But for Fairfax Cary, friend and shadow though he was of the elder brother, her feeling was different.  He was a man to be liked for himself, and he loved and was to marry Unity.  He adopted his brother’s quarrel:  he and Lewis barely spoke, and that despite the fact that Lewis had for him a strange half-grim, half-vexed admiration; he came no more than the elder Cary to the house on Shockoe; but when they met abroad, Jacqueline was sure of some greeting, half gay, half stiff, some talk of Fontenoy, some exchange of sentiment upon one topic dear to each, some chivalrous compliment to herself.  He made a gallant and devoted lover, and Jacqueline could not but applaud Unity’s choice and feel for him an almost unmixed kindness.

Because of the trial, which drew friends, kindred, and acquaintances to Richmond, the marriage, which was to have been celebrated in August, had been postponed to September.  Unity came to town for a month and stayed with her cousin.  Her lover would not enter Lewis Rand’s house, nor did she ask him to do so.  Her kindred in Richmond were numerous, and they might and did meet in a score of Federalist mansions, at various places of entertainment, and, as now, at church.

He answered Jacqueline’s welcome and Miss Dandridge’s bright blush and brief “How d’ye do?” with the not-too-profound bow, the subdued and deprecatory smile, and the comparative absence of compliment that church demanded, then, seating himself, leaned forward with his arm upon the back of their pew and entered into low-toned conversation.

“They were early.”—­“Yes:  too early!”—­“So much the better, for now they could see all the famous folk enter.  Army, Navy, Law, and Letters are all coming to church.  To-morrow is the indictment.”

“Ah!” murmured Jacqueline; and Unity, “They say he held a levee at the Penitentiary yesterday.  Personally, I prefer a surly traitor to one who is so affable, smiling, and witty.”

“I also,” agreed her lover.  “But Colonel Burr is no Grand Seigneur of a traitor out of the dismal romances that you read!  He meant no harm—­not he!  His ideas of meum and tuum may be vague, but when all’s said, he’s the most courteous gentleman and a boon companion!  I think that we are well-nigh the only Federalists in town who have not forgotten that this man slew Hamilton, and who keep the fact in mind that, defend him as they please, his counsel cannot say, He loved his country and wished no other empire!’ After the indictment to-morrow, Hay will speak and the Government begin to call its witnesses.  Who is this coming in—­the lady with Mrs. Carrington?  Look!  It’s Burr’s daughter—­it’s Mrs. Alston!”

“She’s a brave woman,” said Unity.  “One can’t but honour such spirit, courage, and loyalty.  She’s dressed as if it were a gala day!”

“If you’ll let me pass,” whispered Jacqueline, “I will speak to her.  We met at the Amblers’ the other night.  There’s an anxious heart behind that fine fire!”