Joseph had ridden off to consult his overseer. It was quiet except for the warbling of a mocking-bird. The air smelled of burning stubble from the rice fields, and the smoky fragrance made Theo think of October at home. But there leaves were burned, and the air would be fresh and crisp. Here, as usual, it was hot. The one frost had not yet been repeated.

She waited for Aaron to continue. Instead he lit himself a cigar, one of Joseph's finest that had been shipped direct from the Havana, inhaled it with sensuous pleasure, and leaning back in his chair said: 'I suppose if I were truly master of myself, I should forswear tobacco. I confess it gives me keen delight. You should smoke, too, Theo. It would calm your nerves, promote tranquillity. You might try a little pipe, such as the nigger beldames use.'

'Oh, Father,' she laughed, 'that would indeed be the final straw for the Alstons. I believe they would pitch me off the Waccamaw Neck into the ocean.'

'I think the time is coming, my dear, when you may be quit of all the Alstons—except Joseph, of course—and they will then come groveling on their knees to claim relationship to you. Even if you smoke a pipe, or paint your teeth red, or wear a parakeet for a hat.'

'What do you mean?' she asked, puzzled by his manner, for his usual bantering smile was absent.

'Mexico,' he said thoughtfully; 'and perhaps Louisiana; maybe even Kentucky and Tennessee. Who can tell? But certainly Mexico.'

She sat up straight, staring at him, uncertain whether to laugh or not. 'Father, what are you talking about? I don't understand a word.'

He turned to face her, and now he smiled, though his eyes were still serious.

'I intend, my dearest Theo, to found an empire.'

She sank back again, smiling. 'Ah, yes. That is a charming dream. You will have two subjects, anyway, Gampy and I. ''You speak truer than you know, but you won't be subjects. You shall be the Princess Royal and Gampy, my heir. There will be millions of other subjects. I'm quite serious, Theo.'

She gazed at him in growing alarm. Those hundreds of miles in an open canoe under the beating sun, might they not have a delayed effect? Or the fever? Sometimes the first symptom was wild talk.

He read her mind as he so often did, and his mouth quirked. 'No, I'm not sickening from anything. I am, in fact, in rude health'. He touched her hand with his long fingers. 'See? I'm quite cool. As cool as one can be in your infernal climate down here.'

He drew his chair close to hers. 'Listen, my dear. I will make it as simple as possible. I know how your lazy little brain hates to work.'