true, Madam, that is why you were put out of Washington--because
you were dangerous. They thought you could get the ear of any
man--make him divulge secrets which he ought to keep--if you just
asked him to do it--for the sake of Josephine St. Auban!" He
jerked out his sentences, as though habitual reticence and lack of
acquaintance with women left it difficult for him to speak, even
thus boldly.

"Oh, thank you, thank you!" She clapped her hands together,
mockingly.

"Before now, women less beautiful than you have robbed men of their
reason, have led them to do things fatal as open treason to their
country. These men were older than you or I. Perhaps, as you
will agree, they were better able to weigh the consequences. You
are younger than they, younger than I, myself; but you are
charming--and you are young. Call it cruel of me, if you like, to
take you by the hand and lead you gently away from that sort of
danger for just a few days. Call me jailer, if you like. None the
less it is my duty, and I shall call it in part a kindness to you
to take you away from scenes which might on both sides be
dangerous. Some of the oldest and best minds of this country have
felt--"

"At least those minds were shrewd in choosing their agent," she
rejoined. "Yes; you are fanatic, that is plain. You will obey
orders. And you have not been much used to women. That makes it
harder for me. Or easier!" She smiled at him again, very blithe
for a prisoner.