words than "I bid thee good day. I shall not bide this
afternoon," went into the hall and out of the farther door, passing with
bowed head and without a word a gentleman who entered.

Schmidt showed little of the astonishment easily read on De Courval's
face, who, however, said nothing, having been taught to be chary of
comments on his elders; and now taking up his foil again, fell on
guard.

"A man haunted by his past," said Schmidt, as was in fact explained at
breakfast next day, when Mrs. Swanwick, being questioned, said: "Yes. He
was a colonel in the war, and of reckless courage. Later he returned to
Friends, and now and then has lapses in his language and his ways, and
is filled with remorse."

"The call of the sword was too much for him," said Schmidt. "I can
comprehend that. But he had a minute of the joy of battle."

"And then," said the Pearl, "he had a war with himself."

"The maid is beginning to think," said Schmidt to himself. But this was
all on the next day.

As the tall man came out on the porch, Margaret said: "My mother is
occupied. Friend Schmidt, thou knowest Friend Jefferson; and this is our
new lodger," and she said boldly, "the Vicomte de Courval."

"Ah," exclaimed Jefferson, "we have met before. And madame is well, I
trust?"

"Yes; but at this hour she rests. We owe you, sir, our thanks for the
good chance of finding what has been to us most truly a home."

Margaret looked up pleased, she did not fully know why. And so he did
really like them and their quiet home?

Presently Schmidt said to Jefferson: "There is sad news from France, Mr.
Secretary."

"Good news, Citizen; altogether good. What if men die that a people may
live? Men die in war. What is the difference? Titles will go, a king be
swept on to the dust-heap of history." A hot answer was on the lips of
the young noble. He turned, vexed at the loss of his chance as Alexander
Hamilton and Mrs. Swanwick joined them. Jefferson ceased to speak to
Schmidt, and the two statesmen met with the formal courtesy of bitter
hatred. Jefferson could see no good in the brilliant finance of the man
who now talked with courteous ease to one or another. The new-comer was
slight of figure, bright-eyed, with the deep line so rarely seen where
the nose meets the forehead, and above all graceful, as few men are. The
face was less mobile than that of Jefferson, who resembled to a strange
degree the great actor of his name, a resemblance only to be ex