"My dear, would you wish him to come back--would you condemn him
further to the tortures of the damned? And would you halt him while he
is trying to do his duty as a man and a soldier? What benefit to you?"

She drew up proudly.

"What benefit, indeed, to me? Do you think I would ask this for
myself? No, it was for _him_--it was for _his_ welfare only that I
dared to come to you. And you will not hear new evidence?"

But now she was speaking to Thomas Jefferson, the President of the
United States, man of affairs as well, man of firm will and clear-cut
decision.

"Madam," said he, coldly, "in this office we do a thing but once. Had
I condemned yonder young man to his death--and perhaps I have--I would
not now reconsider that decision. I would not speak so long as this
over it, did I not know and love you both--yes, and grieve over you
both; but what is written is written."

His giant hand fell lightly, but with firmness, on the desk at his
side. The inexorableness of a great will was present in the room as an
actual thing. Tears swam in her eyes.

"You would not hear what was the actual cause of my wish for him----"

"No, my dear! We have made our plans."

"There are other plans afoot these days, Mr. Jefferson."

"Tut, tut! Are you my enemy, too? Oh, yes, I know there are enemies
enough in wait for me and my administration on every side. Yes, I know
a plan--I know of many such. But one thing also I do know, madam, and
it is this--not all the enemies on this earth can alter me one iota in
this undertaking on which I have sent Captain Lewis. As against that
magnificent adventure there is nothing can be offered as an offset,
nothing that can halt it for an instant. No reward to him or me--nay,
no reward to any other human being--shall stop his advancement in that
purpose which he shares with me. If he fails, I fail with him--and all
my life as well!"

She rose now, calm before the imperious quality of his nature, so
unlike his former gentleness.

"You refuse, then, Mr. Jefferson? You will not reopen this case?"

"I refuse nothing to you gladly, my dear lady. But you have seen
him--you have tested him. Did he turn back? Shall I, his friend and
his chief, halt him at such a time? Now that were the worst kindness
to him in the world. And I am convinced that you and I both plan only
kindness for him."

Suddenly he saw the tears in her eyes. At once he was back again, the
courteous gentleman.

"Do not weep, The