'Of course you can. I will go and prepare her, then take you to her at once.'

Joseph's face cleared. 'I hate to leave her for so long'. During his stay at Richmond Hill he had grown side whiskers, glossy black tufts on his checks. He was proud of the dignity they gave him and very conscious of them. In moments of embarrassment he fingered them absently, tugging and smoothing. He did so now. 'She may forget all about me.'

'Nonsense,' said Aaron heartily. 'Of course she won't. Write her love-letters, the moony stuff women like. Quote poetry. Tell her about your heart, how fast it beats when you think of her. Tell her you arc in a fever of impatience for the wedding day. By the by, have you two decided on that blissful date?'

'No, sir. I've tried, but she only says she doesn't believe in early marriages, and quotes Aristotle to prove it.'

Aaron laughed, divided between amusement and exasperation. What a lover—cowed by Aristotle! No wonder the child put him off. But it was vitally necessary that they should be married as soon as Alston could finish his business and family arrangements and get back North. Creditors were still imperfectly appeased, and he could borrow no more from Alston at present, though the young man would come into a substantial sum upon his marriage.

And from the political angle a close connection with South Carolina was imperative. Though it had occurred to no one else, Aaron foresaw the possibility of a tied electoral vote between himself and Jefferson. In this event South Carolina's influence might easily swing the election.

These considerations were not, however, the most important. There was Theo herself. If her little episode with the unknown boy by the East River had caused him to think that it was high time she married the right man, the shocking incident with this Captain Lewis the other night had confirmed his opinion with regrettable emphasis. She must be anchored at once in a safe port where the chance winds of passion could not reach her. He had not the smallest doubt that his decision was right, all the more so since it gave him pain to part with her.

'Write to her by every packet,' he went on, knowing that Theodosia would be far more receptive to a courtship by letter. 'Very often one expresses oneself better on paper, and Theo is an excellent correspondent.'

'I'm not,' said Joseph gloomily.

'But indeed you are, my dear boy,' contradicted Aaron quite sincerely. He considered Joseph's facility with the written word to be his one native asset.

Theo accepted her farewell interview with Joseph placidly. During these days of illness she had managed to forget about him, as she had forgotten everything except the headache. Still, when her duty had been pointed out to her, she admitted the reasonableness of Joseph's request.