"You know well enough how far I agree with you," said Burr somberly.
"'Tis an experiment, our republic, I am willing to say that boldly to you, at least. How long it may last----"
"Depends on men like you," said Merry, suddenly turning upon him as they rode. "How long do you suppose his Majesty will endure such slights as they put on us here day by day? My blood boils at the indignities we have had to suffer here--cooling our heels in your President's halls. I call it mere presumptuousness. I cannot look upon this country as anything but a province to be taken back again when England is ready. And it may be, since so much turbulence and discourtesy seem growing here, that chance will not wait long in the coming!"
"It may be, Mr. Merry," said Aaron Burr. "My own thoughts you know too well for need of repetition. Let us only go softly. My plans advance as well as I could ask. I was just wondering," he added, "whether those two young people really were together there at the old mill--and whether they were there for the first time."
"If not, 'twas not for the last time!" rejoined the older man. "Yonder young man was made to fill a woman's eye. Your daughter, Mr. Burr, while the soul of married discreetness, and charming as any of her sex I have ever seen, must look out for her heart. She might find it divided into three equal parts."
"How then, Mr. Minister?"
"One for her father----"
Aaron Burr bowed.
"Yes, her father first, as I verily believe. What then?"
"The second for her husband----"
"Certainly. Mr. Alston is a rising man. He has a thousand slaves on his plantations--he is one of the richest of the rich South Carolinian planters. And in politics he has a chance--more than a chance. But after that?"
"The third portion of so charming a woman's heart might perhaps be assigned to Captain Meriwether Lewis!"
"Say you so?" laughed Burr carelessly. "Well, well this must be looked into. Come, I must tell my son-in-law that his home is in danger of being invaded! Far off in his Southern rice-lands, I fear he misses his young wife sometimes. I brought her here for the sake of her own health--she cannot thrive in such swamps. Besides, I cannot bear to have her live away from me. She is happier with me than anywhere else. Yes, you are right, my daughter worships me."
"Why should she not? And why should she not ride with a gallant at sunrise for an early cup of coffee, egad?" said the older man.