Page:The amorous intrigues and adventures of Aaron Burr.pdf/9

 "Constant! Yes, that's natural," returned he, "for constancy is a great virtue in a woman."

"Oh, yes, constancy is very good, but that is very different from constant work."

"But constancy leads to constant work, sometimes, I should think," said Burr, laughing.

"Yes, sir, when they get married. Though we all work in the country."

"Who do you think is the prettiest girl in the room?" said Burr.

"Penelope Shattuch has that name—the girl in the pink frock yonder, talking to the tall young gentleman."

"What, she! Why, her form is not much."

"I don't know. Here they say that beauty consists in black eyes, red cheeks, and a slim figure."

Burr burst forth into shouts of laughter, which quite astonished Adelaide.

"My own sweet seraph!" cried he, "there's not a girl in the room who can compare with yourself, and you have neither black eyes, red cheeks, nor a slim—ah! yes, you have a small waist undoubtedly, but otherwise you are full; with the most enchanting bust that nature ever fashioned."

"You think so, sir? I don't think that I am handsome."

"Then you pronounce me no judge of beauty! I hope that you err on that head, at least."

"Oh, no, I wouldn't be willing to tell any gentleman that he is no judge of beauty—"

"Ay, ay, I understand. You only think that I am fond of deceiving and flattering the ladies—of speaking what I do not think."

"Oh, no, by no means. Not that, but—"

"But what? Why do you pause?"

Well, I don't know—only, I never was called handsome."

"Then it is high time that you were. Many homely girls have been told that they were handsome, and it is a hard case if one so beautiful as you must never hear the truth."

By this kind of conversation with Adelaide, Burr made more progress than he was aware of, for Adelaide was not one of those girls who are easily led to express their feelings; nor was she ready to believe that Burr was in love with her.

It was enough that she soon knew she was in love with him, whether he was sincere in his profession of admiration for her or not.

This, then, was the first love adventure in which Aaron Burr was engaged. He was seventeen years old at the time.

Long years have passed since then, and long years had passed at the time of Burr's death on Staten Island, since Adelaide King had been