of all consequences. You, my dear Sir, speak of your moral
adherence to some new party. You consider yourself one of the
lamented Free Soil party, and hope a resurrection. This woman does
not pause there--no. She comes here to Washington, at precisely
the time of our final compromise, when all is peaceful, even
slumberous,--and she preaches the crusade of fire and sword. My
dear friend, if you seek a prophet, here is one; and if you want
leadership in your dogma of no slavery north of thirty-six degrees,
thirty minutes, here is prophet and leader in one!--And, believe
me, one with arguments which make her dangerous to one man, two
men, or any collection of men."

The other pondered. "I have never seen the lady," he remarked, at
length. "Is she acquainted among the abolitionists of the North?"

"No. She trains in no one's camp. Indeed, socially she has been
neglected in the North, for reasons said to have been urged in
diplomatic circles."

"Something of an intrigante, eh?"

"At least enough to excite the anger and suspicion of Austria, the
interest of England, the concern of France;--that's all!"

"Of what age is she?"

"Of about that age, my dear Sir, which our children or
grandchildren might claim. I should say, twenty-three,
twenty-four,--not over twenty-six, perhaps. It is difficult to
say. I have met her but rarely."

"You have me at disadvantage, even so," smiled the other. "It is,
however, unnecessary for you to settle your cravat. It is quite
straight; and besides, I think we are quite safe from intrusion of
women here."

"You have never met this fair enthusiast? You are behind the
times!" retorted the wily Kentuckian. "Perhaps you would like that
honor? I think it could be arranged. Indeed," he added, after a
moment spent in careful study of his companion's face, "I would
even undertake to arrange it. My dear Sir, with your well known
charm of manner with men, and women as well, you could in that case
win the lasting plaudits of your country, if you but possessed the
resolution!"

"In a cause so noble, I would do what I might! But what is the
cause? And is it proper for one of my place to engage in it?"

"You could, I say, be hailed by the administration in power, not as
the Father of your Country, perhaps, but as its savior. Take this
woman out of our camp, and into your own. Flock your own fowl
together, you Free Soilers! Take her out of Washington, get her
back to Europ