n? "Ah, of course he told you the story, Rene," said Schmidt
when he heard of this interview.

Mr. Gouverneur, having offered the inevitable hospitality of his
sideboard, was in no hurry.

Rene, although in hot haste to be done with his strange errand, knew
better than to disturb the formalities of welcome. He must inquire after
Mrs. Gouverneur, and must answer for his mother. At last his host said:
"You do small justice to my rum, Vicomte. It is as unused to neglect as
any young woman. But, pardon me, you look tired, and as if you had made
a hard journey. I see that you are anxious and too polite to interrupt a
garrulous man. What can I do for you or our friend Schmidt!"

"I have this packet of papers which should go at once to the corvette
_Jean Bart_. One Francois-Guillaume Need is the Captain."

"And I have been delaying you. Pray pardon me. Despatches, I suppose,
for my cousin Gouverneur Morris." Rene did not contradict him. "We will
see to it at once, at once. The _Jean Bart_ sails to-night, I hear. She
has waited, we knew not why."

"For these despatches, sir. Can I not be set aboard of her at once?"

"Surely," said Gouverneur; "come with me."

As they walked toward the water Mr. Gouverneur said: "You have, I think
you told me, a despatch for the captain of the corvette. Let me urgently
advise you not to board that vessel. My boat shall take you to the
ship,--deliver your despatch,--but let nothing tempt you to set foot on
her deck. We are not on very good terms with France; you are still a
French citizen. Several of the corvette's officers have been in
Philadelphia. If you are recognized as a French noble, you will never
see America again. You know what fate awaits an emigre in Paris; not
even your position in the Department of State would save you."

De Courval returned: "You are no doubt right, sir. I had already thought
of the risk--"

"There need be none if you are prudent."

"But I ought to receive a receipt for the papers I deliver."

"That is hardly needed--unusual, I should say; Mr. Randolph will
scarcely expect that."

De Courval was not inclined to set the merchant right in regard to the
character of the despatches, for it might then be necessary to tell the
whole story. He made no direct reply, but said merely: "I am most
grateful--I shall have the honor to take your advice. Ah, here is the
boat."

"It is my own barge," said Gouverneur. "Be careful. Yonder is the
corvette, a short pull