[42]
CHAPTER VII.
Angelina again.—A newspaper article.—Agitation of Burr.—The Widow Keating.
On the day after the events recorded in the last chapter, Aaron Burr returned home to the dwelling of his sister, Mrs. Reeve.
From Angelina he had heard twice during his absence. Her letters were filled with fervent love, and his replies were equally warm, if not equally sincere.
He met Angelina soon after his return, and found her the same ardent, warm-hearted creature, full of raptures and tender feelings.
On one occasion, when seated with Angelina in an embowered shade, Burr drew a New York paper from his pocket, and pointed out an amusing article for her to read. It related to a tory who had been tarred and feathered in an Eastern state.
After reading the piece, Angelina continued to look over the sheet, and presently asked her lover if he believed that the suicides generally attributed to religious fanaticism were bona fide cases of the kind supposed.
"Why not?" said Burr; "you know my opinion of religious sectarians. But why do you ask?"
"Because, here is a case." And Angelina read aloud as follows:
"Yesterday evening, a young lady laboring under religious melancholy—as it is supposed—threw herself from the end of Rosevelt wharf into the river, for the purpose of committing suicide. She was fortunately discovered by watchman Brown, who happened to be near the spot at the time, who gave the alarm, and she was rescued from drowning, and conveyed to her home at No. — First street."
Burr remained silent so long that Angelina looked at him. His face was pale as death. The house mentioned was that of Mrs. Keating.
"You are ill!" cried the young girl.
"I do not feel very well," replied Burr. "I will go home. I shall be better in the morning."
During his few moments of silence, Burr had arranged his plan. He set off for New York on the following day.
