ambitions of a proud man, a strong
man. Ambition--power--place--these things will all be yours in the
coming years. They belong to any man of ability such as yours, and I
covet them for you. I shall pray always for your success; but success
makes men forget."

He still sat looking at her unmoved, with thoughts in his heart that
he would not have cared to let her know. She went on still, half
tremblingly:

"I want to see you happy after a time--with some good woman at your
side--your children by you--in your own home. I want everything for
you which ought to come to any man. And yet I know how hard it is to
alter your resolve, once formed. Captain Lewis, you are a stubborn
man, a hard man!"

He shook his head.

"Yes, I do not seem to change," said he simply. "I hope I shall be
able to carry my burden and to hold my trail."

"Fie! I will not have such talk on a morning like this."

Fearlessly she reached out her hand to his, which lay upon the table.
She smiled at him, but he looked down, the lean fingers of his own
hand not trembling nor responding.

If she sensed the rigidity of the muscles which held his fingers
outward, at least she feared it not. If she felt the repression which
kept him silent, at least she feared it not. Her intuitions told her
at last that the danger was gone. His hand did not close on hers.

She raised her cup and saluted laughingly.

"A good journey, Meriwether Lewis," said she, "and a happy return from
it! Cast away such melancholy--you will forget all this!"

"I ask you not to wound me more than need be. I am hard to die. I can
carry many wounds, but they may pain me none the less."

"Forgive me, then," she said, and once more her small hand reached out
toward him. "I would not wound you. I asked you only to remember me
as----"

"As----"

"As I shall you, of course. And I remember that bright day when you
came to me--yonder in New York. You offered me all that any man can
ever offer any woman. I am proud of that! I told my husband, yes. He
never mentions your name save in seriousness and respect. I am
ambitious for you. All the Burrs are full of ambition, and I am a
Burr, as you know. How long will it be before you come back to higher
office and higher place? Will it be six months hence?"

"More likely six years. If there is healing for me, the wilderness
alone must give it."

"I shall be an old woman--old and sallow from the Carolina suns. You
will have forgotten me then