the young and virtuous away.' That is you and I, Rittenhouse--'the
young and virtuous.'" But he did not sign, and returned this amazing
document, remarking that his name was hardly needed.

"They have refused," said the astronomer, "actually refused, and it is
to be removed by outraged citizens to-day, I hear. A little more
chocolate, Citess, and a bun--please."

"Citess, indeed! When thou art hungry enough to speak the King's
English," said Mrs. Swanwick, "thou shall have thy chocolate; and if thy
grammar be very good, there will be also a slice of sally-lunn."

The philosopher repented, and was fed, while Schmidt remarked on the
immortality a cake may confer; but who Sally was, no one knew.

"You will be pleased to hear, Rittenhouse, that Dr. Priestly is come to
the city," said the Secretary. "He is at the Harp and Crown on Third
Street."

"I knew him in England," said Schmidt; "I will call on him to-day. A
great chemist, Rene, and the finder of a new gas called oxygen."

When the star-gazer had gone away the Secretary, after some talk about
the West Indian outrages, said: "I shall miss your chocolate, Madame,
and my visits. You have heard, no doubt, of the cabinet changes."

"Some rumors, only," said Schmidt.

"I have resigned, and go back to my home and my farming. Mr. Hamilton
will also fall out this January, and General Knox, no very great loss.
Colonel Pickering takes his place."

"And who succeeds Hamilton, sir?"

"Oh, his satellite, Wolcott. The ex-Secretary means to pull the wires of
his puppets. He loves power, as I do not. But the chocolate, alas!"

"And who, may I ask," said Mrs. Swanwick, "is to follow thee, Friend
Jefferson?"

"Edmund Randolph, I believe. Bradford will have his place of
Attorney-General. And now you have all my gossip, Madame, and I leave
next week. I owe you many thanks for the pleasant hours in your home.
Good-by, Mr. Schmidt; and Vicomte, may I ask to be remembered to your
mother? I shall hope to be here now and then."

"We shall miss thee, Friend Jefferson," said the widow.

"I would not lessen thy regrets," he said. "Ah, one lingers." He kissed
the hand he held, his bright hazel eyes aglow. "Good-by, Miss Margaret."
And bowing low, he left them.

Schmidt looked after him, smiling.

"Now thou art of a mind to say naughty things of my friend," said Mrs.
Swanwick. "I know thy ways."

"I was, but I meant only to criticize his politics. An intelligent old
fox with go