So thought Joseph, saving his pride, and she let him think so. It didn't matter what he thought, so long as she escaped the embraces which had always been revolting and would now be unbearable. She felt some guilt for this final complete denial of conjugal rights, but none for the secret occupation which consumed every free minute she dared snatch: the dispatch of letters, to everyone who might have influence to remove the persecution against Aaron.

When, in the spring of 1809, she read of the election of James Madison to the Presidency, her heart beat high with hope. Had not Dolly once said, 'Of course, I am Colonel Burr's friend'? That charming blue-eyed lady would not be cold as were these ingrates. And she could do anything with her Jemmy.

Theo sharpened her quill and bent again to the task.

Madam: You may perhaps be surprised at receiving a letter from one with whom you have had so little intercourse for the last few years. But your surprise will cease when you recollect that my father, once your friend, is now in exile; and that the President only can restore him to me and to his country.

Her pen flew over the pages of entreaty, but she warned the good lady that ' Mr. Alston is ignorant of the step I have taken in writing to you.'

When the answer came, it was cruelly disappointing. Dolly wrote affectionately. It took careful re-reading to discover that the sweetness concealed denial. There was nothing that the Madisons could do ' at present' except tender good wishes and affectionate remembrances, etc.

In truth, Madison was far too harassed in attending to other legacies from the Jefferson administrations to concern himself with an unpopular exile.

This was a blow to Theo, who had counted on Dolly's friendship. Still, Aaron's letters were encouraging. He was enjoying himself in London; had met a vast number of people in high places, many of whom were sympathetic to 'X'. Lord Holland and the Earl of Bridgewater had received him cordially. He made long visits to Jeremy Bentham, the philosopher, a kindred spirit. There was no cause for worry.

Theo kept these precious letters locked in a small casket which she carried with her everywhere. She wrote voluminous answers and bribed little Cupid to smuggle them off the Waccamaw to the northbound mail. This procedure was unnecessary, for Joseph was often absent, and, if he had intercepted one of her letters now, he would have looked the other way.

But Theo took no chances. He had once concealed a letter, one of such importance that had he not done so it might have changed Aaron's life. She could not trust him where her father was concerned.