The mother of Hector met them even before the gate was opened.  Her voice called to the door her daughter Jeanne, who was shaking hands with Dunwody before he was half way up the walk.  The ejaculations of Jeanne attracted yet another ear farther within the house.  A moment later Dunwody saw pass before the door a figure which he recognized, a face which called the blood to his own face.  An instant later, forgetting everything, he was at the door, had her hands in his own.

“It is you!” he exclaimed.  “How does it happen?  It is impossible!”

Her face had more color than for days.  “Yes, it is unexpected,” she said simply, at last.  “Everything is unexpected.  But of all things possible, this it seems to me is best—­to come here—­to rest for a time.”

“You are passing through to St. Louis?”

“Perhaps,” she said.  “My plans for the moment are somewhat unsettled.  I stopped off here, as no doubt you know, to serve as godmother to this baby of Jeanne’s!  It is an important errand.”

“But monsieur has not perfectly examined this infant as yet,” interrupted Hector.  “See, it has the eyes of Jeanne,—­it has—­”

“It is a darling!” said Josephine gently, and stroked the somewhat scanty hair of the heiress of the Fournier estates.

In some way, a moment later, they were apart from the protestations of the fond parents.  They found themselves alone, in the special apartment reserved for guests of distinction.  An awkward moment ensued.  Josephine was first to break the silence.  Dunwody could only sit and look at her, devouring each line, each little remembered gesture of her.  Yes, it was she—­a little older and graver and thinner, yes.  But it was she.

“I was talking with Jeanne this very morning,” she said.  “She was telling me some story that you have been unfortunate—­that there have been—­that is to say—­political changes—­”

He nodded, “Yes.  Perhaps you know I have lost my place with my people here?  I am done for, politically.”

He continued, smiling; “Just to show you the extent of my downfall, I have heard that they are intending to tar and feather me to-night,—­perhaps to give me a ride upon a rail!  That is the form of entertainment which in the West hitherto has generally been reserved for horse-thieves, unwelcome revivalists, and that sort of thing.  Not that it terrifies me.  The meeting is going to be held!”

“Then it is true that you are to speak here to-night—­and to uphold doctrines precisely the reverse of what—­”

“Yes, that is true.”  He spoke very quietly.

“I had not thought that possible,” she said gently.

“Of course,” she added, “I have been in entire ignorance of alt matters out here for a year past.  I have been busy.”

“Why should you follow the political fortunes of an obscure Missourian?” he asked.  “On the contrary, there is at least one obscure Missourian who has followed yours.  I have known pretty much all you have been doing of late.  Yes, you at least have been busy!”