'So? Then I shall be pleased to inform him. Sir, I am Aaron Burr, and this my daughter, Theodosia. She is betrothed to Mr. Alston. She has, therefore, two men who will be delighted to defend the honor and fair name which she herself seems to hold so light.'

Captain Lewis bowed. 'At your service,' he said coldly. 'But your daughter's honor and fair name are not in question. True, I did not know that she was betrothed, yet had I known it would have made no difference; I still would have sought any opportunity to talk with her.'

Aaron saw Theo's sharp intake of breath and her terrified eyes. His anger vanished. He was ashamed of the rage which had shaken him; he had long ago learned that one is never master of a situation when possessed by anger. This long cool fellow had so far had the advantage.

He performed one of his bewildering voltes-face, turning on the full force of his magnetism as though from a spigot.

'Come, Captain Lewis, perhaps I've been overhasty. You must in fairness admit that the situation was startling. Still, I'm willing to make allowances for young blood. It is but natural that a soldier should wish to dally with a pretty face'. Lewis did not relax; he threw Aaron a look of contempt. 'Ask your daughter if that is all it was.'

Aaron went on quickly: 'I do not need to ask my daughter. I know very well that she is already regretting whatever moment of folly her youth and the September evening have betrayed her into.'

'Colonel Burr, I've heard much of you. I am a friend of Jefferson's. I have heard that you arc totally unscrupulous and obsessed by self-interest. I have not liked your reputation, nor the rumors of underhanded conniving which reached me even out beyond the mountains at Fort Wheeling, but I am willing to hope that I was misinformed about you, because you are possessed of such a daughter.'

Theo gasped. The incredible words repeated themselves senselessly in her mind: 'underhanded, conniving, unscrupulous'. That anyone should dare to speak like this to her father! Suddenly she saw Lewis with hostile eyes. Her own behavior became shameful. She moved to Aaron's side, touched his arm timidly, and he, seeing this, laughed with maddening calm.

'My dear, it seems that this backwoods captain sets himself up to be my critic. I think we need scarcely bother with his opinion. Good night to you, Captain Lewis.'

Meriwether Lewis did not move. He was sick at heart; he cursed his bluntness and lack of polished manner. He saw the girl's face averted, closed against him, she who had responded so deeply to him for the space of a few hours.