“Be Jove, he’s a fool, that’s what he is,” remarked Thomas, caressing his military whiskerage.
“He’s worse, Tom,” replied his father; “he’s a traitor, and ought to be indicted for treason.”
“Does he move in good society here, Mr. Atkins?” blandly asked Mr. Lafitte.
“He! Why, sir, he’s a rank Disunionist!” exclaimed the merchant. “A Disunionist received into good society! My dear sir, what are you thinking of!”
“Pardon me,” politely returned the Southerner, with a courteous inclination of his head, and cherishing in secret, a malicious desire to corner his host, though he must tell a lie to do it—“pardon me, I did not know. You are aware that I am a Disunionist myself. The difference I apprehend to be this: Phillips is for a Dissolution of the Union for the sake of liberty; I am for a dissolution of the Union for the sake of slavery. I state it frankly, for I wish to plainly present the fact that we are both Disunionists, though for different reasons. Now am I to infer that the fact of my Disunion sentiments would exclude me from good society here? For I have letters to some of your leading citizens, and it would indeed be awkward were I to present them where I should not be welcome.”
“No, sir, no indeed, sir,” replied the merchant with sonorous emphasis. “That is a different case altogether, sir. Entirely different. We honor the spirit of Southern gentlemen in defence of their property, sir, and our first society is always open to them, Mr. Lafitte.”
“You Southern gentleman are so chivalrous!” said Mrs. Atkins, with languid playfulness.
“So ardent!” lisped Caroline, with a languishing glance at the Southerner.
“Indeed, ladies, you overwhelm me,” returned Mr. Lafitte, gallantly; “and I am glad to perceive the true state of the case, Mr. Atkins. It is curious, however, if we look at it from one point of view, that Mr. Phillips, who, as you say, is very much of a gentleman, one of your most talented men, and belonging to one of your most respectable families—it is curious that he should be sent to Coventry by your first society for his Disunion, and we received so handsomely for ours. But then, he is for liberty, and we are for slavery, which, as you happily observed, makes an important difference. Yes, I see the distinction, and it is both broad and just. An admirable distinction, indeed, and one that does your society great credit.”