"Madame remembers that man yonder, that savage, Dunwodee?" she began, apropos of nothing. "That savage most execrable, who was so unkind to madame and myself--but who made love so fiercely? I declare, Madame, I believe it was Monsieur Dunwodee set me listening to Hector! _Eh, bien_!" They were sitting near the window, looking out upon the bleak prospect of the winter woods. For the time Josephine made no comment, and Jeanne went on. "He has at last, thank heavens, come to justice. Is it not true that human beings find ever their deserts?" "What do you mean, Jeanne?" "Of the Congress of this state, where he is so long a member, he is now not a member. He has fail', he has been defeat'." "I thought he was sure of reelection so long as he chose," commented Josephine, with feigned indifference. "There is talk--I do not understand these matters--that he has change' his coat, as one says, and gone over to the side of that man Benton. Yet one says that Benton was always his enemy! Me, I do not understand. I have the baby." "What is that you tell me?" suddenly demanded Josephine. "That Mr. Dunwody has _changed_ his political beliefs--that he has become Free Soiler?" Jeanne nodded. "I think it is so name'. I know little of such matters, naturally. To me, my infant here is of much more importance than any question of free soil. It is possible in this country that one day this infant--were it of opposite sex--might arrive to be governor of this state--who knows? It is possible, in the belief of Hector, that this infant, were it a boy, might even become president of this great republic. Ah, well, there are hopes. Who shall set bounds to the achievement of a child well born in this country of America? Is it established that Hector and I may not, at a later time, be blessed with a son? Is it established that that son shall not be president? Is it not necessary that _some_ boy shall grow up to be a president? Very well! Then who shall say that a child of ours, if of a proper sex, Madame, should not one day be president of this republic?" "Yes, yes, Jeanne! I do not doubt that. But now you were speaking of Mr. Dunwody--" "Yes, that is true. I was rejoicing that at last he has been defeat', that he has fail', that he has met with that fate which should be his. Now he has few friends. It is charge' against him--well, Madame, perhaps it were as well not to repeat all of that." "I can understand," said Josephine slowly. "I can guess. Yes, I know."