Any tears Burr has now are a result only of his nightmares and disturbed dreams. He is only half sleeping, when Washington enters, and he shifts to a kind of half-sitting up against the wall, when Washington sits, then slides to sit up fully, when his brain catches up. President and general.
He has his own handkerchief, refuses Washington's, dabs off sweat and damp.
"Sir, I apologize for not asking. I needed only some rest from the excitement of last night--" Hamilton's excitement, not Burr's "--I will return to Alexander if I but have a moment to gather myself."
This is easier, pulling himself together to be Colonel Burr, whom has not been ravished, and who is not heat sick. Who is not fighting nausea, and who does not need to take more abortifacient.
He doesn't want to return to Alexander. He feels sick at the thought of seeing him. But he also can't bear the guilt at being away. Everyone has to do what they don't wish to, when the occasion comes. He has a duty. Even as his eyes burn and his head pounds.
no subject
He has his own handkerchief, refuses Washington's, dabs off sweat and damp.
"Sir, I apologize for not asking. I needed only some rest from the excitement of last night--" Hamilton's excitement, not Burr's "--I will return to Alexander if I but have a moment to gather myself."
This is easier, pulling himself together to be Colonel Burr, whom has not been ravished, and who is not heat sick. Who is not fighting nausea, and who does not need to take more abortifacient.
He doesn't want to return to Alexander. He feels sick at the thought of seeing him. But he also can't bear the guilt at being away. Everyone has to do what they don't wish to, when the occasion comes. He has a duty. Even as his eyes burn and his head pounds.