you," said Hamilton. "If Schmidt returns, he will
land in New York, and I shall come hither with him. Have you seen the
new paper, the 'Aurora'? Mr. Bache has taken up the task Freneau
dropped--of abusing the President."

"No, I have not seen it. I suppose now it is the English treaty. It will
interest me no longer."

"Oh, for a time, for a time. Between us, the President has sent it to
the Senate. It will leak out. He will sign it with a reservation as
concerns the English claim to seize provisions meant for French ports.
Do not speak of it. Randolph is striving to strengthen the President's
scruples with regard to a not altogether satisfactory treaty, but, on
the whole, the best we can get. It will be signed and will be of great
service. Keep this to yourself, and good-by. Randolph is too French for
me. I may have said to you once that if we had a navy, it is not peace
that the President would desire."

De Courval hastened home to pour into the ear of Margaret so much of his
interview as he felt free to speak of.

"My mother," she said, "would speak to thee of me, Rene." But he asked
that she would wait, and his sense of satisfaction soon gave place, as
was natural, to a return of depression, which for a time left him only
when in the company of Margaret. Her mother, usually so calm, did most
uneasily wait while the days went by, but made no effort to interfere
with the lovers.

On the 9th of August, at evening, Margaret and Rene were seated in the
garden when of a sudden Rene leaped up with a cry of joyous welcome, as
he saw Schmidt, large, bronzed and laughing, on the porch.

"_Du Guter Himmel!_" he cried, "but I am content to be here. I have good
news for you. _Ach_, let me sit down. Now listen. But first, is it all
right, children!"

"May I tell him in my way, Rene?"

"Yes, of course; but what is your way?"

"This is my way," said Margaret, and bending over, as the German sat on
the grass at her feet, she kissed him, saying, "as yet no one knows."

"I am answered, Pearl, and now listen. This morning I met Mr. Randolph
and Mr. Hamilton with the President. That was best before seeing you.
Mr. Randolph was silent while I told the general plainly the story of
your duel. _Ach_, but he has the trick of silence! A good one, too. When
I had ended, he said, 'I am to be pardoned, sir, if I ask who in turn
will vouch for you as a witness?'"

"Then I said, 'With my apologies to these gentlemen, may I be allowed