true
that I was most heartily sorry for it! At table, while he talked, I saw
only that green field so far away, and General Hamilton bleeding to his
death,--yes, and I thought, 'Oh me, what would they say to me at
Fontenoy?' But I knew no worse of Colonel Burr than that one deed, and I
bore myself toward him as any woman must toward her husband's guest! I
am telling you all. He was Lewis's guest, Lewis's correspondent, and
this was an arranged meeting. I knew that and I knew no more. After
supper they talked together, and I sat alone by the fire in the empty
drawing-room. I was bidden--yes, I will tell you this!--I was bidden to
keep all visitors out, since it must not be known that Colonel Burr was
then in Richmond! You came, and by mistake you were admitted. I was
lonely at heart and hungry for news from home, I let you stay, and you
read to me what my uncle had to say of the man who was at that instant
beneath my roof, engaged in talk with my husband! You read, and then
you, too, took up the tale! 'Traitor--treason.... A man whom, had you
the power, you would arrest at once.... False to his honour, false to
his country.... Traitor and maker of traitors.... And where is your
husband to-night?' Well, I did not choose to tell you where was my
husband that night--and, since I was frightened, and cold at heart, and
knew not what to say, and--and was frightened, I _lied_ to you! But as
for that which I now see that you have thought of me--you are much
mistaken there! Until you read me Uncle Edward's letter, I did not know
what men said of Aaron Burr!"

"I wronged you," said Cary, with emotion. "I doubted you, and I have
been most wretched in the doubting. Forgive me!"

"You wronged me, yes!" she cried. "But am I the only one you've
wronged? Oh, I see, I see what since that night you have thought of
Lewis! It was the next day that you quarrelled in the coffee house! Oh,
all these months, have you been mistrusting Lewis Rand, believing him
concerned with that man, suspecting him of--of--of _treason_? There,
too, you are mistaken. Listen!"

She came closer to him, all colour, light, and fire against the dark
cedars. "I am going to tell you. You are generous, open-minded, candid,
fair--you will understand, and you will know him better, and you and he
may yet be friends! I have that at heart--you would hardly believe how
much I have that at heart. Have you been dreaming of Lewis Rand as the
aider and abetter of Colonel Burr'