"As to the latter, it makes little difference," said she. "I will confess to being a revolutionist and a visionary reformer; and an absolute failure. I will confess that I have undertaken things which I thought were within my power, but which were entirely beyond me. Well, it has ruined me also in a material way." "How, do you mean?" "This colonization work was carried on by my own funds. It is not long ago that I got a letter, saying that my funds were at an end. I had some small estates in the old country. They are gone,--confiscated. My last rents were not collected." She, in turn, smiled, spreading out her hands. "You see me here in St. Genevieve, perhaps on my way to St. Louis. Tell me, is there demand for persons of foreign experience, who understand a little French, a little English, perhaps a little music? Or could there perhaps be a place for an interpreter in Hungarian, French or English?" [Illustration: She turned, spreading out her hands.] It was his turn to show consternation. "Is it indeed true?" he said. "Now it is time for me to say I am sorry. I do not understand all about it. Of course I could see all along that an immense amount of money was being paid into this colonization folly. And it was your money, and you are ruined,--for the same hopeless cause! I am sorry, sorry! It's a shame, a shame!" "I am not sorry," said she. "I am glad! It is victory!" "I will not say that!" he burst out. "I will not admit it, not confess it. It is all right for me, because I'm a man. I can stand it. But you--you ought to have ease, luxury, all your life. Now look what you have done!" There came a sudden knock at the door, and without much pause. Hector entered, somewhat excited. "Monsieur,--Madame!" he exclaimed. "One comes!" "Who is it?" demanded Dunwody, frowning. "_Mon pere_! He is come but now from Tallwoods, Monsieur." "What is wrong out there? Tell him to come in." "I go." A moment later, Dunwody left the room, to meet old Eleazar, who made such response as he could to the hurried queries. "Monsieur," said he, "I have ridden down from the hills. There is trouble. In the neighborhood are some who are angry because their negroes have disappear'. They accuse Monsieur Dunwodee of being the cause, and say that he is traitor, a turncoat. This very night a band are said to plan an attack upon the house of monsieur! I have met above there Monsieur Clayton, Monsieur Bill Jones, Monsieur le Docteur Jamieson, and others, who ride to the assistance of Monsieur Dunwodee. It is this very night, and I--there being no other to come--have come to advise. Believing that monsieur might desire to carry with him certain friends, I have brought the large carriage. It is here!" "Thank God!" said Dunwody, "they don't vote with me, but they ride with me still--they're my neighbors, my friends, even yet!