nant, but I couldn't identify the candles could I, my dear, and so-"

But, at this point, Mrs. Blennerhassett thought that his explanation had proceeded far enough. She grasped her husband's arm and said in a low tone to him, "But Harman, we have guests. Let me present you.' She advanced with her husband towards the little party who arose as they approached. "Mr. Burr, allow me to introduce my husband."

Colonel Burr advanced with extended hand. "I am delighted," said he, "to make Mr. Blennerhassett's acquaintance."

Blennerhassett drew back, a look of uncertainty upon his face. "Burr!" he exclaimed. "What Burr? Not Aaron Burr!"

Burr bowed low, and said in dignified, measured tones, "Colonel Aaron Burr, at your service."

Blennerhassett looked disturbed. The thought ran through his mind, "The man who killed Hamilton-" then, realizing that ordinary politeness required that he should speak, he said:

"You are welcome, sir, to the hospitalities-"

Mrs. Blennerhassett remarked, apologetically, to Burr, "My husband is very nearsighted. Harman," she said, ad ressing her husband: "Colonel Burr is waiting to shake hands with you."

Blennerhassett drew himself up and said with hauteur, “I regret it, sir, but I cannot give my hand to the murderer of General Hamilton." A look of astonishment showed itself in Mrs. Blennerhassett's face. "Remember, Harman," she cried, "he is your guest, and that his daughters are present.'

Burr comprehended the situation. It had ever been thus; always prejudged before he had an opportunity to speak a word in his own defence, presuming that he had been disposed to speak that word. But he regretted the situation in which Mrs. Blennerhassett

had been placed by her husband's untoward remark, and, like a true gentleman, he hastened to rescue her from her dilemma. He turned to her:

"Madam, do not fear. I shall not transcend the bounds of hospitality." Addressing Blennerhassett, he said: "Sir, my friend Hamilton, whom I shot, would not have used so harsh a term as murderer."

Here Blennerhassett, who had evidently based his opinion upon Mr. Ashelyn's remarks concerning the duel, cried," But he was at your mercy!"

Burr replied in a spirited manner: "He was the aggressor and met the fate that any man invites when he slanders a gentleman and then refuses reparation. Slander has slain more than the sword."

Blennerhassett was not convinced. "Duelling is not an attribute of a gentleman or a hero. The polished Greek knew nothing of it. The noble Roman was above it. Rome held in equal detestation the man who exposed his life unnecessarily, and he who refused to expose it when the public good required it. Her heroes were superior to private contests; they indulged in no vengeance except against the enemies of their country."

Mrs. Blennerhassett was almost overcome by her emotions. She knew the firmness of her husband's character when his sentiments were strongly aroused. She divined that her guest was equally set in his opinions. A collision of highly wrought and excited tempers seemed imminent. She ran to her husband and grasped him by the arm, while Theodosia and Kate took their posts on either side of Burr. Little Aaron had wandered off to the other end of the room, evidently much interested and amused by the pretty pictures that he had found in a book which he had taken from the table without permission.

On his part, Burr felt that unless his visit was to come to an untimely conclusion, and all the visions that

he had formed of Prince Fortunatus were to vanish in thin air, he must, in some way, explain to the master of the house the event which, it was evident, he so thoroughly misunderstood.

66

"Ladies," Burr began, "you will bear me witness that this unhappy discussion is not of my choosing, and I trust will forgive me if I live over again that sad affair by recalling some particulars that must be unknown to Mr. Blennerhassett." Turning to Mr. Blennerhassett he asked, in ringing tones: Sir, suppose a mean and cowardly individual should slander you and not stand up to it when cornered? Suppose you should forbear and forbear, forgive and forgive; yes, even stoop to remonstrate? If you had no choice except to slink out of sight, a wretch degraded and despised, or meet the calumniator on the field and silence him, what would you do? You are an Irish gentleman and I can answer for you. You would meet him, as I did! Supposing when you stood up to fire he caught your eye and quailed under it like a convicted felon? You would kill him, as I did! Supposing you should find his last will and testament to read like the confessions of a penitent monk; you would despise him, as I do!"

Blennerhassett thought for a moment. His wife looked into his face, anxiously. At last, she saw those signs which, to her practised eye, indicated that the severity of his former judgment was to be relaxed. Turning to Burr, he said:

"Had you never braved death but in a duel, your words would have no effect upon me, but you both did your duty in the army of your country, and I had forgotten, we are not Greeks or Romans, but the slaves of cruel modern customs. Sir, there is my hand. Welcome to Blennerhassett Island!"

CHAPTER XVII

B

THE SONG OF THE DRUM

URR had carried his point. He and his party had received a cordial welcome from both the Prince and the Princess, and, although he did not express his intention to his companions, his mind was made up to remain upon the island until he had secured every possible advantage from the new acquaintance that he had made. He was not sorry, all things considered, that there had been a misunderstanding and some explanations had become necessary. The result had been that he was now on a much better footing with his host and hostess than he would have been had the visit been but a casual call with no attendant exciting circumstances. spired had broken the ice and had opened several avenues through which he could present his schemes to his entertainers.

The incidents which had tran

The dinner was very enjoyable. In addition to Colonel Burr's party, there were Mr. and Mrs. Reed and their daughter. No reference was made during the repast to the business relations between Mr. Blennerhassett and Mr. Reed, but the pleased expression on the latter gentleman's face, and the looks of contentment upon those of his wife and daughter, indicated that Mr. Blennerhassett's kind treatment of them in their financial difficulties was greatly appreciated.

After dinner, Burr walked down to the little boatlanding. The boat was there and James Gray was its sole occupant. Burr entered the boat and signified his

desire to be rowed back to the raft. There he obtained the trunk containing his personal wearing apparel, and, also, those belonging to his daughter and Kate. These were placed in the boat. Then Burr called the hands together and informed them that he would probably stay for a week or ten days at Blennerhassett Island. He had decided to retain Tom Walters, one of the boatmen, and Bob, the negro boy. He paid Gray and the other boatman for their services and told them that he had no further employment for them. Then Walters rowed him and the baggage back to the island. He then returned to the raft, Burr informing him that he would signal him if he wished the boat at any time.

The evening of the first day was passed very pleasantly in Mr. Blennerhassett's library. The walls were covered with bookcases, upon the shelves of which but few vacant spaces could be found, for his library was extensive, consisting mainly of valuable scientific works. A door opened from the library into the laboratory in which he carried on his scientific experimentswhich, unfortunately, had been experimental only for they had resulted in no new and valuable discoveries. Burr felt equally as well at home in a library as he did upon the battle-field., On the latter, he commanded men; in the former, he commanded authorities, and marshalled them in line as though they had been infantry, cavalry, and artillery. On this first evening, he deftly introduced the subject which was uppermost in his mind. He took occasion, however, to employ only his literary infantry, for the time had not come to open fire with his literary artillery, or to have his literary cavalry make the final charge.

The wearied party soon retired so as to arise at an early hour, and the first day of what was to become a most memorable epoch in American history had passed.

The next day, Mr. and Mrs. Blennerhassett devoted themselves exclusively to the entertainment of their