Even the ladies bent forward to catch my words, and I was not surprised to see that Senor Vallois betrayed still more interest than the other gentlemen. For the first time my partner turned and fixed her eyes upon me. I stated my opinion without further hesitancy. "As to the West Florida boundary," I said, "there can be no doubt. Spain is in the right." "Your proof?" demanded Colonel Burr. I cited such clauses bearing upon the point in the Spanish and French treaties as were known, and other facts which I had heard mentioned by Mr. Daniel Clark. "A plausible statement," remarked General Dearborn. "But with regard to the other Spanish line--the Texas boundary?" "As to that, would not the opinions of Senor Vallois and Colonel Burr be more authoritative?" I countered. "Colonel Burr at least should be well-grounded as to the points in controversy, in view of his high standing as a lawyer and the commonly accredited report in the West that he is negotiating for permission to found a colony within the Spanish territory." "It is the first I have heard of the undertaking," remarked the President, with evident surprise. "You did not mention it to me, Colonel, at our meeting the other day." "Had Your Excellency then considered it expedient to give me the ministry for which I asked, I should have had no need to enter upon speculative projects," returned Mr. Burr, exposing his humiliating rebuff by Mr. Jefferson with a cynical frankness which it was plainly to be seen disconcerted not only the President but his eminent secretaries as well. Mr. Burr paused a moment to enjoy the confusion of his great adversary, then continued: "The project of a colony is as yet indefinite in my mind. I have considered the possibility of retrieving my fortunes by the purchase of four or five hundred thousand acres in the midst of the most fertile tract of Texas,--on the Washita River." "Ah, Texas!" exclaimed Mrs. Madison, turning to Senor Vallois. "Is it not the question of the Texas line which most threatens to terminate our fair relations with your Government?" "Such is the fact, senora," replied the don, with marked reserve. Mrs. Randolph addressed my partner: "Your uncle takes you to Chihuahua by way of Texas, I believe you said, Miss Vallois." "No, madam. I fear I was not clear in my explanations. Senor Vallois had intended to return that way before it was decided that I should accompany him from England." "We go by way of Vera Cruz," explained Senor Vallois. "So long a voyage!" exclaimed Mrs. Smith. "I should have imagined the passage from England would have wearied you of the water for a lifetime." "We came in one of your American packet ships, and were only twenty-seven days in crossing," replied the senorita. "Only twenty-seven days on the ocean!" I exclaimed--"twenty-seven days!" "It is not an extraordinarily quick passage, with favorable weather and our American-built ships," remarked Mr. Madison.