But Hamilton shook his head decidedly.  “You know how tired I am of all this,” he said, “and that I can be as useful and far more agreeably active in the field.  If I consent to this interview, I am lost.  I have never doubted the Chief’s affection for me, but he is also the most astute of men, and knows my weakness.  If, arguments having failed, he puts his arm about my shoulders and says, ‘My boy, do not desert me,’ I shall melt, and vow that neither bride nor glory could beckon me from him.  So listen attentively, mon ami, and deliver my answer as follows:  1st.  I have taken my resolve in a manner not to be revoked, 2d.  As a conversation could serve no other purpose than to produce explanations, mutually disagreeable, though I certainly will not refuse an interview if he desires it, yet I should be happy if he would permit me to decline it. 3d.  That, though determined to leave the family, the same principles which have kept me so long in it will continue to direct my conduct toward him when out of it. 4th.  That I do not wish to distress him or the public business by quitting him before he can derive other assistance by the return of some of the gentlemen who are absent. 5th.  And that in the meantime it depends on him to let our behaviour to each other be the same as if nothing had happened.”

Tilghman heaved a deep sigh.  “Then you really mean to go?” he said.  “Heartless wretch!  Have you no mercy on us?  Headquarters will be a tomb, with Washington reposing on top.  Think of the long and solemn breakfasts, the funereal dinners, the brief but awful suppers.  Washington will never open his mouth again, and I never had the courage to speak first.  If ever you deign to visit us, you will find that we have lost the power of speech.  I repeat that you have no heart in your body.”

Hamilton laughed.  “If you did not know that I love you, you would not sit there and revile me.  No family has ever been happier than ours.  In four years there has not been a quarrel until to-day.  I can assure you that my heart will ache when the time comes to leave you, but I really had got to the end of my tether.  I have long felt as if I could not go on another day.”

“’Tis grinding, monotonous work,” admitted Tilghman, “and we’ve all wondered how you have stood it as long as this—­every bit of you was made for action.  Well, I’ll take your message to the Chief.”

Washington consented to waive the explanation and sent Hamilton another message, thanking him for consenting to remain until Harrison and Meade returned.

XI