Viktor Du Pont was a very masculine, fairly handsome young man. By comparison, James Monroe seemed somewhat old.
But unlike the potbellied Fawkes, Monroe had kept himself in good shape. The proper smile he always wore also made him immediately likable.
He gave Georgiana a gift: a gold ornament full of Native American flavor, fashioned in the shape of a feather. There was also a small totem pole carved with a Thunderbird.
"This is Cherokee culture," Monroe explained enthusiastically. "Their warriors wear headdresses made of feathers. Now they are learning to farm from us, and we are sharing nature in an orderly manner."
Georgiana picked up the little Thunderbird totem. Scamander's book had mentioned that Cherokee warriors once used Wampus cat fur to make wands. She wondered whether there was any inside this wooden object.
"You should see the Cherokee herding horses," Viktor Du Pont said. "When they race across the prairie, it is especially spectacular."
"Please convey my thanks to the chief and the President," she said sincerely to Monroe. "I like your gifts very much."
"Irénée has always lived in cities. He should see more of the Americas," Viktor said. "I once served as secretary to the french minister to America. There are many magnificent sights there. You should visit if you have the chance."
"I will." Georgiana set down the totem pole in her hand. Just then, her new maid Margarita arrived carrying milk tea.
"I heard Irénée was once Minister Chaptal's student."
"He merely attended Minister Chaptal's lectures. His primary studies were under Professor Lavoisier," Viktor said. "He believed that as long as those powders were mixed in the proper proportions, they could unleash miraculous power."
The smile faded from Georgiana's face.
Gunpowder was indeed something both praised and condemned. It could blast apart rocks blocking