“Your royal highness,” he says, unbuckling the morocco case; “I shall be better than my word. I lay at your feet, not a frigate truly, but a forty-four gun ship of two decks. Here is the token of it--the sword of as brave a sailor as ever sailed.” Commodore Paul Jones presents the Duchess with the vanquished sword of Captain Pearson, which he has taken from the morocco case. The Duchess, who has not foreseen this return to her sally, is deeply stirred. She receives the sword, and presses the gold scabbard to her lips. “It is dear to me as the sword of a conquered Englishman!” she cries, turning with swimming eyes upon the company. “It is doubly dear when it comes from my Achilles of the ocean!” There is a buzz of admiration about the tables. Aimee herself is in a dream of happiness; for she has alarms but no jealousies, and the glory of her lover is her glory. Before the guests break up for departure, Doctor Franklin and Commodore Paul Jones have a word together. “I have asked for it,” says the Doctor, “and de Sartine leads me to think that, as soon as the ship is refitted, the king will give you the _Serapis_.” Commodore Paul Jones brightens to a sparkle. “I could do wonders with so stout a ship,” he replies. “I think you may count on it,” goes on the Doctor. “Indeed, when I remember in what manner the French came by the _Serapis_, I cannot see how the king is to refuse.” “Should I get it, I’ll put Dick Dale in command of the _Alliance_. There shall be no second Landais you may be sure!” “Speaking of the _Alliance_,” returns the Doctor, “I shall send it to America as soon as the overhaul is finished, with certain munitions of war I’ve collected.” Commodore Paul Jones’ pulse begins to beat uneasily. Antony does not want to leave his Cleopatra. What the Doctor next says, sets him to renewed ease. “Lieutenant Dale might better take the _Alliance_ across. You will be needed here, if we are to coax the king into giving you the _Serapis_. There will be time for the _Alliance_ to return before the _Serapis_ is refitted.” Doctor Franklin tells how he has formally relieved Landais from all command, and ordered him to report to the Marine Committee in Philadelphia, on charges of cowardice and treason. Also, Commissioner Arthur Lee has been called home; Congress has become suspicious of his work. “The man’s a greater traitor than Landais!” cries Commodore Paul Jones heatedly. “Without expressing myself on that point,” observes the Doctor, eye a-twinkle, “the situation produced by Mr. Lee’s recall, makes another reason why Dale should sail with the _Alliance_ and you stay here. Mr. Lee, I understand, has decided to take passage home in the _Alliance_.” It is the next day; the Duchess summons Commodore Paul Jones to the morning-room, where she sits alone in the spring sunshine.