'News from Paris, Madame,' he said, holding out a letter. 'News about one of whom we talked only this morning.'

'Natalie?' she asked anxiously. 'There's nothing wrong, is there?'

'On the contrary. Natalie, it seems, is married, and to whom, think you?'

Theo digested the first part of his sentence in silence for a moment. Amazing somehow to think of Natalie married, amazing and dismaying. She would then perhaps never again see the kind little elder sister. She had missed her, appreciated her far more after she had sailed, and often longed for her return. There were so few people to whom she was deeply attached.

'I suppose she has married some French nobleman,' she answered at last. 'It is what her mother always wished.'

'Quite so, her mother always wished it, and is apparently angry that Natalie has not obeyed. Natalie has married young Thomas Sumter of South Carolina.'

'A Carolinian!' cried Theo, astounded. 'But she's in France.'

Aaron laughed. 'So is Mr. Sumter. He is secretary to the American Legation. They met on the trip over. Judging from this ecstatic letter, they are very much in love.—Look'. He handed the paper to her.

A paragraph caught her eye. 'Dear Papa Burr: I never dreamed that there could be such happiness; all day long I sing and laugh. He is so handsome, so kind, and yet so much the master—my Tom. You will not think me foolish to tell you that I love him more than anything in life, or life itself'. Theo folded the page quickly. How could the quiet, self-contained little Natalie write with such abandon! She angrily denied to herself a stab of envy, and moved by an unreasoned impulse she hugged her baby so close that he stopped feeding and emitted a reproachful squeak.

She kissed him apologetically and said, 'How strange that we should both marry Carolinians! She will live there some day, I suppose.'

'Yes, at Statesburgh. She will return home next year, she writes, and how delightful for you all will be the reunion'. Theo sighed. 'Yes, but Statesburgh is two days' journey from the Waccamaw. I wish she had married an Alston; it would be heavenly to have her on the next plantation. There would be someon: to talk to.'

Aaron gave his daughter a keen look. 'I know that you do not find your Southern life congenial, but you should rule circumstances, not allow them to master you. A little more spirit, my dear, a little more initiative, and you will be able to create about you whatever atmosphere you desire.'

She shifted the baby to her other arm, and nodded slowly. 'I know, Papa. And when I go back again in October I mean to try very hard.'