur," she repeated, every word a poniard, "how did you dare
+bring me such a message!"
+
+I found no words to answer her, for if the message was what I had
+hoped, then I began to wonder how I had dared, though my spirit, as
+proud as hers, brooked not that she should take it as an insult. But
+she did not wait for any answer.
+
+"You!" she said, with inexpressible bitterness. "Has wearing the First
+Consul's uniform so changed you from the American gentleman I once
+knew that you delight to humiliate a poor and helpless lady of
+France?"
+
+"Mademoiselle la Comtesse," I said coldly, for still the foolish idea
+clung to my brain that the First Consul had wished to further my suit,
+and that mademoiselle had regarded it as humiliating that I should so
+presume, "I know not the contents of the First Consul's note, but I
+think la Comtesse knows I would never willingly humiliate her."
+
+"You know not!" and she half extended the note toward me, as if to
+show it to me, and then drew it quickly back, a sudden change in her
+manner from proud anger to shrinking shame. She turned to her
+companion and said in a cool tone of command:
+
+"You may wait for me, Henriette, in the blue salon; I have something
+to say to Monsieur."
+
+Henriette seemed to hesitate. No doubt in France it was not permitted
+to see a young gentleman alone, or perhaps Henriette had instructions
+from the duchesse to be ever on guard when she herself could not be
+present. Mademoiselle saw her hesitation.
+
+"Go!" she said haughtily, and I believe no being on earth would have
+dared disobey that ringing tone of command. Henriette shrank from it,
+and as she hastened to obey, mademoiselle added in a gentler tone:
+
+"You may return in five minutes."
+
+As she left the room, mademoiselle turned quickly to me, as if to lose
+no moment of the few she had given herself.
+
+"Monsieur," she said, and her manner was the manner of the old
+Pelagie, "I hope you will forgive me for supposing for a moment that
+you knew the contents of the First Consul's note. I cannot show it to
+you, but I am going to place a great trust in you. Monsieur, I cannot
+stay longer in France. Between the duchesse, the chevalier, and the
+First Consul, I will be driven to marry the chevalier, or--worse. Ah,
+Monsieur, if I had never left St. Louis!"
+
+She had spoken hurriedly, as if fearing to lose courage otherwise, but
+she looked not at me as she spoke, and her face was dyed with painful
+blushes. A horrible suspicion of the contents of that note almost
+froze my blood, but the next thought, that mademoiselle must fly from
+France, sent it rushing hotly through my veins.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I cried impetuously, "go home with me to America."
+
+I saw her turn pale and draw herself up proudly. I did not dream she
+could misunderstand me: I only thought she scorned so humble a suitor.
+And the thought set fire to a pride that was equal to her own.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said sternly, "I cannot set you upon a throne nor
+place a crown upon your head, but in America the wife of an honorable
+gentleman is a queen always, his heart is her throne, his home is her
+kingdom, his love is her crown."
+
+To my amazement, she was all soft and drooping and rosy and smiling. I
+was ready to pick her up and fly with her that moment, so adorable was
+she in this mood, but she would not let me come near her.
+
+"Monsieur," she said, looking up at me most sweetly, "to be the wife
+of an honorable American gentleman, it seems to me, would be great
+happiness; but you have not your father's permission to marry: he
+would not thank you for bringing home an emigre bride."
+
+There came to me a sudden vision of my stern father. He would
+certainly think that was a matter on which he should be first
+consulted. He was capable of making it very unpleasant for my wife
+should I bring one home unannounced, and if he did not cut me off with
+a shilling, he might easily put me on so small an allowance as would
+make it impossible for me to maintain her in the luxury suited to her
+position. I would be glad to work for her, early and late, but I knew
+nothing about earning my own bread, and while I was learning to earn
+hers she might suffer for the comforts of life.
+
+Mademoiselle was quick to see my embarrassment, and I suppose her
+pride was touched, for when she spoke it was with her old hauteur.
+
+"It is very kind of Monsieur to think of offering me a refuge, but my
+plans are made."
+
+I hardly heard her, for I was busy with my own thoughts. I interrupted
+her eagerly:
+
+"Mademoiselle, let me take you back to St. Louis and put you in Dr.
+Saugrain's care; then I will make all necessary arrangements with my
+father and come for you."
+
+"You did not understand me, Monsieur," she answered coldly; "my plans
+are made: I am going to my cousin the Duc d'Enghien."
+
+"The Duc d'Enghien!" I repeated, in a dazed fashion. Had I not heard
+that her cousin would marry her into one of the royal families of
+Europe? This, then, was the knell to all my hopes! This was the reason
+she answered me so coldly: there was something better in store for her
+than to be the wife of a simple American gentleman.
+
+Well, I had never cherished any hopes; had I not told both my uncle
+Francois and the First Consul so? Ah, but had I not? Had not every
+moment since I had first known her been a fluctuation between hope and
+despair? I had told the First Consul she had not given me any reason
+to hope; but had she not? Did she not seem a few minutes ago almost
+willing to become the wife of an American gentleman? What had changed
+her mood?
+
+While I was trying to collect my scattered thoughts she spoke again,
+hurriedly:
+
+"I am telling you this in great confidence, Monsieur, because I can
+trust you. No one must know--least of all, any one in this house."
+
+For a moment I could not speak. I turned away to the window and looked
+down once more into the courtyard with unseeing eyes. But it was no
+beautiful vision of the future that dimmed their gaze this time: it
+was the black darkness of despair that blinded them like a pall.
+
+Then I made a great resolve. The Comtesse de Baloit, the Bourbon
+princess, was not for such as I; but to mademoiselle, to my little
+Pelagie, I might still be loyal friend and offer devoted service. I
+turned toward her again.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "I will go with you to the Duc d'Enghien. I
+will never leave you until I see you safe under the protection of your
+cousin."
+
+"What! The young officer of the First Consul aiding and abetting an
+emigre who flees from the First Consul! It is rank treason, Monsieur!"
+and Pelagie smiled with something of her old merry raillery.
+
+"I am no longer an aide, Mademoiselle," I said seriously. "I have been
+called home by the illness of my father, and General Bonaparte has
+relieved me from duty."
+
+Her quick sympathy was sweet to see and to feel, but I did not dare
+linger in its warmth, for the five minutes, I knew, must be nearly up.
+
+"Now, Mademoiselle," I said, "since I am no longer in service to the
+First Consul, there will be no treason in helping you in your
+flight--"
+
+But she interrupted me: "No, Monsieur, it is not necessary; the Prince
+de Polignac has made every arrangement and will see me safe to my
+cousin."
+
+"The Prince de Polignac!" I exclaimed, in surprise. "But he is in
+exile, and almost as much under the First Consul's ban as Cadoudal
+himself; how can he help you?"
+
+In my astonishment that she should think of relying upon Polignac,
+whose life I believed would be forfeit if he dared to enter Paris, I
+had unconsciously spoken his name with raised voice. We had heretofore
+been speaking almost in whispers for fear of a possible listener. As I
+uttered his name Pelagie started and looked nervously toward the door
+of the blue salon.
+
+"I beg you to be careful, Monsieur," she said anxiously. "As you say,
+his life would be forfeit if any one suspected his presence in Paris.
+I do not know that he is here, but I am hourly expecting to hear from
+him. There is no one in the world I would have trusted this secret to
+but you, and I am relying on your discretion as well as your honor."
+
+I bowed my thanks, grateful for her confidence and ashamed of the
+indiscretion that might so easily have betrayed her secret. But I had
+not gained my point.
+
+"You will let me help in this flight, too, Mademoiselle! It is a great
+peril you are undertaking, and one more sword, whose owner will
+lightly risk his life for you, cannot come amiss."
+
+But she only shook her head and whispered, "It is impossible," and at
+that moment Henriette entered the room.
+
+"Mademoiselle la Comtesse," she said timidly (I fear Pelagie must have
+been at times something of a little tyrant, to make her companion
+stand in such awe of her), "I have stayed away, not five minutes, but
+ten. I come to remind you that the hour has arrived at which Madame la
+Duchesse returns."
+
+"Thanks, my good Henriette," said Pelagie, sweetly; "it is true, and I
+had forgotten it."
+
+She turned quickly to me: "You must go at once, Monsieur! It is much
+better the duchesse should not find you here."
+
+"And can I not see you again? Shall I never see you again?" I asked
+eagerly, in English.
+
+"No, no! Do not try--I will send word," she answered, also in
+English, and then put out her hand, "Go, Monsieur," she said in
+French, "and farewell!"
+
+I took her hand and bent low over it.
+
+"Farewell, Mademoiselle," I said, for it cut me to the quick that she
+had not said "Au revoir," as she had said it on La Belle Riviere.
+
+Down in the courtyard, in the act of throwing my leg over Fatima's
+back, there rode under the arch of the entrance the countryman who had
+overtaken us in the morning, leading the magnificent horse he had said
+was for Mademoiselle la Comtesse, and riding another. It was not
+strange that he should be bringing mademoiselle her hunter, but it
+struck me as somewhat strange that the moment he caught sight of me a
+quick scowl should darken his brow and as quickly be cleared away: as
+if it had come unbidden and been driven away from a sense of
+expediency. As I passed him on the way out he touched his cap to me
+politely, and the sleeve of his rough jerkin falling away a little in
+the act, I thought I caught a glimpse of a lace wrist-ruffle.
+
+"Perhaps Caesar was not mistaken, after all," I said to myself; "if he
+wears lace ruffles at his wrist he may well wear a gold belt and
+poniard at his waist. A strange countryman, forsooth!" And a secret
+uneasiness that I could neither explain nor dismiss returned to me as
+often as he came into my thoughts.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+"GOOD-BY, SWEETHEART!"
+
+    "I have found out a gift for my fair."
+
+
+There was nothing to keep me in Paris. I could not see mademoiselle;
+she would not let me help her in her flight. I was restless and
+impatient to be off. No boat would sail from Le Havre for nearly a
+week. It would not take a week either by horse, as Caesar and I would
+go, or by the river, where my baggage was to be floated down in a
+small yawl in the charge of a trusty boatman. But if I stayed in Paris
+I would be eating my heart out; it was better to be on the way and
+taking the route by slow stages.
+
+So I made the plea to my aunt and uncle that I feared some unforeseen
+delay might cause me to miss my ship, and with feverish haste I made
+all arrangements for departure that very night. To my aunt my
+impatience seemed only natural. She herself was greatly distressed at
+the news of my father's illness, and would have accompanied me to
+America if it had been possible.
+
+My first act on reaching home after leaving mademoiselle had been to
+tear off my gorgeous uniform, with such a mingling of loathing and
+regret as rarely comes to a man. If my suspicions of the contents of
+mademoiselle's note were correct, then I could not quickly enough rid
+myself of every emblem of the allegiance I had once owed to the First
+Consul. And yet when I remembered his invariable kindness to me, the
+magnanimity he had shown for what must have seemed to him criminal
+eavesdropping, the tenderness of heart I had seen displayed more than
+once, the wonderful powers of the man, master alike of the arts of
+peace and war, the idolatry in which his soldiers held him and in
+which I had hitherto shared, my heart lamented bitterly that its idol
+should have been so shattered.
+
+Since we had time to spare and it was now the meridian of summer, I
+had decided to use only the cool of evening and the early morning
+hours for travel, as much, I think, for the sake of sparing Fatima as
+Caesar and myself. Our first stage was to be to the same little inn,
+twenty miles out, which we had left only that morning to come into the
+city. It was not, perhaps, on the most direct route to Le Havre, but a
+large part of the way would lead through the forests of Montmorency
+and Chantilly and would be pleasant riding, and the inn was almost the
+cleanest and most comfortable of its kind I had found in France. My
+weeks under Bonaparte bearing messages to every little river big
+enough to build a boat upon had taught me the roads well; all this
+northern France was like an open book to me and I would find no
+difficulty in cutting across from the forest of Chantilly to the
+banks of the Seine, if I preferred to follow its windings to Le Havre.
+
+So the long shadows of the late afternoon saw us riding under the
+Porte St. Martin; at sunset we were passing the hoary Basilique of St.
+Denis, tomb of the kings; through the long twilight we skirted the
+forest of Montmorency; and by moonrise we were entering the forest of
+Chantilly. Not more beautiful by early dawn and dew had been this
+ride, than it was through lengthening shadows, and violet glow of
+sunset, and silvery light of moon, the peaches ripening on sunny
+walls, and the odors of mint and sweet-smelling herbs rising through
+the gathering damps of evening, the birds singing their vesper songs,
+and in the deep forest glades the lonely nightingale pouring out his
+soul to the moon.
+
+Yet my heart was heavier. On my long ride from Antwerp, with the
+buoyancy of youth, I had passed through all the phases from anguished
+fear to the almost certitude of hope, and I had entered Paris feeling
+sure that I would find my father well again when I should reach
+America. I had entered Paris also joyous with the thought of seeing
+mademoiselle once more, and with the unconfessed hope that the budget
+I was bearing from the great Bonaparte might be the means of bringing
+me the crowning happiness of my life. I was leaving it now with one
+word ringing in my ears as the death-knell to all my hopes--Farewell!
+
+The hour was still early and my inn but a little way off on the
+western borders of the forest; I would make a little detour and see
+the chateau and park and still be not too late for a good supper and
+a comfortable night's rest. I left the "old road" (which crossed the
+forest directly) at the Carrefour de la Table, where twelve roads met
+in an open circular space surrounding a great stone table. From there
+I took one leading straight to the Grille d'Honneur. We crossed a
+little bridge that spanned the moat, and looking down into its waters,
+we heard the splash of the ancient carp that filled it. Then through
+the Grille d'Honneur and between two stone dogs at the foot of the
+slope that led up to the ruins of the Grande Chateau. There I drew
+rein and looked over the beautiful domain.
+
+At my right was the ruined chateau; in front of me the chatelet, in
+perfect preservation, apparently floating on the bosom of a silvery
+lake that entirely surrounded it. Beyond were the famous stables of
+the Great Conde, holding two hundred and sixty horses in his lifetime.
+Beside them was the chapel, and everywhere a network of basins and
+canals gleaming white under the flooding moonlight. At my back were
+the gloomy towers of the Chateau d'Enghien, built to house the guests
+of the Condes who overflowed the Grande Chateau and the chatelet; and
+beyond was a mass of rich foliage belonging to the Park of Sylvie.
+
+As I gazed a thousand thoughts crowded into my mind. This was the home
+of mademoiselle's ancestors; it should now be the home of the Duc
+d'Enghien; perhaps when mademoiselle came into her own it would be
+hers. No doubt in these very parks she had played in infancy.
+Generations of grandeur, of princely splendor, were behind her. How
+had I dared to dream of her! How had I dared to think she would stoop
+to my lowly rank!
+
+I gave Fatima's bridle to Caesar and told him to wait for me while I
+walked down the green slope into the Park of Sylvie. Enchanting vistas
+opened before me, the moonlight filtering through arched canopies of
+foliage just enough to show me the way. Old tales of the Duchesse
+"Sylvie" and the poet-lover, condemned to death, whom she had hidden
+in this park and its little chateau floated through my mind strangely
+mingled with dreams of a later daughter of Montmorency.
+
+And then suddenly I came upon something that for a moment I almost
+believed to be a continuation of my dreams. I had turned to my right
+and a new vista had opened before me, closed by the little "Chateau of
+Sylvie." On the wide lawn before it, half hidden by the shadow of the
+chateau, half in the broad moonlight, was a strange group: a carriage
+and what seemed to me many horses and many men. I thought for a moment
+I had landed upon a nest of bandits such as might easily infest a
+forest like this, and it would behoove me to steal silently back to
+the horses and make good my escape; but I caught a glimpse of
+petticoats: they were not bandits; they must be Gipsies.
+
+Then as I gazed there stepped out into the full moonlight a man
+leading a powerful black horse with one white stocking and a white
+star in his forehead. I heard the man call some brief order to some
+one in the shadow, and there was a slight lisp in his voice. In a
+moment I understood it all, although the man was no longer wearing a
+countryman's coat, but the livery of a gentleman's servant. It was
+Pelagie and her party fleeing to Baden and the Duc d'Enghien!
+
+I knew not whether I would be a welcome guest or an intruder, but I
+knew I was not going to miss this opportunity of seeing Pelagie once
+more. I stepped out boldly from under the shadows of the trees into
+the moonlight, and in so doing came near losing my life. There was the
+click of a lock and the flash of a gun-barrel in the countryman's
+hands.
+
+"Don't shoot, Monsieur," I cried; "it is a friend."
+
+There was a short, sharp cry, half suppressed, and Pelagie came
+running out of the shadow, both hands extended and her face glowing in
+the moonlight.
+
+"Is it you, Monsieur?" she cried. "How came you here?"
+
+I suppose I answered her in some fashion. I know I took her hands in
+mine and looked down into her beautiful eyes, but I know not what I
+said. She was wearing the cap and apron and simple gown of a lady's
+waiting-maid, and as she saw me look curiously at it she said, with
+the shrug of her pretty little shoulders that I had learned to know so
+well in St. Louis:
+
+"It is a fright, is it not, Monsieur? But I am no longer the Comtesse
+de Baloit: I am Susanne, the maid of Madame du Bois, with whom I am
+traveling."
+
+Her voice had the happy ring of a child's, as if she were glad to be
+free, even if only for a time, from the cares of rank and position;
+or, perhaps more truly, glad to be away from the surveillance of the
+duchesse, happy that she need no longer fear the chevalier and the
+First Consul. I longed to think that a part of the gladness was in
+seeing me once more so unexpectedly; but I knew this was only my
+foolish vanity, and I steadied my brain by saying over to myself, "She
+is a princess of Conde in her ancestral home; you are only the son of
+a plain American gentleman." So I made her such a speech as I would
+have made to a princess of Conde.
+
+"If Mademoiselle were not the Comtesse de Baloit I could wish she were
+always Susanne the maid of Madame du Bois. 'Tis a bewitching costume."
+
+It was, and she knew it, as I could see by her dancing eyes and the
+smile (that she vainly tried to suppress) playing hide-and-seek with
+the roses in her cheek as I spoke. Being a man, I could not name each
+article of her costume; but what I saw was a vision of little ringlets
+escaping from under a coquettish cap, dainty ankles that the short
+blue skirt did not pretend to hide, a snowy apron that almost covered
+the blue skirt, and a handkerchief demurely crossed over the beautiful
+shoulders.
+
+She turned quickly, as if to escape my gaze, and called to the
+countryman: "Monsieur le Prince, this is the friend of whom I have
+spoken; I want him to meet the Prince de Polignac."
+
+The prince came forward at once; and as we grasped each other's hands
+and looked into each other's eyes, I think he knew that he need no
+longer regard me with suspicion, and I knew that here was a man to
+whom I could trust even Pelagie.
+
+We laughed a little over our first meeting, and I told him how Caesar
+had detected his weapon; and then out of the shadows came other
+figures: Henriette, to whom, as her mistress, Madame du Bois, Pelagie
+gaily presented me; a man in the costume of a well-to-do bourgeois,
+whom they called Monsieur du Bois, but who, Pelagie whispered to me,
+was the prince's trusted body-servant; and Clotilde, whom I had not
+seen since I had seen her on La Belle Riviere, and who wept at the
+sight of me, a tribute to the memory of other days. Last of all there
+came out of the shadows my burly host of last night's inn. He had
+brought over to the little chateau a relay of fresh horses and a
+hamper of supper. All arrangements had been made at his inn the night
+before by the Prince de Polignac in the guise of a countryman; for
+careless Boniface as my host had seemed to be, he was devotedly
+attached to his old masters, the Bourbon princes, and could be trusted
+to the death.
+
+It amazed me greatly that they should have accomplished this journey
+in a shorter time than I, and still more that they should have
+succeeded in getting safely, out of Paris with so large a party, and I
+so expressed myself to the prince.
+
+"It had been all carefully planned, Monsieur," he told me. "My man,
+'Monsieur du Bois,' had a traveling-carriage waiting at a little house
+near the Porte St. Denis, where an old servitor of the family lives.
+He had passports made out for Madame and Monsieur du Bois from New
+Orleans, traveling with their negro servant Clotilde, and with a maid
+Susanne, and a man Francois. Mademoiselle la Comtesse arranged to try
+her hunter at three o'clock in the Bois, accompanied by her companion,
+Henriette (who in these few weeks has become devotedly attached to the
+comtesse), and by the countryman who had brought her the horse and
+understood him more thoroughly than a groom from the stables of the
+duchesse would have done. At the same hour the negro maid of the
+comtesse strolled out into a quiet street at the rear of the hotel,
+where she was met by my man and conducted to the little house near the
+Porte St. Denis. At a little before four we had all gathered there; by
+half-past four the transformation had been made and we were leaving
+the house, Madame du Bois and her two maids in the carriage, Monsieur
+du Bois on the comtesse's hunter, I on my own horse and leading the
+one Henriette had ridden. We had arranged to meet Pierre here with
+fresh horses and provisions, and spend half an hour in changing
+horses, resting, and supper. Your unexpected appearance, Monsieur, has
+alarmed me. I had thought the Park of Sylvie sufficiently secluded to
+insure us secrecy, but if you have found it, others may whom we would
+be less glad to see, and I think I will form my little company into
+marching order at once. The comtesse is taking it all as a grand
+adventure; her spirits have risen with every step away from Paris:
+that is the princely blood of Conde that loves deeds of daring, and I
+would not say a word to dampen her ardor; but we know, Monsieur, it is
+a serious matter, and so, though our half-hour is not quite up, I
+think I will order the advance."
+
+"You are quite right, Monsieur le Prince," I replied. "My man is
+waiting for me with our horses in the Court d'Honneur; will you permit
+me to ride a little way with you?"
+
+The prince hesitated a moment, and then in his courtliest manner he
+replied to my request:
+
+"I am sure Monsieur will not misunderstand me when I say nothing could
+give us greater pleasure if it seemed safe. But Monsieur's size
+and--appearance," with a bow and a smile flattering no doubt, but
+discouraging, "have made him well known in France. Moreover,
+Monsieur's friendship for the comtesse (which does him honor) is known
+also, and should a pursuing party make inquiries along the road, and
+should our party be described with you in attendance, I fear they will
+be able to identify us at once."
+
+"I understand, Monsieur le Prince," I answered, much crestfallen. And
+then into my slow brain there popped another question.
+
+"But will not the negro maid Clotilde betray you also?"
+
+"Monsieur is very astute," answered the prince. "He has touched upon
+our weak point, and I am going to prove my friendly regard for
+Monsieur by asking of him a great service. We could not leave the
+negress behind in Paris: the comtesse would not stir one step without
+her, fearing that she would be very unhappy, if not come to want and
+suffering in a strange city. All the way from Paris I have been
+revolving plans in my mind as to how best to separate her from our
+party. I had thought of letting Pierre take charge of her, but that
+would not do; for should she be discovered, that would make Pierre
+'suspect,' and he would be thrown into prison for aiding and abetting
+the flight of the comtesse, and it would be a clue to trace us. When I
+saw you, Monsieur, I said, 'There is a way out of our dilemma. If
+Monsieur will take Clotilde back with him to America, we are safe.'"
+
+Joy filled my heart that I was at last to be allowed to do something
+for the comtesse.
+
+"Gladly, Monsieur!" I exclaimed; "and it can be very easily arranged.
+We will strike across country to Pontoise and the forest of St.
+Germain, and head off my boatman. He was to tie up for the night at a
+little village near Marly-le-Roi. I will find him there and put
+Clotilde in his wife's care. His wife accompanies him, for the voyage
+and to cook his meals."
+
+The prince's gratitude seemed to me incommensurate with so small a
+service, and so I told him. And then another difficulty suggested
+itself to me.
+
+"Monsieur le Prince," I said, "I recognized you from the hunter of
+Mademoiselle la Comtesse; will not perhaps others also?"
+
+"I have thought of this, Monsieur," he said; "but it seemed even more
+difficult to arrange than the other. It is necessary that the comtesse
+should have a swift and powerful horse, for if we are pursued, she and
+I will take to our horses and leave the others to shift for
+themselves. I had thought of asking Pierre to try to find another as
+good as this (though for speed and endurance I do not believe he has
+his equal in France), but even then I should not know what to do with
+this one. I could not give him to Pierre: that again would bring him
+under suspicion. I should have to shoot and bury him. However, it is
+too late now to make the change; we will even have to take the risk."
+
+"Monsieur," I said slowly, for willingly as I would make any sacrifice
+for mademoiselle, even to my life I could not lightly do that which I
+was about to do--"Monsieur, I have a horse who for speed and endurance
+has hardly her equal in the whole world. She knows Mademoiselle la
+Comtesse well and will do her bidding as she does mine. I will change
+horses with you. The comtesse shall have my chestnut mare and I will
+take her black beauty."
+
+The prince did not know that this was a far greater sacrifice on my
+part than taking charge of Clotilde had been, yet he knew a man loves
+his own mare well, and in so far he appreciated the service and
+thanked me for it.
+
+But the matter of separating Clotilde from her mistress had to be
+broached to mademoiselle, and the prince begged me to undertake the
+difficult task. All the time while the prince, and I had been holding
+our conversation together aside from the others, she had been
+exploring the purlieus of the little chateau with frequent
+exclamations of delight, not one of which fell unheeded on my ears,
+although I was deep in consultation. Now she came running up to me
+joyously.
+
+"Monsieur, Monsieur," she exclaimed, "I have found the little arbor
+where I used to take my dolls and play at housekeeping! Ah, how well I
+remember it! How often I have thought of it! And how little I ever
+expected to see it again!" and her eyes were as bright and as soft as
+the waters of the little lake stretching from our feet to the Grille
+d'Honneur and shining in the misty moonlight. I knew how quickly those
+eyes could change from dewy softness to lightning flashes, and it is
+not to be wondered at that I plunged into my subject with nervous
+haste.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said (and I thought the prince liked not the lack of
+formality in my address), "the Prince de Polignac has assigned to me
+an unpleasant duty; it is to tell you that we find it necessary for
+your safety to take away Clotilde."
+
+Perhaps I was too abrupt; at any rate, much as I had expected a
+tempest I was not prepared for the tornado that ensued.
+
+"Take away my Clotilde!" she interrupted. "Never! never! never!" And
+then there followed a torrent of tears mingled with reproaches as she
+threw herself upon Clotilde's breast--the breast she had wept upon
+since she was a babe of six. But Clotilde's cries were stormier than
+her mistress's: she literally lifted up her voice and wept. The prince
+was the picture of distress and dismay: there was danger that the
+sound of weeping might penetrate to unfriendly ears. Mademoiselle in
+tears was ever more formidable to me than an army with banners, but
+there was no help for it; I took my courage in my hand.
+
+"Mademoiselle la Comtesse," I said sternly, "you are causing the
+Prince de Polignac great distress. You are in danger any moment of
+betraying his retreat to an enemy, and if he is captured, his life is
+forfeit, as you know."
+
+I spoke thus to arouse her from a contemplation of her own woes to his
+danger, for well I knew her generous soul would respond at once to
+such a plea, and I was not mistaken. Her sobs ceased instantly and she
+stilled Clotilde with a word; then she turned and looked at me quietly
+while I went on with what I had to say:
+
+"It is to anticipate the danger of such discovery that we remove
+Clotilde, who, being almost the only negress in France, would betray
+your identity at once. I will take her with me to America, and from
+Philadelphia I will send her under safe escort to Dr. Saugrain in St.
+Louis, and when you are safely established in your own home you can
+send for her again."
+
+I think the thought of seeing St. Louis once more half consoled
+Clotilde for the parting, though she was a faithful creature and loved
+her mistress, and would have followed her to the ends of the earth. I
+know it helped to console Pelagie, for it was the thought of leaving
+Clotilde alone and unprotected in a foreign country that disturbed her
+most.
+
+But all this had taken much time, and the half-hour the prince had
+allowed for rest was more than up. They had had their supper, the
+carriage-horses had been changed, the saddle-horses had been fed and
+watered, and the prince was in feverish haste to be off. I ran swiftly
+to the Court d'Honneur, where I had left Caesar, and found him
+wondering anxiously what had kept me so long. He had fed and watered
+both horses and was now letting them crop a little of the luxuriant
+grass at their feet. I did not stop for explanations, but bidding him
+follow me with his horse, I led Fatima by a shorter and more direct
+route straight from the Grille d'Honneur to the little chateau. I
+found the carriage with "Monsieur and Madame du Bois"; the coachman
+and outriders had already started. Pierre had set out a luncheon on
+the little stone table for Caesar and me (for since we were not to go
+to his inn there was no prospect for supper for us), and was getting
+the two carriage-horses ready to take them back with him. Clotilde was
+silently weeping and Pelagie was trying to comfort her. I led Fatima
+straight to Pelagie.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "the Prince de Polignac permits me to give you
+a farewell present. Will you take Fatima and keep her for me? She will
+bear you to your destination, I believe, more safely and more surely
+than any horse in the world."
+
+"Oh, Monsieur, Monsieur!" she said, and then could say nothing more,
+her little chin quivering piteously. I could not bear to see it. I had
+motioned to Caesar to put on Fatima the side-saddle lying on the grass,
+and now I said,
+
+"Let me put you on her back," and bent to lift her; but she drew back.
+
+"Oh, no, no, Monsieur!" she cried. "I know why you do it, and I know
+what a sacrifice it is to you. I cannot let you give up Fatima!"
+
+"Then you are depriving me of a great happiness," I softly answered.
+"I had hoped you would take her and keep her and love her. It would
+be a great comfort to me in distant America to think of you as being
+kind to her sometimes for the sake of old St. Louis memories."
+
+I looked steadily into her eyes.
+
+"Mademoiselle, may I put you on her back?"
+
+She bowed her head, and I lifted her to her seat, put her foot in the
+stirrup and the bridle in her hand. Then I threw my arm over Fatima's
+neck.
+
+"Good-by, Sweetheart," I whispered, "take good care of your mistress,"
+and kissed her on the white star on her forehead. Still with my arm
+over her neck I reached up my hand to mademoiselle.
+
+She put her hand in mine, and I kissed it as I had kissed it when she
+chose me her king; then I lifted my eyes and looked straight into
+hers.
+
+"Good-by, Mademoiselle, and au revoir," I said, and dropped her hand.
+
+She could not answer for the same piteous quivering of the chin, but
+her lips formed "Au revoir"; and then she turned Fatima and rode
+slowly under the leafy arch that led through a long tunnel of foliage,
+due east.
+
+"Monsieur," said the prince, and I started; for a moment I had
+forgotten his existence.
+
+He had withdrawn courteously while I was making my adieus with
+mademoiselle, busying himself with little preparations for departure.
+Now he had mounted and drawn his horse to my side.
+
+"Monsieur, you have taught me to honor and admire all American
+gentlemen. If there is any service I can ever do you, I hope you will
+give me the opportunity of showing you how much I appreciate the great
+service you have done us this night."
+
+"Monsieur le Prince," I answered quickly, too eager with my own
+thoughts to thank him for his kind words, "there is one kindness you
+can show me that will more than repay me for anything I have ever done
+or ever could do. Write me of mademoiselle's safe arrival when you
+reach Baden. I will give you my address," and I tore a leaf from my
+memorandum-book, wrote my address upon it, and thrust it into his
+hand.
+
+"It is a small commission, Monsieur," he answered, "but I will be most
+happy to execute it."
+
+He grasped my hand, said "Au revoir," and cantered quickly away after
+mademoiselle.
+
+I watched them riding side by side under the leafy dome until their
+figures were lost in the darkness, mademoiselle still with bent head,
+and he with his face turned courteously away as if not to seem to see
+should she be softly crying. And if there was for a moment in my heart
+a jealous envy that he should ride by mademoiselle's side and I be
+left behind, I put it quickly away, for I knew him to be a noble and
+courteous gentleman, and one to whose honor I could trust the dearest
+thing in life.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+EXIT LE CHEVALIER
+
+    "The King of France with forty thousand men,
+    Went up a hill, and so came down agen."
+
+
+Clothilde, Caesar, and I had ridden late into the night before we had
+reached the little village on the Seine where my boatman, Gustave, was
+to tie up. But it was moonlight and we rode through a beautiful
+country dotted with royal chateaus,--the birthplaces of illustrious
+kings,--and I had my thoughts, and Clotilde and Caesar had each other:
+for Caesar was the first of her kind Clotilde had seen since coming to
+France, and much as she might enjoy the attentions of footmen in
+gorgeous liveries, after all they were only "white trash," and she
+loved best her own color. Clotilde was rapidly becoming consoled; and
+though she only spoke creole French, and Caesar only English, save for
+the few words he had picked up since coming to Paris, they seemed to
+make themselves very well understood.
+
+So the ride had not been so tedious as it might have been. And when we
+had found Gustave's boat tied to the bank and had routed up him and
+his wife, and delivered Clotilde into their care (and their
+admiration and awe of the black lady was wonderful to see), and Caesar
+and I had hunted up a fairly comfortable inn and had two or three
+hours of sleep, we were all quite ready to start on again.
+
+Feeling that Clotilde was a sacred trust, I was anxious both for her
+safety and for her welfare, and thus it was that the early morning
+found me following the windings of the Seine by a little bridle-path
+on its banks, hardly twenty feet from Gustave's boat dropping down
+with the tide. Gustave's wife was in the forward part of the boat,
+preparing breakfast for the three, and the savory odor of her bacon
+and coffee was borne by the breeze straight to my nostrils on the high
+bank above her. Gustave himself was in the stern of the boat, lazily
+managing the steering-oar and waiting for his breakfast, and
+incidentally grinning from ear to ear at Caesar, riding a pace behind
+me and casting longing glances at the thatched roof of the little
+boat's cabin, whence issued in rich negro tones the creole love-song
+Yorke had sung to Clotilde on the Ohio boat:
+
+    "Every springtime
+    All the lovers
+    Change their sweethearts;
+    Let change who will,
+    I keep mine."
+
+I had straitly charged Clotilde that she must keep herself closely
+concealed within the cabin, but I had said nothing to her about also
+keeping quiet. Now I was idly thinking that perhaps I had better give
+her instructions upon that point also, when down the stony road some
+three feet higher than the bridle-path, and separated from it by a
+bank of turf, came the thunder of hoofs. I glanced up quickly. A
+little party of horsemen, five or six in number, were dashing down the
+road toward us, and in the lead was the Chevalier Le Moyne! At sight
+of us they drew rein, and the chevalier, looking down on me (for the
+first time in his life), brought his hat to his saddle-bow with a
+flourish.
+
+"Good morning, Monsieur. I hear you are off for America."
+
+"Good morning," I answered coolly, merely touching my own hat. "You
+have heard correctly"; and I wished with all my heart that I had had
+time to tell Clotilde to keep still, for up from the boat below,
+louder and clearer than ever, it seemed to me, came the refrain of her
+foolish song:
+
+    "Tous les printemps,
+    Tous les amants
+    Changent de maitresses;
+    Qu'ils changent qui voudront,
+    Pour moi, je garde la mienne."
+
+The chevalier was listening pointedly.
+
+"An old song, Monsieur, that I have often heard in St. Louis. And the
+voice, too, I think is familiar. It is the black maid of the Comtesse
+de Baloit, is it not? Perhaps her mistress is with her; if so, our
+quest is at an end."
+
+"What do you mean, Monsieur le Chevalier!" I exclaimed, affecting
+virtuous indignation, and feeling a little of it, too, for I liked not
+the chevalier's manner.
+
+"You have heard, I suppose," he answered, with a light sneer, "that
+the comtesse has disappeared from Paris. At almost the same moment it
+was announced that monsieur had started for America, and some of the
+comtesse's friends thought it not impossible that they had gone
+together. From the warbling of that nightingale yonder I judge they
+were not far wrong."
+
+Not until this moment had it occurred to me that any one would connect
+the flight of the comtesse with my departure, and I hardly knew
+whether I was more ragingly angry at the thought or secretly glad.
+There was no question as to my state of mind toward the chevalier.
+That he should speak in such a light and sneering tone of any lady,
+but most of all that he should so speak of the loveliest lady on
+earth, was not to be borne. Yet I was glad, for some reasons, that
+such a mistaken surmise had arisen: it would throw pursuit off the
+track until Pelagie was well on her way to the German frontier, and
+the truth would come out later and my lady not suffer in her
+reputation (which indeed I could not have endured).
+
+So instead of giving free vent to the anger that raged in my heart, as
+I longed to do, I thought it wise to dally with the chevalier and keep
+him as long as possible on the wrong scent, for every moment of delay
+to the chevalier was setting mademoiselle farther on her way.
+
+"Your news, Monsieur," I said, "is most astonishing, but your
+insinuations also most insulting to a lady whose honor and reputation
+shall ever be my dearest care."
+
+Now the chevalier was five to one (for I could not count upon Caesar
+for fighting, as I might have counted upon Yorke). I do not say that
+that fact made the chevalier more bold or less careful in his manner,
+but I certainly think that had we been man to man he would not have
+answered as he did.
+
+"Your virtuous indignation is pretty to see, Monsieur," he answered;
+"but I have the warrant of the republic to search whatever domains I
+may suspect of harboring the comtesse, and I think I will use my
+rights on yonder boat, where I see the face of her maid at the
+window."
+
+I glanced quickly at the boat. Sure enough, in the little square of
+glass that formed the window of the cabin was framed Clotilde's black
+face. And her nose (already broad enough) being flattened against the
+glass, and her eyes rolling wildly with curiosity and fear as she
+gazed at the party of armed horsemen on the bank, she made a ludicrous
+picture indeed. I would have liked to laugh heartily but that it was
+my role to display chagrin and anxiety rather than a careless levity.
+
+"Monsieur," I said seriously, "you are quite right: that is Clotilde,
+the maid of Mademoiselle la Comtesse. I was requested last evening to
+take her back to America and return her to her friends in St. Louis.
+It will always be my greatest pleasure to render the comtesse any
+service within my power, and I did not stop to question why she wished
+to get rid of her maid."
+
+"Your explanation is most plausible, Monsieur,"--the chevalier's tone
+was intentionally insulting, and, but that I had mademoiselle's
+interests more at heart than my own sensitive self-esteem, would have
+been hard to brook,--"but since I hold a warrant of search, if
+Monsieur permits, I will do myself the honor of visiting his boat."
+
+Now I cared not at all whether the chevalier visited the boat or not,
+knowing well he would not find the comtesse there. My only anxiety was
+to temporize as long as possible and keep him still suspicious of my
+complicity with mademoiselle's flight, that she might profit by his
+delay in discovering the true scent. So I answered sternly:
+
+"Monsieur, that boat is for the time being United States territory.
+You step upon its planks without my consent at your peril. I will at
+once report the matter to our minister at Paris, Mr. Livingston, and
+if a war between the United States and France is the result, you will
+have to give an account to the First Consul of your acts which caused
+that war."
+
+I was not enough of a diplomat to know whether I was speaking within
+my rights or not, but I trusted to the chevalier being no better
+informed than I, and at the best I was but speaking against time. The
+effect of my speech was all that I could have desired. The chevalier
+looked immediately crestfallen, and turned to consult with his
+comrades. For full five minutes (I could have wished it ten times
+five) they carried on a conference that at times appeared to be
+heated, though always low-toned. Then the chevalier turned to me
+again, and his manner was no longer insulting, but of such respect as
+is due one gentleman from another.
+
+"Monsieur," he said, "perhaps I have no right to _demand_ that I be
+allowed to search a boat belonging to an American gentleman, but if
+Monsieur will permit me to do so he will oblige me greatly, and it
+will be the means of clearing him at once of suspicions that may have
+unjustly accrued to him."
+
+There was no wisdom in delaying longer.
+
+"Since Monsieur puts it in that way," I said, "I can have no object in
+refusing his request. I shall have to ask you, however, that you wait
+a few minutes until I step aboard and warn Gustave and his wife of the
+purpose of your visit, lest they be unnecessarily alarmed."
+
+The chevalier showed that he liked not the last part of my speech. He
+no doubt thought that my purpose in going aboard first was to find a
+secure hiding-place for the comtesse. However, he had no alternative
+but to acquiesce. My real purpose was to warn Gustave and his wife
+that on no account were they to betray at what hour or where Clotilde
+had come aboard. She was to have come aboard at Paris at four o'clock
+the day before; and they, having no inkling of the true state of the
+case, but suspecting, I believe, some intrigue between the "dark lady"
+and her lovers, sympathetically promised implicit obedience. With
+Clotilde I was even more strenuous. Her story must agree with
+Gustave's: she had boarded the boat in Paris at four of the afternoon;
+but especially was she to know nothing of her mistress's plans--why
+or where she had gone. With her I appealed to her love for her
+mistress, and warned her that the comtesse's liberty, possibly her
+life, might depend upon her discretion. With the others a promise of
+liberal rewards if they proved true, and dire threats should they
+betray me, I believed secured their fidelity.
+
+I had had Gustave tie the boat to the bank before boarding it myself;
+I now invited the chevalier and his friends to come aboard. Leaving
+two of their comrades to hold their horses, the three others climbed
+down the bank and hastened to comply with my invitation. As they did
+so I saw Caesar dismount, tie his own horse and mine securely to two
+saplings, and clamber up the bank beside the horsemen. I thought his
+motive was probably to take advantage of this opportunity to stretch
+his legs, and perhaps also to indulge his curiosity with a nearer view
+of the French gentlemen, and I saw no reason to interfere--especially
+as the two gentlemen, young blades whom I knew by sight, not only
+offered no objections, but began at once to amuse themselves with his
+clownish manners and outlandish speech.
+
+Of course the chevalier's quest was futile, as also was his
+examination of his three witnesses. They all stuck to their text,--the
+embarkation of Clotilde at four o'clock on the afternoon previous in
+Paris,--and Clotilde was as stupid as heart could desire, professing
+absolute ignorance of her mistress's plans, and knowing only that she
+herself was being sent home to America because she was homesick; and
+with a negress's love of gratuitous insult when she thinks she is
+safe in offering it, she added in her creole dialect:
+
+     "De Lord knows, I's sick o' white trash anyhow. I's mighty
+     glad to be gittin' back to a country ob ladies and
+     gen'lemen."
+
+The chevalier's two companions laughed, but the chevalier looked
+perplexed.
+
+"Monsieur," he said, with an air of exaggerated deference, "I have
+discovered nothing on your boat, either by search or by examination of
+the witnesses, that can implicate you in any way with the flight of
+the Comtesse de Baloit. But will you permit me to ask you one
+important question? How does it happen that you are not riding Fatima,
+and that you are riding the horse which answers exactly to the
+description of the one the comtesse was riding when she disappeared?"
+and the chevalier could not quite keep the tone of triumph out of his
+voice as he propounded his question. I had been expecting it, and I
+was prepared for it. I should have been much disappointed if he had
+not asked it.
+
+"Monsieur," I answered, "Fatima met with a serious accident just after
+leaving Paris. I was obliged to leave her in the hands of a veterinary
+surgeon on the outskirts of St. Denis, who has also a small farm
+connected with his establishment for the care of sick horses. He
+promised me to take the best of care of her and to return her to me in
+America as soon as she was sufficiently recovered. I bought this horse
+from a dealer to whom the surgeon directed me. I cannot say whether it
+resembles the horse on which the Comtesse de Baloit left Paris; I did
+not see the comtesse when she left Paris."
+
+Which was the only truth in my statement; but I did not for a moment
+consider that I had told a lie, but only that I had employed a ruse,
+perfectly permissible in war, to throw the enemy off the track. He
+snatched at the bait.
+
+"Will Monsieur give me the address of that horse-dealer?"
+
+"With pleasure, as nearly as I am able," and thereupon I described
+minutely a place in St. Denis that never existed. But St. Denis was
+only four miles this side of Paris, and should the chevalier go all
+the way back to find out from the mythical horse-dealer where he had
+procured my horse, much valuable time would be lost and mademoiselle
+would, I hoped, be beyond all risk of being overtaken.
+
+By one little artifice and another we had already managed to delay
+them for a good three quarters of an hour, and now, by an apparently
+happy accident, as long a delay again was promised. A great noise of
+shouting and trampling of horses' hoofs arose on the bank above us.
+
+We looked up and saw the five horses plunging frantically, with the
+two Frenchmen uttering excited cries as they tried to hold them, and
+Caesar doing his share in trying to hold the horses and more than his
+share in making a noise. As we looked, one of the horses broke away
+and started up the road toward Paris. The two Frenchmen dashed wildly
+in pursuit, each man leading a horse with him, and Caesar running on
+behind gesticulating madly, and bellowing at the top of his lungs.
+
+I had taken advantage of the excitement of the fracas to slip from the
+post the rope that held us to the bank. We glided gently away down the
+river, with no one (unless it might have been Gustave, but he said
+nothing) noticing that we were moving until we were many yards below
+our mooring-place. The anger of the chevalier and his friends when
+they discovered it knew no bounds. Gustave was full of apologies for
+his carelessness, as he called it; I was dignified.
+
+"Gustave," I said severely, "make a mooring as quickly as possible,
+that Monsieur le Chevalier and his friends may rejoin their horses."
+
+Gustave made all haste apparently, but without doubt he fumbled, and
+we were some two or three hundred yards farther down the river before
+we were finally tied to the bank.
+
+"Good-by, Messieurs," I said politely as the three hastened to leap
+ashore. "I trust you will have no difficulty in recovering your
+horses."
+
+They stayed not upon the order of their going, as Mr. Shakspere says,
+but scrambled up the bank and on to the hot and stony road, and the
+sun, now well up in the sky, beating strongly on their backs, they
+started at a round pace toward Paris, their horses by this time out of
+sight around a distant bend in the road.
+
+Caesar had given up the pursuit and returned to where he had tied our
+horses. I signaled to him to bring them down the river, and mounting
+his and leading mine, he was soon at our mooring-place.
+
+Riding down the soft turf of the shady bridle-path a few minutes
+later, I heard Caesar chuckling behind me. I turned in my saddle:
+
+"What is it, Caesar?"
+
+"I done it, Marsa!"
+
+"Did what, Caesar?"
+
+"Done mek dat hoss run away. I put a burr un'er his girth. Den when he
+plunged I cotched de bridle and let him loose. He, he, he! Hi, hi,
+hi!" and Caesar rolled in his saddle in convulsions of mirth, while the
+shore echoed to his guffaws.
+
+I looked at him in astonishment for a moment. Then he had planned it
+all: tying the two horses, clambering up to the road, making himself
+the jest of the two Frenchmen, and all the time the burr concealed in
+his hand, no doubt, waiting his chance.
+
+"Caesar, you are a general!" I said. "Yorke could not have done
+better." And then, his mirth being contagious, I threw back my head
+and laughed as long and as loud as he.
+
+I turned in my saddle once more and looked up the road. Through the
+hot sun plodded the three figures: the chevalier with bent head and, I
+doubted not, with gnashing teeth. I waved my hand toward him and
+called, though he could neither see nor hear:
+
+"Good-by, Chevalier Le Moyne; this cancels a few debts!"
+
+I have never seen him since.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+UNDER THE OLD FLAG
+
+    "And many an eye has danced to see
+      That banner in the sky."
+
+
+It was in the early days of March, some eight months later, that the
+big barge in which I had come down the Ohio, and thus far on the
+Mississippi, put me ashore at New Madrid with my saddle-bags and my
+horse Bourbon Prince; for so I had promptly named the black beauty for
+whom I had exchanged my chestnut mare. He could never quite take the
+place of Fatima in my affections, but I had grown very fond of him:
+partly for his virtues, for he was a thoroughbred of famous lineage,
+and partly, I have no doubt, because he had once belonged to
+mademoiselle.
+
+Of mademoiselle I had not heard for many months. I had arrived at home
+in the late summer, to find my father a physical and almost a mental
+wreck from the stroke of paralysis that had laid him low nearly three
+months before. Yet I had never loved my strong, stern father in the
+prime of manhood, managing great business enterprises, occupying
+places of honor and responsibility in the State, as I loved this
+feeble and broken old man with the face and the manner of a little
+child. As the weeks went on and he gradually grew able to move about,
+it was my pride and my joy to walk slowly down Chestnut Street, my
+father leaning heavily on my arm, and looking up into my face to
+comment with childish delight upon whatever pleased him in the
+streets.
+
+I had had to assume, to the best of my ability, his heavy business
+responsibilities, and the charge of his great properties, and but that
+my mother was herself a fine business woman and thoroughly informed on
+my father's affairs I might have made shipwreck of it all. It was not
+the life I had chosen for myself, but it lay so directly in the path
+of duty there was no escaping it, and it kept every moment so fully
+occupied there was no time left for brooding over private troubles.
+
+I had received a letter from the Prince de Polignac about two weeks
+after my return home, telling me of the safe arrival in Baden of the
+Comtesse de Baloit. It was a very courteous letter, thanking me once
+more for the great services I had rendered them on that eventful night
+in the Chantilly parks, and inclosing a pleasant message of
+acknowledgment from the Duc d'Enghien for the kindness shown his
+cousin the countess. Mademoiselle had added a line in her own writing:
+
+     "Fatima is well, and I love her for the sake of dear old St.
+     Louis.
+
+                    PELAGIE."
+
+To most people that might seem a very common-place little message; to
+me those sixteen words were the most wonderful ever written. I twisted
+and turned them until each one became a volume of tender sentiments,
+and the little signature "Pelagie" almost too sacred to be looked at,
+and only to be kissed, shut up in my own room in the dark, or with
+none but the moon to see.
+
+I had replied to the prince's letter immediately, sending a courteous
+message to the duke and a special one to Pelagie about Clotilde, whom
+I had sent under safe escort to St. Louis. But although I had
+intimated to the prince that it would give me very great pleasure to
+hear occasionally of the welfare of the countess, I never heard from
+any of them again.
+
+This, of course, was an especial grief to me on Pelagie's account, but
+also it touched me a little that the prince should so soon have
+forgotten me and what he was pleased to term my "great services" to
+him, for I had been strongly attracted to him by his noble bearing and
+chivalrous protection of mademoiselle. Often, in thinking of them,--he
+a noble young prince of great manly beauty and endowed by nature with
+all charming and lovable qualities; she the most exquisite of
+womankind,--I thought it would be strange indeed if in the intimate
+companionship of that long ride together they had not become so deeply
+interested in each other as to forget the existence of a young
+American gentleman three thousand miles away.
+
+When in the winter there came news of the Cadoudal plots against the
+life of Napoleon, in which the young Prince de Polignac and his older
+brother the duke were involved; that both brothers had been arrested,
+tried, and condemned to death; and, later, that Napoleon had granted
+them a free pardon, I could easily believe that other interests than
+love and marriage had so absorbed the prince as to make him forgetful
+of a distant acquaintance.
+
+On the heels of this appalling news, which shook the world and which
+yet left me glad and grateful that the chivalrous young prince had
+been saved from the ignominious death of an assassin, there came a
+letter to me from Captain Clarke, written in St. Louis, inviting me to
+join the expedition of discovery and exploration which Mr. Meriwether
+Lewis and he were to conduct up the Missouri River and across the
+mountains.
+
+Few duties have come to me in life more difficult to perform than the
+writing of that letter declining the invitation. It was the life I
+longed for, to be had for the taking, and an expedition of such kind
+under the leadership of two men like my captain, whom I still adored,
+and Mr. Meriwether Lewis, whom I greatly admired, was the strongest
+temptation that could be presented to me.
+
+But I knew well it was not for me. It would, no doubt, be a year or
+two in the accomplishing, with many hazards to life and limb, and I
+was now the virtual head of the family, with mother and sisters and
+invalid father all looking to me for protection and guidance and
+comfort. No, it was not to be thought of.
+
+Without consulting any one I sent my answer, but I suppose my face was
+an open book to my dear mother, and in some moment of abstraction I
+had forgotten to be cheerful and so betrayed that something was
+troubling me. At any rate, she came to my room one night, and there,
+in the way that mothers have, she beguiled my secret from me. She
+agreed with me that it would never do in my father's state of health
+to join such an expedition, but she was greatly distressed for what
+she called my disappointment, though I tried to assure her it was not
+enough to think about.
+
+Now mothers have a way of finding a salve for every hurt. I suppose it
+is a talent God has given them, that this world may be a pleasanter
+place for living in, and that the rugged path we have to tread through
+it may be smoother and pleasanter to our feet. (Though I hope no one
+will think because I have said this that I am one of those long-faced
+people who think this world a vale of woes to be traversed as quickly
+as possible, looking neither to the right nor to the left, lest they
+see something to please their eyes. I have ever found it a pleasant
+world, and my path through it of exceeding interest, with some sorrows
+and many difficulties to test one's mettle and add to the zest of
+living; but also with many wonderful and beautiful things lying all
+along the path, that God has placed there that one may stop and enjoy
+them and rest by the wayside.)
+
+Now the salve my mother found for this hurt was one to my especial
+liking.
+
+"Though you could not be gone from home two or three years, my son,"
+she said, "a matter of two or three months could make no great
+difference to any one; why not go out to St. Louis, see your friends
+there, and help the expedition get under way?"
+
+My heart gave a great leap. "And get news of mademoiselle from Dr.
+Saugrain," I said to myself; but then I hesitated. Would my father
+miss me too sadly? for he had seemed to lean upon me much for comfort
+and companionship. When I expressed my fears to my mother, she
+hesitated also, but we both finally agreed we would leave it to her to
+broach the matter to my father, and if it seemed to distress him too
+greatly, we would say nothing more about it.
+
+To my surprise, he was almost more eager for it than my mother. It
+need not have surprised me, for even in the old days my father, though
+stern, had never been selfish, and now all the unselfishness of his
+nature had seemed to grow strong with his feebleness.
+
+Thus it was that I stood once more on the shores of the Great River.
+Had my impatience permitted me to wait a little longer at Pittsburg, I
+might have found a boat going all the way to St. Louis, but I had
+rather take the ride of nearly a hundred and fifty miles on Bourbon
+(for so I had shortened his name) than to spend a day in idle waiting.
+A barge going to New Orleans (New Orleans had been under our flag
+since the twentieth of December, and the river was teeming with craft
+bearing our merchandise to the once prohibited market) took me on
+board and put me ashore at New Madrid in the early morning, and I lost
+not a moment's time in getting started on my northward way.
+
+The spring was early that year, and in the warm and sheltered valley,
+lying open to the south, where New Madrid nestles, the orchards were
+already a pink and white glory, and in the forest glades the wild
+azaleas and the dogwood were just ready to burst into bloom. Riding
+under leafy archways of tall trees garlanded with wild vines, or
+through natural meadows dotted with clumps of shrubbery, as if set out
+by the hand of man for a park, where the turf was like velvet under
+Bourbon's feet; crossing little streams that a sudden rush of
+headwater from the hills had swollen to dangerous torrents, or other
+streams that backwater from the Great River had converted into inland
+lakes; the air sweet with the fragrance of the wild crab and
+blossoming grape; wood-thrush and oriole, meadow-lark and
+cardinal-bird, making the woods ring with their melodies--this ride
+through Upper Louisiana in the early springtime was one long joy to
+eye and ear and nostril. Farther north the spring was less advanced,
+only little leaves on the trees, and for flowers a carpet, sometimes
+extending for miles, of creamy-white spring-beauties, streaked with
+rosy pink, laid down for Bourbon's feet to tread upon; and for birds
+the modest song-sparrow and bluebird, earliest harbingers of spring.
+
+I stayed the first night in Cape Girardeau (and thought of the
+chevalier in hiding for weeks among the Osages near by); the second
+night I spent with the Valles in Ste. Genevieve. I had known young
+Francois Valle in St. Louis the winter before, and meeting me on the
+street as I rode into town, he carried me off at once to his father's
+house with true Louisiana hospitality--a hospitality that welcomed the
+coming but did not speed the parting guest. I found it hard work to
+get away the next morning, with such friendly insistence did they urge
+me to remain for a visit, seeming to feel also that I was putting a
+slight upon their quaint old town--the oldest in Upper Louisiana--by
+so short a stay.
+
+But I was impatient to be on my way, and my impatience grew as I
+neared St. Louis. A long day's ride brought me toward evening to the
+banks of the Maramec, full to the brim of its high banks with
+backwater from the Mississippi. I thought, at first, I would have to
+swim it, but, fortunately, I spied a horn hanging from the limb of a
+sycamore above my head, and I knew enough of the ways of this frontier
+country to know that a horn by a river-bank meant a ferry. So I blew
+it lustily, and in five minutes there appeared from under the
+overhanging trees of the opposite bank a flatboat, paddled by an old
+man, who not only ferried Bourbon and me safely across dry-shod, but
+persuaded me to spend the night with him in his little cabin; for the
+night was coming on cloudy and dark, and there were still nearly
+twenty miles to ride, and swollen streams to cross that might mean
+trouble in the dark. He had not the great house of the Valles, with
+troops of slaves to wait on us and an abundance of frontier luxuries
+(for Mr. Francois Valle, Sr., was the richest man in all that country)
+but his hospitality was as genuine. For the ferriage he took money,
+since that was his business; for the night's lodging and supper and
+breakfast he would have none of it. True, my bed was only a bearskin
+on the hard floor, and my supper and breakfast were the same,--a slice
+of bacon and a bowl of hominy,--but such as he had he gave me of his
+best.
+
+In the early dawn I had a plunge in the Maramec for bath (and its
+waters had the icy tang of the melting snows on the distant
+mountains), and then I made a careful toilet, for in a few hours I
+would see my old friends in St. Louis, and, at thought of the merry
+glances from bright eyes I would soon be meeting, my heart sank within
+me that Pelagie's would not be among them.
+
+As I neared St. Louis, every step of the way was full of reminders of
+her. Crossing La Petite Riviere, I thought of the day of the picnic on
+Chouteau's Pond, and involuntarily I listened for the call of the
+whippoorwill. But instead there was the happy song of the spring birds
+filling the woods that crested the banks, and my heart grew lighter in
+response to their joyous melodies.
+
+I entered the town by the lower entrance, leading through the stockade
+on to the Rue Royale, for I was of a mind to ride through the streets
+of the town and see whom I should chance to meet before presenting
+myself at Dr. Saugrain's.
+
+I had advanced no great distance when I saw coming to meet me a
+splendid procession: young men and maidens, parents and children, the
+whole population of the town, I should think, in gala array, and
+singing as they came.
+
+I was overwhelmed at the prospect of such honor accorded me, and
+greatly touched, too, that my old friends should welcome me back so
+gladly, but I was in a quandary what to do: whether it would be more
+dignified to stay Bourbon in the middle of the road and await their
+approach, or whether to advance to meet them.
+
+It puzzled me greatly, also, that they should have known the exact
+moment of my arrival, for although both Dr. Saugrain and Captain
+Clarke knew of my intended visit, they could hardly have calculated to
+such a nicety not only the day but the very hour of my entry into
+town. It must be that pickets had been stationed to descry my approach
+from a distance and give the signal.
+
+Still puzzling my brains over the wonder of it all, and hardly knowing
+whether to feel more proud or more frightened at the honor intended
+me, and wishing with all my heart that I had known of it that I might
+have arrayed myself in a costume befitting the occasion, I slowly drew
+near the procession, and the procession drew near me.
+
+Then suddenly I discovered what nothing but my domtiferous vanity had
+prevented me from discerning from the first: this was a religious
+procession bearing the banners of the church and singing Aves and Te
+Deums. I had known such processions before in St. Louis on saints'
+days, and always headed by the two most beautiful maidens in the town,
+bearing silver plates, who, as the procession drew up to the church,
+stood on either side of the door holding the plates to receive alms. I
+drew Bourbon to one side of the road and waited.
+
+Yes, there were the two beautiful maidens with the silver plates, and
+I was not surprised to see that one was Mademoiselle Chouteau; and as
+she drew near she could not resist a saucy look of recognition in her
+dancing eyes, entirely out of character in the leader of a religious
+procession. I smiled back at her, my heart already growing warmer and
+lighter with her friendliness, and then I glanced at the other: a wavy
+mass of soft, dark hair, little ringlets about white neck and brow,
+lips like a scarlet pomegranate blossom, and long, black lashes lying
+on an ivory cheek, where the pale rose was fast turning to crimson
+under my gaze.
+
+It was Pelagie! Her cheek told the tale that she knew I was looking at
+her, yet not once did she lift her eyes and look at me. I wonder that
+my heart did not break through my breast, so great a bound it made
+when I discovered her, and then all the blood in my body flowed back
+upon it, and I sat on Bourbon as one carved in marble, while friends
+and acquaintances passed by and smiled up at me in kindly welcome. Not
+until Josef Papin left the ranks and came up to me with outstretched
+hand could I recover myself and begin to feel alive again, with the
+blood slowly running back in its courses and tingling in my
+finger-tips.
+
+"Come," he said, when the first greetings were over, "tie your horse
+to the tree, and we will fall in at the end of the line and go up to
+the church together. This is no saint's day, as you might think, but
+we are to have mass for the last time under the old rule. The United
+States troops come over to-day from Cahokia and take possession."
+
+This was wonderful news to me, and I could not but feel a great
+sympathy with him, for he spoke with a voice that faltered. What would
+it not have meant to me if my own city of Philadelphia were being
+transferred to the rule of France or Spain!
+
+On our way he told me what my soul most longed to hear: how
+mademoiselle came to be in St. Louis.
+
+Her cousin, the Duc d'Enghien, had begun to feel that his home was no
+longer a safe place for her, for Bonaparte's spies were watching him,
+and he felt that though Baden was neutral territory he might at any
+moment be arrested and thrown into prison. That would leave Pelagie
+entirely unprotected, and he had begun to consider some other safer
+retreat for her. When mademoiselle found that she was to be sent away
+from Ettenheim, she begged that she might return to St. Louis, the
+only place she had known as home, and to the people she loved, who had
+been to her kindred and friends. It was only after much pleading that
+the duke had been persuaded to let her go so far from home again, but
+mademoiselle's heart was set on it.
+
+"And," said Josef Papin, "as we both know, when she will, she will; I
+defy any man to gainsay her. She arrived two weeks ago by way of New
+Orleans, with a Monsieur and Madame Dubois, newly married, I believe,
+who were coming over to America to settle."
+
+"Monsieur and Madame Dubois!" I said, in some excitement.
+
+"Yes; do you know them?" asked Josef, curiously.
+
+"I am not sure. I may have met them; I met a Monsieur and Madame
+Dubois once at Chantilly near Paris," I answered carelessly, "but very
+likely they are not the same."
+
+"No, they could not be," answered Josef, "for they were married only
+just before leaving for America."
+
+And then there was no chance to say anything more, for our end of the
+procession was nearing the church door, where on either side stood
+Mademoiselle Chouteau and Pelagie, holding out their silver plates
+already piled high with livres.
+
+As I glanced at Pelagie I felt as if royalty radiated from her--from
+the proud pose of her dainty head to the high-bred arch of her little
+foot. "A princess of Conde!" I exclaimed to myself half angrily, "and
+meekly holding the church plate for negroes and Indians and humble
+habitans, and smiling up into the faces of her old friends with a
+royal sweetness."
+
+I was on the side next her as we drew near the door. Will she look at
+me? I wondered. We were the last in the line; it would hinder no one
+if I stopped a moment beside her.
+
+But I could not make her look up at me. One louis d'or after another I
+piled upon her plate, but the only effect it had was to make it
+tremble in her hands and the color deepen steadily in her face. I
+could not stand there gazing rudely at her, and I went into the church
+beside Josef Papin as in a dream, half doubting it was mademoiselle,
+yet watching her eagerly as she and Mademoiselle Chouteau bore the
+plates up the aisle and held them aloft before the altar for the
+priest to bless.
+
+The service that followed was indescribably solemn and touched me
+greatly; it was as though it were a service for the dead, and the
+people (the whole village was there, every man, woman, and child I had
+known the year before) chanted the responses with the tears running
+down their cheeks. Josef Papin had told me that the old priest who had
+baptized all the younger generation and married their parents was
+going away with the Spaniards, unwilling to be subject to a foreign
+rule, and the mourning of the people for their father was from the
+heart.
+
+As they knelt upon the floor to receive the benediction (and the sound
+of their kneeling was like the breeze among the dry leaves of autumn)
+they broke out into a long, low wail that rose and swelled and then
+died away in the sound of suppressed sobbing. Nevermore under Latin
+rule would they kneel in their dear old church, but under the rule of
+the hated Anglo-Saxons, their hereditary foe. Nevermore would the
+priest they had loved and reverenced for years extend his hands over
+them in blessing. The good father's voice broke again and again as he
+tried in vain to utter the familiar words, until at length, his hands
+upraised to heaven, tears streaming from his eyes, he uttered the
+simple words, "Go in peace, my children."
+
+I was near the door and I slipped quietly out. It was not a time to
+meet old friends, and I felt like one intruding upon a house of
+mourning. Heads were still bowed in the solemn hush that followed the
+benediction and no one saw me go. I hurried back to where I had left
+Bourbon, mounted him, and rode slowly up toward Government House.
+
+Long before I reached it the streets were filled. With the quick
+change from grave to gay, natural to these volatile creoles, the same
+people that a few moments ago had been all tears and sorrow were now
+all excitement and curiosity. Down from the fort on the hill marched a
+troop of Spanish soldiers, stopping at Government House to salute the
+governor, and then forming in company order in front of the house to
+await the coming of the United States troops.
+
+Beside Governor Delassus on the gallery of Government House stood my
+old friend Mr. Meriwether Lewis; for he seemed an old friend to me,
+though I had known him but that one memorable day in Washington. In
+response to a friendly wave of the hand from both I dismounted and ran
+up the steps to speak to them for a moment. They presented me to a
+third officer, Captain Stoddard, the officer in command of the United
+States troops who were to take possession, and also, as Governor
+Delassus informed me, empowered by the French prefect at New Orleans
+to receive the city for the French republic from the Spanish.
+
+I stayed only a moment, for Captain Lewis told me I would find Captain
+Clarke and Dr. Saugrain at the landing at the foot of the Rue
+Bonhomme, so I followed in the wake of the motley crowd of habitans,
+negroes, and Indians trooping along the Rue Royale and filling La
+Place with a many-colored throng, as they had filled it on the day I
+first set foot in St. Louis.
+
+Bourbon Prince picked his way carefully along the steep path that led
+down the bluff to the landing at the foot of the Rue Bonhomme, where
+the boats from Cahokia bearing the United States troops were already
+approaching the shore, and where I found awaiting them, as Captain
+Lewis had said I should, my old friend, the little doctor, and my
+captain (for so I shall always call Captain Clarke), and the warmth of
+their greeting set my heart to dancing merrily.
+
+My spirits had been rising steadily every moment since I had recovered
+from my stupefaction at the sight of Pelagie. What though she would
+not look at me, I was nothing daunted; for now that she was safe on
+American soil,--yes, _American_, Spanish no longer,--nor chevaliers
+nor dukes nor First Consuls should deter me from boldly trying to win
+her. For the first time since I had known her I felt that I had a
+right to try. She was no longer a titled lady of France, and I was now
+my own master and could maintain her in greater luxury than she had
+ever known. I would take her home with me to Philadelphia! and my
+dear mother and my fond old father would love her as they loved my
+sisters. My spirit was exultant, and that she dared not meet my eyes
+lent more of hope than discouragement.
+
+So it was with a happy heart that I met the little doctor's beaming
+glance, and felt the strong grasp of my captain's hand as he uttered
+his hearty "Welcome home, my lad." And little I cared that he called
+me lad; indeed, had he addressed me by any other title I should have
+missed some of the friendliness of his greeting.
+
+"You are to stay at Emigre's Retreat, you know," said Dr. Saugrain;
+"Madame Saugrain is as happy in the thought of your home-coming as if
+you were her own boy."
+
+But Josef Papin coming down the bluff at that moment and overhearing
+the doctor, interposed:
+
+"No, Dr. Saugrain, he is my guest this time. You had him all last
+winter, and you have had Captain Clarke and Captain Lewis all this
+winter; you must share some of your honors with me."
+
+It was not for me to decide a question of such kind, and though my
+heart turned longingly to the hospitable hearth that had first
+entertained me in St. Louis, feeling that in no other house would it
+seem so truly a home-coming, yet I was not sure but it was better that
+it was finally decided that I should stay with Josef Papin, for I was
+determined to put my fortune to the touch, and should Pelagie prove
+unkind (a contingency, however, that I refused to contemplate), it
+would be embarrassing indeed to be under the same roof with her.
+
+But now there was no longer time for discussion of any kind, for the
+boats were running their keels into the bank, and Lieutenant Worrall,
+temporarily in command of the troops, was the first man to leap
+ashore. We all went down to meet him, and when he had formed his
+battalion in line, we accompanied him up the steep bluff and down the
+Rue Royale to Government House, a great throng following.
+
+Then Lieutenant Worrall drew up his troops facing the Spanish troops.
+The open space where the Rue Royale crossed the Rue de la Tour was
+densely packed with people. Every man, woman, and child of the
+village, it seemed to me, must be there, yet I looked in vain for
+either Madame Saugrain or Pelagie. I fastened Bourbon farther up the
+street, and at the invitation of Governor Delassus sent us by an
+orderly I accompanied Dr. Saugrain, Josef Papin, and my captain to the
+gallery of Government House, where we found also both the Chouteaus
+and many of the leading citizens of the village.
+
+As soon as the American troops were drawn up in line, Governor
+Delassus stepped to the front of the gallery, holding in his hand a
+document bearing the seals of the United States and of Spain, and at a
+sign from him, Captain Stoddard stepped to his side, a similar
+document in his hand. Then Governor Delassus held the paper up so that
+all the people might see, and, as every voice was hushed and all eyes
+turned on him, he read:
+
+     "Now be it known unto all men by these presents that I,
+     Carlos D. Delassus, in quality of lieutenant-governor, at
+     the requirement duly made to me by Amos Stoddard, agent and
+     commissary of the French republic, have delivered to him the
+     full possession, sovereignty, and government of Upper
+     Louisiana, with all the military posts, quarters, and
+     fortifications thereto belonging or dependent thereof."
+
+     Immediately Captain Stoddard took up the refrain, reading on
+     from where the governor stopped:
+
+     "And I, Amos Stoddard, commissary as such, do acknowledge to
+     have received the said possession on the same terms
+     mentioned in these presents, of which I acknowledge myself
+     satisfied and possessed on this day. In testimony whereof
+     the lieutenant-governor and myself have respectively signed
+     these presents, sealed with the seal of our arms, being
+     assisted with the witnesses signed below. Of which
+     proceedings six copies have been made out, to wit, three in
+     the Spanish and three in the English languages.
+
+     "Given in the town of St. Louis of Illinois, 9th March,
+     1804.
+
+            "Amos Stoddard            (seal)
+
+            "Carlos Dehault Delassus  (seal)
+
+     "In presence of
+       Meriwether Lewis,
+         Captain First United States Regiment Infantry.
+       Antoine Soulard,
+         Surveyor-General, etc.
+       Charles Gratiot."
+
+As Captain Stoddard finished reading, the governor turned to him and
+with formal courtesy placed him in possession of Government House.
+Captain Stoddard accepted it with a brief and appropriate speech, and
+then, the silence still unbroken, the stately don turned once more to
+the people and spoke to them directly:
+
+"Inhabitants of Upper Louisiana:
+
+"By the king's command I am about to deliver up this post and its
+dependencies!
+
+"The flag under which you have been protected for a period of nearly
+thirty-six years is to be withdrawn. From this moment you are released
+from the oath of fidelity you took to support it."
+
+There was a stir among the people. Tears were running down the
+weather-beaten faces of some of the older men, and many of the women
+were sobbing quietly. Visibly moved himself, the governor added
+another word:
+
+"The fidelity and courage with which you have guarded and defended the
+flag will never be forgotten; and in my character of representative I
+entertain the most sincere wishes for your perfect prosperity."
+
+The governor bowed and stepped back, and instantly there broke from
+the people a storm of _adios_ and _benitos_ with tears and waving of
+hands.
+
+The governor motioned to a soldier standing by. The soldier stepped to
+a corner of the gallery which could be seen from the fort on the hill,
+and waved his hat. Instantly puffs of white smoke issued from the
+full battery of the fort, followed by the roar of the cannon rolling
+across the wide river to the distant bluffs of Cahokia. As the last
+echo died away the soldier waved his hat once more. Slowly the flag of
+Spain floating above the white tower sank. Once more the cannon
+roared, and slowly the banner of France rose, higher and higher, until
+its folds were flung proudly to the breeze, above the tower on the
+hill, above the Great River, above the old French town where it had
+floated thirty-six years before.
+
+Almost every soul, save negroes and Indians, in that multitude
+watching in breathless silence the exchange of the flags, was French,
+and as the banner of the land they had never ceased to love and to
+call home floated out on the breeze, with one accord they fell on
+their knees, eyes streaming, arms outstretched toward the loved symbol
+of their fatherland.
+
+It had been the intention that the flag should remain there but a few
+minutes--just long enough to show that Upper Louisiana was French, and
+that France ceded it to the United States. But now Pierre and Auguste
+Chouteau, the older Papin, Dr. Saugrain, all the leading citizens on
+the gallery of Government House, gathered around Captain Stoddard and
+begged him, with trembling voices and misty eyes, to let the old flag
+stay for another day.
+
+"Let us be Frenchmen for twenty-four hours," they begged, "and after
+that we will try to be loyal citizens of the United States, as we have
+been loyal citizens of Spain."
+
+When Captain Lewis and Captain Clarke added their plea for the
+Frenchmen, Captain Stoddard willingly granted it, and stepping to the
+front of the gallery, he announced that for twenty-four hours the flag
+of the French republic would float over St. Louis.
+
+Then broke forth a delirium of joy. Men threw their arms around one
+another and embraced and kissed in a fashion strange, indeed, to us
+Anglo-Saxons; and women fell into one another's arms and sobbed. The
+roar of the cannon had not ceased to roll over the heads of the people
+at intervals of every two minutes, and now the United States troops
+took their line of march up the Rue de la Tour to the fort on the hill
+(for though the American flag did not float from it, they were to hold
+it in the name of France); and the Spanish troops marched away.
+
+The ceremonies for the day were over; the cannon ceased to roar, and
+Captain Stoddard who was now in possession of Government House,
+invited us all to stay to dejeuner. The meal was a long and
+ceremonious one, with the Spanish don on Captain Stoddard's right and
+one of the Chouteaus on his left, and I far down the table with some
+of the younger men; and through it all I was thinking of that first
+meal I had taken in St. Louis in this same Government House a year and
+a half before, and of the toast that roused such enthusiasm then; and
+every moment my impatience grew to get away and visit Emigre's Retreat
+and Madame Saugrain, and--the Rose of St. Louis.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+THE ROSE OF ST. LOUIS
+
+    "What's in a name? that which we call a rose
+    By any other name would smell as sweet."
+
+
+But my impatience was of little avail, for before we left Government
+House Dr. Saugrain invited me to dinner at Emigre's Retreat, and
+restless and impatient as I might be, I did not dare show myself there
+until the dinner-hour.
+
+Five o'clock found me sitting in the dear old living-room, awaiting,
+with trembling the entrance of madame and Pelagie. It was the same
+dear old room I had pictured to myself so often, and all the grand
+salons of Paris that I had seen since last I saw it did not make it
+look any the less cozy and homelike to my eyes. It was a warm spring
+afternoon, and the western windows were open, and the white curtains
+were stirring in the breeze, only there was no maiden in white on the
+low seat by the window, and no guitar and no Leon.
+
+I had but a moment to wait. The door opened and in came madame, both
+hands outstretched and running to meet me, and as I bent low before
+her, taking my face in both her hands and putting a kiss on my cheek
+and calling me "My son." And behind her came Pelagie, walking slowly
+but looking up at me, yes, looking at me at last, with starry eyes and
+a great pulse throbbing in her snowy throat, and little tongues of
+color coming and going in her cheeks. I was almost of a mind there,
+right before madame, to take her in my arms and call her mine, for
+mine I was determined she should be; and I looked at her with such a
+threatening glance I think she divined my half-purpose and shrank back
+a little.
+
+So instead I merely bowed over her hand and said gaily:
+
+"You condescend to look at me at last, mademoiselle; I feared to-day I
+was to be forever banished from your friendly glances."
+
+And she, relieved from her first apprehension, answered saucily:
+
+"If monsieur comes unannounced, how can he expect to be recognized
+after so many months of absence?"
+
+And then in stalked, majestically Leon, limping very slightly, and
+when he caught sight of me coming up to me and sniffing at me a
+moment, and then springing upon me with such wild bounds of delight
+that I had to call hold, lest his great paws play havoc with my fine
+Paris clothes that I had donned in mademoiselle's honor. And to quiet
+him I said in a high, small voice, in palpable burlesque of
+mademoiselle:
+
+"Taise-toi, mon ange!" and we both laughed merrily.
+
+I was so happy that I was ready to do everything that was foolish,
+and I believe mademoiselle was happy, too, for nothing that I did was
+too foolish for her to laugh at.
+
+Then in came the little doctor, running up to me and insisting on
+embracing me (because I was in his own house), pulling down my head
+and kissing me on each cheek, at which I blushed greatly, though I had
+not blushed when madame kissed me. And then came my captain and
+Captain Lewis, and everyone talked at once, asking all manner of
+questions on all manner of subjects, and I had scarcely a chance to
+say another word to Pelagie.
+
+And then came dinner. As usual, madame put me beside her, and Pelagie
+sat at the other end of the table. But there was no scorning this
+time, and I had better chance to look at her than if she sat beside
+me, and perhaps that was best, for my eyes could say to her much more
+than my lips would dare in such a company.
+
+Narcisse waited on the table, and was all smiles of welcome; and
+half-way through dinner, on some pretext or other, in came Clotilde,
+and greeted me, half crying through her smiles at memory of our trials
+together. And last of all came Yorke, grinning from ear to ear, and
+"declarin' to gracious I'd growed a foot sence," whereupon I was of a
+mind to thrash him on the spot, and told him so, which made him grin
+the more, if that were possible.
+
+It was a grand dinner, and I told Madame Saugrain I had never tasted
+in Paris anything half so good as her wild turkey and croquecignolles
+and gooseberry wine, which I meant with all my heart, and which
+greatly pleased her housewifely soul.
+
+Back in the living-room, when dinner was over, I missed something, and
+looked around the room to discover what it was. It was the long French
+mirror in which I had once watched Pelagie--the pride of madame's
+heart.
+
+"Why, madame," I said, "what have you done with your mirror?"
+
+She shrugged her shoulders and looked ruefully at her husband.
+
+"Antoine," she said, "needed some quicksilver for his experiments.
+Voila! my mirror!"
+
+I glanced at Dr. Saugrain; he blushed and looked guilty, and so, for
+some reason, I thought, did Captain Lewis.
+
+"I will explain," said my captain. "You must know, my lad, that these
+two," indicating the doctor and Captain Lewis with a wave of his hand,
+"have been confederates all winter in black art. They have lived in
+the laboratory, and the instruments they have evolved for our trip up
+the Missouri and over the mountains are fearful and wonderful to
+behold. We are each of us provided with a box of little phosphorus
+sticks by which we are to do away entirely with all use of tinder. But
+much more wonderful than those, out of madame's mirror Dr. Saugrain
+has fashioned little glass tubes holding quicksilver, and with a
+measure laid off on the side by which we may be able to tell just how
+hot or how cold it may be. And more wonderful still, he has fashioned
+other little tubes by which we are to tell when it is going to storm
+and when it will be fair weather. And I cannot begin to tell you all
+the wonderful appliances this magician has fashioned for our comfort
+and safety this winter, aided and abetted by his willing slave,
+Captain Lewis."
+
+That unloosed the doctor's tongue, and there was no getting away the
+rest of the evening from the wonders of science; and so strange were
+the things he and Captain Lewis had to tell of what science could do
+that I could have greatly enjoyed their talk had I not been longing
+for a few words with Pelagie.
+
+I determined that another day should not go by; without my having
+them, and so, in the course of the evening, I managed to ask her if
+she would ride with me the next afternoon to Chouteau's Pond. A
+riding-party of two to Chouteau's Pond was of frequent occurrence in
+the village, and I would not have feared a refusal but that Pelagie
+had now been living so long where stricter social forms prevailed, so
+I awaited her answer with trembling. But she gave a shy assent, and
+for me the evening at Emigre's Retreat was a grand success.
+
+Twelve o'clock the next day, March the tenth, saw us all once more at
+Government House; and once more the American troops were drawn up
+before it, and once more the people filled the streets.
+
+The people were very quiet; there was no longer any rejoicing; but
+every eye was lifted to the flag that was so soon to sink from sight.
+
+There were many Indians in the streets,--Delawares, Sacs, Shawnees,
+and others,--attracted to the town by the noise of firing the day
+before. Captain Stoddard had asked Governor Delassus to speak to them
+and explain to them the change of government, and the soldiers had
+been sent to gather them up close to the gallery of Government House,
+where Don Delassus might speak to them. A dark-faced throng, serious
+of countenance, they stood looking up at us, not a muscle of their
+countenances changing while the governor spoke to them in the formal
+and stately fashion they loved.
+
+"Delawares, Sacs, Shawnees, and others, my red brothers:
+
+"Your old fathers, the Spaniard and the Frenchman, grasp by the hand
+your new father, the head chief of the United States. By an act of
+their good-will, and in virtue of their last treaty, I have delivered
+up to them all these lands. They will keep and defend them, and
+protect all the white and redskins who live thereon. You will live as
+happily as if the Spaniard were still here.
+
+"I have informed your new father, who here takes my place, that the
+Delawares, Shawnees, and Sacs have always conducted themselves well;
+that the chiefs have always restrained their young men as much as
+possible.
+
+"For several days we have fired off cannon to announce to all the
+nations that your father the Spaniard is going, his heart happy to
+know that you will be protected and sustained by your new father, and
+that the smoke of the powder may ascend to the Maker of life, praying
+him to shower on you all a happy destiny and prosperity in always
+living in good union with the whites."
+
+There were many guttural "Ughs!" as he finished, and I think, from the
+way the dark eyes scanned the faces of the new officers, they
+comprehended at least a part of what had been said to them.
+
+Once more a soldier at the corner of the gallery waved his hat toward
+the white tower; once more the cannon boomed and slowly the tricolor
+of France descended, while the Stars and Stripes rose to meet it.
+Half-way up the flagstaff they stopped. For a moment they floated in
+the breeze, side by side, and an involuntary cheer sprang from the
+people at the friendly sight. Then slowly the tricolor sank, and
+slowly rose the starry banner, flinging out its broad bars of white
+and crimson, beautiful emblem of liberty and the sovereignty of a free
+people, over the little village, nestling among the trees on the
+bluffs, that may one day be a mighty city; over the Great River
+flowing to the Gulf that a not far future may see bearing the commerce
+of a world on its bosom; over the broad prairies stretching to the
+distant mountains which coming years will surely see peopled with
+happy millions.
+
+My heart swelled within me. I swung my hat high in the air and lustily
+led the cheers of our troops and our little party on the gallery. But
+we were only a small band, and we made not much noise, and all the
+French and Spaniards stood and looked sadly on. And because our hearts
+were touched by their sorrow, we cheered no more, but looked up at
+our beautiful banner with pride and joy and love in our hearts.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Three hours later I was sitting on the gallery at Emigre's Retreat
+waiting for mademoiselle, as I had waited for her on the day of the
+picnic at Chouteau's Pond. Narcisse was holding Bourbon Prince by the
+driveway below, and I was struggling to preserve a calm exterior, for
+my heart was going like a trip-hammer while I listened for my lady's
+coming.
+
+Out upon the gallery she stepped, riding-habit and hat and veil of
+latest Paris mode--not the little Pelagie of the picnic day, but
+Pelagie a princess of Conde, and my heart almost failed me.
+
+I looked at her, and she was smiling at me with a smile I did not
+understand. Then she looked away, and my eyes followed hers. Around
+the corner of the house Yorke was leading a horse,--a white star on
+the forehead and one white foot like Bourbon Prince, but beautiful
+chestnut in color. For a moment I forgot my lady. Down the steps I
+sprang, and my arm was around the neck of the chestnut mare.
+
+"Sweetheart!" I whispered in her ear. "Do you know me, sweetheart?"
+
+She whinnied with joy and rubbed her soft muzzle up and down my arm,
+and whinnied again, while Yorke showed all his teeth in his delight,
+and my lady laughed and clapped her hands like a happy child.
+
+I had not thought it possible she could bring Fatima with her and so
+had not asked for her, though, truth to tell, I had had but little
+chance to ask her about anything.
+
+When I said so to her, "I would not have come without her," she said,
+looking shyly at me. "But I hope you do not want her back, for I love
+her dearly."
+
+Yes, I wanted her back, I said to myself; but with her mistress, too;
+but my only answer to mademoiselle was a smile that I think she
+understood, for she looked quickly away from me.
+
+Then I put her on Fatima's back, who bore a Parisian saddle now
+instead of a pillion, and out through the stockade we rode, and down
+the rough path to La Petite Riviere, and through the ford (deeper now,
+from spring freshets, than it had been when I listened to the
+whippoorwills), and along the wooded bank on the other side, where we
+had raced to get away from the redskin (though that she never knew),
+and still I had not said the words I meant to say.
+
+Under the tree that had been the goal for our race I drew up a minute.
+Here, I thought, will be a place of happy omen, for here I won my
+first dance with her, and here I will win her. But suddenly I recalled
+that this was the spot where I had first seen the chevalier; no, it
+was of evil omen. "By hairbreadth escapes we always win," he had said.
+I feared, the "luck of the Le Moynes" and their baleful motto.
+
+Where we had stopped to look at the lake before, I stopped again. It
+was almost more beautiful in its setting of the soft pinks and greens
+of early spring than it had been under the golden sun of autumn, and
+here, I thought, I will say it. But the glimpse of the ivied mill
+tower among the trees, and the beautiful water and its wooded banks,
+reminded Pelagie of Ettenheim, and she began to tell me of a letter
+she had just received from the Duc d'Enghien, which made her very
+anxious.
+
+"He writes," said Pelagie, "that he is being followed everywhere by an
+Englishman who, he feels sure, is a spy in the pay of Bonaparte--I
+will never call him emperor!" said Pelagie, with fiery eye. "And while
+he says he feels no alarm for himself, he is more and more glad to
+think that I am so safely away from all dangers."
+
+But the thought of her letter had saddened Pelagie for a while, and I
+would not speak then. How little we dreamed that on that very day,
+perhaps at that very hour, the young duke was being seized by
+Napoleon's emissaries, in violation of all treaties of neutrality, and
+hurried to the gloomy fortress of Vincennes, where, ten days later,
+after a mock trial of two hours in the dead of night, with no chance
+of defense given him, he was taken out and shot and buried in the
+trench where he fell. When the dreadful news reached us, weeks later,
+it darkened for a while my sweet Pelagie's life, as it was the one
+crime not even the friends of Napoleon can excuse or forgive: the one
+dark blot on his fame time will never erase.
+
+But that afternoon we were in happy ignorance of what was happening
+four thousand miles away, and Pelagie's sadness was but a passing
+shadow and in a little while we were both joyous again.
+
+"Rock Spring," I thought, "beloved of lovers, will be the place." But
+at Rock Spring I could think of nothing but Yorke astride the
+chevalier's back, the grimy spectacle the chevalier presented when
+Yorke was dislodged, and then the fearful peril Pelagie had been in
+when I fled with her in my arms on Fatima's back. No, Rock Spring was
+not the place.
+
+And so we were once more back at the ford, almost home, and the long
+shadows lying on the cool water, and a thrush singing his evening-song
+in the wooded crests behind us, and my tale had not been told. We had
+had much sweet converse, and many times the words were on my lips, but
+somehow--I know not how--Pelagie always managed to turn me aside. At
+least I think she did, for with the words on my lips I would find
+myself talking of something else.
+
+Now, as our horses swashed their noses in the cool water, and sent the
+bright drops in showers about us, I looked down upon her, the dark
+green of her riding-habit making a rich foil to the soft glow of her
+cheek, and the drooping plume of her hat falling over her snowy neck
+and mingling with the dark ringlets, and one little hand from which
+she had drawn the glove playing with Fatima's tawny mane--and I took a
+sudden resolution.
+
+"Mademoiselle," I said, "do you know that to-day you are no longer a
+proud lady of France, but a simple American maiden?"
+
+She looked up at me, startled. I think she knew what was coming, but
+she answered bravely, though softly:
+
+"Yes, monsieur," and then dropped her eyes and fell to playing with
+Fatima's mane again.
+
+"Mademoiselle, do you remember on La Belle Riviere the wager you would
+not let me make?"
+
+"Yes, monsieur," still more softly.
+
+"Mademoiselle, if I had made that wager then I would have won it
+to-day. You taught me better, and I would not win you by a wager now
+if I could. But oh, mademoiselle, you said by worth and deeds of
+prowess a maiden's hand should be won; and there is no one in the
+world--least of all I--worthy of you, mademoiselle, and no deeds of
+prowess could be grand enough to deserve you, and I have nothing to
+win you with but my great love; will that avail me,--Pelagie?"
+
+She did not answer for a moment; she was all rosy and drooping, and
+with a happy smile about her lips, as she had been in the cabinet of
+the First Consul.
+
+I put my great hand on her little one, still playing with Fatima's
+mane, and clasped it tight, though it fluttered like a bird at first
+and then lay quiet.
+
+"Pelagie, Pelagie, look up at me," I whispered. "I may call you
+Pelagie, may I not?"
+
+Swiftly and shyly she looked up into my eyes, and I looked down into
+heaven.
+
+"Yes, monsieur," she whispered.
+
+Suddenly she broke into a low laugh, and tried to draw her hand away
+from mine.
+
+"My name is not Pelagie," she said.
+
+"Not Pelagie!" I exclaimed, thinking she was playing me some merry
+trick, and wishing she had chosen some other time to play it.
+
+"No, monsieur," she said soberly. "They named me Pelagie when they
+brought me over sea, but my name is Louise Adelaide, for my aunt the
+Abbess of Remiremont."
+
+I was silent for a moment, for I liked not to think of little Pelagie
+by any other name. Then I gently took her hand again and raised it to
+my lips:
+
+"Louise Adelaide," I said, "may do for a princess of Conde, but you
+will always be my little Pelagie to me," and so great was the love in
+my heart that my voice trembled as I spoke, and we were both very
+still for a little, while her hand lay quietly in mine.
+
+Suddenly a thought struck me:
+
+"Pelagie," I said, "you have never spoken my name; I do not believe
+you know what it is."
+
+"Yes, I do, monsieur." She looked up at me saucily. "Shall I tell you
+what it is?"
+
+"Call me by it!" I implored her softly.
+
+For answer she lifted her arms and drew my head down toward her and
+whispered it in my ear.
+
+And I, what did I do?
+
+What would any man have done whose heart was running over with love
+for the most adorable maiden in the world, and her sweet face so
+near?
+
+
+
+
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+
+"Figuring in the pages of this story there are several strong
+characters. Typical New England folk and an especially sturdy one, old
+Cy Walker, through whose instrumentality Chip comes to happiness and
+fortune. There is a chain of comedy, tragedy, pathos and love, which
+makes a dramatic story."--_Boston Herald._
+
+THE LION AND THE MOUSE. A story of American Life. By Charles Klein,
+and Arthur Hornblow. With illustrations by Stuart Travis, and Scenes
+from the Play.
+
+The novel duplicated the success of the play; in fact the book is
+greater than the play. A portentous clash of dominant personalties
+that form the essence of the play are necessarily touched upon but
+briefly in the short space of four acts. All this is narrated in the
+novel with a wealth of fascinating and absorbing detail, making it one
+of the most powerfully written and exciting works of fiction given to
+the world in years.
+
+BARBARA WINSLOW, REBEL. By Elizabeth Ellis.
+
+With illustrations by John Rae, and colored inlay cover.
+
+The following, taken from story, will best describe the heroine: A
+TOAST: "To the bravest comrade in misfortune, the sweetest companion
+in peace and at all times the most courageous of women."--_Barbara
+Winslow_. "A romantic story, buoyant, eventful, and in matters of love
+exactly what the heart could desire."--_New York Sun._
+
+SUSAN. By Ernest Oldmeadow. With a color frontispiece by Frank
+Haviland. Medalion in color on front cover.
+
+Lord Ruddington falls helplessly in love with Miss Langley, whom he
+sees in one of her walks accompanied by her maid, Susan. Through a
+misapprehension of personalities his lordship addresses a love missive
+to the maid. Susan accepts in perfect good faith, and an epistolary
+love-making goes on till they are disillusioned. It naturally makes a
+droll and delightful little comedy; and is a story that is
+particularly clever in the telling.
+
+WHEN PATTY WENT TO COLLEGE. By Jean Webster. With illustrations by C.
+D. Williams.
+
+"The book is a treasure."--_Chicago Daily News._ "Bright, whimsical,
+and thoroughly entertaining."--_Buffalo Express._ "One of the best
+stories of life in a girl's college that has ever been written."--_N. Y.
+Press._ "To any woman who has enjoyed the pleasures of a college life
+this book cannot fail to bring back many sweet recollections; and to
+those who have not been to college the wit, lightness, and charm of
+Patty are sure to be no less delightful."--_Public Opinion._
+
+THE MASQUERADER. By Katherine Cecil Thurston. With illustrations by
+Clarence F. Underwood.
+
+"You can't drop it till you have turned the last page."--_Cleveland
+Leader._ "Its very audacity of motive, of execution, of solution,
+almost takes one's breath away. The boldness of its denouement is
+sublime."--_Boston Transcript._ "The literary hit of a generation. The
+best of it is the story deserves all its success. A masterly
+story."--_St. Louis Dispatch._ "The story is ingeniously told, and
+cleverly constructed."--_The Dial._
+
+THE GAMBLER. By Katherine Cecil Thurston. With illustrations by John
+Campbell.
+
+"Tells of a high strung young Irish woman who has a passion for
+gambling, inherited from a long line of sporting ancestors. She has a
+high sense of honor, too, and that causes complications. She is a very
+human, lovable character, and love saves her."--_N. Y. Times._
+
+THE AFFAIR AT THE INN. By Kate Douglas Wiggin.
+
+With illustrations by Martin Justice.
+
+"As superlatively clever in the writing as it is entertaining in the
+reading. It is actual comedy of the most artistic sort, and it is
+handled with a freshness and originality that is unquestionably
+novel."--_Boston Transcript._ "A feast of humor and good cheer, yet
+subtly pervaded by special shades of feeling, fancy, tenderness, or
+whimsicality. A merry thing in prose."--_St. Louis Democrat._
+
+ROSE O' THE RIVER. By Kate Douglas Wiggin. With illustrations by
+George Wright.
+
+"'Rose o' the River' a charming bit of sentiment, gracefully written
+and deftly touched with a gentle humor. It is a dainty book--daintily
+illustrated."--_New York Tribune._ "A wholesome, bright, refreshing
+story, an ideal book to give a young girl."--_Chicago Record-Herald._
+"An idyllic story, replete with pathos and inimitable humor. As
+story-telling it is perfection, and as portrait-painting it is true to
+the life."--_London Mail._
+
+TILLIE: A Mennonite Maid. By Helen R. Martin. With illustrations by
+Florence Scovel Shinn.
+
+The little "Mennonite Maid" who wanders through these pages is
+something quite new in fiction. Tillie is hungry for books and beauty
+and love; and she comes into her inheritance at the end. "Tillie is
+faulty, sensitive, big-hearted, eminently human, and first, last and
+always lovable. Her charm glows warmly, the story is well handled, the
+characters skilfully developed."--_The Book Buyer._
+
+LADY ROSE'S DAUGHTER. By Mrs. Humphry Ward. With illustrations by
+Howard Chandler Christy.
+
+"The most marvellous work of its wonderful author."--_New York World._
+"We touch regions and attain altitudes which it is not given to the
+ordinary novelist even to approach."--_London Times._ "In no other
+story has Mrs. Ward approached the brilliancy and vivacity of Lady
+Rose's Daughter."--_North American Review._
+
+THE BANKER AND THE BEAR. By Henry K. Webster.
+
+"An exciting and absorbing story."--_New York Times._ "Intensely
+thrilling; in parts, but an unusually good story all through. There is
+a love affair of real charm and most novel surroundings, there is a
+run on the bank which is almost worth a year's growth, and there is
+all manner of exhilarating men and deeds which should bring the book
+into high and permanent favor."--_Chicago Evening Post._
+
+THE SPIRIT OF THE SERVICE. By Edith Elmer Wood. With illustrations by
+Rufus Zogbaum.
+
+The standards and life of "the new navy" are breezily set forth with a
+genuine ring impossible from the most gifted "outsider." "The story of
+the destruction of the 'Maine,' and of the Battle of Manila, are very
+dramatic. The author is the daughter of one naval officer and the wife
+of another. Naval folks will find much to interest them in 'The Spirit
+of the Service.'"--_The Book Buyer._
+
+A SPECTRE OF POWER. By Charles Egbert Craddock.
+
+Miss Murfree has pictured Tennessee mountains and the mountain people
+in striking colors and with dramatic vividness, but goes back to the
+time of the struggles of the French and English in the early
+eighteenth century for possession of the Cherokee territory. The story
+abounds in adventure, mystery, peril and suspense.
+
+THE STORM CENTRE. By Charles Egbert Craddock.
+
+A war story; but more of flirtation, love and courtship than of
+fighting or history. The tale is thoroughly readable and takes its
+readers again into golden Tennessee, into the atmosphere which has
+distinguished all of Miss Murfree's novels.
+
+THE ADVENTURESS. By Coralie Stanton. With color frontispiece by
+Harrison Fisher, and attractive inlay cover in colors.
+
+As a penalty for her crimes, her evil nature, her flint-like
+callousness, her more than inhuman cruelty, her contempt for the laws
+of God and man, she was condemned to bury her magnificent personalty,
+her transcendent beauty, her superhuman charms, in gilded obscurity at
+a King's left hand. A powerful story powerfully told.
+
+THE GOLDEN GREYHOUND. A Novel by Dwight Tilton. With illustrations by
+E. Pollak.
+
+A thoroughly good story that keeps you guessing to the very end, and
+never attempts to instruct or reform you. It is a strictly up-to-date
+story of love and mystery with wireless telegraphy and all the modern
+improvements. The events nearly all take place on a big Atlantic liner
+and the romance of the deep is skilfully made to serve as a setting
+for the romance, old as mankind, yet always new, involving our hero.
+
+LAVENDER AND OLD LACE. By Myrtle Reed.
+
+A charming story of a quaint corner of New England where bygone
+romance finds a modern parallel. One of the prettiest, sweetest, and
+quaintest of old-fashioned love stories * * * A rare book, exquisite
+in spirit and conception, full of delicate fancy, of tenderness, of
+delightful humor and spontaneity. A dainty volume, especially suitable
+for a gift.
+
+DOCTOR LUKE OF THE LABRADOR. By Norman Duncan. With a frontispiece and
+inlay cover.
+
+How the doctor came to the bleak Labrador coast and there in saving
+life made expiation. In dignity, simplicity, humor, in sympathetic
+etching of a sturdy fisher people, and above all in the echoes of the
+sea, _Doctor Luke_ is worthy of great praise. Character, humor,
+poignant pathos, and the sad grotesque conjunctions of old and new
+civilizations are expressed through the medium of a style that has
+distinction and strikes a note of rare personality.
+
+THE DAY'S WORK. By Rudyard Kipling. Illustrated.
+
+The _London Morning Post_ says: "It would be hard to find better
+reading * * * the book is so varied, so full of color and life from
+end to end, that few who read the first two or three stories will lay
+it down till they have read the last--and the last is a veritable gem
+* * * contains some of the best of his highly vivid work * * * Kipling
+is a born story-teller and a man of humor into the bargain."
+
+ELEANOR LEE. By Margaret E. Sangster. With a frontispiece.
+
+A story of married life, and attractive picture of wedded bliss * * *
+an entertaining story or a man's redemption through a woman's love
+* * * no one who knows anything of marriage or parenthood can read
+this story with eyes that are always dry * * * goes straight to the
+heart of everyone who knows the meaning of "love" and "home."
+
+THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS. By John Reed Scott. Illustrated by
+Clarence F. Underwood.
+
+"Full of absorbing charm, sustained interest, and a wealth of
+thrilling and romantic situations." "So naively fresh in its
+handling, so plausible through its naturalness, that it comes
+like a mountain breeze across the far-spreading desert of similar
+romances."--_Gazette-Times, Pittsburg._ "A slap-dashing day
+romance."--_New York Sun._
+
+THE FAIR GOD; OR, THE LAST OF THE TZINS. By Lew Wallace. With
+illustrations by Eric Pape.
+
+"The story tells of the love of a native princess for Alvarado, and it
+is worked out with all of Wallace's skill * * * it gives a fine
+picture of the heroism of the Spanish conquerors and of the culture
+and nobility of the Aztecs."--_New York Commercial Advertiser._
+
+"_Ben Hur_ sold enormously, but _The Fair God_ was the best of the
+General's stories--a powerful and romantic treatment of the defeat of
+Montezuma by Cortes."--_Athenaeum._
+
+THE CAPTAIN OF THE KANSAS. By Louis Tracy.
+
+A story of love and the salt sea--of a helpless ship whirled into the
+hands of cannibal Fuegians--of desperate fighting and tender romance,
+enhanced by the art of a master of story telling who describes with
+his wonted felicity and power of holding the reader's attention * * *
+filled with the swing of adventure.
+
+A MIDNIGHT GUEST. A Detective Story. By Fred M. White. With a
+frontispiece.
+
+The scene of the story centers in London and Italy. The book is
+skilfully written and makes one of the most baffling, mystifying,
+exciting detective stories ever written--cleverly keeping the suspense
+and mystery intact until the surprising discoveries which precede the
+end.
+
+THE HONOUR OF SAVELLI. A Romance. By S. Levett Yeats. With cover and
+wrapper in four colors.
+
+Those who enjoyed Stanley Weyman's _A Gentleman of France_ will be
+engrossed and captivated by this delightful romance of Italian
+history. It is replete with exciting episodes, hair-breath escapes,
+magnificent sword-play, and deals with the agitating times in Italian
+history when Alexander II was Pope and the famous and infamous Borgias
+were tottering to their fall.
+
+SISTER CARRIE. By Theodore Drieser. With a frontispiece, and wrapper
+in color.
+
+In all fiction there is probably no more graphic and poignant study of
+the way in which man loses his grip on life, lets his pride, his
+courage, his self-respect slip from him, and, finally, even ceases to
+struggle in the mire that has engulfed him. * * * There is more tonic
+value in _Sister Carrie_ than in a whole shelfful of sermons.
+
+DARREL OF THE BLESSED ISLES. By Irving Bacheller. With illustrations
+by Arthur Keller.
+
+"Darrel, the clock tinker, is a wit, philosopher, and man of mystery.
+Learned, strong, kindly, dignified, he towers like a giant above the
+people among whom he lives. It is another tale of the North Country,
+full of the odor of wood and field. Wit, humor, pathos and high
+thinking are in this book."--_Boston Transcript._
+
+D'RI AND I: A Tale of Daring Deeds in the Second War with the British.
+Being the Memoirs of Colonel Ramon Bell, U. S. A. By Irving Bacheller.
+With illustrations by F. C. Yohn.
+
+"Mr. Bacheller is admirable alike in his scenes of peace and war.
+D'ri, a mighty hunter, has the same dry humor as Uncle Eb. He fights
+magnificently on the 'Lawrence,' and was among the wounded when Perry
+went to the 'Niagara.' As a romance of early American history it is
+great for the enthusiasm it creates."--_New York Times._
+
+EBEN HOLDEN: A Tale of the North Country. By Irving Bacheller.
+
+"As pure as water and as good as bread," says Mr. Howells. "Read 'Eben
+Holden'" is the advice of Margaret Sangster. "It is a forest-scented,
+fresh-aired, bracing and wholly American story of country and town
+life. * * * If in the far future our successors wish to know what were
+the real life and atmosphere in which the country folk that saved this
+nation grew, loved, wrought and had their being, they must go back to
+such true and zestful and poetic tales of 'fiction' as 'Eben Holden,'"
+says Edmund Clarence Stedman.
+
+SILAS STRONG: Emperor of the Woods. By Irving Bacheller. With a
+frontispiece.
+
+"A modern _Leatherstocking_. Brings the city dweller the aroma of the
+pine and the music of the wind in its branches--an epic poem * * *
+forest-scented, fresh-aired, and wholly American. A stronger character
+than Eben Holden."--_Chicago Record-Herald._
+
+VERGILIUS: A Tale of the Coming of Christ. By Irving Bacheller.
+
+A thrilling and beautiful story of two young Roman patricians whose
+great and perilous love in the reign of Augustus leads them through
+the momentous, exciting events that marked the year just preceding the
+birth of Christ.
+
+Splendid character studies of the Emperor Augustus, of Herod and his
+degenerate son, Antipater, and of his daughter "the incomparable"
+Salome. A great triumph in the art of historical portrait painting.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+PRINCESS MARITZA
+
+A NOVEL OF RAPID ROMANCE.
+BY PERCY BREBNER
+
+With Harrison Fisher Illustrations in Color.
+
+Offers more real entertainment and keen enjoyment than any book since
+"Graustark." Full of picturesque life and color and a delightful
+love-story. The scene of the story is Wallaria, one of those mythical
+kingdoms in Southern Europe. Maritza is the rightful heir to the
+throne, but is kept away from her own country. The hero is a young
+Englishman of noble family. It is a pleasing book of fiction. Large 12
+mo. size. Handsomely bound in cloth. White coated wrapper, with
+Harrison Fisher portrait in colors. Price 75 cents, postpaid.
+
+
+Books by George Barr McCutcheon
+
+BREWSTER'S MILLIONS
+
+Mr. Montgomery Brewster is required to spend a million dollars in one
+year in order to inherit seven millions. He must be absolutely
+penniless at that time, and yet have spent the million in a way that
+will commend him as fit to inherit the larger sum. How he does it
+forms the basis for one of the most crisp and breezy romances of
+recent years.
+
+CASTLE CRANEYCROW
+
+The story revolves around the abduction of a young American woman and
+the adventures created through her rescue. The title is taken from the
+name of an old castle on the Continent, the scene of her imprisonment.
+
+GRAUSTARK: A Story of a Love Behind a Throne.
+
+This work has been and is to-day one of the most popular works of
+fiction of this decade. The meeting of the Princess of Graustark with
+the hero, while travelling incognito in this country, his efforts to
+find her, his success, the defeat of conspiracies to dethrone her, and
+their happy marriage, provide entertainment which every type of reader
+will enjoy.
+
+THE SHERRODS. With illustrations by C. D. Williams
+
+A novel quite unlike Mr. McCutcheon's previous works in the field of
+romantic fiction and yet possessing the charm inseparable from
+anything he writes. The scene is laid in Indiana and the theme is best
+described in the words, "Whom God hath joined, let no man put
+asunder."
+
+Each volume handsomely bound in cloth. Large 12 mo. size. Price 75
+cents per volume, postpaid.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers
+52 DUANE STREET :: NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+GET THE BEST OUT-DOOR STORIES
+
+Stewart Edward White's
+Great Novels of Western Life.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP EDITIONS
+
+THE BLAZED TRAIL
+
+Mingles the romance of the forest with the romance of man's heart,
+making a story that is big and elemental, while not lacking in
+sweetness and tenderness. It is an epic of the life of the lumbermen
+of the great forest of the Northwest, permeated by out of door
+freshness, and the glory of the struggle with nature.
+
+THE SILENT PLACES
+
+A powerful story of strenuous endeavor and fateful privation in the
+frozen North, embodying also a detective story of much strength and
+skill. The author brings out with sure touch and deep understanding
+the mystery and poetry of the still, frost-bound forest.
+
+THE CLAIM JUMPERS
+
+A tale of a Western mining camp and the making of a man, with which a
+charming young lady has much to do. The tenderfoot has a hard time of
+it, but meets the situation, shows the stuff he is made of, and "wins
+out."
+
+THE WESTERNERS
+
+A tale of the mining camp and the Indian country, full of color and
+thrilling incident.
+
+THE MAGIC FOREST: A Modern Fairy Story.
+
+"No better book could be put in a young boy's hands," says the New
+York _Sun_. It is a happy blend of knowledge of wood life with an
+understanding of Indian character, as well as that of small boys.
+
+Each volume handsomely bound in cloth. Price, seventy-five cents per
+volume, postpaid.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers
+52 DUANE STREET :: NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+_THE GROSSET AND DUNLAP SPECIAL EDITIONS OF POPULAR NOVELS THAT HAVE
+BEEN DRAMATIZED_.
+
+BREWSTER'S MILLIONS: By George Bar McCutcheon.
+
+A clever, fascinating tale, with a striking and unusual plot. With
+illustrations from the original New York production of the play.
+
+THE LITTLE MINISTER: By J. M. Barrie.
+
+With illustrations from the play as presented by Maude Adams, and a
+vignette in gold of Miss Adams on the cover.
+
+CHECKERS: By Henry M. Blossom, Jr.
+
+A story of the Race Track. Illustrated with scenes from the play as
+originally presented in New York by Thomas W. Ross who created the
+stage character.
+
+THE CHRISTIAN: By Hall Caine.
+
+THE ETERNAL CITY: By Hall Caine.
+
+Each has been elaborately and successfully staged.
+
+IN THE PALACE OF THE KING: By F. Marion Crawford.
+
+A love story of Old Madrid, with full page illustrations. Originally
+played with great success by Viola Allen.
+
+JANICE MEREDITH: By Paul Leicester Ford.
+
+New edition with an especially attractive cover, a really handsome
+book. Originally played by Mary Mannering, who created the title role.
+
+These books are handsomely bound in cloth, are well-made in every
+respect, and aside from their unusual merit as stories, are
+particularly interesting to those who like things theatrical. Price,
+postpaid, seventy-five cents each.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS
+52 DUANE STREET :: NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's notes:
+
+   The list of Illustrations was not part of the original book.
+
+   Page 97: droping changed to dropping (cook was droping still
+            more into the kettle of boiling fat).
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROSE OF OLD ST. LOUIS***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 20911.txt or 20911.zip *******
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