human
There is the ablest man I have seen in Washington, blurted out Merry suddenly, apropos of nothing that had been said.
gpt
He has manners, and he rides like an Englishman.
human
Say not so! said Burr, laughing.
gpt
Better--he rides like a Virginian!
human
Very well; it is the same thing. The Virginians are but ourselves--this country is all English yet. And I swear--Mr. Burr, may we speak freely?--I cannot see, and I never shall see, what is the sense in all this talk of a new democracy of the people. Now, what men like these--like you----
gpt
You know well enough how far I agree with you,
human
Depends on men like you, said Merry, suddenly turning upon him as they rode.
gpt
How long do you suppose his Majesty will endure such slights as they put on us here day by day? My blood boils at the indignities we have had to suffer here--cooling our heels in your President's halls. I call it mere presumptuousness. I cannot look upon this country as anything but a province to be taken back again when England is ready. And it may be, since so much turbulence and discourtesy seem growing here, that chance will not wait long in the coming!
human
It may be, Mr. Merry, said Aaron Burr.
gpt
My own thoughts you know too well for need of repetition. Let us only go softly. My plans advance as well as I could ask. I was just wondering, he added,
human
If not, 'twas not for the last time! rejoined the older man.
gpt
Yonder young man was made to fill a woman's eye. Your daughter, Mr. Burr, while the soul of married discreetness, and charming as any of her sex I have ever seen, must look out for her heart. She might find it divided into three equal parts.
human
How then, Mr. Minister?
gpt
One for her father----
human
Yes, her father first, as I verily believe. What then?
gpt
The second for her husband----
human
Certainly. Mr. Alston is a rising man. He has a thousand slaves on his plantations--he is one of the richest of the rich South Carolinian planters. And in politics he has a chance--more than a chance. But after that?
gpt
The third portion of so charming a woman's heart might perhaps be assigned to Captain Meriwether Lewis!
human
Say you so? laughed Burr carelessly.
gpt
Well, well this must be looked into. Come, I must tell my son-in-law that his home is in danger of being invaded! Far off in his Southern rice-lands, I fear he misses his young wife sometimes. I brought her here for the sake of her own health--she cannot thrive in such swamps. Besides, I cannot bear to have her live away from me. She is happier with me than anywhere else. Yes, you are right, my daughter worships me.
human
Why should she not? And why should she not ride with a gallant at sunrise for an early cup of coffee, egad?