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he was delivering his words in the slow, measured cadences that he normally employed on the floor of the Senate. “Your fine capital fully justifies its appellation, ‘the Pearl of the Orient,’ and the people in its streets seem content and happy and are obviously at ease under your benevolent governance 
    Joseph frowned, then looked at Chuck in puzzlement. He had told his father about the pousse-pousse coolies being beaten by their passengers, and he had seemed to listen. “Do you think he didn’t believe me?” whispered Joseph, but Chuck merely shrugged in reply. 
    “Our two nations, monsieur, hold many beliefs in common,” the senator continued smoothly. “We both are ready and willing to shoulder the responsibilities and duties which fall upon the rich and powerful nations of the world. Once the United States was itself a colony and fought hard for its freedom and independence. I’m sure your enlightened civilizing mission which is bringing modern communications and industry so unselfishly to the Annamese people will make sure that no such conflict will ever be necessary here 
    The aide-de-camp was quietly providing a running translation of the senator’s remarks and the governor looked up sharply at the mention of the word “independence.” But he found the American rocking on his heels and smiling back at him engagingly, and the slow drawl of his address continued without pause. “I think I should point out too, monsieur, that there, are other closer links between our family and France.” He flourished his hand in the direction of his wife like a showman introducing his star attraction of the evening. “My lovely wife, Flavia, was born in an old French colony that the great man in that picture on the wall behind you, Monsieur le Gouverneur, sold to the United States for fifteen million dollars in the year 1803. The Emperor Napoleon got a good deal because France would have had to give it up sooner or later anyway, and I got a good deal because Louisiana gave me a lovely companion for life with all the legendary charms of your people.” 
    He turned a dazzling smile on Flavia and she smiled back, her cheeks flushing faintly. She already knew from the sour expressions of the French wives among the gathering arid the open admiration in the eyes of their sallow, perspiring spouses that she had achieved an outstanding success with her greatest extravagance, a simple couture gown of lilac organza. She had dressed her hair daringly with ivory combs, sweeping it straight back from her face to emphasize her high cheekbones, then letting it fall behind her in a dark torrent that contrasted sharply with the pale silk of her gown. Her cheeks were already aglow from a combination of the heat and the exhilaration of being the center of attention, and this had lent an extra, youthful radiance to her beauty. 
    “She gave up on me a long time ago, but she made sure that my two sons, Charles and Joseph, speak the language of her forebears, and that will stand us in good stead in your colony.” He paused and beamed affably at his host once more. “We thank you most heartily, Monsieur le Gouverneur, for your kind and hospitable welcome.” 
    When the aide finished translating the senator’s remarks the assembled colons applauded politely and an Annamese servant hovering nearby offered champagne to the group. The governor immediately raised his glass in Flavia Sherman’s direction and complimented her elaborately on her French ancestry and the “astonishing combination” of her beauty and her two fine sons. “I trust you will not spend all your time hunting, Madame Sherman,” he ad,1ed, smiling for the first tune. “Your presence would greatly enhance the dull routine of colonial life if you chose to attend any of our social occasions.” 
    She returned his smile, then darted a quick glance at her husband; seeing he was engaged in conversation with the governor’s aide, she allowed a confiding note to enter