el fought nigh
two years ago. Forget--forget! There's so much one must forget. Besides,
others are forgiving. There is not now the old enmity between him and
the Federalists." "No?" said Jacqueline. "Why is that?"

"I cannot tell you, but old differences are being smoothed over. It is
rather the Republicans who are out with him."

"I know that he is no friend to Mr. Jefferson."

"No, he is no friend to Mr. Jefferson. The room looks well, sweetheart.
But some day you shall have a much grander one, all light and
splendour, and larger flowers than these--"

His wife rested her head against his shoulder. "I don't want it, Lewis.
It is only you who care for magnificence. Sometimes I wonder that you
should so care."

"It is my mother in me," he answered. "She cared--poor soul. But I don't
want magnificence for myself. I want it for you--"

"You must not want it for me," cried Jacqueline, with wistful passion.
"I am happy here, and I am happy at Roselands--but I was happiest of all
in the house on the Three-Notched Road!"

There was a moment's silence, then Rand spoke slowly. "I was not born
for content. I am urged on--and on--and I cannot always tell right from
wrong. There is a darkness within me--I wish it were light instead!" He
laughed. "But if wishes were horses, beggars might ride!--And you've cut
all your pretty bright flowers! After supper, before we begin our talk,
you must sing to him. They say his daughter is an accomplished and
beautiful woman. But you--you are Beauty, Jacqueline!"

The knocker sounded. "That is he," exclaimed Rand, and went into the
hail to welcome his guest. Jacqueline returned to the drawing-room, and
waited there before the fire. She was dressed in white, with bare neck
and arms and her mother's amethysts around her throat. In a moment the
two men entered. "This is my wife, Colonel Burr," said Rand.

Jacqueline curtsied. A small, slight, black-eyed, and smiling gentleman
bowed low, and with much grace of manner took and kissed her hand. "Mr.
Rand, now I understand the pride in your voice! Madam, I wish my
daughter Theodosia were with me. She is my pride, and when I say that
you two would be friends, I pay you both a compliment!"

"I have heard much of her," answered Jacqueline, "and nothing but good.
My husband tells me that you have been in the South--and in Virginia we
are welcoming you with a snowstorm!"

"The cold is all outside," said Colonel Burr. "Permit me--"

He handed h