ur time, Sir
Knight. Your gallant efforts have so far been unsuccessful, but I shall
pray that you may some day return victorious."

Quincy replied in the same tone of banter: "Knowing that you, fair lady,
are ever thinking of me, and that my name is ever upon your fair lips in
prayer, will spur me to renewed effort, for surely no cavalier ever had
a more lovely mistress or a greater incentive to knightly action."

Although he spoke in a chaffing tone, there was an undercurrent of
seriousness in his manner and pathos in his voice that made Alice start
and flush visibly.

Fearing that he had gone too far he quickly changed the subject by
asking abruptly, "Have you come to any decision about your book?"

"Yes," replied Alice, "and I am ashamed to say that your friend's
suggestion and your warm endorsement of it have so increased my egotism
and enlarged my appreciation of my own abilities that I am tempted to
try it, especially now, as you inform me I am independent and can do as
I please."

"Have you progressed so far as to fix upon a subject?" inquired Quincy.

"Yes, provisionally," replied Alice. "I have always been a great admirer
of history, and particularly that of my own country. For the period from
1776, no, from 1607, to the present time I have become conversant with
the thoughts and acts of our patriots and public men. One character has
always been a mystery to me, and I wish to learn all I can about him."

"And he?" questioned Quincy.

"Is Aaron Burr," said Alice. "How I wish I could learn the truth about
the loss of his daughter Theodosia; then the real reasons for his duel
with Alexander Hamilton are not fully understood at the present day.
Then again, I should enjoy writing about that fine old Irish gentleman
and lover of science, Harman Blennerhassett, and his lovely wife,
Margaret."

"Have you decided upon the title?" still further questioned Quincy.

"I have thought of two," she replied, "'Theodosia,' and
'Blennerhassett,' but I strongly incline to the latter."

"So do I," said Quincy, "but you will have to do much more reading, no
doubt, before you commence writing. Historical novels are usually
savagely attacked by the critics, presumably very often from political
motives, and you would have to be very strong in your authorities."

"That is what troubles me," said Alice; "if I only could read--"

"But others can read to you and make such notes as you desire," remarked
Quincy. "I should lik