Jeanne nodded.  “I think it is so name’.  I know little of such matters, naturally.  To me, my infant here is of much more importance than any question of free soil.  It is possible in this country that one day this infant—­were it of opposite sex—­might arrive to be governor of this state—­who knows?  It is possible, in the belief of Hector, that this infant, were it a boy, might even become president of this great republic.  Ah, well, there are hopes.  Who shall set bounds to the achievement of a child well born in this country of America?  Is it established that Hector and I may not, at a later time, be blessed with a son?  Is it established that that son shall not be president?  Is it not necessary that some boy shall grow up to be a president?  Very well!  Then who shall say that a child of ours, if of a proper sex, Madame, should not one day be president of this republic?”

“Yes, yes, Jeanne!  I do not doubt that.  But now you were speaking of Mr. Dunwody—­”

“Yes, that is true.  I was rejoicing that at last he has been defeat’, that he has fail’, that he has met with that fate which should be his.  Now he has few friends.  It is charge’ against him—­well, Madame, perhaps it were as well not to repeat all of that.”

“I can understand,” said Josephine slowly.  “I can guess.  Yes, I know.”

Jeanne nodded.  “Yes, they bring up stories that at one time you and I—­well, that we were there at Tallwoods.  But these wild people here, who shoot, and fight with knives, they are of all peoples in the world the most strict and the most moral, the most abhorrent of what is not their own custom of life.  Behold, that droll Mr. Bill Jones, in jest perhaps, expressed to others his belief that at one time there was a woman conceal’ about this place of Tallwoods!  Yes!  Madame knows with what ground of justice this was said.  Very well!  The people took it up.  There was comment.  There was criticism.  These charges became public.  It was rumored thus and so in all the district of Mr. Dunwodee.  He has fought the duel—­oh, la, la!

“Ah, well, as for madame, by this time she was far away.  None knew her name.  None doubted regarding her.  But as for Mr. Dunwodee, he was here,—­he was discover’!  Behold it all!  At the election he was defeat’.  Most easily did this happen, because, as I have said, he no longer was of the same political party which formerly had chosen him.  There you have him.  That has come to him which he has deserve’!”

The eyes of Josephine St. Auban flashed with interest over this intelligence.  “He has changed his belief, his party!  But no, it is not possible that he should come out for our party, our cause, Jeanne,—­our cause, for the people of the world—­for liberty!  I wish I might believe it.  No.  It can not be true.”

“Yet it is true, Madame.  A turncoat!  Bah!”

“No, Jeanne!  Not in the least should you feel contempt tempt for a man who honestly changes a belief.  To turn from error, is not that always wisdom?”