"
"But, Madame, why Washington? Is that our home? What actual home
has madame on the face of the earth? Ah, Heaven!--were only it
possible that this man were to be considered. This place so large,
so beautiful, so in need of a mistress to control it. Madame says
she was carried away against her will. _Mon Dieu_! All my life
have I dreamed--have I hoped--that some time a man should steal me,
to carry me away to some place such as this! And to make love of
such a warmness! Ah, _Mon Dieu_!
"Behold, Madame," she went on, "France itself is not more beautiful
than this country. There is richness here, large lands. That
young man Hector, he says that none in the country is so rich as
Mr. Dunwodee--he does not know how rich he is himself. And such
romance!"
"Jeanne, I forbid you to continue!" The eyes of her mistress had a
dangerous sparkle.
"I obey, Madame, I am silent. But listen! I have followed the
fortunes of madame quite across the sea. As madame knows, I do not
lack intelligence.
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