After dinner Burr went with Mr. Peele into the library. Patience, passing through the room, found them talking earnestly upon the great question of the day,—the financial future of the country. She paused a moment, then sat down. To her surprise she found that Burr was master of his subject, and possessed of a gift of words which fell little short of eloquence. The argument lasted an hour, during which Patience sat with her elbows on the table, her chin on her folded hands, her eager eyes glancing from one to the other. Occasionally she smiled responsively as Burr made some felicitous phrase. When the discussion was over, Mr. Peele left the room. Burr arose at once and seated himself beside her. “I never talked so well,” he said. “You inspired me;” and he took her hand in the matter-of-fact manner she knew so well. “You talked quite as well before you saw me—” “I knew you were there—” “Kindly let me have my hand. I have only two—” “Nonsense! Let me hold your hand. I want to! I am going to—Why are you—” “Haven’t you Hal’s hand?” “Oh, my God! You don’t expect me to go through life holding one woman’s hand? Hal is the most fascinating woman in the world, and I love her—but I want you to let me love you, too.” “It is quite immaterial to me whether you love me or not; and, I think, if you want plain English, that you are a scoundrel.” “Oh, come, come. You—_you_—must know more of the world than to talk like that. Why am I a scoundrel?” He looked much amused. “You are engaged to one woman and are making love to another.” “Well, what of that so long as she doesn’t know it? I shall be the most uxorious and indulgent of husbands—but faithful—that is not to be expected.” “You must have great confidence in me. Suppose I describe this scene and conversation to Hal?” “You will not,—not out of regard for me, but because you love Hal—dear little girl! And you are one of the few women devoid of the cat instincts. That long-legged girl, now, has a whole tiger inside of her, but you have only the faults of the big woman. I hope you have their weaknesses.” “Well, you shall never know if I have. Please let go my hand.” He flung it from him. “Oh, well,” he said, haughtily, “I hoped we should be friends, but if you will have it otherwise, so be it;” and he stalked out, and devoted himself to Hal for the rest of the evening. XI