"Then go be with him," Jefferson says, pulling his hand away. It's enough to inspire pity in anyone's heart, but he cannot, if only for the purposes of preserving his own flesh against a traitorous madman. He cannot summon forth any sort of purr, any sort of reassuring croon, and he is upset -- he does not want disharmony in his household, nor in his personal life, and this occasion has ruined his careful peace so quickly. Burr must have returned home and immediately confessed. Blamed it on Jefferson. Looked piteous. Maybe they both planned this! Nothing would be beyond Hamilton's constant scheming.

"Of course he will have you," says Jefferson, trying to be soothing. "He cannot spurn someone as lovely as you."