CHAPTER XXVI.

THE MARRIAGE AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

One can easily imagine the consternation in that brilliant assembly when Bob, the powder-monkey of the privateer, took upon himself the duties of toastmaster, and asked that distinguished gathering of banqueters to drink to the officers and crew of the _Lively Bee_.

The diplomatic corps looked aghast.

There wasn't one of the nations they represented but would employ privateers if at war, but they would not just then acknowledge it.

As one quaint old sea dog put it.

"A privateer is a man who does all the dirty work in a naval war, receives all the kicks, and watches others enjoy the glories."

So, while all nations employed privateers, they never recognized the officers and crews as being other than patriotic pirates.

The gathering was, however, full of enthusiasm, and Dolly Madison herself led the drinking of the toast.

Secretary of the Navy, Paul Hamilton, responded for the government, and complimented the _Lively Bee_ on attacking and capturing a war vessel.

"That was a brave act, and even though she sailed under a letter of marque, we must acknowledge that she did the State great service."

Then Lieutenant Tempest acknowledged the toast, while Lieutenant Hamilton merely bowed.

Bob was close to Mrs. Madison, and was particularly pleased with himself.

He heard the President's wife say:

"What a handsome man that young privateer is!"

Bob leaned over the lady's shoulder and whispered:

"But you should see his wife; she's a stunner--A1 anywhere; she is a beauty!"

A young lady, who had not long made her _début_, and had been looking at Tempest with eyes which were full of love, now blushed slightly and in a low whisper said:

"What a pity he is married; he is so very handsome."

Bob might have heard what was said, but he took no notice except to remark to Mrs. Madison that the lieutenant captured his bride at the same time he did the vessel.

Seeing that the two boys were drinking rather freely, and getting far more talkative, their officers ordered them from the room, much to Bob's annoyance. Jack Creamer took it good-naturedly, and when he and Bob found such good things in store for them in the kitchen, they began to feel more thoroughly at home.

During the evening Dolly managed to ask Tempest about his wife.

"You have heard?" he asked in surprise.

"Ah! you little think how such news travels," she answered teasingly.

"Surely, the commodore did not tell you?"

"Is it a secret, then?"

"No, dear madam; but the circumstances were so strange that----"

"I would like to know all about it," interjected the mistress of the White House, who loved to hear a love romance quite as much as she did when wooed and won as a wife.

Tempest needed no pressing, for he was in love with Bertha, and nothing was so gratifying to him as to talk of her.

He told his story, and Mrs. Madison was delighted.

Her eyes flashed with the fire of youth, her face flushed with pleasure, and she had to call her husband to tell him of the brave privateer's love story.

President Madison listened.

"Decatur's niece the wife of a privateer! Sir, what magic did you use?"

The President spoke as though he were angry, but a smile flitted over his face as his wife answered him:

"The same magic you used, James, when you said you loved me."

"Well, well! and so Decatur acted as celebrant! Are you thinking of having the ceremony performed in Washington?"

"I--had not thought--but it would be as well."

Tempest hesitated and stammered.

A new complexion was put upon his marriage.

He knew Decatur had the right to perform the ceremony, but there were some who would doubt.

Dorothea Madison saw his perplexity.

"Of course, and the wedding shall be from the White House. Oh, yes, I insist, James, and do not say no, for I am mistress of the White House, you know."

"My dear Dolly, I am not objecting, but what will the world say about a privateer being married from the executive mansion?"

"That the President of the United States dares to do right, even though the world might frown," answered his wife earnestly.

"My dear, you shall do as you please."

Then the sweet woman made a curtsey, and answered with a pretty little pout:

"I know that, James, even though you are President of the Republic."

The evening passed pleasantly, and the guests departed long before midnight, happy in their patriotic love.

In those days night was not turned into day; the revels ended at an early hour, for all believed in the good old idea that an hour's beauty sleep before midnight was worth two afterward.

On the following day John Tempest introduced his wife to the White House circle, and Dorothea Madison at once fell in love with Bertha.

The wedding was conducted on a splendid scale; no expense was spared, for Tempest was considered a naval hero, and no one dared to even speak slightingly of the privateer.

In fact, in the East Room of the White House the captured flags were draped on the wall, and underneath were the names of the victorious vessels:

The _Wasp_, _Constitution_, _United States_ and _Lively Bee_.

The President took no part in the exercises, but was present.

The clergyman who performed the ceremony explained that John Tempest and Bertha Decatur had been legally married at sea by the gallant commander of the man-of-war _United States_, but the contracting parties desired the blessing of the Church upon their union.

So, on New Year's Day, in the eventful year Eighteen hundred and thirteen, John Tempest was again married to the object of his choice, and this time not on the high seas, but with all the grandeur and _éclat_ of marriage in the residence of the chief magistrate of a great nation.

The sun shone brightly as the bride and groom left the house and walked across the park.

"It is an omen," said Tempest.

"Yes, the sun shines on us, and may it shine on our country's cause."

"Amen!"

Even as he made the response he trembled, for in a few days he was to part with his wife and rejoin the _Lively Bee_.

He dreaded that moment, not because he was afraid, but he had formed a sweet binding tie, and he disliked breaking that tie, even to obey his country's call.