"The general business of offspring goes on unceasingly in all the nations," she resumed frankly. "There will be children, whether or not you and I ever find some one wherewith to mate in the compromise which folk call wedlock. But _principles_--ah! my friend, who is to give those to others who follow us? What rare and splendid wedlock brings forth _that_ manner of offspring?" "Madam, in the circumstances," said I, "I should be happy to serve you more omelet." She shook her head as though endeavoring to dismiss something from her mind. "Do not philosophize with me," I said. "I am already distracted by the puzzle you offer to me. You are so young and beautiful, so fair in your judgment, so kind--" "In turn, I ask you not to follow that," she remarked coldly. "Let us talk of what you call, I think, business." "Nothing could please me more. I have slept little, pondering on this that I do call business. To begin with, then, you were there at the Château Ramezay last night. I would have given all I had to have been there for an hour." "There are certain advantages a woman may have." "But you were there? You know what went forward?" "Certainly." "Did they know you were present?" "Monsieur is somewhat importunate!" She looked me now directly in the eye, studying me mercilessly, with a scrutiny whose like I should not care often to undergo. "I should be glad if it were possible to answer you," she said at last enigmatically; "but I have faith to keep with--others--with you--with--myself." Now my own eagerness ran away with me; I became almost rude. "Madam," I exclaimed, "why beat about the bush? I do not care to deceive you, and you must not deceive me. Why should we not be friends in every way, and fair ones?" "You do not know what you are saying," she said simply. "Are you then an enemy of my country?" I demanded. "If I thought you were here to prove traitress to my country, you should never leave this room except with me. You shall not leave it now until you have told me what you are, why you are here, what you plan to do!" She showed no fear. She only made a pretty little gesture at the dishes between us. "At my own table!" she pouted. Again our eyes met directly and again hers did not lower. She looked at me calmly. I was no match for her. "My dear lady," I began again, "my relation to the affairs of the American Republic is a very humble one. I am no minister of state, and I know you deal with ministers direct. How, then, shall I gain your friendship for my country? You are dangerous to have for an enemy. Are you too high-priced to have for a friend--for a friend to our Union--a friend of the principle of democracy? Come now, you enjoy large questions. Tell me, what does this council mean regarding Oregon? Is it true that England plans now to concentrate all her traders, all her troops, and force them west up the Saskatchewan and into Oregon this coming season? Come, now, Madam, is it to be war?"