d, dare come to you to-night."

"With what purpose, then. Sir?"

"With the immediate purpose of learning at first hand the truth of
the revolutionary system in Europe. I have not been abroad of
late, indeed not for some years. But I know that our diplomacy is
all a-tangle. The reports are at variance, and we get them colored
by partisan politics. This slavery agitation is simply a political
game, at which both parties and all sides are merely playing.
Party desirability, party safety--that is the cry in the South as
much as in the North. Yet all the time I know, as you know, of the
hundreds of thousands of men who are leaving Europe to come to this
country. A wave of moral change is bound to sweep across the
North. Madam, we dwell on the eve of revolution here in America as
well as in Europe. Now do you see why I have come to you to-night?
Have we not much in common?"

"I am glad," she said simply; "I am proud. Me you overrate, but my
wishes and my hopes you do not overrate. Only,--" and she
hesitated, "why to-night; why in this particular way?"

"I arrive at that. My own plans take me soon to Europe. I am
determined to investigate upon the very ground itself this question
of a national repression of the human conscience."

She sat a trifle more erect, a trifle more haughty. He seemed to
read her thoughts.

"Let me hope that you also have planned an early return. We have
much which we might discuss of common interest. There is much of
interest in that country beyond, which we might see. I do not
venture any suggestion for you, but only say that if it were within
your own desires to travel in the company of a man whose former
station at least ought to render your reputation safe, you and your
servants will be welcome in my company. My party will have other
gentlemen and ladies, not of mean station, I hope."

She looked at him, hesitating, studying. It was hardly a fair
contest, this of youth and scant experience against suavity and
shrewdness strengthened by years of public life.

"I am somewhat helpless, Sir," she said, at length. "To converse
with one so able as yourself,--what woman of my ambitions would not
be pleased with that? But I am a woman, and alone in the world. I
am already denounced as careless. There already has been talk.
Moreover, as you see, I am committed now fully to this great work
of freeing and sending from America the negro slaves. Take them
from this country. R