At the sound of Minerva's trot, he jumped off his horse and rushed toward her. 'I was in a rare pother, worrying for fear you weren't coming,' he greeted her, tethering her mare to a pine stump. He held out his arms to help her down. Her skirt caught on the side pommels and he, perforce, caught her against him to save her from falling. The clasp of his arms, the momentary pressure of his hard young chest, stirred her. Tingling excitement crept over her body, followed by fear. She heard his quick indrawn breath, and was oppressed with a feeling of embarrassment.

There had been nothing like this before in her experience. Natalie's horror at her escapade, which had been so amusing, now seemed to her justified. She was cheapening herself—he must think her vulgar and ill-bred to meet him this way.

She jerked away from him with unnecessary violence, saying stiffly: 'Good day to you, sir. I came only because I had promised. I cannot stay a minute.'

'But why?' he protested. 'We have so much to talk about, and I—I have brought something to read to you. It would amuse you, I think,' he added.

Theo hesitated, her round cheeks stained bright with color.

'This is all most unconventional,' she said at last. 'We don't even know who we arc—I mean who the other is'. 'Heaven's mercy!' He gave a shout of laughter. 'Is that all? And soon remedied. I am Washington Irving, brother to Doctor Peter Irving. I live on William Street, and I am reading law, but I find it excruciatingly dull. I much prefer poetry and romances, and dreams of far countries'. He grinned at her. 'And I much prefer literary conversations with beautiful young ladies. Now it's your turn, Dulcinea.'

Theo dimpled, her poise returned. 'I am Theodosia Burr, daughter to Aaron Burr.'

He nodded. 'I thought as much. I've heard you described: "A paragon of loveliness and learning." Now, if the proprieties are satisfied, will you stay a little and let me read to you?' She smiled assent. After all, why not? Her silly panic had passed. And he was most respectable: Doctor Irving was well thought of in the city. Besides, she liked this young man; he was totally different from anyone she had met.

They seated themselves on a mound of pine needles. He spread his cloak over a lichen-covered boulder and their backs rested against it. It was deliciously cool. Sunlight filtered down through oak and poplar leaves. A small breeze sighed up the river, blowing away the mosquitoes which so often plagued the Manhattan countryside. The air was pungent with the fragrance of wild strawberries and pine. There was no sound except the rhythmic mouthings of the horses, as they edged placidly around their bridle-lengths, cropping the sweet wild grass.