erest obtained
my freedom at the cost of my exile. My wife had died in giving birth to
a still-born child. My father, an old man, provided me with small means,
which I now do not need, nor longer accept, since he gave grudgingly,
because I had done that which for him was almost unpardonable. I went to
England and France, and then came hither to breathe a freer air, and, as
you know, have prospered, and am, for America, rich. You cannot know the
disgust in regard to arbitrary injustice with which I left my own land.
I felt that to use a title in this country would be valueless, and
subject me to comment and to inquiry I wished to avoid. You have earned
the right to know my story, as I know yours. Mr. Alexander Hamilton and
my business adviser, Mr. Justice Wilson, alone know my name and title,
and, I may add, Mr. Gouverneur Morris. I shall say to the two former
that you share this knowledge. They alone know why it is reasonable and,
indeed, may have been prudent that, until my return home, I remain
unknown. It is needless to go farther into the matter with you. This
simple life is to my taste, but I may some day have to go back to my own
land--I devoutly trust never. We shall not again open a too painful
subject."

De Courval said, "I have much to thank you for, but for nothing as for
this confidence."

"Yet a word, Rene. For some men--some young men--to know what now you
know of me, would disturb the intimacy of their relation. I would have
it continue simple. So let it be, my son. Come, let us go. How still the
woods are! There is here a quiet that hath the quality of a gentle
confessor who hears and will never tell. Listen to that owl!"

As they drew near to the house the German said: "_Ach_, I forgot. In
December I suppose we must go to the city. You are not as yet fit for
steady work; but if I can arrange it with Wynne, why not let me use you?
I have more to do here and in New York than I like. Now, do not be
foolish about it. There are rents to gather in, journeys to make. Let me
give you five hundred _livres_ a month. You will have time to ride,
read, and see the country. I shall talk to Hugh Wynne about the matter."
Thus, after some discussion and some protest, it was arranged, the young
man feeling himself in such relation to the older friend as made this
adjustment altogether agreeable and a glad release from a return to the
routine of the counting-house.

Too often the thought of Carteaux haunted him, while