Chapter 2 - Page 2

nursery
gardens--and, then, he walked home with me. Was it wrong? I mean was it
polite--I mean the proper thing to permit? I knew not how to prevent
it."

"How often have you met Lieutenant Hyde?"

"I met him for the first time last night. He was at the Sylvesters', and
I danced three times with him."

"That was too often."

"He talked with father, and father did not oppose my dancing."

"Your father thinks of nothing, now, but the Capital question. I dare
say, after he had asked Lieutenant Hyde how he felt on that subject he
never thought of the young man again. And pray what did Lieutenant Hyde
say to you this afternoon?"

"He gave me the flowers, and he told me about a beautiful opera, of
which I have never before heard. It is called Figaro. He says, in
Europe, nothing is played, or sung, or whistled, but--Figaro; that
nobody goes to any opera but--Figaro; and that I do not know the most
charming music in the world if I do not know--Figaro. He asked
permission to bring me some of the airs to-night, and I said some
civilities. I think they meant 'Yes.' Did I do wrong, mother?"

"I will say 'no,' my dear; as you have given the invitation. But to
prevent an appearance of too exclusive intimacy, write to Arenta, and
ask her and Rem to take tea with us. Balthazar will carry the note at
once."

"Mother, Arenta has bought a blue lute string. Shall I not also have a
new gown? The gauzes are very sweet and genteel, and I think Mrs. Jay
will not forget to ask me to her dance next week. Mr. Jefferson is sure
to be there, and I wish to walk a minuet with him."

"Your father does not approve of Mr. Jefferson. He has not spoken to him
since his return from France. He goes too far--IN HIS WORDS."

"But all the ladies of distinction are proud to be seen in his company;
and pray what is there against him?"

"Only his politics, Cornelia. I think New York has gone mad on that
subject. Madame Barens will not speak to her son, because he is a
Federalist; and Madame Lefferts will not speak to HER son, because he is
NOT a Federalist. Mr. Jefferson, also, is thought to favour Philadelphia
for the capital; and your father is as hot on this subject as he was on
the Constitution. My dear, you will find that society is torn in two by
politics."

"But women have nothing to do with politics."

"They have everything to do with politics. They always have had. You are
not now in a Moravian school, Cornelia; and Bethlehem is not New York.
The two places look at life from different standpoints."

"Then, as I am to live in New York,