But here she boxed his ears and left the room.  She returned in a moment.  “You have not thanked me!” she exclaimed.  “I deserve to be thanked.”

Hamilton put his arm about her and kissed her affectionately.

“From the bottom of my heart,” he said.  “I deeply appreciate the impulse—­and the sacrifice.”

“But you won’t heed,” she said, with a sigh.  “Good-by, Alexander!  I think Betsey is looking for you.”

XXII

Hamilton for many months was far too busy with the reports he sent to Congress in rapid succession, above all with the one concerning the establishment of a National Bank, to be presented at the opening of the next Session, and with the routine of business connected with his department, to interfere in politics.  He warned General Schuyler, however, and hoped that the scandal connected with the State lands, in which Burr was deeply implicated, would argue for the statesman in his contest with a mere politician.  But Burr, in common with the other commissioners, was acquitted, although no satisfactory explanation of their astounding transactions was given, and General Schuyler lost the election as much through personal unpopularity as through the industry of Burr and the determined efforts of the Livingstons.  Schuyler, the tenderest of men in his friendships, was as austere in his public manner as in his virtues, and inflexible in demanding the respect due to his rank and position.  Of a broad intelligence, and a statesman of respectable stature, he knew little of the business of politics and cared less.  He took his defeat with philosophy, regretting it more for the animosity toward his son-in-law it betokened than because it removed him temporarily from public life, and returned with his family to Albany, Hamilton was annoyed and disgusted, and resolved to keep his eye on Burr in the future.  While he himself was in power the United States should have no set-backs that he could prevent, and if Burr realized his reading of his character he should manage to balk his ambitions if they threatened the progress of the country.  Kitty Livingston he did not see again for many months, for her father died on July 25th.  Hamilton heard of William Livingston’s death with deep regret, for Liberty Hall was among the brightest of his memories; but events and emotions were crowding in his life as they never had crowded before, and he had little time for reminiscence.

Congress adjourned on the 12th of August to meet in Philadelphia in December.  New York followed Washington to the ferry stairs upon the day of his departure, weeping not only for that great man’s loss, but for the glory that went with him.  “That vile Philadelphia,” as Angelica Church, in a letter to Betsey of consolatory lament, characterized the city where Independence was born, was to be the capital of the Nation once more, New York to console herself with her commerce and the superior cleanliness