Ingham took up the subject of their wives' coldness with Eaton in an unexpected fashion. I have heard that he was thus set in foolish motion by a fear of trouble at ten paces with the war secretary, and would have placated him and missed a bullet. He stood under no cloud of peril, but that dove-like truth was yet to claim him. The General would have been his shield; but Ingham, who regarded the General as chief among the fire-eaters, would be the last to suspect the news. It was on the kibes of a cabinet meeting when Ingham approached Eaton. “Sir,” said Ingham, tugging nervously at his lapels, “sir, there is something of strain between our ladies, about which, if you'll permit, I should like word with you.” “Why, sir,” returned Eaton, seizing the initiative, “I perhaps should tell you that I can not, in her social obligations, control my wife. That, sir, let me say, is work beyond a gentleman. My wife must be her own mistress; and while I know of no just cause why she should refuse to receive or recognize Mrs. Ingham, I must still insist how the right to do both lies wholly in her hands. Personally, I may deplore my wife's refusal of the acquaintance of Mrs. Ingham; however, I stand none the less ready to give you any satisfaction you require.” With this speech, Eaton bent his brows upon the other in such way of iron menace that without a word our timid treasury gentleman clapped on his hat and went pantingly in quest of safer company. “Was it not a master-stroke?” exulted the General, when he related the flurry. “Eaton had the hill of him in an instant; Napoleon himself could not have exhibited a more military genius.” The General, in his glee, would talk of nothing else throughout the evening; but since I left him at an early hour I was not bored too much. Eaton replied in a manner to his credit when one considers the fact of a surprise; but there dwelt therein no reason for that long-drawn delight in which the General indulged. I was so far fortunate, however, as to soon quit him on that particular night, having work to look after, and so escaped his enthusiasm. Any childishness of satisfaction for little reason, by the General, obtruded offensively on my ideal of him, and I would experience no more of it than I might; wherefore I went about my affairs, leaving him in full song, celebrating the gallant cleverness of Eaton, who, to my notion, instead of his smart speeches should have pulled the Ingham nose.