'Then how can they say that the duel was unfair?' she cried passionately.
Aaron sighed. 'I don't know, my dear, except that, as I have told you before, "they" can say anything. Every detail of our meeting was according to the code. Van Ness was my second and Pendleton his. Doctor Hosack was the surgeon—all respectable men, but their words arc ignored. It has seemed desirable to the Federalists and to some Republicans, too, to make of me a criminal and a murderer. The States of New York and New Jersey are engaged in a charming dispute as to which shall have the honor of hanging the Vice-President.'
'Oh, don't! How can you speak of it so flippantly? It—it terrifies me.'
'It need not,' he said, smiling at her. 'You needn't have the slightest fears for my safety. There is not a shred of legal evidence if it should come to trial. But it won't.'
They were silent a moment, while the lantern flickered beside them, and a chill breeze stirred the moss above them.
Theodosia moved. 'I do feel great pity for Mrs. Hamilton and the children, especially Angelica; she adored her father almost as——as I love you.'
' Yes, I know. But Hamilton's health was none too good; he might have dragged out in gradual decay instead of dying what the public is pleased to call a martyr's death. His career was in eclipse, his influence waning, but now through the act of being shot he has become a hero; the nation resounds with his plaudits. He may thank me'—Aaron's voice sharpened—'he may thank me,' he repeated, 'for I made him a great man.'
Theo's throat contracted, a passion of loyalty surged through her. Her father's momentary bitterness hurt her doubly, because it showed the pain which he would never admit. He would not allow of sympathy, would permit no recriminations or self-pity from himself or her. It was his pride to accept adversity with the same cheerful, bantering equanimity with which he had taken good fortune, and she admired him for it with a vehemence that had in it at that moment something of worship.
She took his hand and laid it softly against her cheek. 'It is you who are the great man'—she tried to speak with lightness, knowing his dislike of sentimentality, but her voice shook.
He said nothing, though he was profoundly moved. Her faith in him was sweet and more necessary to him than he would allow himself to know. Still, he had ample faith in himself, too—in his ability to surmount this present unfortunate setback and rise like the phoenix into a new incarnation so magnificent as to make his previous activities look like the games of children. He intended to set this plan before her, she was an integral part of it. But not now.
' Did you say you had guests, Theo?' he asked. 'Won't they think it exceeding strange that you absent yourself for so long?'
She started and gave a dismayed laugh. 'I had forgotten them. Oh, Father, I had planned a triumphal entry for you. I thought first to put them in a merry, convivial frame of mind, with—with music and food and our brandy punch. But it's been a complete fiasco.'
'Who are they?' he asked, amused.
'Who but Alstons, Alstons, Alstons! They don't approve of me any more, or you. I thought to win them over, or at least to dazzle them into graciousness despite themselves, but-——'
'But they won't be dazzled?' said Aaron.
'They're a long-nosed, spiteful, hidebound parcel of dolts!' she cried. 'And I cannot subject you to their hostility. You'll have to get upstairs some way and stay there until they go.'
Aaron chuckled. He perfectly understood her plan, and its dramatic possibilities tickled him.
'Oh, no, my dear. I shall not go skulking upstairs to hiding. We'll carry out your idea as you intended. I can manage the Alstons.'
'Joseph will be very angry,' she faltered, 'and they'll be horrible; you've no notion. They're vexed enough with me already.'
'Courage, my dear. A bold offensive is the essence of victory.'
'But aren't you tired? You've been traveling so long.'
'You know very well I'm never tired. I confess that I should like to make some slight improvement in my clothes before bearding your lions, but, as that is impossible, they must accept me as I am.'
He rose and helped her off the slab, picked up the lantern, and held the gate open with the ceremonious courtesy which characterized him. She took his arm.
'One thing, though, Theo. Tell me exactly who is there and any pertinent details as to their recent life, that I may govern myself accordingly. It is ever well to know the enemy's weaknesses.'
On their way to the house she gave him the briefest sketch of each Alston. On the porch he nodded, satisfied.
'Do you go in and have your butler announce me properly. I shall wait here until he comes.'
The men had quitted the dining-table and were now with the ladies in the drawing-rooms, where they had deployed into several small stiff groups. Otherwise, everything was as Theo had left it. The banjos still twanged fitfully, though the black faces above them had a dogged, disheartened look. She saw with surprise that she had been but three quarters of an hour, and they accepted her murmur of apology without comment. She seated herself with Mrs. Young and William Algernon and held her breath.
Almost at once Cato appeared in the doorway, took two steps forward, and bowed to Joseph, who looked astounded. 'Maussa, I'se the nonor to 'nounce Mister the Vice-President,' he said, in ringing tones.
In came Aaron, erect and smiling, blandly unconscious of the gasp that greeted him.
Joseph did more than gasp. He shot to his feet and directed at Theo a furious glare.
Aaron made straight for him, however, and seized his hand. 'My dear Joseph,' he said heartily, 'I'm very glad to see you. I hope that my unexpected arrival is not embarrassing'. And here he made the smallest deprecating grimace that had in it so much of sly humor, and yet so much of careless charm, that Joseph responded to it despite his resentment.
'Your presence in my house could never be an embarrassment,' he said heavily, 'though I confess I am astounded. I had no idea you were within hundreds of miles.'
'No more was I until yesterday.—How do you do, Colonel Alston and Mrs. Alston'. He went over to Joseph's parents, who looked uncertain.
Mrs. Alston sent Maria a glance of supplication for guid ance, but Aaron did not allow her to wait for the answer. He riveted her with his eye, showing his beautiful teeth in a smile so compelling that the poor lady fluttered and at last timidly smiled back.
'How well you look, ma'am. I declare you look as young as your daughter, Charlotte'. Here he favored that young lady with a serious admiring glance that had in it just enough boldness to make it exciting. 'And I perceive that Miss Charlotte has grown into a most fascinating young lady since I saw her last. Egad, I never saw such eyelashes,' he finished in an audible aside to Colonel William.
Charlotte immediately dropped the eyelashes in pretty confusion, thinking that Theo's father might be monstrous wicked as they said, but there was something about him—and he was unmarried, too. This unrelated thought startled her into a genuine blush.
' I have heard much about your unparalleled horse, Gallatin, Colonel. Even up North his successes on the turf arc well known. How is his wind holding? Will he be able to take the handicap again, think you?'
Colonel William thawed with a rush at the mention of the magic name. And Theo, who knew Aaron had never heard of the horse until a few minutes ago when she primed him, stifled an impulse to hysterical laughter. How wondrous clever he was! He knew precisely the right note to strike with each one, precisely how gross to make his flattery, depending on the recipient.
He did not allow them a minute to get the upper hand, but mowed them down one by one with a blend of condescension and graciousness. He did not often choose to dominate a group, preferring to listen and profit from a less conspicuous position. But when he exerted himself, he could gather up any amount of different personalities and combine them into one harmonious chord, with himself as the keynote.
The Alstons were no match for him. He won Mrs. Young's heart at once by telling her that Theodosia h
ad written him of little Eliza, saying that she was the prettiest of children.
With William Algernon he talked of Thomas's latest volume of sermons, and it developed that that serious young gentleman had not been able to procure the book.
'I shall send you it from Washington,' promised Aaron. 'It shall be my pleasure.'
William Algernon was startled to find himself beaming and profusely grateful.
Until only Maria was left, rigidly disapproving, her thin face soured with disdain. Aaron let her be for the present and turned to his daughter.
'Theo, my dear, I am most desirous of leading Mrs. Young out to dance if she will be so good as to honor me. Can you get your niggers to play a reel? They do it better than anyone, I believe. At least Mr. Jefferson always says so.'
'What!' Maria flounced around. 'Surely the President docs not listen to nigger music.'
'Most assuredly he does, Lady Nisbett; he vastly admires it,' said Aaron, which was true enough, but, knowing the lady's temperament, he added, 'and both the Marquis dc Lafayette and the Due dc la Rochefoucauld, when they were here, professed great interest in it'—which he had made up on the spot.
Maria continued to look incredulous and murmured that nothing—absolutely nothing—should induce her to dance to that heathen din. Still, she did condescend to look on while some of her relatives danced. The musicians cheered up and what they lacked in melody they made up for in rhythm.
So Theo's evening was, after all, redeemed from utter failure, and when the guests left, they took leave of Aaron quite cordially. Colonel William, indeed, even urged him to come to Clifton, so that he might see Gallatin for himself and judge of his wind.
'Stay as long as you can, my dear sir; you are always wel come at Clifton'. He had quite forgotten Aaron's disgrace until, in the coach going home, Maria reminded him of it with acrid emphasis.
As the front door of the Oaks swung to behind the last guest, the three inside stood together in the moss-hung rooms. Theo looked up at her husband ruefully. 'You see, Joseph, it was for Father that I wanted Ishmael and the barge, but I dared not tell you. Will you forgive me?'
Aaron laughed. 'She's a minx, but I think you must forgive her. See how pretty she looks tonight.'
She stood between them, small and delicate in her embroidered rose dress, an enchanting expression of mingled naughtiness and contrition on her flushed face. The men's eyes met, for once drawn into accord. Joseph's heavy face lightened.
'You're right, sir,' he said. 'I suppose I must forgive her'. Theodosia, laughing a little, dropped them both a curtsy.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
AARON could stay with them but a few days, it seemed. Then he wished to go to Statesburgh and greet Natalie before returning to Washington. In the Federal District his office protected him. No matter what charges lay against him, he was still Vice-President with duties to perform until March.
'Then what will you do?' asked Theo fearfully. She had been dreading to bring the question up ever since he came. Where would he go, and what could he do, when his term expired and the ten thousand a year with it? New York and New Jersey were alike closed to him.
'There are many things I could do,' said Aaron. 'After all, I am a not incapable lawyer'. He had, in fact, never lost a major case. 'I might hang out my sign in Philadelphia or Richmond. But I shall not. I have far more important things in mind.'
Theo looked up in surprise at an unusual seriousness in his voice.
They were sitting on the wide front porch at the Oaks. Gampy played on the lawn below them, singing a vague little song to himself and dragging a wagon full of treasured stones from a pile on the driveway to another pile beneath the largest live-oak. It was late afternoon, and the slanting sun filtered through moss onto his curls until they sparkled with flame.
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.'
He paused and looked deliberately around to assure himself that there was no one within hearing and, satisfied, went on with quick earnestness.
'Spain is on the brink of war with us. It may break out at any time. That will be the best opportunity. But even if it docs not, I shall go ahead anyway, as soon as my plans arc ready.'
'Plans for what?' she said slowly. 'I don't understand you'
'To conquer Mexico,' he answered, as blandly as though he was saying, 'To take a cup of tea.'
She gazed at him appalled; then she thought she understood. 'You mean that the Government will send you at the head of expeditionary forces, that you will try to seize Mexico for the United States?'
'I mean nothing of the sort. The United States has more than enough land already. I mean to conquer Mexico for us, you and me—and Gampy.'
'But that's fantastic, impossible!' she cried. Her heart beat fast, and again she felt fear.
'It is neither,' he said calmly. 'Already I have negotiated with England through Anthony Merry; they will give us ships. And I have also negotiated with Spain through Casa Yrujo. Spain naturally knows nothing of my interest in Mexico; they are enticed by the thought of regaining their lost Louisiana. Spain's enmity can be used to advantage'. Spain, England, Mexico. Concepts so tremendous as to be overwhelming, and yet he tossed them at her on that quiet porch with the casual deftness of a juggler pitching colored balls.
He watched her struggling to hide her dismay and smiled. 'You will accustom yourself to the idea. There will be plenty of time. I must proceed slowly and with utmost caution. I can do nothing but pave the way until my term expires. Then I shall set out at once on a
preliminary survey. I plan to journey through the Western States and down the Mississippi to New Orleans, testing the temper of the country. New Orleans will, I think, provide the natural base for my operations: particularly as Wilkinson will be Governor of the Louisiana Territory. He and I understand each other very well. He is a reasonable man.'
' General Wilkinson!' she repeated, still more amazed. 'He will be a party to this project?' She remembered the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army as a pompous, arrogant man, much concerned with his own importance.
'Precisely,' said Aaron; 'and already I have found many to view the project with enthusiasm, though I confess I do not outline to each one my ultimate goal as frankly as I do to you. One must use different nets for different fish. I need hardly add that I am trusting to your discretion as I do my own. You must never put a hint of this on paper. I shall give you a cipher which you may use on occasion, and we will refer to the whole matter as "X."'
'But I still don't understand it! How is it possible to found an empire in Mexico? You have no troops, no money. I know that I don't understand these things; I know nothing of statesmanship, or—or intrigue, but I cannot sec——'
'You don't have to, my dear. You must trust me, for I do sec very clearly. Troops and money will come. The Mexicans are ripe for revolution; oppressed by Spain, they will welcome a liberator. All they need is the certainty of succor and a leader. These I will provide.'
His quiet, confident voice impressed her. He was capable of anything—anything. She had always known that. If he had at last found the proper theater for his genius, why should she niggle at him with her foolish fears and misgivings? And yet——