"
"You will perhaps pardon my diffidence at such a time and place,
Sir," she began, at last. "It is difficult for me to understand
what small merit, or large error, of mine should bring me here."
"Madam, we wish that your abilities were smaller," smiled the tall
gentleman. "That is the very thing of which we wish to speak. It is
your activities which have seemed to us matters of concern--indeed,
of kindly inquiry, if you do not mind. These gentlemen, I think, I
do not need to introduce. We are all of us interested in the peace
and dignity of this country."
"Have I done anything against either?" asked she.
"Ah, you have courage to be direct! In answer, I must say that we
would like to ask regarding a few things which seem to be within
your own knowledge. You, of course, are not unaware of the popular
discontent which exists on this or the other side of the great
political question in America to-day. We are advised that you
yourself have been a traveler in our western districts; and it
seemed to us likely that you might be possessed of information
regarding matters there of which we get only more interested, more
purely partisan, reports.
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