too dangerous to be despised. The proud officer
listened for a returning step or a relenting voice, but heard no other
noise than that made by the whining winds, and by the waters of the
Mississippi fretting and swirling around the keel of his solitary
boat.

XII. SNARING A PHILOSOPHER.

After his tour in the West, Burr, homeward bound, pursued his way from
St. Louis to Vincennes, thence to Cincinnati, and up the Ohio to the
beautiful island he had visited in the month of May. Change of season
had transformed a paradise of soft verdure and tender bloom into an
Eden of gorgeous foliage and gaudy flowers. The house of
Blennerhassett he saw embowered in trees magnificently colored by the
wonder-working frosts of October. The place was Faerie Land, but had
not Gloriana been there, it may be doubted whether other attractions
of the lovely isle would have detained the restless conspirer. Once
more the American statesman stood in the presence of the fairest dame
west of the Alleghanies, and she received him with cordial words and
kind eyes.

"We have been expecting this visit. Your letters to my husband kept us
both in hope you would not fail to honor us before your return to
Philadelphia."

"The boat which brought me up-stream, madam, rounded into your wharf
of its own motion, attracted by some lodestone or guiding star. I am
here again, after many days."

"You have wandered far since you happened to discover our hiding-place
last May."

"Wandered is the word. Like a pilgrim, I went in Spring to come back
in Autumn."

"Bringing the palm?"

"Palm, olive, laurel, myrtle--the whole botany of lucky leaves. How
are my boys, Dominick and--what's the younger one's name?--Yes,
Harman, how are they? I am due in Philadelphia, but I delay business
to indulge inclination."

"You did not quite forget the lonely island and its solitary family?"

"He would be an insane palmer who could forget the most attractive
shrine in the round of his long pilgrimage--"

As Burr was saying these words, a soft shuffling step was heard in the
adjoining room, and a grave gentleman in spectacles made his
appearance in the doorway.

"Colonel Burr, my husband."

"A happiness and an honor to meet you, Colonel Burr."

Bow followed bow, urbane word echoed word, awkwardly protracting the
salutatory ceremony until Burr felt like a Chinese mandarin at a court
reception. According to his wife's judgment, Mr. Blennerhassett
acquitted him