midday
Washington , rather than show open favouritism , even to Hamilton , to whom he felt the profoundest gratitude , would have resigned his high office ; but the desire was in his head , and Jefferson felt it . The campaign open , he kept up a nagging siege upon Washington 's convictions in favour of his aggressive Secretary 's measures , finding constant excuses to be alone with the President . Hamilton , on the other hand , dismissed the subject when left alone with Washington , unless responding to a demand . He frequently remained to the midday meal with the family , and was as gay and lively as if Jefferson , Madison , and Monroe were in the limbo to which he gladly would have consigned them . His nature was mercurial in one , at least , of its essences , and a sudden let-down , followed by congenial company , restored his equilibrium at once . But Washington watched the development of the blackness and violence of his deeper passions with uneasiness and regret , finally with alarm . Hamilton , in truth , was roused to his dregs .