"Decatur's niece the wife of a privateer! Sir, what magic did you use?"
The President spoke as though he were angry, but a smile flitted over his face as his wife answered him:
"The same magic you used, James, when you said you loved me."
"Well, well! and so Decatur acted as celebrant! Are you thinking of having the ceremony performed in Washington?"
"I—had not thought—but it would be as well."
Tempest hesitated and stammered.
A new complexion was put upon his marriage.
He knew Decatur had the right to perform the ceremony, but there were some who would doubt.
Dorothea Madison saw his perplexity.
"Of course, and the wedding shall be from the White House. Oh, yes, I insist, James, and do not say no, for I am mistress of the White House, you know."