he bowed out the Republican envoy.

Greatly annoyed, Mr. Randolph put the matter before the members of the
cabinet, who agreed that in justice they must wait for De Courval's
return.

Meanwhile Chovet's gossip had done its work, and there were a dozen
versions which amused many, made others angry, and fed the strife of
parties; for now Fauchet spoke of it everywhere with the utmost freedom.

"It is incredible," said Governor Penn; and the women, too, were all on
the side of De Courval, while Mr. Wynne, in great anxiety, thought fit
to call at Mrs. Swanwick's for news of the vicomte.

He saw in a moment that the widow had heard some of the stories so
freely talked about. She had found to her relief some one to whom she
could speak. "What is all this," she asked, "I hear about Friend de
Courval? My Uncle Josiah has been to tell me and I could make nothing of
it?"

"I know, Mary, only the wildest tales. But when De Courval returns, I
desire to see him at once."

"His mother heard from him to-day and we look for him possibly
to-morrow. Gainor Wynne has been here, in a fine rage. The young man
has very warm friends, Hugh. I cannot believe a word of it."

"Nor I, what I hear. But let him see me at once." The widow was
distressed. "Something there must have been. Alas, my poor Margaret!"

Her life had been for many years a constant struggle with poverty, made
harder by remembrance of early days of ease and luxury. She bore it all
with high-hearted courage and the pride which for some inexplicable
reason will accept any gift except money. It became an easier life when
Schmidt took of her his two rooms and became by degrees their friend,
while the fact that the daughter, inheriting her beauty, was like
herself of Friends, did in a measure keep their lives simple and free
from the need for many luxuries she saw in the homes of their cousins.
Mrs. Swanwick thought, too, of these strangers whom she had nursed,
of the vicomtesse, at times a little trying with her sense of what
was due to her; of her son, kindly, grave, thoughtful of others,
religious,--that was singular,--and twice, as it was said, engaged in
bloody quarrels. How could one understand that?

She knew what her bountiful nature had given these exiles. Now she was
again to be a reproach among Friends and to feel that these people had
brought into her quiet home for her child only misfortune and sorrow. If
Schmidt were but here! Margaret was at home, busy and j