ion of free soil. It is possible in this
country that one day this infant--were it of opposite sex--might
arrive to be governor of this state--who knows? It is possible, in
the belief of Hector, that this infant, were it a boy, might even
become president of this great republic. Ah, well, there are
hopes. Who shall set bounds to the achievement of a child well
born in this country of America? Is it established that Hector and
I may not, at a later time, be blessed with a son? Is it
established that that son shall not be president? Is it not
necessary that _some_ boy shall grow up to be a president? Very
well! Then who shall say that a child of ours, if of a proper sex,
Madame, should not one day be president of this republic?"

"Yes, yes, Jeanne! I do not doubt that. But now you were speaking
of Mr. Dunwody--"

"Yes, that is true. I was rejoicing that at last he has been
defeat', that he has fail', that he has met with that fate which
should be his. Now he has few friends. It is charge' against
him--well, Madame, perhaps it were as well not to repeat all of
that."

"I can understand," said Josephine slowly. "I can guess. Yes, I
know."

Jeanne nodded. "Yes, they bring up stories that at one time you
and I--well, that we were there at Tallwoods. But these wild
people here, who shoot, and fight with knives, they are of all
peoples in the world the most strict and the most moral, the most
abhorrent of what is not their own custom of life. Behold, that
droll Mr. Bill Jones, in jest perhaps, expressed to others his
belief that at one time there was a woman conceal' about this place
of Tallwoods! Yes! Madame knows with what ground of justice this
was said. Very well! The people took it up. There was comment.
There was criticism. These charges became public. It was rumored
thus and so in all the district of Mr. Dunwodee. He has fought the
duel--oh, la, la!

"Ah, well, as for madame, by this time she was far away. None knew
her name. None doubted regarding her. But as for Mr. Dunwodee, he
was here,--he was discover'! Behold it all! At the election he
was defeat'. Most easily did this happen, because, as I have said,
he no longer was of the same political party which formerly had
chosen him. There you have him. That has come to him which he has
deserve'!"

The eyes of Josephine St. Auban flashed with interest over this
intelligence. "He has changed his belief, his party! But no, it