“Meanwhile,” the shipowner was getting to his feet, “much can happen.”
“I was thinking that.”
“Perhaps the usurper, Légitime, will not be on hand to greet our new Ambassador.”
“Perhaps!”
The gentlemen bowed and separated.
That evening Stephen Preston sent a joyful letter home. “A miracle has taken place, truly a miracle!”
And on Cedar Hill the Douglasses sat on their porch and re-read the letter which a messenger had brought from Secretary of State Blaine.
“You deserve it, my dear. You deserve every bit of it!” She smiled at her husband, her eyes shining with happiness. Douglass’ voice was a little husky. The letter trembled in his hand.
“Secretary Blaine is right. This is important to every freedman in the United States. It’s important to that valiant small nation which owes its independence to a successful slave revolt. This recognition is important to dark peoples everywhere. I am so grateful that I’m here to do my part.”
And Helen Douglass reached out and took his hand. She was proud, so very proud of him.