in regard to it as you choose."

Randolph, amazed, ran his eye over the long report of Fauchet to his
home office, the other secretaries watching him in silence. He flushed
with sudden anger as he read on, while no one spoke, and the President
walked up and down the room. This is what the Secretary of State saw in
Fauchet's despatch:

Mr. Randolph came to see me with an air of great eagerness just
before the proclamation was made in regard to the excise
insurrection, and made to me overtures of which I have given you
an account in my despatches No. 6 and No. 3. Thus with some
thousands of dollars the French Republic could have decided on
war or peace. Thus the consciences of the pretended patriots of
America have already their prices [_tarif_].

Then followed abuse of Hamilton and warm praise of Jefferson and
Madison.

"The despatches No. 6 and No. 3 are not here," said the Secretary. Again
he read on. Then at last, looking up, he said, "If I may be permitted to
retain this letter a short time, I shall be able to answer everything in
it in a satisfactory manner." He made no denial of its charges.

The President said: "Very well. You may wish at present, sir, to step
into the back room and further consider the matter." He desired to do
so, the President saying that he himself wished meanwhile to talk of it
with his other advisers. Mr. Randolph, assenting, retired, and in half
an hour returned. What passed in this interval between the chief and his
secretaries no one knows, nor what went on in the mind of Washington.
Mr. Randolph finally left the meeting, saying, "Your Excellency will
hear from me." As he was passing the door of the parlor De Courval came
forward to meet him and said, "These papers are of moment, sir. They
have just come." The violin ceased, the marquis bowed. The Secretary
saluted the small dames and said hastily: "I cannot consider these
papers at present. I must go. Give them to the President." Upon this he
went away, leaving De Courval surprised at the agitation of his manner.

In a few moments Mr. Wolcott also came out, leaving the office door
open. Meanwhile De Courval waited, as he had been desired to do, until
the President should be disengaged.

The violin went on, the small figures, as he watched them, moved in the
slow measures of the dance. Then during a pause one little dame
courtesied to him, and the old violinist asked would Monsieur le Vicomte
walk a minuet wit