r very
best. Besides----"

He needed not to complete the sentence. Theodosia Alston knew well
enough what was in her father's mind--knew well enough why they both
were here. It was because she would not have come alone. And she knew
that the burden of the work they had at heart must once more lie upon
her shoulders. She once more must see Captain Meriwether Lewis--and it
must be soon, if ever. He was reported as being ready to leave town at
once upon his return from the Osage Indians.

But courtesy did not fail the young Virginian, and at last--although
with dread in his own heart--within an hour of his actual departure,
he called to pay his compliments to guests so distinguished as these,
to a man so high in rank under the government which he himself served.
He found it necessary to apologize for his garb, suited rather to the
trail than to the drawing-room. He stood in the hall of the Chouteau
home, a picture of the soldier of the frontier rather than the
courtier of the capital.

His three-cornered military hat, his blue uniform coat--these made the
sole formality of his attire, for his feet were moccasined, his limbs
were clad in tight-fitting buckskins, and his shirt was of rough
linsey, suitable for the work ahead.

"I ask your pardon, Colonel Burr," said he, "for coming to you as I
am, but the moment for my start is now directly at hand. I could not
leave without coming to present my duties to you and Mrs. Alston.
Indeed, I have done so at once upon my return to town. I pray you
carry back to Mr. Jefferson my sincerest compliments. Say to him, if
you will, that we are setting forth with high hopes of success."

Formal, cold, polite--it was the one wish of Captain Lewis to end this
interview as soon as he might, and to leave all sleeping dogs lying as
they were.

But Aaron Burr planned otherwise. His low, deep voice was never more
persuasive, his dark eye never more compelling--nor was his bold heart
ever more in trepidation than now, as he made excuse for
delay--delay--delay.

"My daughter, Mrs. Alston, will join us presently," he said. "So you
are ready, Captain Lewis?"

"We are quite prepared, Colonel Burr. My men are on ahead two days'
journey, camped at St. Charles, and waiting for me to overtake them.
Dr. Saugrain, Mr. Chouteau, Mr. Labadie--one or two others of the
gentlemen in the city--are so kind as to offer me a convoy of honor so
far as St. Charles. We are quite flattered. So now we start--t