human
Each time I dreamed that my subtle enemies were tempting you, I prayed in my own soul that you would be strong; that you would go on; that you would be loyal to your duty, no matter what the cost. God answered those prayers, my boy! Whatever was your need, whatever price you paid, you did what I prayed you would do. When the months passed and you did not come back, I knew that not even the woman you loved could have called you back. I knew that you had learned the priceless lesson of renunciation, of sacrifice, through which alone the great deeds of the world always have been done.
gpt
My boy, you are so simple that you will not understand. You do not understand how well I understand you! These things are not done without cost. If there was punishment for you, you took that punishment--or you will! You kept your oath as an officer and your unwritten oath as a gentleman. It is a great thing for a man to have his honor altogether unsullied.
human
Mr. Jefferson! The young man before him lifted a hand. His face was ghastly pale.
gpt
Do not, said he.
human
Do not, I beg of you!
gpt
What is it, Merne? exclaimed the old man.
human
What have I done?
gpt
You speak of my honor. Do not! Indeed, you touch me deep.
human
I shall never listen, my son, said he.
gpt
I will accord to you the right of hot blood to run hot--you would not be a man worth knowing were it not so. All I know or will know is that whatever the price, you have paid it--or will pay it! But tell me, Merne, can you not tear her from your soul? It will ruin you, this hopeless attachment which you cherish. Is it always to remain with you? I bid you find some other woman. The best in the land are waiting for you.
human
Mr. Jefferson, I shall never marry.
gpt
So! You have come back with all happiness, all success, for me and for others--but not for yourself! Such proving as you have had has fallen to the lot of but few men. I know now how great has been the cost--I see it in your face. The fifteen millions I paid for yonder lands was nothing. We have bought them with the happiness of a human soul! The transient gratitude of this republic--the honor of that little paper--bah, they are nothing! But perhaps it may be something for you to know that at least one friend understands.
human
What is lost is lost, the President began again after a time.
gpt
What is broken is broken. But see how clearly I look into your soul. You are not thinking now of what you can do for yourself. You are not thinking of your new rank, your honors. You are asking now, at this moment, what you can do for _her_! Is it not so?
human
She is at Richmond, Merne?
gpt
And the greatest boon she could ask would be her father's freedom--the freedom of the man who sought to ruin this country--the man whom I scarcely dare release.
human
Now, then, said Thomas Jefferson sharply,
gpt
Mr. Jefferson! The face of Meriwether Lewis was strangely moved.
human
I see the actual greatness of your soul; but I ask nothing.
gpt
Why, in my heart I feel like flinging open every prison door in the world. If you have gained an empire for your country, and paid for it as you have, could not a great and rich country afford to pay to the extent of a woman's happiness? When a king is crowned, he sets free the criminals. And this day I feel as proud and happy as if I were a king--and king of the greatest empire of all the world! I know well who assured that kingdom. Let me be, then --he raised his long hand--
human
Go to Richmond, Merne. You will find there a broken conspirator and his unhappy daughter. Both are ostracized. None is so poor as to do either of them reverence. She has no door opened to her now, though but lately she was daughter of the Vice-President, the rich Mrs. Alston, wife of the Governor of her State. Go to them now. Tell Colonel Burr that the President will not ask mercy for him. John Marshall is on the bench there; but before him is a jury--John Randolph is foreman of that jury. It is there that case will be tried--in the jury room; and _politics will try it_! Go to Theodosia, Merne, in her desperate need.
gpt
But what can I do, Mr. Jefferson?
human
Do precisely what I tell you. Go to that social outcast. Take her on your arm before all the world--_and before that jury_! Sit there, before all Richmond--and that jury. An hour or so will do. Do that, and then, as I did when I trusted you, ask no questions, but leave it on the knees of the gods. If you can call me chief in other matters, the President concluded,