human
My dear, said he,
gpt
I know it is an intrusion, Mr. Jefferson, began Theodosia Alston again, her face flushing swiftly.
human
But you are so good, so kind, so great in your patience that we all take advantage of you. And yet you are so tired,
gpt
I was not so fortunate as to find time for sleep last night.
human
Nor was I.
gpt
Tut, tut! No, no, my dear, that sort of thing will not do. He looked at her in silence for some time.
human
Perhaps, my dear, said he at last,
gpt
How did you know?
human
Why should I not know? He pushed his chair so close that he might lay a hand upon her arm.
gpt
Listen, Theo, my child. I am an old man, and I am your friend, and his also. I had need to be very blind had I not known long ago what I did know. I am, perhaps, the only confidant of Captain Lewis, and I repose in him confidences that I would venture to no other man; but he is not the sort to speak of such matters. It is only by virtue of exceptional circumstances, my dear, that I know the story of you two.
human
I was glad to send him away, sorely as I miss him. But then, you said, you come to me about him?
gpt
Yes, after he is gone--knowing all that you say--because I trust your great kindness and your chivalry. I come to ask you to call him back! Oh, Mr. Jefferson, were it any other man in the world but yourself I had not dared come here; but you know my story and his. It is your right to believe that he and I were--that is to say, we might have been--ah, sir, how can I speak?
human
You need not speak, my dear, I know.
gpt
I shall be faithful to my husband, Mr. Jefferson.
human
Captain Lewis knows that also. He would be the last to wish it otherwise. But, since it was his misfortune to set his regard upon one so fair as yourself, and since fate goes so hard for a strong man like him, then I must admit it needed strong medicine for his case. I sent him away, yes. Would you ask him back--for any cause?
gpt
Only for himself--for that reason alone, Mr. Jefferson, and not to change your plans--for himself, because you love him. Oh, sir, even the greatest courts sometimes arrest their judgment if there is new evidence to be introduced. At the last moment justice gives a condemned man one more chance.
human
What is it, Theodosia? he said quietly.
gpt
I do not grasp all this.
human
Able men say that this government cannot take advantage of the sale of Louisiana to us by Napoleon--that our Constitution prevents our taking over a foreign territory already populated to make into new States of our own----
gpt
Good, my learned counsel--say on!
human
Forgive my weak wit--I only try to say this as I heard it, well and plainly.
gpt
As well as any man, my dear! Go on.
human
Therefore, even if Captain Lewis does go forward, he can only fail at the last. This is what is said by the Federalists, by your enemies.
gpt
And perhaps by certain of my own party not Federalists--by Colonel Aaron Burr, for instance!
human
Yes!
gpt
I cannot pause to inquire what my enemies say, my dear lady. But in what way could this effect our friend, Captain Lewis? He is under orders, on my errand.
human
I saw him this very morning--I took my reputation in my hands--I followed him--I urged him, I implored him to stop!
gpt
Yes? And did he?
human
Not for an instant. Ah, I see you smile! I might have known he would not. He said that nothing but word from you could induce him to hesitate for a moment.
gpt
My dear young lady, I said to Captain Lewis that no report from any source would cause me for an instant to doubt his loyalty to me. If anything could shake him in his loyalty, it would be his regard for you yourself; but since I trust his honor and your own, I do not fear that such a conflict can ever occur!
human
My dear, would you wish him to come back--would you condemn him further to the tortures of the damned? And would you halt him while he is trying to do his duty as a man and a soldier? What benefit to you?
gpt
What benefit, indeed, to me? Do you think I would ask this for myself? No, it was for _him_--it was for _his_ welfare only that I dared to come to you. And you will not hear new evidence?
human
Madam, said he, coldly,