rritory, sire?"

"I came to find land for the Iroquois. I intend to make a state with the
tribe."

"But what of France?"

"Oh, France is over supplied with men who want to make a state of her.
Louis XVIII has been on the throne eleven months, and was recently
chased off by Napoleon.

"Louis XVIII on the throne? Did true loyalists suffer that?"

"Evidently."

"Sire, what became of Napoleon?"

"He was beaten by the allies and sent to Elba. Louis XVIII was brought
in with processions. But in about eleven months Napoleon made a dash
across France--"

"Tell me slowly. You say I have been ill more than a year. I know
nothing of what has happened."

"Napoleon escaped from Elba, made a dash across France, and incidentally
swept the Bourbon off the throne. The last news from Europe shows him
gathering armies to meet the allies."

"Oh, sire, you should have been there!"

"Abbe Edgeworth suggests that France is well supplied with dauphins
also. Turning off dauphins has been a pastime at court."

"Abbe Edgeworth? You do not mean the priest you saw at Mittau?

"Confessor and almoner to his majesty. The same man."

"Is he here?"

"You saw him pass the door."

"Why has he come to America?"

"I have not inquired."

"Why is he here with you?"

"Because it pleases him, not me."

"He brings you some message?"

"So he says."

"What is it?"

"I have not had time to ask."

She stood up. As she became more herself and the spirit rushed forward
in her face, I saw how her beauty had ripened. Hoeing corn and washing
in the river does not coarsen well-born women. I knew I should feel the
sweetness of her presence stinging through me and following me wherever
I went in the world.

"Call the priest in, sire. I am afraid I have hindered the interview."

"I did not meet him with my arms open, madame."

"But you would have heard what he had to say, if I had not been in your
house. Why am I in your house?"

"You came here."

"Was I wandering about by myself?"

"Yes, madame."

"I thought I must have been walking. When I came to myself I was so
tired, and my shoes were muddy. If you want to see the priest I will go
into another room."

"No, I will bring him in and let him give his message in your presence."

When Abbe Edgeworth was presented to her, he slightly raised his
eyebrows, but expressed no astonishment at meeting her lucid eyes. Nor
did I explain--"God has given her back her senses in a night."

T