'I wish you to go out much in society here, Theo. Be gay and laugh. Never for one moment betray fears or agitation, or I renounce thee. You will go into a pleasant house on Clay Street. It is being lent you by the Clarks, who are disposed to be most friendly. Whatever the mob may think, the gentry have been kind and sympathetic. There are many Federalists here who despise Jefferson and incline to admire Burr. You will see.'

Theo was thirsty for the reassurances he gave her, desperately anxious to believe that there could be no doubt of the outcome. And yet, for all the red drugget and the table and chairs, this was a prison. There were stout bars across the windows, and the jailer had locked her in. The grating of his huge brass key had made no impression on her at the time, but she heard it now echoing in her mind as a harsh symbol of defeat.

'I have no heart for gaiety. I fear I cannot pretend it. Let me stay here with you, Father—please'. She put a pleading hand on his arm.

He took the small white hand and raised it briefly to his lips. 'No, my dear. You came, I assume, to help me. And you will do exactly as I say. Mingle in society, present to everyone an unperturbed serenity. More than that, if you meet, as I believe you will, members of the opposition, jurists or John Marshall himself, your woman's wit will guide you as to the best methods of dealing with them. You have my permission to smile and coquet a little. When you choose, you can be irresistible. I hope you have brought some pretty gowns'. She shook her head, troubled. She had not anticipated any such part as this. But she understood him perfectly, and would do her best.

'I brought only simple clothes, except—wait—I believe Eleanore packed for me my new yellow brocade that I had made in Charleston.'

'Good. Yellow becomes you, and if you arc as pale as you seem to be now, buy yourself a pot of rouge. Rub a little on the lips as well. It enhances the whiteness of the teeth. Did you bring the diamond necklace?'

She nodded. She never traveled without it. 'I have it here in my reticule'. She loosened the strings and drew the necklace from its little leather bag.

Aaron lit the two candles which he had wrested from the unwilling jailer. She put the necklace gently down on the bare table where the light caught it. The diamonds shimmered and flashed yellow sparks. They stared at the jewels silently, both held by poignant memory.

Aaron touched one of the diamonds. 'Poor little Miss Prissy,' he said, with a flicker of sadness. 'Another birthday has just passed, your twenty-fourth, and this time I gave you nothing.'