'Father——' She hesitated, fearing to open a topic too painful, but she had to hear from his own lips. 'Will you tell me of the duel? There have been so many rumors and—slanders. I have no clear account of it. You never mentioned it directly.'

Aaron nodded wearily. 'I am sick to death of the subject. I wish to forget it, but I recognize your right to question me, though I recognize no one else's. I need not go into the provocation to you, I think. It has been continuous for years.'

'Yes, I know. Even as a child I realized that Hamilton was your bitter enemy. Before you did yourself, I think.'

'Yes, perhaps. I was stupidly blind for too long a time. At any rate, before I challenged him, I gave him ample opportunity to apologize or explain. He declined to do either and stated that he was willing to abide by the consequences. I know he did not wish to fight, but it's not true, as many say, that he had no intention of firing at me. He discharged his pistol as my ball took effect. The shot went wild, but that it went deliberately so, I do not believe.'

'Then how can they say that the duel was unfair?' she cried passionately.

Aaron sighed. 'I don't know, my dear, except that, as I have told you before, "they" can say anything. Every detail of our meeting was according to the code. Van Ness was my second and Pendleton his. Doctor Hosack was the surgeon—all respectable men, but their words arc ignored. It has seemed desirable to the Federalists and to some Republicans, too, to make of me a criminal and a murderer. The States of New York and New Jersey are engaged in a charming dispute as to which shall have the honor of hanging the Vice-President.'

'Oh, don't! How can you speak of it so flippantly? It—it terrifies me.'

'It need not,' he said, smiling at her. 'You needn't have the slightest fears for my safety. There is not a shred of legal evidence if it should come to trial. But it won't.'

They were silent a moment, while the lantern flickered beside them, and a chill breeze stirred the moss above them.

Theodosia moved. 'I do feel great pity for Mrs. Hamilton and the children, especially Angelica; she adored her father almost as——as I love you.'

' Yes, I know. But Hamilton's health was none too good; he might have dragged out in gradual decay instead of dying what the public is pleased to call a martyr's death. His career was in eclipse, his influence waning, but now through the act of being shot he has become a hero; the nation resounds with his plaudits. He may thank me'—Aaron's voice sharpened—'he may thank me,' he repeated, 'for I made him a great man.'