The Purchase Price | Page 4

afraid--afraid with that
fear which a woman must always have--we did well enough, as I have
said; but now, here in the open, in public, before the eyes of all, who
am I, and who are you to me? I am not your mother?"
"Scarcely, at twenty three or four." He pursed a judicial lip.
"Nor your sister?"
"No."
[Illustration: The _Mount Vernon_]
"Nor your wife?"
"No." He flushed here, although he answered simply.
"Nor your assistant in any way?"
His face lighted suddenly.
"Why not?" said he. "Can't you be my amanuensis,--that sort of thing,
you see? Come, we must think of this. This is where my conscience
hurts me--I can't bear to have my duty hurt you. That, my dear Countess,
cuts me to the quick. You will believe that, won't you?"
"Yes, I believe that. Jeanne," she motioned to her maid who stood apart
all this time, "my wrap, please. I find the air cool. When the body is
weak or worn, my dear sir, the mind is not at its best; and I shall need
all my wits."
"But you do not regard me as your enemy?"
"I am forced to do so. Personally, I thank you; professionally, I must
fight you. Socially, I must be--what did you say,--your amanuensis? So!
We are engaged in a great work, a treatise on our river fortifications,
perhaps? But since when did army officers afford the luxury of
amanuenses in this simple republic? Does your Vehmgerichte pay such
extraordinary expenses? Does your carte blanche run so far as that

also?"
"You must not use such terms regarding the government of this
country," he protested. "Our administration does not suit me, but it has
pleased a majority of our people, else it would not be in power, and it is
no Vehmgerichte, The law of self preservation obtains in this country
as with all nations, even in Europe. But we have planned no
confiscation of your property, nor threatened any forfeiture of your
life."
"No, you have only taken away that which is dearer than anything else,
that which your government guarantees to every human being in this
country--liberty!"
"And even that unconstitutional point shall remain such no longer than
I can help, Madam. Do not make our journey longer by leaving it more
difficult. God knows, I am beset enough even as it is now. But be sure
our Vehmgerichte, as you are pleased to call it, shall never, at least
while I am its agent, condemn you to any situation unsuited to a
gentlewoman. A very high compliment has been paid you in holding
you dangerous because of your personal charm. It is true, Madam, that
is why you were put out of Washington--because you were dangerous.
They thought you could get the ear of any man--make him divulge
secrets which he ought to keep--if you just asked him to do it--for the
sake of Josephine St. Auban!" He jerked out his sentences, as though
habitual reticence and lack of acquaintance with women left it difficult
for him to speak, even thus boldly.
"Oh, thank you, thank you!" She clapped her hands together,
mockingly.
"Before now, women less beautiful than you have robbed men of their
reason, have led them to do things fatal as open treason to their country.
These men were older than you or I. Perhaps, as you will agree, they
were better able to weigh the consequences. You are younger than they,
younger than I, myself; but you are charming--and you are young. Call
it cruel of me, if you like, to take you by the hand and lead you gently
away from that sort of danger for just a few days. Call me jailer, if you

like. None the less it is my duty, and I shall call it in part a kindness to
you to take you away from scenes which might on both sides be
dangerous. Some of the oldest and best minds of this country have
felt--"
"At least those minds were shrewd in choosing their agent," she
rejoined. "Yes; you are fanatic, that is plain. You will obey orders. And
you have not been much used to women. That makes it harder for me.
Or easier!" She smiled at him again, very blithe for a prisoner.
"It ought to have been held down to that," he began disconsolately, "I
should have been all along professional only. It began well when you
gave me your parole, so that I need not sit nodding and blinking, over
against you also nodding and blinking all night long. Had you been
silly, as many women would have been, you could not this morning be
so fresh and brilliant--even though you tell me you have not slept,
which seems to me incredible. I myself slept like