“Mr. Morris!” exclaimed Mr. Jefferson.  “And what has brought Mr. Morris to Virginia?”

“General Washington’s invitation to discuss with him a plan to urge the necessity of a new convention upon Congress.  They have been warm personal friends, as you doubtless know, ever since Mr. Morris visited the camp at Valley Forge, and later drafted such admirable plans for raising money to relieve the troops.  General Washington feels affection for him as a friend and the greatest respect for him as a financier.”

“He is indeed the possessor of many and varied talents,” assented Mr. Jefferson, though without any, great show of enthusiasm.  “Mr. Madison admires him, and was remarking but yesterday that ’to the brilliancy of his genius is added what is too rare—­a candid surrender of his opinions when the lights of discussion satisfied him.’  I own that the eulogy seems a trifle overdrawn to me.  He is a thought too much the aristocrat and society man,” he added, coldly.  “Have you ever seen him, Ned?  No?  He is a striking figure, especially since he had the vast misfortune some years ago to lose a leg in a runaway accident.”

“He consoles himself by saying he will be a steadier man with one than with two legs,” laughed Mr. Hamilton.  “But, seriously, Ned,” he continued, turning to the younger man, “he has a magnificent mind and is a great financier.”

While he spoke, Mr. Jefferson smiled dubiously, for he considered Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Morris to be dangerously alike as financiers.  As for the youth addressed, he listened with his customary quiet attention to the conversation, though he little dreamed how great his own interest in Mr. Morris was to be in after years and how closely they were to be bound together.

“But come, sirs,” suddenly exclaimed Mr. Jefferson, “our discussion of Mr. Morris’s good points must wait, for I see Mrs. Carr looking at you, Colonel.  If you will pay your respects to her, I will be with you in a few moments.  As for you, sir,” he went on, speaking to the youth he called Ned and regarded so affectionately, “you are but wasting your time.  You should be talking with some of these pretty young women.  Shall we say Miss Molly Crenshawe, who is certainly looking most beautiful this evening? or perhaps the dashing Miss Peggy?” He glanced keenly at the youth, who retained all his serene indifference of manner, only blushing slightly and shaking his head.

Mr. Jefferson laughed indulgently.  “Ned, Ned, you were ever a shy youth, and I think time does nothing to help you.  Tis a crime to be as indifferent to women as you are, and, I warn you, there will come a day when some woman will revenge herself upon you for the whole sex, and, when that happens, do not come to me for consolation!” He moved away, still laughing, and left the boy to pay his respects to Mrs. Carr, with whom he was a great favorite, as he was with all who knew him well.  But he never had a large circle of friends.  There were but few who ever really understood and thoroughly appreciated that noble character.  It is the compensation of such natures that they are self-sufficing and are as indifferent of such recognition as they are superior to it.