"Ours is a private boat. Do you say it is to meet a brother that you wish to go to Cincinnati?"
The old man's countenance fell. "Monsieur, accept my apology. Permit me to speak my explanation. Pardieu, I deceive not. When I speak I shall not indicate ze son of my mother, but I shall indicate ze brother in medicine, Monsieur Goforth, ze physician celèbre. Pardon. Pardon that I detain you so long."
Disappointed, the old man turned toward his modest domicile, at the door of which stood a petite maiden awaiting the issue of the interview. Immediately descrying the damsel, Burr remarked aside to Arlington:
"Another alluring petticoat. Tree nymphs or naiads haunt every island and green bank."
"Père," asked the girl anxiously, in a gentle voice, so clear that every word she spoke reached the ear of Burr, "may you go with them?"
The father shook his head.
"Non, chérie."
He went up to his daughter, who impulsively kissed him, as if to solace his disappointment. He seemed about to enter the cottage, when, like one suddenly recollecting a neglected duty, he wheeled round and again approached the strangers.
"Do me ze honor, messieurs, before you depart to enter in my poor dwelling and drink with me one glass of wine."
An invitation so naïvely extended could not be declined. Burr felt a kindly impulse toward the cordial sire and was not averse to wasting a few stray glances on mademoiselle.